IT HAS BEEN A WHILE!

We have returned from our 3 trips in a week and a half and still trying to recover.  That is why there has not been a 'post' lately.  Got to catch up!

On a recent drive down to Alexandria, Va to the NCFA office, we got a picture of the SUNRISE.  It was quite a bit more dramatic than what the picture shows.  Oh well....at least we tried!

 Last Friday, August 19th, it was SHOPPING DAY WITH GRANDMA for the 'girls'!!  We had planned this for quite some time and were really looking forward to it!  Audrey-Do, Emma-Lou and Kristyn-Marie!  Wayne and I left the temple a little early so we could get back up the road in a little more timely way.

 We only had about 3 hours in which to shop.  For a guy they would say that would be 2 hours and 45 minutes too long.....for us girls.....NOT LONG ENOUGH!  BUT....we tried to stay focused and

  SHOP TIL WE DROP was our motto!

 We made it back to Kristyn's home just in the nick of time for her BIRTHDAY PARTY!  And we had a great time.....successful by the looks of our bags.  I even got a little jar of body lotion.  Imagine that.

 On Saturday, August 20th, we just couldn't resist taking a picture of the MOON shining brightly above the temple.  We decided to take a few pictures of that......

 And when we finished our regular shift on Saturday afternoon we decided to head over to IKEA!!!  Haven't been there since we left Finland.  We used to go to IKEA in Finland often on a Saturday afternoon to have a good, cheap meal.  Usually got SALMON.  It was so good.....seemed a little weird to see a MARYLAND FLAG flying across the street from this IKEA.  Still trying to get readjusted to being back in America I guess.   I find 'little things' like that just amazing.

 They didn't have salmon on the menu but they did have the usual SWEDISH MEATBALLS with LINGONBERRY SAUCE!!!  That is what Wayne got......

 I, on the other hand, couldn't pass up the MARYLAND CRAB CAKES!!!  AAAHHHH.....I knew there was something I had been missing.  They were so good...

 And YES a little dessert to share is always a must!!  This was absolutely fantastic, delicious CHOCOLATE CAKE.....would highly recommend to anyone!

 As we headed back home, this is the 'famous' view of the Washington D.C. Temple as one drives around the Washington Beltway coming from the east toward the west......LOVE THIS VIEW!