August

August started with a week of camp for Gretchen and friends.  She participated in an "outdoors" camp, which turned out to be far more intense than she was expecting, but she did it!  And MIGHT be willing to go again, now that she knows better what she's getting into - ha! 

The moms dropping off girls for camp =)

Meanwhile, Bridgette and I went on a very special trip together.  Bridgette saved up her money and paid for her portion of a trip to Colorado Springs to take part in the Adventures in Odyssey 1,000th episode recording event - what a blast!!  We had so much fun together!

Looking around the grounds on the beautiful Air Force Academy 

The view from the walking trail in the backyard of our Airbnb - gorgeous! 

It's true - she's a superfan!

And we unexpectedly got to meet Kris IN PERSON!  What a fantastic surprise.  Also fun to connect that we both know and love a mutual friend, Kelly =)

A special friend from high school who was a bridesmaid in our wedding: the "other" Angela!  What a treat to meet up and catch up in DC for the evening

Ryan also got an evening with a great friend who was in town to go to the Nats game

I was incredibly blessed to take another amazing trip in August.  I went to Amman, Jordan for a week to help take care of missionary children while their parents were taking part in a ministry conference.  I love traveling, experiencing new cultures, taking care of children, and getting to meet brothers and sisters in the faith - it was an incredible trip on every level.

Stepping in the Jordan River - what?!

The supposed place of Jesus' baptism!  Wow!

The view from the conference center

Yes, please

On the last day in country, I joined a small group to drive a couple hours until we found an access point to the Dead Sea along the road.  I changed in the hut (yikes!) and waded in - incredible!

Back at home, Gretchen was attending a week of "introductory classes" for her new school.  She's entering as a Freshman and is excited!

And getting familiar with her locker!  This will be her first time as a student not homeschooling.  Cue the Mom tears.

She just HAD to try the Dude Perfect smoothie at Smoothie King

Beautiful summer colors

Read time with Dad

It was a big month for Rooke also - he got his driver's license!  And just in time to drive himself to and from school as a Junior.  Woohoo!!

July

July was a very full and extra fun month for us.  It started with Bridgette and I taking a trip down to North Carolina.  We stayed the night with dear friends, then Bridgette joined AK and her mom for a week, going with their youth group to Centrifuge!  

Bridgette got to stay one extra night with our friends and celebrated the 4th of July at a baseball game.

Meanwhile, we had plans to celebrate the Fourth with friends, so the red heads made their American flag cake to take and share

We'd never been into DC to see the fireworks and had made plans to do so this year, but we got a late start heading down and were still on the highway when the fireworks started.  Thankfully, drivers in DC are crazy and were literally just stopping along the overpass to watch the fireworks along the water.  So we joined them!

Ryan and I were happy to have a night out with John and Leia while they were in town visiting family.  

Happy 7-11 free slurpee day!

Cheverly Baptist Church may not have our own building, but we know how to decorate a temporary space for a fun and exciting neighborhood VBS!

Ryan made a major career move this summer and separated from the Air Force as active duty.  He's gone into the reserves, and has a new job working as legal council for HUD.  In God's kindness, all of the transitions went very smoothly.  

Ryan and Bridgette are reading their way through the Chronicles of Narnia

With some time off in between jobs, Ryan was able to take a trip to spend time with dear friends in Oklahoma.  This group of guys have been friends since high school and do a great job of staying in touch.

Gretchen and Bridgette enjoying some shopping time with Aunt Vallerie

Rooke had three basketball tournaments in a row during the month.  One was just a guys trip!

The final tournament of Rooke's summer AAU basketball season was in Virginia Beach.  We made the trip down as a family and spent one day on the beach before all the games happened.

The $10 boogie board from Aldi was totally worth it!

After the tournament, we spent a few extra nights in Williamsburg.

Letting the kids take care of choosing the cereal for the week!

The forced family photo at the coffee shop before driving home =)