gabriella & jd (and alex! and vincent!)

Manchester. We just spent four days in Manchester, England. We had a great time, walking around the city, seeing Old Trafford for the first time (me and Alex), meeting old friends. The city has a great vibe to it - the industrial revolution era buildings, the academia, art, and Mancunian spirit. Of course there was beer, fish 'n chips, mushy peas, English breakfast, a curry, and a great dinner at Yang Sing.

Paris last week. Alex met a cute girl at the playground. A few days walking around at the gardens(the July flowers are in!) and playgrounds. Alex has become more adventuresome on the playground equipment. His latest thing is he likes to stand on the "bumpy stones" as he calls them. We went to La Defense to visit Dad at his office, but first, Alex hung out by the water fountain and enjoyed jumping down the stairs.

Pictures from last day in US and back to France. Here are some pictures from our last day in the US. Andrea made a delicious meal, and Alex watched "Mamma Mia". Then Grannie came back from Charlotte, and Alex got some last tricycle riding in. Andrea was able to accompany us to the gate at Dulles which really helped. Then Dad met us at CDG! Back in Paris. Back to our apartment, and it was Dad's birthday July 19. We walked around town, enjoyed the cool summer weather, and just being back.

Pictures. Alex had a really nice visit at Toots and Poppie's, then they took him to see cousins Brian and Lindsey in Frederick. Alex had a great time playing with Brian. Yesterday, we got to see Mrs. Mudd and Maureen and Maisie and Debbie and Matthew and Carrie and Natalie for a girls lunch in Rockville.

Alex's first camping trip! Where to begin? We just had a great 3 day vacation camping with Carrie, Spencer, Mitchell, Natalie, Rose & Beth (all experienced campers) near Ocean City, MD at Frontier Town. We had great weather, not a drop of rain, and lots of fun activities. Highlights included: -the pool, General Store, playground, algae pond, RV park watching, and all around camp experience -Spencer's skills at building the campfire and pitching his tent -Rose & Beth's great food and tents they brought and set up for me and Alex -Bike riding (note the surrey with a fringe) on the boardwalk and the water park! -the Ocean City Boardwalk including arcades, Thrashers fries, and Assateague Island and the horses -just being with great friends who let us tag along on their vacation and seeing Alex have fun with Spencer, Mitchell and Natalie and above all - the fun and flexibility!

Last few days. More playing, a barbecue at Carrie & David's, the DMV, the dump to recycle an old TV, visiting Alex's old daycare, Andrea at the airport, and then Silver Diner where it was children's night and Alex won a dance contest and got to lead a parade.

You know. Sometimes change is good.

July 4th. We had a really nice day at Mace & Suzanne's for July 4th. The weather was warm and sunny, not too hot, and Alex and cousin Eddy had a great time swimming, going for a ride in the kayak with Suzanne and Andrea, and just playing together. Alex loved Eddy's toys, especially the fire engine.

Sunday in DC with Toots, Poppie & Aunt Shana. Alex and I are enjoying our summer visit back in the US. On Sunday we met up with Toots and Poppie and Shana in DC, and went to the Museum of Natural History, and saw the IMAX 3D film on fish. Yesterday, we hung out with Carrie and Mitchell and Natalie - including causing trouble at the Mall with a giraffe in Macy's.