“How was your trip?”

I’ve been asked this a few times since arriving home Saturday night.

My answer:
“HARD”.

Isn’t that horrible?

Then I correct myself,
“Give me a week to forget how HARD it was, and then I’ll remember all the fun we had.”

“Why was it hard?”

“Oh, I don’t know… It just was.
Early mornings, late nights.
Storm that unsettled kids… no a/c for 1 1/2 days.
Did Tru eat anything but Chicken nuggets and granola bars?
100 degree temps with 90% humidity… record breaking heat.
Airport tantrums that left Tru and Mom crying.
Tired people. Broken Arm.
etc.”

I guess I’m a bit too weary.

I’m really glad we went to Maryland.
I AM!

All 11 living siblings were there. Cousins actually know each other a bit now. I loved chatting with sister-in-laws. We saw so much GREEN… and corn, and trees. The Beach. It really was a great adventure.

I guess the Fun comes with the HARD. We learn from all experiences.

So – “what did you do,” you ask?

Friday – Day 1 – Fly to Maryland – A Bit of Anxiety from the Littles

Saturday – Day 2 – Peter & Jennies Wedding in the D.C. Temple – By Lantern-light… the Power was out.

Sunday – Day 3 – Sacrament Meeting at home with Bishop Lewis. The church power was out. Testimonies by adults and a few tots. Family Picnic at Grandparents in Frederick.

Monday – Day 4 – Ocean City, Maryland Beach… loved by all (well, except Liza)

Tuesday – Day 5 – Crabbing on Chesapeake Bay … BBQ at Phil & Mary’s.

Wednesday – Day 6 – 4th of July. Big Slide … Frederick Fireworks.

Thursday – Day 7 – Storm clean-up at the Lewis’s. Swimming. Visit Great Grandma Smith. Birthday Party for David & Caleb. BBQ with Jimmy’s cousins. Oh – Abe broke his arm (only we weren’t certain until the next Monday).

Friday – Day 8 – Adventure in Washington D.C. Lots of walking. Tru was freaking out. Will never go to museums in D.C. again with children under age 5. It was a bazillion degrees. I would have died as a pioneer. The end.

Saturday – Day 9 – Pack it up. Head out. Freak out in the airport (thanks to Tru). Tears from Mom. Can’t all sit together… but it all worked out in the end. So Happy to be Home!!!

Oh – and we missed our garden. It grew while we were gone.

I have something crazy – like 700 pictures from our trip. And Jimmy’s mom had about 600. So, we should have a Jim-Dandy photo book to represent all 43 Smiths who were present. Rock on!