Last year we had such a good time at the Apple Festival at Linvilla Orchards that we had to go again this year. Linvilla is fun to go to year round, but I feel like they really pull out all the stops in the fall. It's decorated so cute and a lot of fun for the kids. You can also do the hayride and pick your own apples which is a lot of fun for the kids. We didn't do that this year, but still had a great time!
A few month's back I wrote about my Aunt Tracy's passing. It turned out that after her service in the Navy she qualified for a burial at Arlington National Cemetery, which I was honored to go to. The service was so lovely. She got a beautiful plot, and the chaplain that did her service had coincidentally served with her, which personalized it even more. Taps and the 21 gun salute brought on tears like nothing else could. There were so many people there. My mom doesn't come from a huge family, but there were friends there from all over the country who had so many fun memories of my aunt. I sat with two ladies at the reception afterward and laughed until my stomach hurt at their stories of their three crazy nights in Hawaii back in the 90's. Tracy was so much fun. Her friends were also so much fun. I had never felt so welcome by a group of people, and even left with contact info for if I happened to be in the area.
After the service, there was a reception back at the hotel. They had a montage video playing of several of my Aunt's performances. She sang for the band and had such a beautiful voice.
Me and Jan, Tracy's partner. She's such a cool person, I wish I could have stayed longer just to spend more time with her.
Afterward we explored DC and had dinner at a great pizza place where I got a delicious pizza with mussels.
The next day my mom and I stopped by a great Farmer's Market right by the hotel. We then took off to the Holocaust Museum where we spent the entire day. It was an incredible and horrifying experience. If you're even remotely interested in that time period, I highly recommend it.
It's that day that you always imagine after having your babies, but you can't believe would ever come. Turns out that day actually does come. Jayda gets to go to Shawmont Elementary, and unlike what we are used to in the west, it's full day kindergarten, and she gets to wear a uniform. I say "gets to" because really, it's kind of cool, it will probably be the only time that she'll have to. It also makes dressing her every morning a bit easier.
She wears blue bottoms and a white top everyday. Unfortunately her first day of school was gym day, so she's in sweats, but normally she wears skirts or jumpers. The first day we dropped her off, I cried like a baby. Watching her walk into that huge school, with her backpack the practically the same size as her was just too much. They get big so fast! When Glenn and I got in the car he looked at me and said "okay, we're alone" and I got to bawl my eyes out. Ah, being a parent. She's really enjoyed herself so far. She's learning how to read and do math. Her favorite part is lunch, recess and snacktime, and she loves all the friends she's made. She's loved getting to share her experience with Leo which has been great.
It's a bold statement to make, but I think Outer Banks may have been the best vacation we've ever been on. We went with six other families, the McGowans, the Bostons, the Stanfields, the Chavez's, the Blandons and the Sperrys. We stayed at a fantastic beach house where we all got our own bedroom and bathroom. We had a huge kitchen and kitchenette, a theatre room, a swimming pool, a hot tub, pool table and foozeball table. We also had beach access just a few yards away. The ocean didn't always cooperate, but we definitely had several MARVELOUS beach days to make up for San Diego.
We also got to experience the local shops and food. They had several boardwalks that went right out into the water. A Duck's Donuts, Glenn's sanctuary, where they made donuts right in front of you. We also got to check out the sand dunes. We honestly couldn't have asked for a funner group of people and a better time. Definitely a trip to remember.
