Girls Trip

Every two years my sisters, mom and I all get together for a girls trip. It's the best thing ever and I know we all look forward to our little weekend off from our duties! :) This year we decided to do Vegas, which meant a "stay-cation" for my mom and Candice. It was so relaxing and so much fun!

We kicked it off with some hiking while Candice finished up her last day at school 

 

They made me do this and I was shaking like crazy! lol I was happy they did after because it's a pretty cool picture!

We did a spa day which was the first time (and hopefully not the last haha) we have done that. So nice!

And Candice had all the yummy restaurants lined up for us to eat and didn't disappoint

Getting ready to go out

I didn't take too many pictures, but it was really fun to have a weekend with the girls and to get to relax and eat yummy food and do a bit of shopping! We really should do it every year, although I don't know if our hubbies would go for that! ;) 

Last Day of School

First and last days of school! Always fun to see the differences. Scott got contacts this year too! He still likes to wear glasses every once in a while, but he looks pretty grown up for sure!

Scott's award ceremony at Junior High. He got awarded Honor Roll and Academic Excellence (4.0 all three trimesters) 

Ari (far left) with her friends on tie day to celebrate their principal retiring

 And on the last day of school they can choose to get kisses from their teacher Mrs. Morrison whom we just adore! She also retired this year and we will miss her dearly!

I can't find the picture but Hailey saved up all her ticket/class money and made a haul on the last day. She got the number one prize which was a snow cone maker, along with more candy and junk food then I care to have in my home lol!

Jay's last day of school and kindergarten program

 Cutie!

 His sweet teacher Mrs. Rice

 and his best bud Jason

Trip to Washington DC

Kevin had to go to Pennslvania 3 times for work. One of the times overlapped with Grammy being here to watch the kids' dance performances, so I took that opportunity to join him for the weekend so we could explore DC.

First we took a tour through Gettysburg. When you read about those battles you don't realize the magnitude of such a place. Acres upon acres of land and to think they were on foot ... crazy and really neat to see.

Gettysburg National Cemetery and the place of the Gettysburg Address

All the battlefields and especially the cemetery had such a solemn reverence for sure

Then it was to DC for all the site seeing...

Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

 White House

 All of the memorials were humbling, but my favorite was the Arlington National Cemetery. There was such a reverence there. I think everyone needs to visit these National Cemeteries to get a glimpse of the magnitude of those who gave their lives for our freedom. Truly. They demand our respect. Not only those who gave their lives, but those who serve in the military today and also the police and service members who risk their lives every day to keep us and our communities safe. Words aren't enough.

 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

 Exploring Georgetown

 We also spent a couple hours exploring the Inner Harbor in Baltimore before I caught my flight home which was pretty fun