Visit from Laurie and Kristi

We had a nice visit with 2 of Mark's sisters last weekend.  Earlier in the Fall Mark's sister Laurie decided to home school her 13 year old daughter Felicity.  Laurie spoke to Mark about ideas for teaching history and he suggested coming out here to visit. Laurie decided to do it and then Mark's sister Kristi, who happens to be homeschooling her 9 year old daughter decided to come out the same weekend. We loved showing them around Charlottesville and nearby areas.  They are fun, smart and generous and easy to be around. 

Thursday night:  We met up with the Players for a campfire.  Liz grew up in Turlock with Mark's family and was very happy to catch up with Laurie and Kristi. 

Liz Player, Kristi, Mark and Laurie.

Friday:  Yoders, Moo Thru and Washington DC. 
The only real requests Kristi and Laurie had was to visit a farm if possible and to spend time outside.  Yoders was a perfect place to stop.  Everyone loved feeding the animals.  We ate lunch there and then continued on to Moo Thru.  Both these stops were great to break up the drive to DC. Once we got to DC we went out on the paddle boats in the Tidal Basin which are exhausting but fun.  Then we started walking. And we kept walking for 7 miles!  No one planned to walk 7 miles that day but often when you are with Mark you just keep walking.  We walked all the way from the tidal basin to the Capitol then back up the other side of the National Mall to the White House which like the Capitol still had many barriers up from January 06th and then to the WW II Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial and back to the tidal basin. I wanted to make sure we were in DC late enough to see the Memorials lit up and even though people were exhausted it seemed like they were happy we saw all that we did. 

Bartholdi Fountain.  We had ever stopped by this garden before.  It was a very pretty garden and had a fun view of the Capitol. Bartholdi eventually went on to create the Statue of Liberty.
 It was a perfect weather day to walk around DC. 

White House. 
We purposefully walked to this side of White House because you can get closer but no luck with extra barriers up.

WW II I really like this Memorial. It and the Korean War are my favorites.

Kristi and Zelly. 

Laurie later told us that Felicity told her at the Lincoln Memorial that this was a good parent moment.  We were happy to hear that since we exhausted them with all that walking. We didn't get home until midnight but it was great to see so much of the city. 

Saturday: Bodos Bagels and Monticello
 We purposefully got a slow start to Saturday.  Everyone was tired from the day before. We hit up Bodos so they could try Charlottesville's bagel claim to fame, everyone was a fan.  From there we drove to UVA and stopped by the Berlin Wall, one of the many secret gardens, The Lawn, and the memorial to Enslaved Laborers.  Mark's student teacher Hannah actually lives on the East Range of the Lawn so she met us and gave us a tour of her room which was a fun insider activity.  I think everyone loved the garden the most, it was so beautiful. We headed back to the car just before the rain started. 

This picture was cracking us all up because it looks like Laurie and Mark and the parents of all these kids.  So funny. 

Sunday: Church, Shenandoah National Park, Monticello Trail

 This past Sunday was the first time our ward had the Sacrament before the talks, sang songs, and had a shortened 2nd hour with all classes for the first time since March 2020.  It was actually my week to teach and while I loved the talk I was given I was way overprepared for a 20 minute lesson. I don't mind 20 minute classes but it was hard to teach anything. I felt like it did not flow well which was a shame because I felt well prepared.  It was also my last lesson.  RS combined with EQ and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future. I had already let them know that May would be my last lesson but now they are alternating RS then EQ so I am finished. I wasn't expecting that and didn't' realize it until a few minutes before I taught.  It was a good calling to have. 

Numbers 8, 7 and 6 of the Spencer children

We decided to go visit Shenandoah and while the drive there was really pretty the park itself was kind of a bust.  The trees have not filled in much at all and it was super windy.  We picked Bear Fence Mountain since its a short hike and has a fun rock scramble but it was way too windy.  Lydia got really scared and didn't even make it to the top.  She and I stayed down a bit lower while the rest checked it out.  We did not last long.  We decided to go through the whole park so they could see some of the pretty views but due to the lack of leaves it was not what we expected.  We hurried to get to the Monticello Trail before the gates were locked and made it in time.  Mark and Laurie turned around sooner then the rest of us to pick up the cars just to be safe and then parked at the lower lot and met us on the trail.  It was a nice walk, its so pretty there.  

People did enjoy the hike (except Lydia)  but it was nothing like the last time our family hiked it.  The wind was so crazy and we just did not expect it. 

There was more green as we got back down to lower elevations in the park. 

We are really glad these cousins got some time together. 

Quite possible the last time we hike this trail.  

After dinner Mark and Felicity made chocolate chip cookies. Laurie had requested that Mark make some with Felicity and while Felicity was a good sport I don't think she learned anything new from Mark.  We all enjoyed the cookies though. And Kristi and Laurie were happy to each take a bag home with them.  Mark does make really good chocolate chip cookies and it had been quite awhile since he made them.

Monday: Yoders and Moo Thru 
 I worked my regular hours Monday so I said goodbye before these outings.  Before Laurie drove back to Richmond to fly home they made another trip to Yoders.  We sent Lydia to school for half the day and then surprised her with Mark picking her up early so she could spend more time with family. She was thrilled and completely surprised.  They made a stop at the Moo Thru in town per Zelly's request and then Mark dropped Krisit and Zelly off at the airport.  Lydia was really emotional Monday and Tuesday.  She loved having them here visiting.  She cried off and on and was just so sad. I am pretty sure we will not see these family members again before Egypt and are grateful they made the trip out here. It also helped us go and do some things we wanted to do before moving.  We may or may not make trips to these places again before July and its odd to think that this was the last time.  There will be so many things to miss about Charlottesville. 

COVID - 19 Vaccine!

Last Tuesday I was able to get my first dose of the vaccine.  I was happy to go and get it done.  It will make traveling this Summer easier and provide peace of mind.  I was in and out in less than 45 minutes which was great.  As I waited in line I saw a cute couple from our ward (the Shelton's) who were there for their 2nd dose and was happy to catch up with them for a few minutes.  They are currently serving in the Spanish ward so we don't see them much.  I was nervous about the pain of the actual shot but it didn't hurt at all.  My arm was definitely sore but it was worth it.  My next dose is set for May 12th.  I am so happy the vaccine is available and that I could finally get it. 

That evening I met up with my friend Jessie to go on a pre birthday walk.  It was great to chat with her.  We missed a picture together but I did catch the sunset.  This picture is so unlike the rest of the area.  It looks all dry and dead but all around it was blooming and beautiful. I have never been on an African safari but this photo kind of made me think of one. 

Spring in Charlottesville (biking, walking and driving)

 It's been a beautiful Spring.  I look forward to the variety of flowering trees and green hills each year but I'm paying even more attention this year since we will not be here next year.  One Sunday after church Mark went to a family in the wards baby blessing.  When he got home he asked me if I wanted to go on a Sunday drive with him.  He had driven down a beautiful country road to get to their house and they had suggested another route for him to take after he mentioned me wanting to see some beautiful Spring spots.  We did invite Jared and Lydia but they declined so we had a Sunday drive date.  We drove past Baker Butler over to Stony Point and then turned down Turkey Sag Road and followed it over to Grave Episcopal Church in Keswick.  We drove by the church and as soon as we did Mark said, "You want me to turn around right?"  Yes I did.  He did so and as we pulled into the lot the sexton was walking to her car and she offered to show us around the church which was so nice and Southern of her.  This church dates back to 1745 and is charming and impressive. It was so nice of her to let us in and show us around. I hope to one day soon bike the first road we drove down.  

I found some pretty Spring spots on my personal bike rides and on some walks I have been on lately.  I am trying to go on a short walk on Sundays mornings.  I call them Sunday Scripture walks and as I walk I listen to the Doctrine and Covenants sections for Come Follow Me for the week.  Its been really nice. I did this a few times last year as well and am happy to be doing it again in the beautiful mornings.  I will miss these sights next year.  

Virginia Blue Ridge Railway Trail
 One Saturday we met up with the Shedd's (Mark's coworker at Burley and his family) and biked this old railway trail.  We got there a little before them and when we pulled into the lot we saw the car of some other friends of ours.  Mark had originally planned this bike ride as a joint youth activity but it got canceled because the Stake was hosting a fireside that evening.  Our friends said they had it on the calendar so they came regardless.  The Shedd's sadly got turned around because there are 2 parking lots but we eventually met up and had a really nice time biking together.  We biked 9 miles and even Lydia our reluctant biker had a great time.