Seattle Mariners vs. Baltimore Orioles

My former roommate, Emily, and I have been planning to watch a baseball game together for a long time. Well, we finally did it, and she was able to fulfill one of her wishes by coming to visit the Safeco Stadium in Seattle AND watch her favorite baseball team, the Orioles, win the game! 

 (Sorry Seattle Mariner fans) 

I arrived a few days early and took other pics, too, of the cutest nieces in the world!! Oh, and this gorgeous bush right outside Mom and Dad's little apartment. LOADED with beautiful flowers!

Then I went to visit this little cutie. . .

. . .and her big sisters.  (Here we are playing princess school)

Oma hung out with us some, too, because Opa is out of town for a while.

Emily arrived Wednesday night, and spent Thursday delighting some little girls with her teaching skills.  She knew the secret to success in this house is to read a book to them!

Finally, we're getting ready to head to the game!

One last shot . . .

. . .or two, to show our true colors

We left a little early to go to the Pikes Place Market

Then got to the stadium.  The roof was open, but it didn't look like the rain was going to hold off.  Thank You, God, that it did the whole time we were there!!!

The sun did peek out for about 10 minutes or so.

So fun to finally be able to cross this off our list of fun things to do!  I told my mom later that I felt like I was embracing American culture! 

A Busy Birthday Week

My actual birthday DAY began with a visit to Harper's Ferry, WV, where it was VERY hot, but nice to see!

I love how the church perches on the top of the hill.  Unfortunately, it wasn't open to see inside.

We're a little sticky here, but had to mark the occasion with a picture.

We then left Harper's Ferry and stopped by the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center Air and Space Museum, which is only about 10 minutes away from my house.  We got there just in time to have shelter from a huge thunderstorm that was rolling in.  This little "Messerschnitt" aircraft has seen better days.  It's actually one of my favorites in the museum because of it's tininess and authentic battered look.  It was used by the Nazi's during WWII.

Another highlight:  The Discovery.  It has orbited the earth over 300 times, and still has the burnt look on some of it's panels.  It's pretty incredible.

And big, too.  That's mom under the tail of it.

Another favorite. . .the Concorde.  I wish we could still fly to Europe in 3 hours.  Sigh.

After a birthday dinner at Red Robin, we came home and had birthday cake with my current and former roomies, Caroline and Emily.

I love these ladies.

The day after my birthday, we headed out to Annapolis, MD, and had lunch overlooking the harbor.  Don't lean back, though, as there's no guard rail there, and you'll fall in the water!!!

This church was the home church of the guy who wrote the star-spangled banner, and to 4 of the men who signed the declaration of independence.  Don't ask me to name them, though!

Enjoying some shade, although the breeze was pretty nice. . .

. . .until the storm rolled in.  YIKES!!  Pouring rain and flash flooding. 

When it cleared up a bit, we went to visit the Heath's, former staff at BFA when we first moved to Germany.  Forgot to take a picture while Rich was still there. . . .

Yesterday was a stay-at-home day and get some things done. . .laundry for me, and dad helped out with some yard work.  Before flying out this afternoon, we met up with one more BFA-er, Lin, for lunch.  Mom and dad are now on their way back to Seattle.  Thanks for the great visit!

Happy Canada Day!!!!

To celebrate, I went to a public showing of the USA-BEL game this afternoon in 95 degree sunshine. Thankfully there was a breeze. It was yet another cultural experience to join a bunch of people in cheering for their country's team. . . or rather OUR country's team.

I'm very thankful for BOTH my countries.  I would not be who I am without them.