Arlington Cemetary

Travis' Great Uncle

Feel good time at the ole crematorium

We did a TON of walking in 100 degree heat

Silence...

Changing of the Guard

They were like robots!

JFK Memorial Eternal Flame

On Tuesday we went to the Arlington national Cemetery to pay respects to Travis' great Uncle. I couldn't believe how hot it was!

Hershey Park's "Chocolate World"

Travis and Isabelle

She LOVED the free chocolate tour and was

so excited about all the lights and action!

Trolley Bus Tour

Gabriella laughing at the entertainment

You can see the tour guides up front.

They sang and acted out stuff-- it was rad.

View of the Hershey Park

Travis and Isabelle

She was a bit busy, but she did okay. We passed her back

and forth to each other.

Gabriella enjoying the Trolley Bus Tour

Coloring, keeping the girls busy while we listen to the 

history lesson of chocolate

Chocolate Taste Testing and Lesson

Mama and her girls

We got there 10 minutes before it opened

Outside waiting for it to open...

Love how blue the sky is!

Gabriella waiting in line

Isabelle waiting in line

Create your own candy bar!

Our favorite thing we did!

Our fancy DIY chocolate wrappers

Outside the 3D show

I love these shows!

The Tebo family did it right at Hershey Park's, "Chocolate World" and arrived ten minutes before opening and did all the attractions in about four hours. Gabriella and I loved it more then Travis and Isabelle, although she had a blast on the Chocolate Tour. She loved the dancing cows and bright lights but pooped-out during the Trolley Bus tour. Travis and I agreed the trolley bus was pretty cool... they had two tour guides that acted-out parts as they were sharing with us the history of Hershey chocolate and as we were seeing the actual houses, factory, etc. The chocolate tasting session was just okay. The 3D show was pretty cool, but the "Create Your Own" chocolate bar was session was awesome. I chose a milk chocolate bar with pretzel pieces, toffee, and butterscotch chips. Gabby chose white chocolate, raspberry bits, chocolate chips, and sprinkles. We got to see the entire process and you know it was your candy bar because a screen would light-up with your name on in while the bar passed on the conveyor belt. You also get to decorate your candy bar wrapper. Gabby and I loved it (Travis stayed with Isabelle)! We left about 12:30, just in time for lunch and nap time. Sweet!

Tebo Family Visit

Campfire in the backyard

Morning time in the motorhome 

The girls waking-up daddy

View of the deck, pool, and motorhome

Travis, Aunt Deb, Isabelle, Gabriella, and Emily

Lola the dog (missing Gracie)

Gabriella, Cara, Uncle Larry, Travis, & Isabelle

Amherst Fire Department 

(where Uncle Larry works)

After a super quick stop to New Hampshire, just to say we went there, we headed to Amherst, Massachusetts on Friday to see Uncle Larry and Aunt Deb and invade their house. It was an awesome surprise to see cousin Emily as well! Gabby got to meet another second cousin, which makes her super happy. They have a great house and they even have a pool! Yay! It was so crazy hot that we were pretty excited about that. Gabby fell in love with their two dogs (and was even singing to them) while Isabelle ran around as we chased after her-- typical 17 month old phase. So tiring! We stayed in their motor home and had a lovely time at fire department picnic. Travis and I were once again amazed by the enormous portion sizes of food that were offered, but being a pregnant woman--- there was no complaining from me. Ha! Uncle Larry drove me around three college campuses (UMass-Amherst, Amherst College, and Hampshire College) so I can tick that off the list of college campuses I've seen. It was a brief but good visit and we look forward to seeing them again in the future... Thank goodness for Facebook because it's so easy to keep in touch now. :)

Gabriella's 5th Birthday (for real)

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake

Happy 5th Birthday, Gabriella!

Make a wish

Tebo Family 

Since Gabriella already had a big birthday party in China, it was a low-key celebration with the family.

Cousin Fun!

Piggybank Game

They could play this for hours... putting coins

in here and taking them back out again :)

Mikayla Rose

Such a doll face!

Almost a smile!

Such a sweetie!

Smile!

Pretty eyes

Love her!

Todd and Annarita's House

It's such a gorgeous house and 

they have beautiful landscaping.

Bouncy house fun!

The girls LOVED this!

Isabelle

Playing in Mikayla's little coupe

She loves this car! Too bad they're WAY 

over-prived in China!

FUN!

Mikayla

Big smile

Uncle Todd bouncing them around

Love this back yard!

Cousins

Gabby and Mikayla 

thought this was the best

Uncle Todd would turn them around

Big smiles!

Mikayla and Gabriella

Gabby hammin' it up

Watching TV

The Tebo/Meeker girls have been having such a good time playing together! The obvious trait they all have is that they're TALL! Gabby said she wants to live here forever because it's so much fun... it'll be tough saying goodbye :( but we'll keep in touch... cheers to more good Meeker/Tebo times!