Oh Joy!

One of my oldest (not like, age oldest, but like, length of time I've known her - 20 years in case you were wondering!) and best friends, Joy and her family came to visit us a few weeks after we moved in. There's no better motivation to unpack and get stuff together than visitors! And you know how we loooooove visitors!

The crazies drove all day from Galesburg, Illinois, which was a super long drive! The next day we had a full day planned in Washington DC. Matt had to work and silly Christian chose to go to school (can you believe that?!) but the girls and I had a fabulous time with them. Dante's brother lives in DC so he came and met us and acted as our tour guide. He also got us tickets to go up in the Washington Monument which was very cool!

Smithsonian

This little guy inspired a character in Night at the Museum 2, pretty cool!

Addie bonding with Joy, one of her favorite people!

You gotta do the self-portraits!

Up high in the Washington Monument

The next day we had planned to go to the beach for a birthday bbq for Alexis. We waited for Matt to get off work but of course just as he drove up the storm started rolling in. We went anyway and by the time we got there it looked like a hurricane was coming! We're not quitters though, so we got out the grill and the kids ran to the water, only to see this.

They were so sad! Can't you tell?! Even Addie's looking around like "what's going on?! let's get in the water!"

We tried to make the best of it but it just kept getting worse.
But isn't this an awesome pic?! Just look at that lightning!

Joy and Dante - aren't they a cute couple?! Back when I was single I always hoped of having a marriage as wonderful as Joys! And now I do!

When it started really raining we finally decided that it had gotten bad enough, put the grill away and raced to the cars.

The next morning they left, all bright and early. Even though it was a short visit it was super fun! I can't wait to do it again!
Love ya, Joy!
(and Dante, Ethan, and Andora!)