WV

Over Labor Day weekend we took our annual summer trip to raid Dad Blood's garden...I mean, visit Jon's family in West Virginia.  We were very impressed--both kids survived the 6.5 hour drive remarkably well.

We got to see Mary & the kids for about three minutes before she took off, but it was fun to meet Andrew! (Catherine's cousin twin--he's two days older)

We were so excited to head to the wave pool, especially since it was supposed to be in the 90s on Saturday.  But, no.  The wave pool was closed.  (They seriously couldn't find enough lifeguards?  What? Did all the 16-year-old kids leave town?)

So, instead, we headed to the Nitro pool, which most definitely didn't have waves and was ridiculously overcrowded.  Made for some great people-watching, though.  And people-watching in West Virginia is extra fun, for obvious reasons.

The Princess swims

Swimming with Uncle James (she adores him)

A very, very happy Princess

Seth kept himself (and his daddy) occupied by going down the slide repeatedly. 

Tongue out.

Awesome.

Joanna.  And Jacob, if you look carefully.

Swimming with Daddy in the kiddie pool

Post-swimming bath

Cousins! Brianna & Catherine.

She makes Catherine look gigantic.

We braved the rain on Labor Day and headed to the New River Gorge.

Jon thought I needed to see West Virginia's claim to fame.

The view from the Hawk's Nest

Seth & Jon overlooking the river 

It really was a miserable day.  

Check out this awesome poncho I whipped up for Seth: 

Hey, when in Rome...

(I really do like West Virginia.  But the jokes are just so easy!)

Our family at the Hawk's Nest

At least the girls look good.

Look!  It's #11!

Okay, fine.  It's Brianna inside Mom Blood's jacket keeping warm.

Claudia, Stephen & Mom

Daddy Moneybags

He's got the umbrella to prove it.

Wet, cold Seth

Wet, cold twins

And here it is, the New River Gorge: 

In the fog.

Still gorgeous, just...hard to see the actual Gorge.

You can actually see the rain dripping from Jon's face if you look closely.

We had, as always, a lovely time.  Seth & Catherine were adored all their waking hours, which is how they prefer it.  Seth even informed me that I was to address Jacob as "Uncle Jacob" instead of "Jakey."

I'm pretty sure Jakey put him up to that.

We love you guys!  Thank you for putting up with us!