We are loving being on the East Coast and close to family again!

A couple of weeks ago Uncle K drove up to visit for a weekend (a former service member himself he wanted to visit his old stomping grounds with the next generation). The girls got to have a
“granddad” around for a few days, and I think we wore him out! On Saturday we spent most of the day in Nauticus, a fantastic maritime and science museum, and toured the USS Wisconsin. I know we’ve toured lots of ships and subs on our travels, but that never seems to get old. The girls love exploring the labyrinth of p-ways and scuttling up and down the ladders. Nauticus also included the Naval Museum, and Monkey in particular was fascinated by all the model ships on display. At Uncle K’s suggestion we followed up the museum explorations with a walk downtown to ride the new light rail system. Everybody loves trains! On Sunday, he was able to join us for church before heading home.

The basement has poles!
They must be climbed!

The next family visit involved us making the relatively short drive to visit Aunt S and Uncle J in their new home! The girls were big fans of the basement bonus room and quickly made themselves at home down there. On Saturday morning Daddy, Lion, and I took advantage of our proximity to the Mt. Vernon Trail to go for a 3-mile run together. (Since Monkey and Bug aren't runners, the three of us don't often get to go together!) That afternoon, we visited Mt. Vernon itself. It was miserably hot, but we got to see some really neat things! We toured the mansion itself, of course, poked our heads into the surrounding buildings (guest servants quarters, outhouse, kitchen, clerk's office, stables, storehouses, etc.), strolled through the garden, visited Washington's grave, and listened to a concert/lecture by a fife and drum re-enactor. Sunday was a lazy morning followed by a little antique shopping before we headed home. 

We were here! (with "big bucks" from the fifer)

learning how to hold a musket

holding hands with the Washingtons

Shortly after that trip we had a visit from Nana! It was a rather

Such silly girls!

short, last minute visit, so we kept it low key. Saturday was spent just hanging out, going to a couple of antique stores, and doing pizza and a movie that night (the girls asked to watch Zootopia as a matter of social survival: all their peers at church love the movie, and the girls want to take part in conversations). On Sunday Nana got to join us for a hymn sing at church and lunch out with friends afterwards. That evening she got the girls all to herself while Daddy and I got a date night!

They showed Nana some of their yoga poses.