Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Summer trip to D.C. and Virginia! August 2014

I always love to go and visit my family in Virginia. I cherish all the memories I have  a great family!  A week after Ally returned from her mission I took her,Ashley and Bryn with me to Virginia to see family. Spencer and family moved to Rockville, Md.... outside of DC so we were able to see many of our dear family.

 This is a photo of all the family that showed up to our picnic in Newport News Park. Thanks Aunt Jude for  organizing this great event.

 Aunt Charlotte took us to a museum with her grandsons...Brody and Kellen. Bryn loved it!
                             My brother Paul loves babies and really bonded with Bryn!
 Virginia has beautiful oceans and Lakes. Sydney loves splashing in the water off the dock.
 So glad Spencer and Suzy made the 6 hour trip to come to this event. It should only take 3 hours but the traffic around DC was crazy the day we drove and it doubled our traveling time.
 
                     Shawn loves his daddy . Spencer is a great dad!
                           Suzy and Kate talking with Aunt Dina.
                            My sister Mary with Ally.
 It has been at least 25 years since I have seen my cousin Sean. He is living in Quantico, VA after retiring from the coast guard. He is as handsome as ever!
 We were able to be with Shawn for his birthday. We went to a carnival park and rode the train.

                                    What a fun birthday...all had a good time.
                                          Princess Kate....she's precious.

                                          Ashley and Bryn.

 So we went to DC with 2 babies, a six year old, a three year old, 4 adults and three strollers. I would say we are strong.... brave women to maneuver the subways and crowds. It was a long walk to the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial but so worth it. Thanks Suzy. You were a great guide
                                  Kate, Sydney and me and the WW2 memorial.

 I really thought this was a beautiful memorial with many touching quotes to the men and women who served and protected our freedoms. There were many countries represented.


 Try getting into elevators, subways with our crew. We barely fit. We had a good laugh at times .
 
                                Sydney loves the subway rides! She's a trooper.!
                 Ashley and Ally went to the Holocaust Museum and we fed the kids lunch.
                                               Ally and Bryn!
                                           Shawn, Sydney and Kate.
 So glad I could share this trip with Ally and Ashley. So glad Ally served a mission and that she is off to BYUI. She has a great family! We love her!

Ally returns from her mission to Colorado Springs!

 We had the whole crew go with us to the Fresno airport in July to pick up Ally from her year and a half mission.
                          Gracie helped make signs for Ally. The kids were so excited!
                           Having a great time in the airport! They did a great job with the signs.
 
             The moment she walked through the gate. What a great memory. We love you Ally!
 Ashley drove from the bay area and brought Bryn...born while Ally was on her mission.
All present except for the two boys, Mckay and Andrew who wandered off during photo time.