Silk Dream Castle in the Cockpit

Swimming at Annapolis Landing Marina

The "backdeck" pool of Zach (pictured), Cindy, and Doug.

Out Cold After a Long Day of "Tag Team" Fun

Ethan (w/ Ann), Jackson & Wyatt (w/Ashley) came by as Emily & Isabelle (w/ Nicole & Audrey) were heading home. The day closed with Dove Bars (note the smeared angel face).

On the Glider

With Emily and Isabelle.

Dressed to Clean Up Gardening Debris

Monster Artichokes

Over 20 oz each.

Kallan & the Giant Artichoke

Move over James!

Squash Surprise!

Compost Bounty; Catch of the Pile; Squash ala Rubush? Could be pumpkin
or butternut or...

Get in Shape with a Smile on Your Face!

The Usual

A Kid's Mini Sampler: Hummus, French Fries, & Kibbeh with Lemonade, of
course.

Surprise at Lebanese Taverna

Reece, Zach, Kallan, and Thomasa. Cindy (w/Zach) and Jamie Lyn
(w/Thomasa & Tyson) walked in as we were finishing our lunch: a treat
from Bella and Bumpa.

Barbie Bounty

Thank you, Alaxira! Thank you, Ellie! Gently used is sooooo much better
than new.
PS. I was going to title this Barbie Booty but wisely reconsidered.

Muskrat Working Steadfastly to Combat Our Phragmites Invasion

Assembling a Soft Taco for Daddy

A Less Comfortable Way to Travel

Soloing for the First Time in the Inflatable Kayaks

Balancing Aboard

Dining Alfresco

Two Little Fishermen

Modeling Sulus

First Family Kayak Ride of the Season

Heron "Sumi-e"

Take Off!

Osprey on a Derelict

Congratulations Gabriella! Your Artwork is Spectacular!

Our niece (Kallan and Reece's cousin), Gabriella Marafino, won first place in the 14-18 age category in the 2009 Foreign Service Youth Foundation Art Contest. Her artwork appears near the end of the video.

Pizza Night!

...with pie of a different sort. The cherries are from our neighbor's tree. Ours ripened and were gobbled up by furry and feathered friends while we were in CA.

Deer track? Or Maybe Faun...

...of the half man, half beast variety? The gardens are very friendly to faeries and other fanciful creatures.

Hiking, Horses, Frog Ponds, and Flora at Willow Oak Farms

Cindy, Zach, Kallan, Reece, and I spent a rainy day exploring.

At David's Natural Foods

Zach checking out the cows at the dairy next store.
Blurry Reece braving the mural.

Granola Bars with the New Chocolate, Yummy!

We are particularly excited about the chocolate's favorable rating for
dipping. It is significantly more tasty than the type we currently use
to coat truffles. Thanks for the contribution, Sherrie, Rick, Gabriella,
Sandro, Francesco, & Michela!

Clean Baby--for those of you incapable of believing she could live up to her name

The vacation laundry is officially done!

'Yakin' with Bella and Bumpa

Off to explore a nearby community beach while mommy did some grocery
shopping.

Back East

...after a fantastic trip to CA. We had a wonderful time: saw and did so many things, visited quite a few old friends and relatives, and made many new friends. We just can't thank all of our hosts enough for such warm, comfortable hospitality. We felt at ease and at home everywhere we went, and left--not as strangers finally returning to a place of familiarity but--as those saying goodbye to much loved homes, family, and communities. We hope some day to have the honor of welcoming all of you with similar comfort and accommodation over on the sun rise coast.