{miss Iz}

I've started a new collection of vintage cameras and just had to go out one day with my favorite little girl...

{girls get-together}

Back in November, just after I returned home from visiting Heather and baby Jack, along with Camille & Ashley, I was struck with the idea of all us girls getting together---soon.  We love our times together in the summer, but we also have 20+ kids to take care of.  We don't get too many moments just to be together as adults.  I sent out an email letting everyone know that they were invited to my place over President's Weekend and that it wasn't too late to ask Santa for a plane ticket.  Well, Dad read the email and became Santa himself!  He wanted it to happen.  So, thanks to Mom and Dad for flying everyone to Virginia.
It was such a great weekend and I really feel like we packed a lot of fun stuff in.  We had some good bonding, yummy food, and lots of shopping.
My sisters are quite extraordinary, and that definitely includes my sister-in-lawa, Hillary and my mom!
Thanks to Hillary and Mom for sending some of these pics!

Day 1:
We took the metro into DC.  The weather was AMAZING.  It was so fun to be downtown.  We went to the National Gallery of Art and the American History Museum.

Olivia had to get a picture of this.  Remember in the Olivia book series how she saw this in the museum and said "I could do that in about 5 minutes!"  hee hee....


This is one of the main exhibits we came to see.  Ashley was familiar with this artist's work and was dying to see it in person.  The artist's name is Chuch Close and he does these large portraits with thumb prints!  Isn't that incredible?



The trip is not complete with a ride on the carousel!


Pics by the Capitol:


Julia Child's kitchen in the American History Museum:


Day 2:
Antiquing at Luckett's Store, lunch at South Street Under, Jaxon's Bball game, Dinnet @home:

Hillary and her sister!



Yummy dinner and gift exchange:

Fondue Dessert!


Day 3:

Church, crafts, dinner
Camille slaving over my curtains:

Hillary's cute craft idea:

Brielle's awesome nap hair:


Jaxon taking the little girls for go-cart rides:

I thought the mashed potatoes needed a little spicing up:


Michele's delicious mud mask:


Day 4:
Time for goodbyes

cute little baby boys: