Summer Summary

School starts tomorrow!

Really.

For kids in Brentwood, today was the "end" of our summer. I know, it kind of sucks...but we'll revisit that when we have two weeks off in October and again in March!

This summer was busy, busy, busy for us! Very fun, full of lots of people
we love, and seeing and learning new things, it was great.


Miche's Tavern in Charlottesville, VA., built in 1750. Beautiful setting and yummy colonial food.

Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson.

We started off with a two week vacation to the East Coast for the Groseclose Family Reunion in Pipestem, W. Virginia. West Virginia IS truly heaven, just like the John Denver song.

Pipestem, W. VA. , the view from the hotel balcony.

Pipestem Lake

We spent 4 lazy, family filled days there and in Virginia. Byron's family settled in VA in the 1720's. There is a valley there in the southwest corner that is still home to many cousins and the
family homestead is still there.


The Groseclose homestead, built in 1750.

It is so picturesque and like Mayberry; loved it. Byron loved the food, good old Southern fare!!

The site of the original Groseclose mill, built in 1724, part of it still stands.

The Sharon Luthern Church, built in 1810. 80% of the people buried there are related!

From there we traveled to Pennsylvania. I was excited to have the opportunity to go Gettysburg and see the sites there. It was stunning and humbling. Oh, and because I'm me....I got a doozy case of pink eye.


Next on to Hershey, PA!! I have a well documented LOVE of all things chocolate, so this was totally fun for me. I am not much of a thrill ride kind of girl, but I like seeing my fam have fun. While we were there we saw some Amish kids going on water rides with all their Amish clothes on, it was pretty funny.



Much to my children's dismay, we went to Lancaster County to see the Amish country. They changed their minds when they tasted all the yummy food and saw how beautiful the countryside was. I embarrassed them by asking tons of questions. That's my job...to embarass them. By the way, loved the quilt shops!!!




Then....one of the highlights of my trip. We went to Yardley, PA and stayed with one of my most


favorite bloggers....Gabi!!

She is adorable and so charming. Loved her. She lives in the Garden of Eden, I'm convinced. It was so beautiful and we loved meeting her and seeing our old friends, Rick & Helena. Lauren left us to go home to Skyler while we were at Gabi's. While she was with us on vacation, Skyler was transferred from Portland to Milwaukee! 2200 miles and 34 hours driving, by himself. She was anxious to join him so we said goodbye early.


We spent a day in Philadelphia visiting the sites of the birth of America. We also had to have a "Cheesesteak-off" FYI: 2 votes for Pat's and 2 for Geno's.

.

Finally, on to Washington D.C.
where we stayed with our wonderful friends, Phil and Erin. Erin was my "go-to" babysitter when my kids were young and she and Phil stayed with our kids once while we went on a cruise. They are a fabulous young couple with two adorable kids (and one big dog). (Jeff offered to stay and help with the kids for the summer, anything to get out of the big hike. )


Phil and the kids, love this picture. The kiddies are really adorable, take my word for it!

(We love her so much, Jeffy's middle name is Aaron, and yes, it's after this Erin).

I love D.C. and have been there a few times. This time we accidentally stumbled upon the Pentagon Memorial, brand new and very touching.



Also, this time we went to the Holocaust museum, it was stunning. We were all very, very touched by the experiences of the victims. My kids didn't know that the handicapped were also killed; I think because of our Rachel - it became very personal for our boys. I was proud of the way they behaved and thought about the message of the museum.



When we arrived home I found out that my dad was coming about a week early!! Probably a good thing, I didn't have time to freak out and stress. I also didn't have time to get my carpets cleaned.


It was the hottest weekend of the year, literally 113 degrees. I thought my poor Dad (who is from Alaska, ) was going to melt. I was nervous but lived through it. My feelings are still mixed, but it truly was wonderful to see him and have him see my life and my children. I think he was proud and was happy to spend time with us. All in all, a good experience.

Then my sweet, wonderful friend Kim came with her family.

This was the part of my summer when I cut a chunk out of my finger. A huge chunk. Kim is so calm in a crisis!! That's one reason I love her. We love the Walus's and miss them and wish they hadn't moved!!

AND then.....ANDREA came!!



Woot-woot!! Love this friend that I have met through blogging. She is funny, gorgeous, outspoken, opinionated and so real. Love her. My boys thought she was absolutely wonderful and we hope she comes again next year when her kids are all gone. (Monterey Andrea??)

Next...lunch with my long lost brother Tom again. It feels so good to reconnect with my family.

Byron and I celebrated our 27 years of wedded adventure! He bought a car for our anniversary, a cute little Mazda. Whew. Not a mid-life crisis car.

Then Jeffrey went to Yosemite and Scotty went to Scout camp for the first time. A really good summer for them.

I spent hours by and in the pool working on my tan. I know it's not good for me, but the warm sun just feels great!!

And now school is starting and then Seminary starts on Thursday...can't wait for that!!!

The next big event in my summer?

My 50th birthday.