Thomas the Train and Special Olympics Naval Academy Games

Dear Friends and Family,

This weekend was lots of fun!  Will and Claire were invited to celebrate Mason's birthday at a Thomas the Train event in Baltimore. The kids got a kick out of seeing Thomas the train in action and had even more fun riding the train and other rides with their friends Madison and Mason.

Smiling in front of Thomas! His face actually moved when he spoke. It was pretty cool!

The kids felt super cool getting to sit in their own section during the train ride!

They even had other free rides around the museum complex. (Claire looks like such a big kid! She is growing fast!) 

Merry Go Round fun! That's my sweet friend Heather smiling with Mason!

Inside a retired train - we got to look and touch!  (The kids' faces in this photo are cracking me up!)

 On Sunday we headed over to the Naval Academy to cheer for our friend Nan in her Special Olympics Bocce matches. Nan was so happy to see us there. She was matched with some very attractive Midshipmen who helped judge her match. Since Nan was chuckling about how cute they were, I made sure she got her picture taken with them. Later I showed her the picture on my phone and I said, "Nan! Look! It's a picture of you and your boyfriends!" Nan laughed and said, "Mom! Look at this picture!"  Nan was very pleased! (I just mailed her a physical copy of the picture today...she's going to love it!) 

Nan celebrates after a good Bocce roll!

Nan and her boyfriends!

 Nan ended up with a third place ribbon at the award ceremony and was again very excited when she got to meet the Navy mascot, "Billy Goat."

Claire and Nan are all smiles after a fun morning. (Will is not pictured because he didn't feel like it...we are getting that a lot lately.)

After the award ceremony, the kids and I headed back to our car. On the way I saw a Midshipman in full dress and I thanked him for his service.  He smiled and said, "It's an honor and a pleasure, Mam. Thanks for your support." and then tipped his hat toward us. My heart just melted from his polite response. 

A parting photo with the Billy Goat statue near the front gate! (Oh Will, my silly goofball!)

We've spent the remainder of our time either playing at the beach or preparing for our trip to South Carolina for Aunt Sara and Matt's wedding!  We are all SO excited to see Sara and Matt get married and to be reunited with friends and family! Tomorrow we head down to see many of you soon!

I'll be praying for everyone's safe travels!

Love,

Bethie