NJPADEMD

 After the wedding, we took our annual trip to Maryland and Virginia, except this time Dad and the older girls drove down with Grandma Joan and Grampa Ed. We made three Stately stops along the way. 

 

 Sorry New Jersey, but like most non-natives, our enduring association with your state is with your gas stations, like this one on the Garden State Parkway.

 

A detour to Philadelphia was supposed to be the highlight of the drive, but new security measures made the line to see the Liberty Bell prohibitively long (see the background).

 

Independence Hall couldn't lift the girls' spirits...



... and who knew Delaware would make the girls so despondent. As we learned later on our trip, Delaware has one of the best state songs out there, "What did Delaware?".

 

 
 With Aunt Claire we took 5 girls and Rowan to the American History museum. People gave us some funny looks having so many closely-spaced kids in our "family".
 

 The First Ladies' dresses were entertaining

 

 But the Hall of Transportation was the biggest hit, especially the statues

 

 This couple may have had their noses picked by a few girls

 

 1950s Chicago streetcar

 

Now at Aunt Katy's, where the chickens miraculously survived the winter and now are reliable egg producers

 

 As usual, the youngest didn't cooperate with our photo

 

 Soon enough Rowan and Tessie can pile on the swing

 

 Erin was so excited to finally wear what she called her "American cutie" outfit

 

 even more fun was smores on the new firepit

 

and even more fun than smores was the giant tent that fit 5 kids and Dad for a 4th of July campout.

 

That yellow T-shirt says "Pyro Crew" and this is one of 3 barges for the pyro show in Chesapeake Beach

 

That's an osprey nest

 

 

Usually the wait for darkness before fireworks is interminable, but buried at this beach are fossilized shark teeth from 17 million years ago. It would take about 5 minutes of sifting through the sand to find one, and by the time it was truly dark we had collected a few dozen.

 

Evening entertainment

 

Tessie loves chickens!



MACTNY

When Erin came back from school one day announcing that she was going to be a flower girl in the wedding of her teacher Jenn, we thought she meant for a mock wedding at the school. No, she meant the real deal, which happened to be held in Connecticut near Dave's parents' house. We love weddings and the timing was perfect as a kickoff to our big summer vacation. This year we linked our trip to DC with a swing through Atlanta/Kentucky. It was a great trip. 

 

 Teacher Jenn and Erin have formed a special bond during Erin's two years in the preK class

 

 Erin's note from Jenn

 

With Tessie safe in Grandma Joan's care, everyone else dressed up for the party



Champagne before the ceremony began - nice!



When her time came, Erin performed her role with a look of determination on her face that we rarely see.



Mission accomplished



The girls were so excited to see a real-live wedding



The two party girls



 

Now they know why there are always coins in fountains



Poor Erin had been up since 6 AM sooo excited. She arrived to the hairdresser at noon and was crashing hard by evening, hence the grim face during the ceremony at 5. She slept through the whole reception like this. 

 



Caroline stayed up



Daddy got a brief dance with his girl

Thanks so much Jenn, and AITC staff!

 



The next day in New York was filled with the usual fishing, swimming, and animal captures. This year Caroline figured out flip reel casting and landed her first solo fish. Dad took the girls on a mission to land a turtle and came back with this little painted one.

 

More Somers wildlife - Erin's remainder of an ice cream cone was irresistible to this guy. Problem was, Erin & Dad were still outside fishing when he showed for his snack. We gave him a wide berth.

 

 

Caroline caught the first bullfrog

 

Mom kept waiting for the frog to make his break. Tessie babbles in agreement.

 

Returning from the hunt