July 2013: July was a busy month, with two trips to see family and lots of local events.

June 30, 2013: We got up early and flew down to Baltimore to visit with Wai Po and Wai Gong. That afternoon, while Kathy and Jon napped, Aurora spent time hanging out with her doting grandparents.

That evening, we were joined by Amy and Aunt Julia. Wai Po proudly showed off her garden plot. Aurora happily helped pick green beans. She even had a few samples of the veggies she just picked.

By dinner time, Aurora was feeling the effects of skipping her afternoon nap. She is not in this group picture because she slept through the meal!

July 1, 2013: Wai Po and Wai Gong already had plans with the Changs, and they went to see Pansy play with the band Pink Martini. We took Aurora to play mini golf. This is the first time she played in a couple of years. Last time, she was not interested in the game; this time, she took the time to line up many of her shots and she was quite good! She had a lot of fun.

July 2, 2013: The Liu gang converged on Williamsburg for the week. Unfortunately, Kathy left her camera on the couch in Silver Spring so these photos are all courtesy of Wai Gong and Jon. We celebrated Wai Po and Wai Gong's 79th birthdays at the first family dinner.

Later, we had to evacuate the hotel for the first of several times that week when the fire alarm went off.

July 3, 2013: We headed to Colonial Williamsburg. Here she is at the gates to the Governor's Mansion.

Isaac and Elena enjoyed Rev Quest, but Aurora was wary of all the guns she saw. The best part of the day or her? The stage carriage ride we took. Here we are waiting for the carriage to pick us up.

Aurora learned how to make bricks.

Video: Bricks!

Pooped after long hot day exploring colonial America.

July 4, 2013: Aurora spent most of the day with Wai Po and Wai Gong while the "big kids" rode the roller coasters at Busch Gardens.

July 5, 2013: Some of us went to Water Country. Wai Po and Wai Gong watched everyone's bags while we enjoyed the water slides, spray parks, the wave pool, and (Aurora's favorite) Hubba Hubba Highway. Jon tested out the waterproof pouch he got for his phone. That evening, Aurora wanted to go play Pirate Golf. It was close, but the winner was Wai Po!

At the wave pool, Elena and Aurora enjoyed being pushed around by the waves.

July 6, 2013: We spent part of the day at Busch Gardens again.

Video: Bobsleds

After dinner, it is back to Pirate Golf (luckily, it is almost across the street from our hotel). This time, Elena won!

July 7, 2013: Back in Silver Spring, we enjoy dinner at Wai Po and Wai Gong's.

July 8, 2013: We are all sad to be leaving the DC area.

July 11, 2013: Aurora made worms for breakfast and we visited the Aquarium that evening.

July 13, 2013: Aurora tried bowling for the first time...and she loved it!

July 14, 2013: We biked into Boston. Besides playing in the Frog Pond and the playground on the Commons, we also enjoyed a kids' show that was part of the "Outside the Box" Festival.

July 19, 2013: Aurora and Kathy spend some time at the Natick Mall. Kathy got her hair cut for the first time in almost 4 years. Afterwards, Aurora said that Mama now looked just like Aunt Amy. Aurora got to play in the inside playground while we were there.

That evening, we went out to the annual St. Mary of Carmen Festival. In addition to the caterpiller roller coaster, fun house, bumper cars, and kiddie rides, Aurora was big enough to ride the Tilt-a-Whirl and Flying Bobsleds this year.

Video: Flying bobsleds

Video: Bumper cars

What carnival experience would be complete without some carnival food?

Aurora discovered a small playground next door to the carnival.

July 20, 2013: Once again, we end up at the festival.

Video: Bounce house

July 21, 2013: We biked out to the end of the Minuteman Trail in Bedford. At the Depot, Aurora chose an icy treat for all her hard work (sitting in the trailer).