Back to Virginia

On July 18th it was finally time to leave the party in Utah. My sweet sister Katie agreed to drive home with the kids and I. We took off early in the morning and made good time. In all of the packing to go home I couldn't find my camera and so we didn't get pictures of the three day drive home.

We actually had a pretty good time. When we got to the hotels in the evenings we would swim at the pool and get some dinner before going to bed. The next morning we would eat our free continental breakfast and start the drive once again. On the second day I did the majority of the driving and by the time we pulled into the hotel my feet were swollen beyond recognition. Needless to say, Katie drove the whole next day.

We got home in time for Ben's birthday and had a little celebration. The kids all MADE pinatas. I was pretty impressed. And it turned out to be really fun.

Then Katie headed off for a week at the beach with the Bryson's. When she got home we got her for one more day before having to take her up to DC to catch her flight. We decided to go to the National Zoo. Our good friend Krista lives a couple of blocks from the zoo and met us there.


It was a pretty hot day and I was grateful to have Katie and Krista there to help. Aunts and aunt-like friends are much preferred over Mom anyway.


The kids did keep cool in the mist sprayers. I think they maybe even liked that better than seeing the animals.



And who doesn't like finishing off a zoo trip with Dippin' Dots?

The sad part was then we had to say "goodbye" to Krista and then take Katie to the airport. Kind of a quiet ride back to Richmond. The visitors were gone, the party was over. Now does life return to "normal"?