We returned from Washington fairly late on Monday night, so Tuesday was a rest day - that's if you can have a rest day with 2 children under 3 years!!! Wednesday we decided to do some shopping and then have lunch, but Charlote had other ideas, so after a few tantrums we headed home without doing much at all - not even coffee!! Thursday we had coffee ith Jenn's friends Katie and Toni at Panerra Bread, (coffee shop) then back home for a while before heading to Katie's house to do some Pumpkin Carving in preparation for Halloween. JT (Katie's husband) showed us how it was done and then Jenn and Charlotte carved a Dora the Explorer into a large pumpkin. It is quite a messy job, cleaning out the inside of a pumpkin. The orange pumpkins are grown especially for Halloween and apparently are not for eating. Once the inside is ready, the pattern is traced onto the outside and then carved out. You can see from the photo above that Victoria was really interested in the pumpkin carving!!

We set off for Washington DC on Saturday morning. Our 1st stop was at McDonalds Williamsburg, so that Jenn could feed Victoria. After about 40 mins we were back on the road. The Interstate is lined with trees, and as the leaves are changing colour it is very pretty. Next stop was for fuel in Quantico, where we mistakenly ended up in a line of traffic heading for a Military Checkpoint. After a U turn between the witches hats, we found the Gas Statiion. Next stop Washington DC. The freeway interchanges are unbelievably huge, but I guess they need to be when there are at least 4 lanes of traffic each way !! On the way into the city centre we drove past the Pentagon. Wow, It is much bigger than I realised!! We stayed close to the city centre, only about 2mins drive from Dupont Circle. On Sunday, we caught the Hop On Hop Off Bus, and saw many of the sights in Washington - Union Station, The National Cathedral, The Capital, and The White House, all of which are amazing. Our last stop was in Georgetown. Monday we headed to the bus again, and spent the morning at the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial and the Vietnam War Memorial. Our drive home took longer than we expected - a 3 1/2 hr trip took us 5 hrs, due to a couple of unexpected stops - one on the side of the Interstate to calm Victoria, and to our surprise a safety car seemed to arrive from nowhere with its lights flashing!!!

Well, I am amazed at how big Halloween is!! I knew it was celebrated here, but didn't realise the effort that is put into decorating. A lot of houses are already decorated with scarecrows, and big orange pumpkins, flags, and wreaths on front doors. On Tuesday we went to the supermarket, which is also deceorated for Halloween, and the displays or fruit and veg are like you would see at the Royal Easter Show. We also went to the Military Base, which is just like another suburb. It has it's own supermarket, and a store similar to Myer/DJ's, but it's only for Military Personnel and their families, as it is all tax free.!!Jenn also took me to Michael's which is a large craft store, which has the most amazing Xmas Decorations (I managed to find a couple of Santas for my collection) lots of scrapbooking supplies, and at this time of year an extensive range of Halloween Products. Jenn bought this Haunted House, for us to make with Charlotte, however after the first 20mins of Charlotte's help, we decided it was best to do it without her. Yesterday (after doing a search online) we visited 2 shops, one very much like spotlight, except the range is 5 times as big, and another specialised Patchwork Shop. I have at least another couple of Patchwork Shops on my list for next week.

Tomorrow we are driving to Washington DC, which is about 3 hours away, where we will stay for the weekend. Can't believe that I am going to see The White House!!!!

I arrived in Norfolk, Virginia approximately 45 mins ahead of schedule ( not quite sure why, maybe a tail wind, who knows??), so I was ready and waiting for Jenny when she arrived to collect me from the Airport. I was only expecting to see Jenny, but instead Charlottte was with her, and I was greeted with the biggest hugs and kisses, whilst being told "I Love you Nanna, I miss you Nanna", I was the most amazing feeling. Anyway after a few tears and some more hugs, we headed for Virginia Beach to see Ted and meet Victoria for the first time. She is the most adorable little baby, so of course there were lots more hugs.

Sunday lunch time we drove Ted to the Airport, where we had lunch before he headed to Sydney via New York and L.A. The rest of the day was spent just catching up with Jenn. Today we spent the day doing normal everyday things e.g washing, talking, playing with Charlotte, cuddling Victoria, more talking and more washing and folding. The area here seems lovely, the house is great and as you can see from the photos there are lots of trees, and as it is the beginning of fall, the trees have started to lose their leaves. Although this is a very bushlike setting, the water is only minutes away.

Well, here I am in New York, after approximately 26 hrs. Flight from Sydney to Los Angeles was long but uneventful. In a conversation on the flight, I said that I was visiting my daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren in Virginia, and the guy sitting behind me, just happened to say, "That wouldn't be Ted and Jenny Seymour, would it?" as you can imagine I was amazed!!!As it turned out Chris, lives in the same units as Jenn & Ted did in Carlingford and has known Ted for quite a while.....what a small world.
Immigration and Customs in LA took about 2 1/2 hrs to get through, and I thought Sydney was bad!!luckily I hadabout 5 hrs before the flight to New York. It appears that all flights here are overbooked, one announcement yesterday asked for volunteers to take the next flight, and in return you get $200 worth of vouchers, and a guaranteed seat on the next flight !!!
It was about 1 am (local time) when I arrived at the hotel last night. I have a late checkout today, as my flight to Norfolk isn't until 4.20 this afternoon.

Getting really excited now.....only 2 sleeps before I leave!!! Bags are packed (lots of chocolate) hope they don't weigh too much (haha) Still can't believe I'm going, especially by myself!!

Well, Baby Bud has arrived - Victoria Maree Seymour. I know can't wait to get to Virginia Beach to see them all, and have lots of cuddles. It is only 10 days till I leave and am getting really excited. Jenn and I hope to spend at least 1 night in Washington, and we are spending 3 nights in New York. Jenn has already booked our tickets to see West Side Story on Broadway - I'm sure it will be amazing