Making Up for Lost Time

A year ago in the fall of last year, I wrote an interesting blog entry about the Marker-Miller Orchards Apple Festival, but when I tried to post it, Google informed me that I didn't have enough storage to put my photos in the blog :-( Well, what good is a blog post without pictures?! Needless to say, I didn't post anything from October 2012 to June 2013, and SO much happened!!

Here's just a FEW of the things that our family experienced during that time frame! 

 Christmas 2012!!

 Performing in Northern Virginia Players' "The Little Mermaid"

In my opinion, Lydia was the prettiest jellyfish around!

The kids all played different characters throughout the play, and gave it their ALL no matter who they were portraying.

I turned 44 and celebrated with a homemade red velvet cake from the kids and Blue Bell ice cream

(I'm convinced that was from God)! :-D

Blue Bell ice cream is truly the "best ice cream in the country", and since we left Texas in 2006, we haven't lived in a region that sold it :'-( Well, on MY BIRTHDAY of this year, Blue Bell came to Northern Virginia!!! 

YAY!!! :-D

Jeremy won FIRST in Religious Reading for his presentation of an excerpt from "Quo Vadis" at the National Competition for AACS (American Association of Christian Schools). 

It was an unbelievable performance!

Heritage's Choric Speaking group went on to finals at the National Competition (held at Bob Jones University in South Carolina).

Gary completed his 3rd half marathon (and 2nd Marine Corps Historic Half).

We are so proud of all that he's accomplished!

He wears that medal well ;-)

The kids took part in the Spring 2013 production from Northern Virginia Players, 

"Alice in Wonderland."

Our best friends participated as well :-) 

Aren't the costumes GREAT??!!

Jeremy's girlfriend, Carey, came up to visit us during his high school graduation festivities :-)

We were SO excited that my mom, aka Grandma, spent 2 weeks with us in May! She was able to see the kids' show and be here for Jeremy's graduation :-)

We were even joined by Alyssa for a couple of days :-) It was WONDERFUL to have the entire family together again!

Now, I'll just have to post again to update from June 2013 until the present time :-P

Thanks for being patient with me, officially the world's worst blogger!

Vacation to Hilton Head Island, SC-Part 1

As part of Jeremy's graduation celebration, we gave him the choice to determine the location of this year's family summer vacation :-) During our trip to Myrtle Beach, SC, in 2011, he learned to appreciate the South Carolina Coast and in particular, Historic Charleston. It was only natural that he wanted to return to this area to celebrate such a memorable event. Well, while looking at accommodations in the Lowcountry, we decided to stay on Hilton Head Island. We've always heard wonderful things about the area, so it was time to see it for ourselves!!

 The very first thing that we did on arriving was run to the beach to see the Atlantic Ocean!

Gary was just a BIT excited! I'd say he was happier than any kid on the beach ;-)

The kids just love swimming at the beach! It's not MY favorite activity, but it's nice seeing everyone have such a wonderful time :-)

Our family has never taken a beach vacation in the summertime, and we're looking forward to a fun week in South Carolina!

Apple Butter Festival

Our Cousin James and his mom (Aunt Mac) asked us months ago to join them in West Virginia for the annual Berkeley Springs' Apple Butter Festival. Evidently, it's a BIG deal in this small WV town ;-)

Not knowing what to expect but trusting their knowledge of the area and of fun, we embarked on our weekend adventure!!

I was quickly reminded of the annual "Good Oil Days" in my hometown, Humble, Texas :-) There were booths EVERYWHERE!!

I really wish I would have planned ahead better...I could have made a BIG dent in my Christmas shopping this weekend! 

Oh well, maybe next time ;-)

The girls had fun decorating cupcakes (and of course, eating them!)

Everyone enjoyed some good bluegrass music in the town's main park :-)

A festival wouldn't be complete without yummy food!

And the Apple Butter Festival wouldn't be complete without...APPLE BUTTER!!

Cooking apple butter in a copper kettle is an all day process. The workers were stirring...

And we were sampling it ;-)

To the dismay of Cousin James, I insisted that we stay to watch the Annual Beard & Mustache contest! :-P Usually they leave the Festival before this fun-filled event...LOL!! Watching the contestants proudly sport their facial hair, I truly got the feel for small-town West Virginia ;-) Wouldn't have missed it!

We finished our time at James and Aunt Mac's home by simply enjoying the beautiful fall scenery. The leaves  are starting to change colors (although they don't "peak" for couple of weeks) and are just GORGEOUS!

Thanks Cousin James and Aunt Mac for such a memorable weekend! From now on, apple butter will remind us of good times with family ;-)

Visit to Baltimore: Part 2 (Visit with Family at Inner Harbor)

After our trip to Fort McHenry, we traveled the couple of miles to the Inner Harbor of Baltimore.  It was a fascinating place and a beautiful area! We're definitely going to come back with Gary and do a day trip!

Our main reason for heading to Inner Harbor was to meet up with Ruth and Raymond (my sister and brother-in-law) during their overnight pre-cruise layover in Baltimore.
It was great to see them again :-)

Raymond said that while visiting Baltimore, he HAD to eat some Maryland crab cakes, so at Inner Harbor we chose to dine at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.. It was GREAT!!

The decor was hilarious! 

The kids got to drink their sparkling lemonades in the coolest, shiny cups. They each were able to choose sayings from the Forrest Gump movie for their special glasses. ("Run, Forrest, Run", "Stupid is as Stupid Does", "My Momma says I'm special"). 

What a great idea!

Ruth (my only sibling) and Raymond :-) I miss them SO much, and I'm glad we got this evening to visit with them!!

 We were SO happy we chose to eat here!

While at Inner Harbor, of course we had to visit the local candy store, IT'SUGAR. It was AMAZING! 

Candy, Candy, Everywhere!! :-D

 Check out the size of the NERDS and SweetTarts!! :-D

 The kids said they want these candy bars in their Christmas stockings :-D

Raymond and Christopher were quite happy to find that Inner Harbor had a McCormick store--

McCormick World of Flavors! It was pretty impressive :-)

Decisions, decisions, decisions... ;-)

After Gary got off work, we met up with him at La Madeleine in Bethesda. We had a great time of fellowship catching up (and the yummy food was a BONUS)! 

I'm so thankful for my family :-)

What a wonderful afternoon and evening of fun, family, and fellowship!