On May 8 Wayne rode on the back of Jed's Vespa, named "Gatsby" across the river to New Jersey. He rented a car and followed Jed back to the apartment. Then Ann and Wayne drove out of New York, across New Jersey and Pennsylvania and down into Maryland, driving through the ancestral lands of both our families and passing the historic battlegrounds of Gettysburg which we had toured last year. My how we love the greenness of Pennsylvania and Maryland. To say we enjoyed the drive is an understatement. To say we long for the opportunity to return to this historically and ancestrally rich country is an accurate statement!
We arrived at Luke and Bethany's house and were immediately embraced by three wonderful granddaughters anxious to share their exploits and accomplishments. Here we see Strawberry showing off her recent Science Fair entry for which she won a ribbon.
Here we see Mango sharing her new self styled hairdo while being held by her dad, our #1 son.
And Apple showing us a new bug she found.
Then that evening we were honored to be guests at a school district wide orchestra recital in which Strawberry plays the cello. Grandma was cuddled most of the time by Mango during this concert. Lucky Grandma! We were totally impressed over the next few days as we got to know more about this particular school district. It is run how schools used to be run back in the 1970's.... for the kids, not for the political nationwide and statewide test scores. They have learned that the test scores follow quite naturally when you put kids' opportunities to expand their learning base and community involvement first.
There is Strawberry in the white bow, holding her bow up in the air. Cute isn't she!!!!
The week we were visiting, it was school spirit week. We got to experience first hand all the daily shenanigans. This day was "Crazy Hair Day". Apple looks like she combed her hair with an egg beater!!
Strawberry didn't look any tamer. Looks more like cavewoman hair to me! We walked the kids to school this day and found that most of the kids were participating enthusiastically!!
Of course, Mango had to get into the act too!
What do you think of Luke's crazy hair day?? Actually, this is pretty wild for him as he usually keeps it shaved. What a wild man!
On the afternoon of Crazy Hair Day, Strawberry's Orchestra put on a concert for her elementary school. It was so much fun for Wayne to be in a school for an school wide assembly! Brought back many memories and it made him want to get down on the floor with the kids.
Look at that serious playing going on! See pretty Strawberry in her pretty white dress and cavegirl hair? We were so proud of her!!! By the way, this was the last concert for the orchestra instructor. She was retiring after 42 years as an elementary music director!!!! She got a standing ovation!! 42 years!!!
More of the activities while we were there visiting for 6 days were held outside with a makeshift baseball game. Mango scores a hit!
Ferocious Apple belts one!
Accurate Strawberry catches a fly ball.....
....and then hurls it back to her mom!!
Mornings, after the two older girls would leave for school, Mango, Grandma and Grandpa usually sat on the deck for some visit time. Good times, calm times!!!
Luke and Bethany's neighbor was johnny on the spot, flying his flag each day. And the breeze there was always accommodating, allowing our nation's symbol to wave proudly
Another evening, the elementary school, local firemen and the PTA put on a carnival for the families. We have seen many school based carnivals over the years and this, by far, was the most kid friendly and best organized for kid use rather than fund raiser prompted. Very impressive!!
Each girl got their face painted. Strawberry....
....Mango....
....and Apple!
There were tons of activities for the kids and nothing but the food cost anything!! Apple pumps her baloon under the watchful eyes of her parents and grandmother!
Apple runs the gauntlet of a blowup house.
Then she finds a classmate and hugs fly!
Luke took Mango down the slide many times.
And of course each girl was tattooed for a few hours by the telltale signs of having eaten a snow cone! Apple was the only one that would stand still for a picture.
One of many things Wayne is proud of his boys for is that they strongly honor their mom. When we were at Jed and Kate's, Jed made a fancy home cooked dinner for Ann for Mother's Day and then while at Luke and Bethany's, Luke took Ann our for a fancy breakfast at a local Bed and Breakfast place. Ann is a well loved mom!!!
Mom and # 1 son.
Aren't they cute!!!!
Another activity with Luke and Bethany was a hike in the woods to a waterfall nearby. A couple miles of beautiful eastern hardwoods and evergreens....
.... a few rocks to climb.....
...a few downed trees to conquer.....
... a frog to give some love too....
....more rocks to master....
....a cave to explore, and finally get mom into the picture.....
....and walla, we are there!!!!
Time for a break right? No way Grandpa, we got rocks to climb!!!
Bethany and Mango, stayed behind to guard the backpacks....
...while the rest of us prepared for the assent!
Up goes Apple....
...Strawberry...
...and after a little eyeballing the steep climb, Luke came up, but Grandma decided that Bethany and Mango needed to have some company.
From half way up, we look back on Grandma, Bethany and Mango!!
At the top two anxious to explore further and into more dangerous areas girls got frustrated with old fuddydutty Grandpa for holding them back while Dad had to take a business call. After the call, Dad agreed with Grandpa and we went a safer way down. Grown-ups are so mean!!!
Then on our final night with our Maryland family, we were treated to an outdoor, backyard BBQ!!
What fun!!!!
Then on Mother's Day, the cards and presents flowed! Bethany was well recognized and honored.
Grandma was well honored by loving granddaughters and her son!!
Sweet, eh?!
The drive down to Maryland to Luke's family and the visit was over too soon. It is so hard to see your kids only once or twice a year. But we are so blessed with the resources and modern age travel abilities to be able to see our East Coast kids as often as we do! Good times!!
