Oil Change and Battery

 Now that we're back, good to get the car checked, including an oil change and a new battery after a few years.  So, so thankful for Leong and his excellent work as a mechanic. 

 

Return Trip

 Our return trip went through Montreal and Tokyo - and was pretty good connections; we were a bit nervous if it would be too tight in Montreal; thankfully, it all worked out well. 

 

Final Goodbyes

 Jason and Nicole, Scot & Carrie, as well as Ethan and Ava stopped by to say goodbye with our final evening before heading to the airport tomorrow. 

 

Tips for Gabi

 We got some pictures and tips of expectations for Gabi for when she comes back - and needs to pack up the place.  From spices to mattress covers, these are just a few of the several pictures that make up the instructions tips for Gabi. 

 

Laugher & Fitted Sheets

 It was fun to stay after dinner, hear from Patti about her mom's insistence on learning how to do laundry correctly, our varying levels of incompetence with fitted sheets - and hearing more about how Barrie is doing. 

 

Pizza @ Grandpa Barrie's

 Barrie and Patti had us over for pizza - which was another fun chance to connect and be together as a family.  The last week is always so fun of connection time as the summer winds down. 

Getting height updates is always an important summer tradition.  Bryson and Ethan sure were the big growers! 

 

Bowling Green

 We got to visit Bowling Green and see some of the areas that Laura is so familiar with.  It was a fun brunch place - and good to get some good food and enjoy time together. 

 

Laura's Place

 Fun to see Laura and Mitch's place and get to visit them. 

 We also delivered grandma's wicker seat for their outdoor patio. 

Family Gathering

 Good to have family over for some food and connection. 

 

Lake Life Morning

 So fun to get to wake up right at the lake!

 

Dina & Heather

 Tracy got to spend the day (and overnight) with Dina and Heather, including seeing Dina and Matt's new lake house - what a great location - and a treat to get to spend time together. 

It is so wonderful to pick up so easily, even after many years. 

 

Ferns & Lakes Trail

 After parking our bikes, we went on the Ferns and Lakes trail, enjoying a walk around the lake and some beauty so close to our place. 

 

Oak Openings Bike Ride

 Rania and Doug went on the longest bike ride from our place that we've done - making it to Oaks Opening - and then going to the visitor's center.  It isn't terribly far - and having a good bike sure does help. 

It sure was a beautiful day to be outside. 

 

Front Yard Beauty

 Kudos to Marta on all her work on the front yard!  It sure is looking good - and such great color. 

This was a prelude to our drive back to Maumee, which means a goodbye to Gabi and getting to see Rania. 
 

Puzzle Done!

 How great to have the puzzle done.  Thanks, Gabi, for some great work with some tricky trees and snow sections.  

 

Tasha Overlap

 How wonderful to get to overlap, if only briefly with Tasha - as she had a 'layover' in Dulles and was able to come and spend some time at Mark & Marta's, including sorting through the clothes and things she is leaving there as she heads to the next step on her sabbatical. 

 

 

Puzzle Work

 Gabi was intent on getting a puzzle done - so much of our Saturday and Sunday was at work on the puzzle. 

 

Van Repair

 Thankfully, Mark and Marta knew a good mechanic - as our alternator seemed to go out just a few miles from Mark & Marta's.  Good to be able to get the van there - and have it fixed pretty quickly - and now ready to head back. 

 

Thai Restaurant

 How incredibly fun to get to meet some of Gabi's friends, who were kind enough to join us at the appropriately named 'Thai Restaurant.'  They are both doing internships in the DC office - with Mary also back from her semester abroad - and doing the 5-year architecture degree at ND. 

 

Botanical Gardens

 After the National Gallery, we enjoyed the Botanical Gardens - though the heat and humidity in the tropical section was a bit too much like KL - and like a humid DC day.  The air con in the educational center was certainly welcome. 

At Judiciary Square on the way to our Thai restaurant.