Massadoah: AKA Gemignani Reunion 2012

This past June was host to the annual Gemignani family reunion! This year the Vermont contingent took the pilgrimage down south to meet up with our Virginia clans. Tony, Olivia and I spent a few days enjoying Washington DC and Reston, VA with the family - while also getting to stay and visit with our good friends Heather and Collin in Bethesda, MD. Then all the Gemignanis ventured out to Woodstock, VA where Jennie & Chris have a lovely vacation house called "Massadoah". It's an old farmhouse on a beautiful stretch of land next to the Shenandoah river. They share the house with 14 other families - like their own private time-share. A wonderful time was had by all!

The lions were all out at the National Zoo.

As were the orangutans that got up on the famous "O-Line" that hangs above the Zoo.

Sweet cousins: Megan & Maya.

Uncle Scott & Miles.

And then it was off to the National Botanical Gardens.

Massadoah

One of many tubing adventures begins!

Here we are waiting for a group to float down past us.

Hiking back up to the house after a nice dip in the river. (Did I mention it was in the 90's the entire trip!!)

Olivia tried on EVERYONE'S shoes --
I think she's sporting Maya's flip-flops in this shot!

Olivia had such a great time with all her cousins.
Here is Maya sharing her ice pop with Livvy.

We all took a trip to visit the Shenandoah Caverns one morning --
it was the perfect place to beat the heat - 56 degrees!

Lila chomping some watermelon! 

We even had minor surgery! - Here Tony removes some stitches from Mary's wrist : )

Cooling off with her cousins in the kiddie-pool.

Tony and company put together a really nice surprise slideshow to commemorate Mary's recent retirement.

The Crazy Clan.

Our crazy clan.

And, of course, fireworks!

San Francisco: May 2012

Sorry it's taken a while to get back on the blog bandwagon! But better late than never. And with #2 on the way this fall - I better play catch up now before my blogging time is really crunched!

So, early this May we took a great trip cross-country to relax and visit friends in the San Francisco area. First we enjoyed the city for a few days visiting the San Francisco Zoo, Japanese Tea Garden (in Golden Gate Park), the Ferry Building, and my good friend Sara who had just had her first baby. Then it was off to visit friends in Lafayette, CA (east of the Bay) who joined us as we ventured up the northern coast of Tamales Bay near Point Reyes. On this portion of the trip we enjoyed great hikes to see Elephant Seals, Lighthouses and beautiful coastlines - and on the way back toward the city we made a nice (though a little wet) stop at Muir Woods National Park and walked amongst with the giant redwoods. We spent our last days back in the city enjoying the Aquarium (with another friend, Amy, and her daughter, Eden), enjoying yummy food (pizza at the famous Tony Gemignani's - yes, there is another one!) and exploring the Japanese mall in Japantown.

Hanging on the see-saw at one of San Fran's
various playgrounds.

At peace with Buddha at the Japanese tea Garden.

Olivia's favorite memory of the Zoo was when the hippo
opened it's mouth right in front of us! She yelled "Whoa!!!" to the
surrounding crowd : )

Olivia kept asking if she could, "Pet eagle, pet eagle!"....
 maybe not such a great idea honey : )

We took a trip around the Zoo on this train -
it was quite a hit!

Best seat in the Zoo.

Snuggling with her new "boyfriend", Elliott, at
Jen and Dave Brush's house in Lafayette, CA.

Point Reyes coastline.

Hiking to the Point Reyes lighthouse.

Point Reyes Lighthouse

Elephant seals!

My little ham.

Getting a little closer to those big trees!

Golden Gate Bridge

Enjoying the view of Japantown
from our cool window seat!

The famous Tony's Pizzeria - home of the International
School of Pizza and Pizza Tossing!