Wirt's Wharf 2011

We spent the 4th of July week at my brother and sister-in-law's house on the Potomac river. They have a beautiful home on the banks of the river located just south of Washington DC. They are so gracious every year to open up their home to the whole family. We are so grateful for their hospitality and are already gearing up for next summer.

Their home is called Wirt's Wharf. I honestly can't remember why. Maybe one of them can chime in and tell me why again. All I know is that my fabulous sister-in-law gave us all T-Shirts with the name of the home printed on them, so there you go.

Anyway, we had a wonderful week of swimming, boating, fishing, resting, playing games, and just catching up with family members. I adore every single one of them and miss them already.


We had been on the road 6 hours with 2 cranky children and a skittish dog when I saw this sign. Oh, Lord. We had a long way to go!

Scenic stop in Virginia. Couldn't resist the view.

We're here! Let the good times commence.

Just show me which way to the water, please.

Found the water! This vacation rocks!

We're with Frank Webster! If you have to ask, then you just don't know. Bennett looks thrilled to be with Frank Webster.

Daddy and daughter

We loved going out in the kayaks and just enjoying the water and fresh air.

Fun shot of me with my little passenger

And if you go anywhere with Rob Webster, this is what he will always look like. Always.

It's a great day for a boat ride. Will's ready!

Bennett and Sophie are ready!

And the dogs are devastated to be left behind yet again.

Beautiful day

Our fearless captain Hazen with his skipper, Max. Max is pretty much the coolest kid you will ever meet.

Hmmmm...... I retract my last sentence.

Aunt Laura warned me that kids usually fall asleep on the boat. The combination of sun and waves have a tendency to do that. I wasn't quite prepared for my kids to fall into a coma. I was checking pulses by the end of the trip.

Grandaddy and Mamaw entertained everyone with craft projects.....

.......And new card games......

.....while Rob and Frank entertained the rest of us with their mad music skills.

6 Webster/Marshall cousins. Bennett, Max, Will, Sophie, Madeline, and Jameson.

Mamaw and Grandaddy with all of their grandchildren. Will was loving being in this picture.

Until Mommy started walking away. And this was his reaction. Typical.

And then Bennett wanted her bouncy ball in the picture. Very typical.

We took it away and so then she pouted and refused to take any more pictures. Extremely typical.

She decided she would be in the large group shot, but she was not happy about it.

And she hadn't gotten over her anger by the time we took our family unit shot.

Oh, well. At least I have one happy child.

And my sweet daughter is back. She has decided that being in a picture isn't so bad. Kind of.



Sparklers aren't quite as fun when you're 3. Then thy are just scary sticks of fire.

Happy Birthday, America. Now stop hurting my ears.

Everyone went to pick blackberries one morning. I couldn't go. I took a very sick Will who was running a fever of 103.5 to the doctor. But I wish I could have gone because these pictures makes it look like everyone had a blast.

Could she be any more beautiful?

And this is what happens when Mommy doesn't come along on the trip. My husband was so busy taking pictures that he didn't notice that his daughter's dress was falling off. Lovely.

Come on. You know you want one.

Aunt Stacy with Sophie.

Sibling Love

Ahhh...... the hammock by the water. Perfection.

We loved fishing with the family in the evenings. This was Will's first time and he wasn't quite sure what to make of everything.

Hazen kept telling everyone that they had to kiss the first fish that they caught. Sophie was a sucker.

I was not. This was as close as I would get.

Hazen clearly did not share my same concerns.

Grandaddy explaining the ins and outs of fishing to Will. Or just telling him to look at the camera. I'm not sure which one.

My family on the banks of the river. Although that's not my dog. Just pretend.

I love this picture of Uncle Frank fishing with Jamison. That's not their dog either.

The next morning we got some alone time to fish. Much better.

Absolutely beautiful.

See you next summer, family!