As school wrapped up for the year, Katie followed her older siblings and received a scholarship for next year at St. Pius X School.
As we often do, we immediately headed out of town as soon as the last class and last final was finished. We actually picked up John from Dowling and hit the road!
We began our trip spending a night in Nashville, TN. Then, we headed across to North Carolina to the Biltmore Mansion in Asheville. 
The next day, we drove to Aunt Chrissie & Uncle Al's house in Seven Lakes, near Pinehurst. Chandra brought her 3 kids down as well. Erin and Christine were buddies immediately and would've stayed in the lake overnight if we'd have let them. 
After Mass, Uncle Al took Kyle, John & Katie over to Pinehurst where he works 3 days/week.
The rest of us went swimming at a park beach just down the street from their house. 
We headed on to UNC and Duke, then up into Virginia for some historical touring. First stop - Appomattox Courthouse, where General Lee surrendered to General Grant. John & Annie got right in on the action!
We spent the night with one of Kyle's Amgen co-worker's family outside of Lynchburg, VA and then spent the following day at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. 
The following day, we visited Woodrow Wilson's birthplace, Washington and Lee University, General Lee's grave site and Virginia Military Institute. Then, up and over the mountains of West Virginia to Ohio. Patty, Luke & family were ready for the invasion of the Greening's!
John was very impressed with Dominic's toys, especially his construction tools!
We toured the replica of Columbus' ship, the Santa Maria. Then, we cooled ourselves in the fountain park. 
The next day, we hiked through some of the Hickory Hills State Park, checking out the caves and picnicking in the park. 
Since we've been home, life has returned to its normal, crazy pace.
John has been training for cross country and working at AdventureLand Amusement Park.
Annie has been practicing for Dowling Marching Band and cheerleading. She detasseled corn for the first few weeks of July and has been in Wisconsin for Cheer Camp this past week.
Katie Got her cast off right away, had a week long book club and has been at Catholic Youth Camp with Erin this week. Erin has been on swim team all summer as well.
John heads to Colorado for Cross Country Camp in 10 days.
Katie gets braces on her teeth this coming week and then we begin the quick slide towards school which begins on August 20.
2 comments:
Great pictures and storytelling! I'm jealous! Looks like a great family vacation! -Uncle Joe
Great updates on your fun and filled vacation! I particularly like John in the Virginia T-shirt :) Wahoo-wa!
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