MARYLAND

Daniel and I got to spend 4 days in Maryland with his family. 24 of us in one house was the largest number! It was great to be with his family again. We hadn't seen his family in 6 months when we went. Fun reunion time!

We were amazingly blessed. Back in the spring when they asked us to come out so they could give us a shower, they also offered to pay for part of our tickets. We ended up only paying $100 of the 2 tickets. Their generosity was too much! On top of that, they had a shower for us!! We asked for gifts that we could use overseas, like a digital camera and video camera, computer gadgets, and TV Series DVDs. We were given a really nice Cannon Elph digital camera, money to go toward a video camera, and a couple of computer gadgets and DVDs.We also got gifts for our kitchen. Wow!! Are we ever thankful! It was so nice to meet many of Daniel's family's friends and receive their congratulations and hear stories about Daniel. Thank you, AUDIS, for all of your love, for so graciously welcoming me into the family and for showering us with so much generosity! We had a great time in Maryland.

We also went to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum with all of the nieces and nephews. Here are Daniel and our nieces, nephews, and 2nd cousins riding the escalator coming out of the metro. Meet 6 of the 12 little ones who were with us this weekend - Hannah, Christian, Meghan Grace, Brendan, Meghan Marie, and Gabrielle.

Daniel's mom and sisters took me out for a girls' night out in D.C. and then showered me with lingerie. We had a great time out with the girls, leaving the men at home - FOR 4 HOURS - with the kiddos! (Did I mention that all 12 kids are under the age of 9?!?!?!) ;-) The girls gave me a "ring" crown to wear and a necklace of bows from my shower the night before. Meet my in-laws - my mother-in-law, Suzie, my cousin-in-law, Liz, and my sisters-in-law, Becky, Laura, Rachel, and Trish.