Leland participated in soccer camp with Richmond Kickers. It was so convenient because it was right after school in the gym. So I just picked her up 45 minutes later than usual and they could still do it in the rain. She loved it so much. Lucy loved being able to watch her too.
A video of the songs they showed to the parents on the last day of school.
On Sunday, the morning they were to speak in church about their preparations on leaving for a mission, they received a phone call informing them that their mission assignment had been changed!
In April, they had received their 18-month assignment to Greece. For many weeks they had been diligently learning Greek with the help of a tutor. Friends and family had made plans to visit them and stay in the 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment in Thessalonika, Greece.
Instead, merely 2 hours before their farewell talks, they found out they had been reassigned to serve in Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa and need to learn French. Crazy! Talk about having faith to go where the Lord wants them to go.
I was sad to miss out on the emotional day, but I'm so glad that Chuck was able to be there with his family.
Check out this handsome man I married who found a bunch of BYU Cougars paraphernalia from his youth! (Yep, those are old school BYU sunglasses!) He claims it is proof to those who say he is anti-Provo.
I wish my baby was there to play with all these little ones and that my girls could spend time with their great-grandparents.
To be honest when looking through all the pictures it made me miss living in Cali a little bit. I actually got a little teary looking at the beach pics. But I still love my daily life here at home in the South, and I can always visit Cali to taste the parts that I miss.
The short (and free!) ferry ride was gorgeous and peaceful. The girls thought it was really fun.
The strawberry farm, College Run Farms, was just a few minutes from the ferry. It was lots of fun, but very HOT! The girls were excited about picking strawberries. Lucy kept saying she wanted other colors besides red ones. They did a great job finding and eating strawberries. Chuck got the award for the best picking! He straddled the puddles at the end of the rows where few had gone to pick, so we found some good ones. Lucy was worn out by the end. It was hard work.
With Charlotte in a cute little strawberry outfit, we couldn't resist some pictures. Notice her cute little toes poking out of the leaves. Once she discovered the yummy strawberries she was in heaven.
We cooled off with some yummy strawberry ice cream before taking a scenic drive home.
I just couldn't get enough of the fresh fruit, so I joined a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). We joined a fruit farm called AgriBerry. I'm in heaven each week when I pick up my box of fruit picked just days beforehand. This week we got sweet cherries, blueberries, black raspberries, and red raspberries. Absolutely fabulous and worth it. I'm also trying out another Buy Local group called Dominion Harvest. My home deliveries will start in July. I love the idea of supporting local farms.
Yorktown Battlefield Historical Park was the next stop on our history tour. We purchased the driving tour CD (only $5!) and headed out to enjoy the beautiful scenery. We learned about the artillery used and how they built these protective bunkers in the middle of the night (top left). I'm always a little in awe when you look out on the open fields, try to imagine a war occurring, and those individuals walking, sleeping, and fighting out there. It's pretty humbling.
We saw a cool little group of turtles hanging out on a log. Tara and her cute little pirate hook and pirate's scowl. What a cutie!
Out of all the places we were planning to visit during the week, I was the most excited about Jamestown, the site of the first English settlement in the new world. In 1607, 13 years before the Pilgrims landed in Massachusetts, a group of 104 English men and boys began a settlement on the banks of Virginia's James River. The community suffered terrible hardships in its early years, but managed to endure, earning the distinction of being America's first permanent English colony.
We went to Jamestown Settlement which was an amazing facility. It is located very close to the original settlement, but it is a great learning facility for both kids and adults. There was an informative movie then an extensive gallery and museum exhibit that walked you through 16th century Virginia. That's where we really discovered how I really could be one of those Indian women. We found an exhibit with a woman working in the fields with a baby wrapped to her back, just like I tote Charly around. Ha!
James Fort showed how the early colonists lived. There were several buildings - a home, church, and trade shops - to walk through, kids games of that era, and a cannon that was fired periodically.
I think this whole visit was fabulous for the kids. The adults took turns watching the introductory film and walking through the gallery without kids, so that we could take our time reading.
The whole gang (minus Mike M. who was working).
The re-enactments and everyone dressing and talking like they were in the 18th century was pretty neat. Each day the area turns into Revolutionary City where there is an outdoor drama production.
My cute husband - (top left, clockwise) played a lawyer in the royal court. He was allowed to pass the bar! 3 years and enormous debt was worth it! Marching in the militia with Papa and Hock. Learning the proper way to greet the ladies. Chuck sitting out on the lawn with 5 of the 7 kids so that the rest of us could enjoy a tour of the Capitol building.
All locked up. Everybody took their turn as criminals. I have pictures of me as a kid in these stocks.
We love to explore new places, take tours, and sight see. We realize that our children do not always have the same fondness. We had 7 kids 5 years old and younger in tow. Chuck's dream is to compile and write a tourism book for families with young children. It was hot, so plenty of water and snacks were a must.
Lucy was in heaven with all the rocks and shells on all the walkways. She had all sorts of collections.
Some of the things the kids could have done without include anything indoors sitting down, such as the conversations with George Washington and Patrick Henry. They liked the outdoors guided tours, but not the indoor ones. Colonial Williamsburg is definitely a huge retirees vacation spot, so we tried to be respectful of those who probably are not used to having kids in tow during vacation. Most people were very friendly and understanding of the kids, but there were a few yankees sitting behind us during the conversation with George Washington who were cranky; maybe somebody from the northeast can explain why y'all are like that. And why y'all also root for Duke.
When we travel, where we are staying becomes "home". The kids (and adults) loved where we stayed in the Historic Triangle (Williamsburg Plantation). We had 2 two-bedroom condos in a town home layout with one right on top of the other connected by a private, indoor staircase. The kids could run up and down the stairs and not bother anybody else. Across the driveway was a playground. There were also tennis courts and an indoor pool. All of which we used several times, unlike last year in Florida.
I love when the whole group wears matching shirts. Strangers talk to you about it and asks about our family. The pink/blue shirts are from last year's Bodell reunion. Many people asked about Charlotte's blue shirt - the reunion shirts were ordered before she was born last year and we didn't know if we were having a boy or a girl. They figured blue can go on a boy or a girl, pink most people would only put on a girl.
Houston and Charly are only 5 months apart, but he has about 20 lbs on her. They were very cute playing together. The best was while walking around Maymont, Charly would stick out her arm and try to get his attention and hold his hand. It was so cute. Notice the bottom left picture - he's going for the neck, but she is still all smiles. She loves attention!
More cousin fun - picnics, cuddles, flying kites.
Grammy and Papa came to Richmond the night before heading to Williamsburg, so the girls got a little extra cuddle time. Chuck also took everyone on a driving tour of Richmond before church. They hit Hollywood Cemetery, Monument Ave Historic District, and some views of the James River.
