VA Part 1

We left for VA for 10 days on August 28. This year our itinerary included a few days in northern VA with great friends, Murphey's family reunion in Richmond, and lots of time with the Holtschneiders in Williamsburg. We also got to spend some brief time with the Schoonovers before they moved to England for two years.

First stop was time with the Moskals and Darcie in northern VA. Maddie is 4 months younger than Nora, and we are able to see each other about once a year or so. The girls had fun playing with each other. Not to say that their brief time was without squabbling!!! They are SO similar, some clashing was inevitable! It's crazy, because I would hear Maddie say something and it was the exact wording and intonation as something that typically would come out of Nora's mouth. Kelly and I agreed that we have two "alpha" females and that they are very similar. Nora was deciding to be uncooperative at picture time, and the look on her face in the first picture is 100% intentional. Regardless, we had a great time and thank the Moskal's for their wonderful hospitality!!! Nora had so much fun sleeping over at Maddie's!

Next stop was Shirlington for a day/night at Darcie's. She is a mere block from downtown and they were having some kind of a dog festival. Shirlington is VERY dog friendly, which is perfect for Darcie and Rogie!! We took him and Nora and they were both very well behaved AND entertained!!

Of course there was face painting! Nora's not the only one who got some "ink."

Cute restaurant called "Busboys and Poets" where we had lunch. I can't quite explain the surprised look on Darcie's face in this picture, do you remember, Darcie?
Nora entertained herself with condiments while we waited for our food.

Rogie got his "ink" while we waited for our food.

On our way back to Darcie's, we HAD to stop for ice cream! Of course, Nora chose the shocking blue color (and yes, it's true what they say about their poop the next day!) She got mini-M&M's mixed in with it.
No, she's not eating the cone, she's trying to dig out the M&M's.

Again, fishing for M&M's.

And again...

We couldn't stop laughing. I had to just sit down in the middle of the sidewalk so I wouldn't wet my pants (and so I could get more pictures of her and her mess, which is why the brim of my cap is pushed so far up.) She was in her own little world. Just her and the ice cream cone.