Should we live here?

We visited Stauton, VA this weekend. It's one of the potential relocation spots for the Malcolms. I didn't get any pictures of the quaint downtown, but here are some pictures from Granny's farm. We went swimming and visited the animals. What do you think?

My brother at the Olympics

I think it's pretty cool that my brother got to attend the Beijing Olympics last week. He went to the USA vs. Greece basketball game and was stoked about it. For those who don't know, he is living in Suzhou, China where he has been for the past 4 years. We miss you John David!!

Tarheel Reunion #10

It's hard to believe that college was 10 years ago. Even though a decade has past, my closeknit group of friends reunion at the beach every year, and when we get together, it's like no time has passed at all! We had a blast catching up, sunning, and laughing, laughing, laughing. I love you girls!

And, a HUGE thanks to Grandmama who hung out with the kiddos while this tired mama got some R&R with her girlies. Thanks too to Mama Red for the awesome house!

H

Henry meets the King

Henry loves Cars (the movie). John took him to see the movie when it first came out (summer '06) and he is STILL obsessed with the movie characters. It is not unusual to find Henry lying on the floor racing his cars around the hardwood floors with his feet motoring him around in circles. We have Cars plates, forks, shirts, underwear and even a fishing pole. He doesn't even watch the movie that much, it's just the idea of talking, fast race cars that enthralls him. When we were in NC last week, I surprised him with a trip to Randleman, NC to see the Richard Petty Museum. One of the Cars characters (the King) is modelled after Richard Petty, and all his old race cars are on display in this museum. So, imagine walking into a room and being surprised by a life size model of this car!! Henry went crazy!!



even Bradley found something to gawk at! Richard Petty's wife's doll collection!

We are Family. . .

One of our favorite things about being in Norfolk is that we are just a few hours from family. Most with whom we have had minimal visits for the past 5 years. We headed down to North Carolina last week to spend time with the fam. Here are a few pics:

Bradley & Jessica (a.k.a. "AJ") giving some chin sugar:

Bradley & her cousin Alyssa - now, do these look like part Chinese babies? NO!

Gong Gong & the grandkids ready to go swimming:

Henry & Alyssa at the pool:

Alyssa (who is looking forward to a baby brother next month):

Water, Water Everywhere

Today my cousin Rob took us to Water Country USA which is a waterpark in Williamsburg about half an hour away. I remember this place from my childhood as being THE MOST FUN PLACE ON EARTH. We went when I was about 8 or so, and it is still a vivid memory in my mind today. The slides! The wavepool! The neverending water heaven! Well, I was a bit skeptical how the kids would take to it because a) they don't like crowded places and b) they aren't exactly dare devils. Well, was I ever wrong! Bradley was a bit frightened by the multi-story water slide (probably shouldn't have taken her up on that one), but Henry absolutely LOVED every minute of it and can't wait to go again. We got there when it opened and didn't leave until 4pm! Thanks Uncle Rob!!!!

If I had a boat. . . .

. . . I'd go out on the ocean. . . . isn't that a Lyle Lovett song? Well, we can't easily row out to the ocean from our house, but we can go out on the river! And indeed we have. John found a sweet deal on a canoe/sailboat last weekend on Craigslist and we've been having a blast on the boat this week. Another reason to come visit us!

(fyi - this was our first, quick trip out. we promptly bought life preservers the next day. also, that's our house in the background)
John & Henry taking out the crabpot to a deeper location in hopes of more crabs . . . an unsuccessful venture)
Grammy came to visit this week. She has named this spot "Popsicle Point." Very fitting as the kids eat popsicles out here almost daily.