The Williams Family: Our Crazy Lives: family vacation

Resting at the Inner Harbor, Baltimore, before Mom takes off for Salt Lake City!

We were so lucky to have my Mom and my brother, Jeff, his wife, Merili, and their kids, Samara and Jack, come to visit in September. We titled the trip "A Taste of Maryland" because we really did a little bit of everything. I think we even got to 3 states plus D.C.! Pretty impressive in a week's time! We had so much fun just being together, watching the kids play, and most importantly, devouring the Amish Market food, predominately the pies.

We started the week with a trip to the real Amish country in PA. We spent the day going to the small towns of Bird-In-Hand, Paradise, Intercourse, and a few others. Bart stayed home with the boys watching movies so that we didn't have to beg them not to touch quilts and such. The next couple of days we spent traveling to Annapolis for the afternoon and then on to Ocean City where we were able to spend the night at the Cory and Beth Williams beach bungalow and had the most perfect day on record at the beach. Even Mom sat and relaxed and enjoyed herself. Merili, however, will never be allowed to put sunscreen on another human. Both Jack and Jeff suffered a little due to her lack of application skills! Jeff may still be able to show you the remains from this mistake! After returning, we spend time in DC, the Inner harbor of Baltimore, and at the National Aquarium of Baltimore. I am not sure who was most exhausted at the end of the trip, but it was time well spent together! Below are some of the highlight photos from the trip! Lots of fun! Oh yeah, and did I mention the shopping? It was awesome too!
Amish Country, Pennsylvania
Samara and Anna picking out pumpkins at the local Amish Market town.

The girls spent some time playing on the train and so Merili and Jeff thought they should join in too. This was much preferable to petting the gross llama across the playground.

Annapolis, Maryland

It was quite hot in Annapolis. We split up to make sure everyone saw what they wanted. We sat down at the water's edge, which didn't smell so great. The kids stole our sunglasses so they could sit still for a picture.

Taking a break from the heat with Mom. Bart later referred to this picture as "2 Lindas". I can't help that my Mom and I are so dang beautiful! And it should have been 3 Lindas since Anna is just the same!

Ocean City, Maryland

Jeff, Samara, Merili and Jack taking a break on the beach. Jack would promptly return to chasing birds, Samara to the water, and Jeff to digging in the sand. Merili just laughed and took pictures.

Jack and Anna's smiles say it all!Samara and Jacob look like they are practicing to be cheerleaders or something. They had so much fun jumping the waves. The water was so warm this time of year.

Did I mention Jeff likes digging in the sand? Bart did get in on the action too and I am not sure who enjoyed the end result the most...the kids or the Dads?

Getting closer to finishing the project at hand....

Washington, D.C.
We visited the Udvar-Hazy portion of the Air and Space Museum out by Dulles International Airport. It has all of the REALLY big planes that can't be housed in the museum on the mall. I love this picture of the boys sitting still, but also because Anna thought this part of the shuttle was a big toilet paper roll.

3 generations of beautiful women at the museum! (and one on the way is starting to show)

This picture is taken in Arlington Cemetery near the eternal flame for the Kennedys. I love the view of DC in the background. And did I mention how stinking hot it was?