We spent a fabulous day exploring the Hirshhorn Museum on the National Mall. We were wowed by sculptures by Simone Leigh, Yayoi Kusama, and Rodin. We also explored other worlds through an exhibit of contemporary Chinese photography, Laurie Anderson’s “Four Talks,” Mark Bradford’s 400-foot long “Picket’s Charge,” and John Akomfrah’s “Purple.” And food trucks. Obviously.
Due to our school calendar, we barely made it to Bethesda in time for Christmas. Fortunately, traveling on Christmas Eve is surprisingly pleasant — no crowds at the airport and plenty of room on the plane. This visit included Anthony and Andrew’s families plus Max. Dave, Nancy, and Raven spent the holiday in Utah. We missed them!
We spent Christmas in Bethesda with Grummy and Grandpa Stape, and all the Roy cousins. Fourteen people under one roof! Wonderful mayhem.
Decorating the tree
Happy Julia
Christmas Eve reading of “A Visit from St. Nicholas” (aka “Twas the Night Before Christmas”)
The stockings were laid on the sofa with care…
Airplane!
Mine!
Stocking treasures
Caleb unwrapping
Queen Elsa with her wand
Fancy clothes
Wardrobe help from Grummy
All the cousins
All the cousins
The whole gang (except Caleb, who was sleeping)
We were fortunate enough to rent a house in Bodega Bay that would accommodate all of the Roy Boys and their families, and at a time when everyone could make it! It was a sweet time to reconnect with Anthony, Gena, Dave, Nancy, and their kids. The cousins were non-stop playing from the moment we arrived until the moment we left! Highlights included trips to the beach, meals together, and a carnival put on by the kids. We have a lot of photos in this set, mostly of the adorable children. I have a feeling our kids will be talking about this trip for a long time to come!
Maggie, with the friendly neighbor kitty, in front of the house.
Cousins! From left to right: Raven, Caleb, Julia, Griffin, Maggie, Max
Take two
Take three
The youngest kiddo, Caleb
Look at those cheeks!
Maggie contemplating
Our first excursion to the beach!
Dave surveys the dunes
Julia, Andrew, Gena, Anthony, and Caleb arrive.
It was chilly, but that didn’t seem to bother the kids!
Max
Griffin
Running Max
The coolest discovery ever: a driftwood fort!
The kids could have stayed here all day
Griffin checks out the construction
Maggie and Andrew arrive at the fort
Maggie enjoys the sea breeze
Ahoy! I think there be pirates!
Maggie, Sarah, and Griffin rock the stripes
Hot tubbing back at the house
A favorite kid activity at the house: running in and out of the doors
Running
Still running
Can we play, too?
Julia!
Julia, take two!
Julia and Maggie
Cracker conversations
Let’s give Caleb a cracker, too!
Caleb
Shall we see if we can break this?
Sweet Maggie
Sweet Raven
Sweet Max, Griffin, and Julia
The Roy Clan
The Roy Clan, take two
The Roy Clan, outtake
Maggie wants to be like her big cousin, Raven
How are those jokes, Maggie?
Beach day two
Maggie wanted to play chase with the waves, first with Daddy…
Then with Mama
Dave is planning something…
Max, the plan may involve you…
Buried!
Sand in the hair
Dave and Nancy
Cousins keeping cool
Beach day three
Will the waves get us?
Tide pooling
A sea star!
Caleb and Anthony
The latest news from Sarah and Andrew.
