Our Cousin Chris L. and his family | The Beauty Around Us

Chincoteague Vacation – Day 1: Warren, PA to Annapolis, MD

We departed home at 7;15 am on Saturday, April 6th, en route Chincoteague, VA. We made a few stops along the way.

Our first stop was at 9:00 am for breakfast at The Dutch Pantry in Clearfield, PA. We both had omelettes–a Western Omelet for me and a Veggie Omelet for Bob. Accompanying Bob’s omelette was a strawberry yogurt, rye toast and coffee. I ordered home fries, wheat toast and tea to accompany my omelet. Our meals included a small apple fritter. Breakfast was filling and delicious. We were back on the road at 9:40 am.

Our second stop was at a rest area.

Crystal Springs, PA Rest Area on Interstate 70

The Crystal Springs Rest Area is a pretty place to stop, when you need a break from driving.

Our third stop was at 2:00 pm at Fort George Meade, MD. Bob’s cousin moved recently from the state of Washington to Fort George Meade. Because our route to Chincoteague would take us very near their new home we decided to pay a visit to Chris and his family, providing Amy was up for a visit. Amy gave birth to their fourth child 5 days prior, and we weren’t sure if she would be up for a visit. Amy wanted us to come, so that is what we did.

Chris met us at the Demps Visitor Control Center and escorted us to his house. We went through a vehicle inspection center, where our IDs were requested and they took down our license number. Chris signed us onto the post. We expected to have our car inspected; no inspection was performed.

We spent several hours with Bob’s cousins. I got to hold 5-day-old Michael, and we got to spend a lot of time with David and Sarah. Peter was sick, so we didn’t spend much time with him. Chris, Bob, David, Sarah and I went to a nearby playground. The children enjoyed swinging and digging in the sand.

Back at the house David drew two maze games, one for Bob and the other for me. As with any maze, we started at one point and had to find the right path to the exit. I was impressed that a 6-year-old boy drew such intricate mazes. Sarah and I played with stickers. Bob and I read to Sarah and David too.

Bob reading to his cousins, Sarah and David (photo by Chris)

Dinner was calzones with marina sauce, beans and brownies or honey cake for dessert. Bob and I chose a slice of honey cake for dessert. Dinner was delicious.

We enjoyed our visit with Chris, Amy and their children very much. Thank you, Amy and Chris, for inviting us into your home and for dinner.

Our fiourth and last stop was at Best Western in Annapolis, where we spent the night.

TO BE CONTINUED

Family Time

The last 13 days of October, for which I have photographs to share, were all about family.

We spent the night of Saturday, October 19, in the Pittsburgh area. We visited with Bob’s cousin, Chris, and his family that evening. Amy made dinner. The main entree was honey mustard chicken accompanied by broccoli, whole grain rice, and salad. For dessert we had a choice of a mini croissant with either white or chocolate kisses inside or apple turnovers that we brought with us. I ate a mini croissant. After dinner, I took several pictures of Chris and his family.

I put together a collage of my favorite photographs of Chris and family.

Chris, Amy and their son, David, will be moving to Italy early next year for 3 year tour of duty. Although Chris and family will be far away, I am happy that they will have the opportunity for travel during their 3-year stay. I look back fondly on my 3 years in Germany, while I was in the Army. I saw so much of Europe, while I lived there.

On Sunday, October 20, we visited with my brother and some members of his family. We enjoyed lunch at Jim’s house. The main entree was stuffed shells accompanied by Italian bread. For dessert we had banana bread with chocolate chips. Lunch was delicious! After dinner, I took several pictures of Jim, Judy, Emily and Elise. I even got some pictures that included Bob and me, which either Emily or Judy took with my camera.

Our niece, Emily, and her daughter Elise

Mother, Daughter and Granddaughter

My brother, Jim, and his wife Judy

I LOVE this collage of Bob, Emily, Elise and me!
I printed the collage; it is framed and sitting on top of a cabinet in our living room.

Thank you Chris and Amy and Jim, Judy and Emily for delicious meals and good conversations. Thank you, too, for preserving memories via photographs!

We enjoyed family time with Stacey, Mike, Harper and June in October as well. All four of them dropped by on Halloween.

Harper was dressed as a cat; June was dressed as a horse.

“Cat” and Mouse

Stacey and Harper

“Da-da?”

Stacey left for home before Mike and the girls. I wish she had stayed just a little bit longer. I love this photograph of Mike, the girls, their cousin Maddi and their Aunt Jen.
I would have loved it even more, if Stacey was in the picture!