Pennsylvania

We just spent some time in Pennsylvania visiting Diana and Peter. There's just something about having the whole family under one roof. We hung out, played games, went out to eat, it was good to be together. 

Our Airbnb was an old manor on about 10 acres. We did lots of exploring!

We had a good flight and got in a little after midnight. The inside of the manor was gorgeous and the beds were comfortable! We even all got our own rooms! Well, except for Chuck and I, we were willing to share. 😊 This was our room:

Ally took that picture. She's got such a good eye for photography.

In fact, Ally took all the pictures of the inside of the house! The upstairs reminded me a little of the Waltons house, the large landing at the top then all the rooms were off of that. 

Sometimes Diana, Peter and the kids came to the manor (as we called it) and other days we went to their house. We went sightseeing around Princeton University, went to Washington Crossing, played games, it was good to be together.

It was extremely hot the day we went to Princeton so we stopped and got some drinks on our way there. I love the architecture of that school. It's a photographer's dream!

Sharaya took this one

At Washington Crossing we got to see them shoot off a small canon. It was louder than I expected! This is where I took the header photo. Beth looking out at the Delaware River, where George Washington crossed the night of December 25, 1776.

Adelaide painted rocks

She explored the manor with Ally 

The 'bamboo forest' was on the side yard 

And played outside

Taking a break during one of the game nights

We played UNO No Mercy, and Mexican Train. I lost at both. We are competitive when we play games but there's also a lot of laughter. I usually laugh my hardest on game night.

We took this one at Washington Crossing. The first one of all of us, including little Oliver. He's such a sweet baby. I'm looking forward to watching him and Adelaide grow up together.

News and Big News

Hi everyone,

It's August already! I'm actually looking forward to the cooler weather and everything that comes with fall.

I'll start with the Big News. Diana and Peter had their baby this week! His name is Oliver Anthony and he was 8lbs 12oz.

I got to video chat with Diana and Adelaide this morning and she couldn't wait to show me her 'little baby brother.' Not just baby brother, oh no. Little baby brother. She is so excited to be a big sister! We fly out next week to see them. I can't wait!

I got home from work on Wednesday and Beth said she wanted breakfast burritos for dinner so I asked her if she would help. We have the tortillas, plus scrambled eggs, tater tots, and cheese. She carefully placed each tater tot on the pan, in perfect rows. I should have taken a picture of it. Her favorite thing though is to do the eggs. She loves cracking the eggs. And she's good at it too!

A prominent man in our city passed away two weeks ago and they're having the memorial at our church tomorrow. They're expecting more than 1000 people so I'm going in for a couple hours to help with last minute details. He died suddenly in an accident, and when they announced it during a Sunday service people gasped and one woman began to openly sob. His death has left a big hole in our city.  

And for the News. Beth had a routine procedure a few weeks ago and they called to let us know there was 'an area' they were concerned about and needed her to come back for diagnostic testing. We had to go downtown which makes me nervous because I haven't driven in downtown Seattle in probably ten years. But I know the Lord was with me because traffic wasn't bad, we got down there about 30 minutes before the appointment and the parking garage was open with plenty of parking. (It wasn't open when Chuck and I went down on Saturday so I could see exactly how to get there.)

She had the test done and we were told to stay there to wait for the results. The doctor came out and said they think the spots are benign but because this was her first time getting the procedure they don't have a baseline to compare them with so they'll just monitor them for now. They want to see her again in January. 

As we walked to the car I began thinking about how they would have probably done a biopsy if it looked more serious so I'm taking this as good news.

Other than that it's been a quiet week. I spent today in front of the TV. It felt so nice to just sit and relax all day! I did fix Chuck a burger when he got home from work but I've basically done nothing all day. And it's been so nice!

I pray you have a blessed weekend.