Our first stop was at Grandma Mary's. Dick took a short nap, and while he napped my step-brother Gary, his wife Julie, 3 of their children, and a little Yorkie they are dog-sitting arrived. Destiny was playing a game on my phone, and I was busy talking, so I didn't even think of taking pictures. We were just cracking up at the little Yorkie (can't remember his name). He saw Dick napping in the sun room and was sure he was a terrible threat to the rest of us. He barked and growled, and even after he was ordered to settle down, he kept his eyes on that scary man in the sunroom. It was so funny!
Then we went to Longs Park. We always park across the street in the Toys R Us parking lot, because it doesn't take as long to get out afterward. We trudged across the street and the park to our long-time spot near the cannons, and sure enough, there was my sister Doris and some of her family already set up. We missed the last two years, so it felt really nice to be there again. We've been doing this event together ever since our kids were little. We just like sitting there hours ahead of time, even in the heat, eating picnic food (provided mostly by Doris and her kids this year - thank you, guys!), then listening to the 8 pm concert in the background, which always ends with the 1812 Overture, complete with live cannons, then Stars and Stripes Forever as the fireworks begin. Frank came too and had Lauren, Jada, and her daughter Nicayla along.
An Army band and chorus from Washington DC provided the concert.
The Star Spangled Banner.
Adorable sisters!
What a sweetie pie!
The fireworks were amazing and very close to us. When it was over we said our goodbyes to Destiny, because Frank was taking her to her mom's house in Reading. We went to my sister Mary Ellen's house for the night. I was so weary I didn't wake up till after 7 am - very rare for me! Mary Ellen was already down in the kitchen and I could smell the coffee and hear her rattling pans and dishes. For a moment I felt like an irresponsible kid!
She served us some DELICIOUS baked oatmeal.
She has turned her little back yard into a beautiful sanctuary. Here she was filling her bird feeder.
After leaving her place we went to visit our dear friends Jay and Elta Nissley. We had the most PRECIOUS time together. While treatments no longer seem to be working against the cancer in his brain, steroids have been helping him to feel better and more alert. He was feeling good yesterday morning. I will forever treasure our time together and hope there will be more opportunities for us to visit. Here they are in their lovely livingroom.
They moved to this house since we moved away from Lancaster County, and we had never been there before. I so enjoyed getting the grand tour. Yes, Jordan and Alyssa, I DID see your bedrooms! (-:
Then we made the trip back to State College, greeted by our lilies that bloomed while we were away.
I've been doing LAUNDRY!! The last load is finally in the washer. Cleaning up after a camping trip is the worst part.
Now I must switch gears and get ready to go to work.
1 comment:
It is nice to see Jay and Elta again and their lovely home. Your sister is as pretty as ever! She has a nice backyard.
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