travelogue 2

Here it is, ma! So after three glorious days on the ocean, the m-fields packed up and met my sis and her brood and Sal up at Seatac to fly to Pennsylvania for my Uncle Bill's 70th birthday! We haven't made the trek to see this side of the fam since I was 17.... so many years, and children, ago. It was an eventful trip (can you say cancelled flight with five kids ages 3-10?) But they had good attitudes and we eventually made it out there the following day.

The rest of the trip kinda flew by, losing a day and all, and was pretty low-key, but turned out to be perfect. Here's my mom with her last living auntie Pauline, cousin Sandra and Uncle Bill on the right.

Here's the similar looking ladies of the Johnson clan :)
Here are the Mankamyers! Aunt Bonnie, cousin Scott with his bride Melissa, and Uncle Bill. The young ladies are my 2nd cousins that I SO enjoyed meeting. From the top down, they are Ally, Mia and Avery. They opened up their home, fed us, gave up their beds and busted out a 30 cup coffee percolator for our stay- all of which was much appreciated by us as we were given the clear directive from them that "mi casa es su casa"
Here's cousins enjoying some FRESH and DELICIOUS PA corn! Seriously money.
And here's cousin WWE. Seriously, it was such a blessing to have the kids be close enough in age that everyone got along and played super well together. I remember Marcus saying to Beau has he ran by "Beau! I haven't seen you all day!" Literally. Which, I'm not gonna lie, makes it almost like a true vacation for the parents too ;)

I don't want to leave anything out, so here's some bullets. I am not a big user of bullets but I thought my mom would appreciate these:)

-antiquing with sis and Auntie B

-earthquake

-Fuddruckers

-Gettysburg

-CORN... and I am not even a corn lover!

-mountain pies....mmmm.... look it up :)

-reminiscing and really listening to others relish in their memories

-sharing stories of God's call and faithfulness

-old photos of Uncle Bill rollerskating

FYI, I got so into this post that I missed my oven timer and made a batch of hockey pucks instead of ginger snaps....ooops!

travelogue 1

So this summer was noteworthy to be sure and I would be silly to not share some of what we did. In mid August we spent three nights at Seabrook with Marcus' family. If you haven't been to Seabrook, climb out from under your rock and GO! It is a fabulous place to go with family. Our weather was pristine and slightly chilly- really can't ask for much more than that when you visit the mighty Pacific.

Here's a group shot :)

On the perimeter of Seabrook's property is forest, including some of these massive old growth stumps that I just had to get a picture of. Marcus and Beau are practicing for Beau's upcoming strong man competition where he must throw 500 pound pieces of drift wood.
Marcus and I actually got about hip deep in the ocean! It was a blast! Nothing like jumping waves to make you feel young again. Although after awhile I could barely feel my feet and I was worried a wave might take me out in that feeble condition. So Marcus buried me in some warm, soft sand... it was heavenly. Until I, you know, had to get up.
Then Bradie wanted in on the action!
It was a such a perfect trip and I wouldn't have changed a thing. Here's Bradie being a monkey. We're not sure why the "monkey" comes out when the camera's on, but oh well. It's a nice picture of a handsome man.

Keep a look out for travelogue 2. There's more to our adventures. I'll try to not wait a month this time. Or maybe I will- it was kind of nice to dust off summer here since all is busy now with fall and school. Just kidding, mom!