Summer in the U.S.A.!

The boys and I took a 6 week vacation back to The States this summer. After a year and a half of being in Germany I was ready for a little taste of home both figuratively and literally. We flew all day and arrived in D.C. (Reagan Int'l) at around 7pm-ish. My sister Laura picked us up at the airport and we headed straight to her house. I couldn't wait to see my nephews, Tyler and Evan and my niece, Brianna and of course my brother-in-law, Bobby D!

A few days after our arrival my Dad drove in from Wisconsin. He brought us fresh cheese curds straight from the Cheese Curd Capital of the United States, Ellsworth, WI. 

 We went blueberry picking the first day. It was hot but we had a great time gathering pound after pound of berries :D

Them it was off to D.C. to tour all of the monuments. Thanks to Bob we were able to do it in record time. He would drop us off at the monument, we'd hop out, check out the sites, hop back into the minivan and move on to the next one. Perfect plan for a hot summer day in D.C. if you ask me.

 The following day we took Dad on the metro to Arlington National Cemetery. It is always a somber experience and a great reminder of the sacrifices many soldiers have made to protect our freedom.

Marine Corps Memorial

 We took a photo with Dad and the grandkids...

Tyler taught Ryan a few things on the trombone...

After a week Dad had to head back to Wisconsin and it was time for us to head to North Carolina. Laura's in-laws (Bob's Mom and Dad) were kind enough to let us use their condo in Calabash for a couple of week. It was nice to relax....we spent much of our time doing this...

The pool was right out the door and the beach was just a few miles away so it was a lot of

 "Fun in the Sun" for us!

Laura and I ran the Freedom 5k on 4th of July in Myrtle Beach, SC

The kids were thrilled to wear these t-shirts on 4th of July!

The boys go their haircut at an old fashioned barber shop...

Dylan celebrated his 9th Birthday at Wonderworks

Then our friend Tristan came for a visit....YAY!!! We love TRISTAN!! 

And of course we always have good ideas when were together...

And of course I had to have my picture taken with this shark...feeding my obsession with having my picture taken next to all things large...

Then sadly, she had to go back to Texas and we had to head back to D.C. The boys and I had another flight to take up to Connecticut to see Grammy and Papa. We spent a lot of time with old friends...

and some new...

Lucky Larry the lobster is 17lbs and was released back into Long Island Sound

 We ate some great seafood...

And we got to hang with Phoenix (Our God-daughter, niece), Auntie Farrah and Uncle Chris...

And to end our trip to CT on a high note...a birthday celebration for Dylan and Grandma McCormick...

Then it was back to D.C. for a couple of day s of COMBAT SHOPPING, PACKING and SAD GOOD-BYES. We cannot thank everyone enough for their hospitality and generosity during our long stay in the The States. Thank you so much XOXOXO!!