True Friends

While exploring Virginia was fun in and of itself, the very best part of our trip by far was our visit with the Monti's!  Truer friends can not be found.  They have been with us through thick and thin, and they tolerate us enough to let us tag along on their vacation (sacrificial love for sure!!)

Getting to know these two little love bugs was pretty special too!  We are beyond blessed to get to be a little part of their lives, and we were thrilled to be able to spend time with them.  Uncle Jordan and Auntie Amy love you very much!!

Williamsburg

We spent the remainder of our trip exploring Williamsburg.  I've always wanted to visit this historic park, and the reality did not disappoint!  We loved walking around the HUGE working village with all of its quirky shops and taverns.  They do an amazing job making you feel like you've stepped back in time.

We loved the architecture and the various historical re-enactments of daily life in the colonies and during our War for Independence.  I really hope to visit again with Annabel & Thane one day.

Jamestown and Yorktown

 Jordan and I just got back from a week in Virginia  exploring some historic coastal areas with our wonderful friends Johnny and Amanda.  Our first stop was at the bayside fort of Jamestown.

The site is so beautiful, but the adjacent swamp must have made life miserable for the settlers.  We explored the fort and the nearby museum that showcases various items that the settlers used in their daily lives (needles made of antlers, shell buttons, clay smoke, iron armor, etc.)  The nearby church and graveyard was interesting too - especially with the headstone of William Sherwood, who was a "great sinner." (Don't worry William - I can relate!)

The next day we drove to Yorktown, where the final battle of the Revolution was fought.  We toured the American Revolution Museum, a nearby colonial farm, walked along the York River, toured a bit of the battlefield and then walked through the old village.  

As someone who grew up in New England and then lived in the Baltimore/D.C. area for many years, I really enjoyed learning more about the south's role in the Revolution.

Just a Bag of Sugar...

 

Happy Halloween from Bert & Mary Poppins!

Spontaneous Road Trip

 

It is so easy to grow apart in our modern culture.  Lately we've noticed that most evenings after dinner each member of our family wanders off in a different part of our home to take care of our various responsibilities.  We see each other in passing, but those moments can be few and far between.  A few weekends ago, Jordan decided that we'd break things up a bit and take a spontaneous family road trip to Yellowstone National Park.  We woke up early and were on the road by 4:00am to get to the Park while animals were still out and about.

 

 

The Park was set to close the next day, and we were so lucky to be able to visit when the roads and parking lots were fairly empty of tourists.  

 

 

The Park was beautiful with lots of fall colors and snow in the higher elevations.

 

 

The quieter park made for some amazing animals sightings.  We saw significantly more elk than we've ever seen in the park, along with the usual plethora of buffalo in the gorgeous Lamar Valley.

We also spent 30+ minutes studying a grizzly bear at the far end of the Valley.  What a majestic creature!

 

It was a long, but amazing, day (we got home shortly before 10:00pm).  We are so grateful for the privilege to explore God's creation as a family.