Silver Spring!

 Great to be with Gabi - and enjoy at least a brief moment in the picturesque back yard. 

 

Driving

 Now that there is definitely not any more jury duty, we left for DC to see Gabi, as well as Mark & Marta. 

 

Morning Bike Ride

 Taking advantage of the beautiful weather and the wonderful bike path was a great way to start the Thursday morning. 

 

Movie Evening

 After Rania got off work, she walked over to the theater where we took advantage of Tuesday discount day to see the Materialist which was a fun romantic comedy. 

 

Evening Light

 Pictures of the sisters on a Monday evening outside the Quinn's house.  

 

Downtown Library

 The Main library branch is truly spectacular; since it was across the street from the courthouse and I had already figured out parking, I went to enjoy some quiet reading time in a truly amazing space. 

The combination of lots of light as well as a magical children's area makes for such an inviting library. 

 The park outside the library isn't too bad either!

Jury Duty

 Much of this week has been in limbo, as Doug knew that he could get jury duty assigned.  Sure enough, on Sunday night, I was one of the numbers that was selected. 

Much of Monday morning was at the Lucas County courthouse. 

Sure enough, it is a lot of hurry up and wait.  The woman in charge did say that it had been quite a few weeks since there had been a jury trial - and that it is often last minute, given prosecutors and attorneys may settle at any point.  There were apparently two trials - I was not selected for either of them - though was in the pool in the unlikely event that everyone got struck or there were too many conflicts - so a group of us were waiting until we got the 'all clear.'  

 The good news is that the all-clear should last through the rest of the week, as the likelihood of being called back after today is incredibly small. 

Les Mis Deja Vu

 Apparently so good the first time, that Gabi went back for a second showing - this time with Zoey.  It is truly worth taking advantage of such an incredible performance while it is in the area - and so easy to access. 

 

Quockert Driveway

 Of course, we haven't mentioned how nice it is (less for us) that the renovation is completely done, and the garage is expanded in Quockert land.  The driveway has also been expanded and is a nice surface. 

Not that this post really is all about the driveway, but. . . 

 

Work Pickups

 With one car, deciding when Rania can take the van, when we might need it, when it is better to walk or ride a bike are all part of the on-going communications at home. 

This is the not-so-exciting meeting place to collect Rania after her shift ends at Beer Barrel. 
 

Gabi DC Reunions

 One advantage of being in DC is that there are quite a few other Notre Dame students or recent graduates who are doing internships or working in the area.  There are also several friends who come through the area. 

 

Cody Fun

 It was pretty fun to get to have Cody around - and the girls sure enjoy playing with him. 

 

Les Mis

 What!?!  Gabi got to go to the Kennedy Center for the production of Les Mis.  Wow!  What a thrill to get to see it for the first time. 

Wild that it would have been sometime in 1991 or so when Doug saw it in DC - likely in the same location. 

 

High Tea

 Super fun to have Reeve, Marilyn, Michael, Laura available for the high tea enjoyment on a Monday afternoon. 

 

Reeve, Marilyn & Ice Cream

 Some good pictures of Reeve - and then enjoying Freeze Daddys as well. 

 

Games

Marilyn and Reeve arranged for a big ping pong tournament - quite the epic matches with everyone playing everyone and then having a seeding and bracket.  It was a lot of fun. 

Mexican train dominoes were also part of the enjoyment.  

 

Silver Spring Celebrations

 Pretty great for Gabi to be with Micah and the Woodwards for the summer. 

She was even able to meet Jack in DC, as he was visiting his sister. 

 

Fireworks

Fireworks sure were fun - heading down by the river and seeing them over the bridge.  Maumee and Perrysburg always have their fireworks on July 3, which makes for a nice tradition and day before Toledo. 

 

Independence Celebrations

 Jason and Nicole were gracious enough to host family for some Independence Celebrations.  Fun times in their yard before heading to the fireworks. 

 

Cousins

 Rania has been enjoying shifts at Freeze Daddy's and Kaiden has been fabulous at training Rania. 

 

Siblings

 One with the selfie and the other on the couch.  Enjoying some time around the house. 

 

Birthday

 Pretty fun to go to Levis Common's and celebrate a birthday with family. Rania as well as Scot and Carrie were able to join us. 

The enjoyment of gluten-free pasta at a delicious Italian restaurant was a definite highlight!