One last really big catch-all final post before we move

I had the best intentions to post regularly all summer with updates of our 5-weeks of travel before moving to China. I hope once we are settled in our new home and have a routine I will do a better job getting the pictures off my camera. But, for now, I'll try to catch up on all the summer fun, visits and goodbyes that we have enjoyed before we leave.

Before we left DC we threw ourselves a going away party at the zoo. Since Milan likes to call himself "zookeeper" and it was a good central location for our many far-flung DC-area friends, we took over one of the picnic pavilions one afternoon and had a great visit with many friends from different corners of our life. There were plenty of kids who came and ran around like monkeys, so we didn't have to leave the party to go visit the zoo animals. More time to talk to friends and catch up.

First we had to make chocolate cupcakes:
And Milan wore his new custom-made capybara t-shirt:
And here is a sample of the many wonderful friends who came to see us. Sorry I didn't get a picture of each and every one of you!



Next up, our Colorado friends came for a visit and to help move heavy furniture. Milan had a blast with two full-time playmates at the house everyday, and we even got out to see some fun stuff before the Metro accident closed down the Red line.

Nice hat!

National Building Museum

More hats

Chomping the plants in the back yard

This is the catbird in her nest in our garden. I was so excited to see the babies before we moved out. The babies hatched just in time and were very cool:
Until 3 days later when they became someone's lunch. I was somewhat relieved to leave this beautiful little garden where I felt responsible for each life and subsequent death.

On our last day in Maryland Milan's playgroup and their awesome moms had a little party/babysitting so we could finish packing.
We couldn't have done it without you! Thank you!!

On to the trip. When we left Maryland we spent 2 weeks in Massachusetts at my parents' house. Milan had a blast with Meme (my Mom) and Vovo (my Dad), and even Bastette (our cat) eventually adjusted to life in the new house.

First up, a visit to the local zoo:

Feeding the llamas

Bristol, R.I. 4th of July parade

Milan and his cousins, enjoying the cannon at the parade.


Up in the Ferris Wheel

First in a series of mini High School reunions this summer! We met up with my friend Jacy in Massachusetts

...and her cute son Fionn

Uncle Roger visits from Florida

At the Boston harbor with Beth and Brianna

Getting wet in the fountain in Boston

A nice visit with Alis' parents outside of Boston

And then my parents hosted the biggest family reunion/going away party/birthday celebration on their patio. It was great to see aunts, uncles, cousins, and even some relatives who I hadn't seen in years!

The grill master

Meme getting soaked by the sprinkler runners

With cousin Peter

Birthday cake

Beth and Brandon

It was so nice to have Beth and Brianna there for the weekend. We had fun launching rockets...
And eating lobsters

Wow, that was a very photo-intensive post. I am exhausted and I haven't even reached the half-way point of the trip. I'm going to take a break here and continue tomorrow with the rest of the trip. To be continued...