The Fortune's: Summer Fun

I don't know how it is for you, but summer is flying by for the Fortune household. I turned on the computer and realized I haven't updated our blog for over a month. Besides numerous day trips and our family vacation to Kentucky, in the last month Shelly traveled to San Diego and Detroit and I to Jacksonville and Corpus Christi. So let me begin recapping our summer in the most logical place. . . a funny story.

Last Sunday morning, I returned home, after dropping Shelly's mom off at the DC airport (oh yeah, Shelly's mom came out for a week, which I will write about), to a restless wife and two irritable children. Shelly suggested we go to Annapolis for the day, but I vetoed that idea. After two hours in the car listening to off-the-wall, weird Sunday radio talk shows, I was in no rush to drive anymore that day. I also learned from the radio that the National Weather Service predicted heavy thunderstorms in DC and Baltimore. So I convinced Shelly we should take a picnic lunch to base and play on the base's giant playground . I then spent the rest of the morning making a picnic lunch and talking the adventure up to Madison.

It is never a good sign for a picnic when you pull out of your driveway and the sky is black -not just black but giant storm clouds centered right where you plan to picnic. As the sheets of rain pelleted the car as we drove onto base, I did not dare to make eye contact with my wife's glare. In the end, we had a very nice picnic . . .in the back our new car, third row folded down, looking out the hatch... I felt like we were in an Acadia commercial, but we had fun. When I say we had fun, I mean Madison and myself. I think the whole experience confused Kate, and Shelly has not submitted her verdict.

Picnic in the Rain

Three weeks ago, Shelly and I took the girls to Lexington for the 4th of July. Probably the most notable subject is how much we enjoyed being in a city again. My parents moved downtown after I went to college, and everyday Shelly and I would walk around enjoying civilization. Currently living in the fifth ring of Dante's suburban hell might influence our view, but Shelly and I concluded Lexington is a great place to raise a family. If you think about it, the city has a decent job market, it has a major university, which adds an element of culture, it is affordable, and it has great public schools. The weather is relatively moderate, not too hot nor too cold, and it is centrally located to the country. As I walked to the local restaurants, bars, and shops, I thought this is the type of city I want to settle down in. Of course, Madison and Kate loved visiting Kentucky, for my parents did nothing but spoil the girls with attention. Madison enjoyed KY so much, she is going to spend next week there by herself. It should be interesting, but my mom is flying out and taking Madison back to spend another week in Kentucky.

Back in Kentucky . . .Back on a Horse!

'Can't beat fresh corn on the cob on the 4th"

Pennie visited us for a week recently. It was a nice visit and well timed, since I had to take an unplanned visit to Corpus Christi. While here they spent a day with the kids at Washington's Mount Vernon, and Shelly did get to take her Mom to D.C. (without kids) to tour The Capitol Building, along with the National Archives. Amongst other things, Shelly had her mom doing yard work, cleaning the oven, painting.... I think Pennie enjoyed her visit, but the kids (and slave labor) took their toll on her. As she said before leaving, "I need to go home to get a vacation from my vacation." It is always great to have family visiting... especially considering it is an entire days travel to get here... and if you are trying to cash in and come on frequent flier miles... then it can literally be a 24 hour trip.

"Sitting on the same porch as George Washington sat on... enjoying the view"

"Touring the Capitol"

For the rest of the summer, we are planning a weekend trip to Newport to visit old friends, and both Shelly and I will return to the West Coast for business. Otherwise, we will continue to take regular weekend trips to D.C., Annapolis, and the many other sites.