May Shenanigans

Friends are always welcome on our walks through the neighborhood

Finishing school strong, with Stickbot clinging to my morning coffee

Girls movie night!

Meanwhile, guys night at Mod Pizza!

A decent hike near Harpers Ferry.  We'd been on the trail before with G-Daddy, but weren't able to finish because of the rain.  We made it all the way out and back this time (with varying levels of enthusiasm and emotion!).

Look her gorgeous locks!

We made it to the top!

A selfie with my man . . .

. . . . then Rooke wanted in on the shot . . .

 . . .  which gave me the opportunity to smell him up close . . . which prompted me to ask him if he knows how to wash his hair . . . which led to a visual demonstration of how to properly use shampoo so your hair doesn't still smell after you've supposedly washed it!  Ryan was documenting the whole conversation:

The girls and I visited the UK embassy during the Passport DC event - this is what the dining room looked like the last time the Queen was here for dinner!

Checking out all their loot from the Belgium embassy - tons of chocolate! =) 

Free tickets to a minor league Bowie Baysox baseball game!   

I am blessed to call these wise and faithful women my friends 

The kids woke up to a doughnut breakfast on our last day of homeschool co-op!  The first year at Unitas CCC had a bumpy start, but we got the hang of things, finished strong, and are looking forward to returning in the fall.  

Cheverly Day 2019!!  

Our neighborhood knows how to throw a party!  

Our church hosted a table this year, handing out over 300 small bags of popcorn to passersby.  

The Cheverly Day fireworks never disappoint.  

Ice cream at the Navy Yard - why not?! 

Learning how to make daisy chains 

We snuck away for one night of camping.  The forecast was rain.  The kids and I headed out early and the sky opened almost as soon as we found our site!  Thankfully, it didn't last long, the rain dried relatively quickly, we literally had the entire loop to ourselves, and the 24-hours was super fun!  I love having older kids who are able to help get things set up.  This is the scene Ryan was greeted with when he joined us after work:

A spontaneous evening trip to an undisclosed beach location (AKA the Secret Beach) with fun friends!

Remembering Gramma

In April, my dear Gramma was relieved from her suffering and went to be with Jesus.  Though photos could never do justice to a life of memories, I'd be remiss to not share some moments from a weekend spent celebrating and remember Gramma's life. 

Considering that much of my life has been spent living in different places, I count it a unique blessing that I was able to live near Gramma twice as an adult; first during my OBU days.  I used Gramma and Sara's washer and dryer regularly(!) and gratefully enjoyed their treating me to Olive Garden dinners.  I could always count on Gramma to be an encouraging listening when I practiced my piano at her house.

And most recently, we enjoyed living near Gramma since moving to Cheverly.  How special for my children to get to know their Great Gramma!  They developed their own special memories of her, which included 7-11 slurpee deliveries, watching cooking shows together, and celebrating birthdays at McDonalds =)

As Gramma's health began to decline, I was grateful to be nearby and count it a privilege to have watched the way Steve, Vallerie, and Sara cared for her in her last days, making arrangements for Gramma to be home and comfortable.

It was a beautiful day outside.  Gramma died peacefully in the morning.  And that night we had a Martin enchilada feast in her honor.

The following Easter weekend, I flew to Oklahoma to be with family for the memorial service.  Spending those days with Aubyn and my parents was so special.

Many of the Martin family had dinner together at Uncle Bob's deli.

A special time catching up with the Devoss family.

The graveside service was simple and lovely.

Aubyn and I were slightly blown away by the good 'ol southern cooking pot luck lunch the ladies from First Baptist provided for the family!

The memorial service was held at First Baptist Church.  We sang, a few people shared, and we cried through a photo tribute to Gramma's life.  Deborah thoughtfully made the time to drive down and be with us for the service.

That night, we got together with family again and remembered Gramma with poppers; a Christmas tradition that includes a silly paper hat that we insisted everyone put on for a least a minute =)

When in Oklahoma . . . eat at Braum's.

I am thankful for the dear memories I have of Gramma, and the time I got to spend with family celebrating her life.  

April Fun

We found a fun stick fort on a walk through the Patuxent Wildlife Refuge area

Haven't we done this before?!  Rooke saved the 

Bridgette took her brother's idea and requested a family trip to Climb Zone for a family birthday bash.  It was another great night of fun!

Our beautiful seven-year-old!

A walk around the Tidal Basin with friends

Sibling love!

The girls helped me plant a couple raspberry stalks

A new trampoline!!  After seven years of HARD use (not to mention four moves), the trampoline my parents bought us in England was retired.  The kids worked with Ryan to set up a new trampoline - hooray!

Working on a history project for school - a may of the transcontinental railroad route with salt dough

Bridgette is my first kid who chooses to read and walk instead of putting the book down!

Rooke had the cool opportunity to play in a free flag football league with a friend - they practiced and played right next to the Washington Monument!  Sometimes I still pinch myself that we live where we do!

Scenes from the future teenager Bridgette - chillin' with a book, propped up with the massager?! =)

Have I ever mentioned how much Rooke loves breakfast?!  It's his love language.  

It's freckles season around here!

The kids and I went for a hike one the Billy Goat Trail along the Potomac during our (late!) Spring Break

Another fun Spring Break morning was spent with friends walking through the Azalea Trail at the Arboretum

At the end of our Spring Break, we joined up with a couple other families and took part in an educational event at Gettysburg.  It was our first time to visit.  The walking tour through some old battlefields was interactive and enlightening.

Standing where President Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.  Rooke and Gretchen both memorized his speech this year.