My trip- day 3

On the third day of the trip my sister and I started the day with some much needed mani/pedi's.  I took before photos, but forgot to take the after photos, so showing you the before now seems pointless.  So I'll spare you the photos of my dry feet and chipped toenails.

You are welcome.

Then we walked around Old Town Alexandria.  I loved it.  Even though we were in a big city, Old Town feels very cozy.  Its like walking down Sesame Street, but without the puppets.  Everyone is smiling.  And there are dogs everywhere.  I'm not sure if it is because no one has yards so they walk their dogs more, but it was a very pooch friendly place.

Later in the day we went to Andrews Air Force Base to see the Thunderbirds flight show.  My top gun bro-in-law has some connections so we got VIP tickets.  He actually knows some of the Thunderbird pilots, which was pretty cool because we got to sit with their families during the show...

*In a tent!

**With shade!!

***And free food!!!

****And free beer!!!!  GOD BLESS THE AIR FORCE!

Here is my sister, Tom and JR with their pilot friend and his family.

The pilots stopped by for a quick visit and then headed to their F-16's for the show.

The show was really cool.  I'm not sure how these pilots can do some of their maneuvers without vomiting.  It looks scarier than any roller coaster ride I have ever seen. 

Here are a few little videos I shot from my iPhone...

It was great to see the F-16's in action.  I think JR enjoyed it too.

Ok well it may not look like it in this picture, but I personally think it had more to do with the hat that his mommy made him wear.  During the show he had a pretty good view.  

Aren't they patriotic?  (Umm, I think they planned it, shh!)

The show was another one of those moments where I felt very proud to be an American and proud of our military (especially Air Force pilots, but I'm a little partial).  

Later that evening we went to have dinner with some of our family who live in Maryland.  It is my moms first cousin and his wife, Forrest and Aggie.  The last time I saw them was at my wedding 6 years ago, so it was great to catch up with them.

And to my surprise there was another family member who came to dinner, Sami.  She is my second cousin once removed (does that makes any sense?)  

No? 

Me either...

Okay, her great-grandmother and my grandfather were sister and brother.  

Got it? 

Ok good, me too.

Anyway...when I think about Sami she always looks like this...

3 years old and cute as a button.  Hey, don't laugh at my hair.  Bangs were totally the thing in the early 90's.  And yes, in case you were wondering, that is a jean vest that I am wearing.    

The last time I saw her she looked like this...

And now she just finished her Freshman year in college.  She is an ADULT.  Which means I am an older adult.  But that doesn't necessarily mean I act like an adult, just to be clear.

Thanks for coming Sami!  Don't kill me for posting these pictures!

And thank you to Forrest and Aggie for a wonderful dinner.  It seems like no matter how much time goes by we just pick right up where we left off.