We have been enjoying the past several weeks in the USA with friends and family. This year, our trip was 25 days long, the longest we’ve ever stayed, but of course, it was as busy as ever!
We celebrated Father’s Day with my dad, and my sister, Alli’s birthday!
My parents threw a big party to renew their vows in celebration of their 40th wedding anniversary.
Brooklyn finally got her learner’s permit! It took us three tries, though! We had an appointment for the very first morning we were back. However, right before we went to bed the night before, we remembered we had forgotten Brooklyn’s birth certificate and social security card. We still tried but were turned away at the MVA. Some of our amazing friends were able to run over to our house, grab the documents, and ship them to us. We made a second appointment on Day 10 of our trip, only to realize once we arrived that Brooklyn had forgotten her glasses and she failed the vision test. I got an appointment the following day, and the third time was a charm; she passed the test on the first try. In addition to getting the permit and starting the 9-month waiting period, she completed the two-week driver’s ed course and got a few hours of practice behind the wheel.
Brooklyn also got her first job! Mamma Lucia’s was generous enough to give her a position for the three weeks we were home so she could get some work experience. That first paycheck was definitely exciting!
Ryan also had a major transportation achievement; he took his first flight as co-pilot of an airplane. Ryan is really interested in the Air Force and aviation, and a friend suggested that he take a flight with the Young Eagles program, which offers free flights to teenagers interested in an aviation career. What a great experience. Ryan had some pre-flight nerves, but in true Ryan fashion, he jumped right in when it was time to go and even gave me a big thumbs up as they taxxied down the runway.
Ryan completed a week at baseball camp and Brooklyn did some one-on-one softball training
We also had SO MANY wonderful dinners, lunches, and brunches with family and friends.
We had an awesome beach day at our friends’ beach club at Drum Point, where the Chesapeake meets the Patuxent River.
We celebrated the Fourth of July at a pool party with friends.
We stopped by Brooklyn and Ryan’s old daycare and visited with their teachers.
We visited with my godmother and her family.
Ryan got in some farming time with my Dad.
And finally on our last day, we had an early celebration for Ryan’s upcoming birthday.
And there are so many other memories that didn’t get documented with pictures.
We are on our way back to Germany, and to quote Ryan, our trip feels very ‘incomplete.’ We were sure that we’d be ready to return home after three weeks. And while we are ready to return to a routine, we weren’t ready to leave Maryland. We were so happy to be back with family and friends, to have the conveniences (like big washers and dryers and Walmart), and to spend time with my nephews, Tate and Nix.
We are dreaming of the next trip back and when we move back, even though we still feel the call to stay in Germany a little longer. It is so hard to have your heart in two places at one time!
Gilcrests Abroad 