Elder and Sister Cannon in Washington, DC: July 2015 in Kensington MD / Washington DC Temple Mission

Happy July!

This has been a month with many happenings, so fasten your seat belts!

We began the month with a trip to see Brad in Blacksburg and to spend the 4th of July with him. It is a beautiful drive from our apartment to his house.

Not only was Brad waiting for us, but so was his cute little dog, Gypsy.

She loves Brad the most, but she will sit on my lap if I scratch her back.

See? Her look says it all.

We had awesome seats to watch the fireworks (and a great parking place). Andy and their friend, Emily, met us there.

This was one of the most amazing fireworks display I have ever seen!

And afterwards we had our traditional home-made ice cream. Yum!

Enjoyed by all. Isn't it just so mean to take pictures of people while they are eating?

We had a wonderful visit, and then it was back to Kensington.

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Later in the month, we went to the Manassas National Battle Park. There was a film to begin the tour - it was very sobering.

It was a rainy day but we persevered with a very good tour guide.

My friend, Pam Lewis, couldn't resist playing in a rain puddle!

Beautiful country.

Our friend, Terry Smith, from Utah, had to play "King of the Mountain."

But I couldn't be outdone and wanted to be 'queen' of the mountain. However, it wasn't a very good idea; and I had to be rescued.

First Battle of Manassas. (you can read the fine print to learn more of the history)

Second Battle of Manassas.

Stone House - Battlefield Landmark

This is the Stone House.
And my friend, Jerolyn Stringham, from Utah. Notice the cannonball still in the side of the building.

...and the bullet holes.

This is how historians believe the tavern would have looked inside the Stone House.
Our friend, Evan Lewis, looking at the layout.

Two young (dying) soldiers wanted to be remembered, so they engraved their names in the floorboards of the Stone House.

Such beautiful scenery.

Our friend, Ann Moyle, from Utah, is reading one of the many informational signs in the Park.

Our friend, Mary Maxfield, from Utah, is our Southern Gal, raised in Virginia.

Our friend, Jacki Gardner, giving us directions for the driving part of the tour and then back to her house for a BBQ. It had stopped raining by this time.

I was very excited to see these 'pussy willows' on our way back to the car. I remember as a kid, picking them and color them different colors with crayons.

By the time we arrived at the Gardners', the weather was lovely.

Michael and Jacki's husband, Neil, had not joined us at the Battlefield. They were the chefs of pork skewers and hamburgers. The food was awesome! Everyone brought something yummy. There are some amazing cooks here in this mission. I'm very happy that I can still zip up my jeans!

My Mounds cake was a hit. (yumminess of devil's food cake, marshmallows and coconut - oh, and of course, butter and chocolate chips)

It was a wonderful day filled with history, beautiful scenery, friends and really good food.

And fun conversation.

Thanks to the Gardners for sharing their lovely home and yard with us.

Making our way into our apartment with leftover food. Notice the full box of doughnuts. They actually went into the garbage!

Beautiful orchids outside the Visitors Center.

Our friend,Gini Wiltbank, from Salem, is playing a very fun game with us as her 'Farewell' from her mission. We will see her when we return to Oregon. She will certainly be missed here.

Our friends, the Moyles, from Utah, saying their 'good-byes' to those of us who are still remaining in the mission. Wow! Will they be missed as well.

Our friends, the Rydalches, from Idaho Falls, will also be missed.

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Beautiful Rose of Sharon in our little town of Kensington.

Allyson and Heidi came to stay with us for a couple of days at the end of their trip here for the wedding of one of Heidi's nephews. It was so fun to have them here. We had such a good time.

We took a day-trip to Hershey, Pennsylvania, to Hershey's Chocolate World.

CHOCOLATE!

Smiling big as we prepare to become official Chocolate Palateers. And what is a chocolate palateer, you may be thinking. It is an official taste tester for the Hershey Company. One who samples products using all of their senses and provides comments on flavor and texture, either to ensure consistent quality of existing products or to help create tasty new ones.

We were given four pieces of chocolate to taste-test. One I was not familiar with - Scharffen Berger. It was good. I ate one of mine before we were supposed to and, therefore, had to ask for another one. Oops! Oh, well, I got five pieces.

The rules were: Look, Listen, Smell --- and then Taste. We were told to "Taste" not "Chew." Do you know how hard that is?!

We are learning.

It is a chocolate lover's paradise.

Sorry. You kind of have to crick your neck to get a good look at this - OR - just turn your device!

The Gift Shop was amazing! I've never seen anything like it! Planning to go back - very soon!

King Tut made from Twizzlers Licorice.

Too cute!

Awww!

And a good time was had by ALL.

The street lights in Hershey are Hershey Kisses - some wrapped - and some unwrapped. So cute!

On the way back from Hershey we stopped at Cracker Barrel Restaurant - one of my favorites here.

A milk separator! Anyone know what this is? When I lived with my grandparents, I had to wash it out! YUK!

Pleeeease, Grampa, no more bumps! I've had a LOT to drink!

And then, the end-of-the-day dreaded laundry.

.....taking turns.

My 'prize' from Heidi and Allyson. I'm so excited to wear it. (It's too hot for a scarf just yet.)

On our way to take Heidi and Allyson to the airport, we stopped at Union Station to have lunch at the Shake Shack!

We had such a wonderful visit. So hard to say good-bye.

And there they go! :( :(

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Later in the month we went to a program called "Twilight Tattoo." It was a musical march presentation by the U.S. Army stationed at Ft. Myer, depicting the uniforms and the culture of the U.S. Army from its beginning to its current state.