Trip to VA

I'm back in Alabama safe and sound after driving up to VA to visit with family. What a great opportunity! I was glad to be able to visit and help out where I could.

First, I went to Anna's house and helped watch Ella while she was with Ben. Ella is adorable and always on the move! It makes photo ops a little tricky, but I got a few decent ones. Thanks for lettin me crash at your place, Anna, I had a blast visiting with you! I was also able to spend a couple hours with Kara and Frank. It just so happens that Frank is "stationed" (TDY?) in Manassas, VA 1.5 miles from where Anna lives. A huge blessing to be able to see 2 of my best friends in the world! What a pleasant surprise.

From there I headed to Winchester for a movie night (planned without knowing I would be in town I might add). As always Jen and Lloyd's hospitality was awesome and I even got to see Fr. Matthew. What a blessing! It was great to see the kids again and see how much they've grown. You're gone for 3 months and they grow several inches!!! Yikes!

After move night I drove to Colonial Beach, VA to see Mom, Dad and Grandma. Their house is as beautiful as always and it was a treat to get them all to myself. We talked and laughed and I even got 2 great home cooked meals from my Mommy:) I miss her cooking! They let me play the new drum set for the Wii and i loved it! Mom followed me on the bike when I went for a run and Dad showed me all his plans for the train set. He's really got a nice layout planned! I only wish I could be around to help build it. Grandma is still chuggin along as good as ever. It was a treat to spend time with her.

After CB it was off to Julie's house in Mechanicsville, MD (just across the river. I had a great visit with Jamie and Julie (Jamie was just off a shift so he was home the whole time!). The kids are growing so fast and little Thomas is too cute for his own good:) (See pics for evidence) As luck would have it, we had a snow/ice storm while I was there and Julie got to keep me for an extra night. We always have a great time together singing to her guitar playing, chatting, laughing at the silliest things, eating great food, playing in the snow and playing Mario Kart on the Wii. She was able to show me a bunch of delicious, quick and easy recipes that I've already tried here and love! Thanks Jules. She also made me 8 CD's for the ride home. It was AWESOME to have so much good music to listen to. THANK YOU!!!!!!

Thomas loves Wall-E.

He loved his first sled ride!

Jamie is forever surfing.

Jenni and Joseph got to come home from school early and play in the snow too!

Look out Joseph!

It was a little too cold for grandma, but she watched from the window.

After Julie's I made my way back through Winchester for just a drop in to say goodbye (Jen was really sick so I thought I should let her sleep:( It was a really awesome trip and I'm so glad I got to see so many people I love. Thanks for all the hospitality and fun times! Love to you all!!!