WOW - time to update!! Trip to the USA!!!

Time is getting away from me - so I better get going on my USA post!!  WE had a fantabulous time - flew out on a Friday - the Military Commission flight all the way NONSTOP to Andrews Air Force Base!!  We had planned to go to St Louis to Lee's GovEnergy convention but it was cancelled, so we made other plans!! First up was to visit with Monica and Mike Gordon.  Monica has undergone a double masectomy and is doing AWESOME - She is undergoing 20 weeks of chemotherapy and has the best attitude EVER and just taking it all in stride!!  I only took a couple of pictures, as she is very self conscious and doesn't want any pics of her "out there" - so these are for my blog only!!  We got to see Michael and Derek too.  Only Michael for one day as he was leaving for his senior year at Radford (Finance/Management double major)....

Monica was with a low white blood count 3 of the days we were there, so we just piddled around and hung out - it was FUN!! The last day she wanted to do something tho - so we went to see my old house, her dad and also to a wig shop - she didn't want a wig, but she wanted to look at the pretty scarves and beanies that they have!! 

Blogger wasn't cooperating much, so the order is a little off on these pics!!



An Air Force I model? at Andrews AFB



 



Mike grilling up shrimp and mahi mahi!! It was
D E L I C I O U S





Monica and her dad (Ray) First time I had seen him in years!

 

Ooops -Mom got a new cut/color while in town!!



8509 Oakford Dr
Springfield, VA
where I lived in high school
Class of 1979
my bedroom was the far left! Gdad
Thomas planted all those trees!!



The Civil Engineers from Va Tech!!
L-R, Mike, Monica, Lee



Me and my BFF
Susan and Monica
Roommates for 3 yrs at Va Tech

 

Monica and me skyping with Nicole (her oldest)

TRAFFIC - not what we are used to - also 70 mph!!
YIKES!!!

The State Park that CAMP DAVID is in

The gorgeous view in the State Park on the way to Camp David

This is where we were to turn....we found it!!

We also got to go visit the Halsey family.  Wendy had been Lee's boss
in GTMO for about 7 months when we first arrived.  Now she has the prestigious
job of being the C.O. of Camp David!! We got an awesome tour of the Retreat
for the President's of the US!!  It was absolutely gorgeous - and kept up similar to
Disney World as far as landscaping, cleanliness etc!!  We attended church with them
that Sunday a.m. - Wendy, Mark, Justin (9th gr), Kate (7th gr) and little Tucker (4th gr)
After church, we ate b'fast at the galley - yummmm!! Then the awesome tour of the place!!



Battle of Manassas - July 21, 1861 where my Great Great Great G'father
 John Rimes fought - he was injured and sent home.
Manassas, VA
Lee and I took a little field trip to give Monica
a break from us!! :)  It isn't far from their house and it
was a beautiful day!  I had been here as a high schooler with my
parents when we lived up in the area. (1978ish)

LOVED this view!! :)  so pretty!!

STONEWALL JACKSON



This is right after we got there!!

Monica and Tim (T'Bud - 13 mos younger than her, and the only boy out of
6 kids!!)