Pahty Reunion and Karen!

So my summer started a bit early--I missed graduation to fly out to Maryland with Max in tow!  Karen graciously picked us up at BWI, and we trekked slowly through rush hour traffic to Gainsville, stopping at an Italian place, Dolce Vita, along the way (where Max impressed Karen with his table manners).  Once in Gainesville, we sneaked through the gate entrance to the neighborhood like ninjas and found Janelle's house where she hosted a Pahty reunion!  (For those who don't know, the "Pahty" is the group of women that I went on semester abroad with.)  We supped on salad and soup and scones that had an important resting period, and enjoyed reacquainting ourselves.

Karen left Friday morning, and the pahtiers had a lovely walk in the Bull Run Mountains or the Blue Ridge Mountains, or something like that (though frankly I wouldn't exactly call these woods mountains.) I enjoyed the company, the luscious greenery, and hiking without carrying Max, who was being babysat at Janelle's.

Oh, and we saw the ruins of an old mill too.

Later that evening we stopped by the Manassas Battlefield (which I didn't photograph) and then had dinner at Hunter's Head Tavern where we indulged in Shepard's Pie and nostalgia.  Unfortunately, Max's table manners went out the window this night and all he would eat at the restaurant was ice.  I think perhaps all the bustle and noise overwhelmed him.

On Saturday we drove into DC and cruised around the tidal basin to see the monuments.  First stop was the new MLK monument, which Clint and I saw under construction (but mostly finished) after Karen's wedding.

The next stop was the FDR monument.

And a nice lookout of the Washington monument before entering the Jefferson.  Someone here noticed Max's Aggie hat and got all excited until I informed him that I am actually a Cougar and was there with an entire group of Cougars.  Hah!

Oh, what a good looking group of ladies! (And one little boy.)

Afterwards we had lunch at Good Stuff Eatery, which was pretty much amazing.  Then we headed into the National Gallery of Art

We then moved on to Ann Marie's home in Reston where we had a yummy Mexican meal and more nostalgia and reminiscing, as well as a little group therapy.  Ann Marie extended her hospitality and Max and I stayed in Reston for the night and said our goodbyes to the rest of the pahty.  Sunday morning I went to a 9am church which conveniently was a short walk through the woods from Ann Marie's house.

The next phase of my adventure was at Karen'splace!  She picked up up from the Metro and we played at the playground and went for a little walk on the cool trails behind her home.

We had some delicious salads for dinner and enjoyed catching up.  Then my mom arrived that evening and spent the night in preparation for the journey to New Jersey.

Thanks Janelle, Ann Marie, and Karen!