It's a bit late for this, but I'm finally able to sit down long enough to chronicle the Evans family visit. They were here during the week of Independence Day. Their arrival came late, Sunday evening, and it was non-stop action until they left the following Saturday. Can you believe we had enough sleeping arrangements for an extra seven people? I was amazed by that alone! The Evans were set to see the sites on Monday. Mike's endless supply of Metro passes came in handy so that we were able to take the Metro all week long with only having to drive to/from the station. In the two days spent in downtown D.C. we managed to see many of the monuments, the National Archives, the National Air and Space Museum, and the National Museum of Natural History. I hope they don''t feel like they didn't see enough and were held back by the girls and me (we're slow walkers). We also squeezed in a visit to the LDS temple one evening. Everyone was exhausted by the end of each day. Even my own children, who are usually awake by dawn, slept in until the late hours of morning. No complaining from me here. On Tuesday the Evans did something that we have yet to do. They drove to the Chesapeake Bay and spent a day at the "beach". The water was still salty, but they weren't technically at the ocean. It was still quite different for them versus just going to a lake beach in Minnesota. Paul even got pinched by a crab. A lot of time was also spent in our pool. One day the kids literally spent 3 or more hours in there.

Of course, we couldn't miss the 4th of July festivities put on by our Nation's Capital. We came up with a plan to avoid the massive crowds on the Mall, so we instead went to the Iwo Jima Memorial in Arlington, VA to view the fireworks. Unfortunately, the rain put a delay in our plans to find the perfect spot to set up and hang out until dark. We found a "shelter" to remain under until the rain subsided. I think the rain actually helped us get a better spot though because many of the poeple already at the memorial before the evacuation either went home or found shelters further away than us. So we ended up with a super close spot to watch the fireworks. I must say, too, that none of us were disappointed with the show either. Smiley face and heart fireworks were something new for us to see. And the sequence of events really made for a wonderful display. Now getting home was quite a different story. We were packed into the metro station like sardines waiting for the trains. There was a point where Mike was holding Annie's hand but couldn't even see her. We made it home safe and sound though, and everyone slept in very late (except poor Mike had to be at work his usual time) the next morning.

Friday was spent takin' it easy at our house. Sara and I got to stamp and make some fun cards. We also chatted about a lot of stuff. It was so nice to have another woman around to get out all my built up talkins. Her ears are probably still numb from my incessant yakking. I wish we could have spent another few days with just the two of us craftin' and chitchattin'. That evening the adults, Sara, Jim, Mike and me, went out for dinner and ice-cream. The kids were left at home with pizza and DVD's. We came home to find them watching Bob the Builder. I don't know how that didn't get vetoed by the older kids.

We were so sad to see the Evans leave. The girls couldn't get enough of having so many kids around to play with. Matt and Hayley were so good to the girls and didn't seem to get bored with them. I can't believe how big all the Evans kids are now. I still remember when Katie and Jimmy were wee, little ones in our wedding. Matt was still in Sara's belly. Time goes by so quickly, and it's even harder to live so far away from all our extended family. But I have good news (for us anyway), the girls and I are going to Minnesota at the end of August--for a whole week! So we'll get to see everyone again very soon. I'm also excited because we'll get to go the Minnesota State Fair. My stomach is already craving all the good (well, bad) food. Mike and I wanted to give the girls a chance to see Minnesota and the family there again since it's been almost two years since the last time we visited. Once the school year started I knew we would get too busy again to fit in a visit.