East Coast Vacation

Can you technically be on vacation when you are retired?  I'll get back to you on that one.  Anyway, we traveled east to visit my oldest daughter, her husband and two boys.  She is VERY pregnant with son number three and we honestly hoped he would come while we were there so we could help out, but he did not make an appearance.  We did get to spend a few days in Southern Maryland swimming, watching movies, walking with the boys and putting together Lego's.  Our oldest grandson Jack organized a Lego building contest between Julie and myself.  We each had to put together some pre-assigned Star Wars fighter craft, instructions included.  If I had not gotten that eyelash in my eye I am certain I would have won.  Anyway, Julie managed to construct hers in record time as I fumbled with the pieces.  They are very small you know!  We had a great deal of fun with all of them and are planning to go back for Thanksgiving when we will meet Benjamin Issac and have a rematch.

Jack, Papa, and Seth (Hamming it up)

Papa, Jack and Julie

Seth

Did I mention that Julie got her hair cut short?  I guess the picture above was a clue.  She decided after great consideration and my prompting that it was time to go short and sassy.  It looks amazing!

While we were back east...why do we always say "back east"?  The term is a matter of convention.  I will define that at another time.  We say back east, out west, down south and up north.  At some point the settlers of this country started in the east and some moved west, making back east a common term.  Out west makes sense if most settlers started in the east.  I have no explanation for down south or up north other than they signify direction on a map.  Anyway, we were also back east for our niece's wedding. It was great to spend time with all of the nieces, eat all the local delicacies and spend time with two of my brothers.  The wedding was just outside of Philadelphia so we got to try Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches.  They are huge!  I guess I did not have to eat the entire sandwich but I did not want to seem like a west coast snob.  You know how folks can be out west...  We do not have similar speciality foods in Saint George.  I'm trying to convince my nieces to come visit us and all I could offer as far as local delicacies are the "World's Greatest Corn Dogs", their words, not mine as written on the side of the food truck that sits outside the hardware store from time to time.  I'm not sure how they know it is actually the worlds greatest, but I'm going with it for now.  Hopefully that is enough to get them out west.

Brother Gary, wife MaryAnn 

Brother Randy and wife Lynne

Brothers - Dave, Gary and Randy

Julie with bride Megan, niece Colleen and Dave

Niece Suzy and boyfriend Ryan

Greg and Megan (Bride and Groom)

Oh, in case you were wondering, we did not attend the DNC which was in Philly at the same time...

All the time we were gone I kept talking about our hiking and riding buddy, Pete.  Pete stories are my favorite to tell.  We honestly missed him.  Well, we are back home, out west, and once again hard at it with Pete.  We rode our bikes 20 miles yesterday and hiked the West Rim Trail in Zion today.  I've attached a picture or two from the hike....

The views are breathtaking!

The boys missed each other...Pete and Dave!