Virginia

 Months before, Kent reached out to all of his siblings to let us know that (1) he was being commissioned an officer in the Navy and (2) we were all invited to the ceremony. Seth and I are not very savvy when it comes to the inner workings of the Navy, so we didn't realize what a big deal that was. However, we thought it would be good if we could come, so we bought our plane tickets and spent a few days in Virginia with the family.

Seth and I flew out on Tuesday, September 30, leaving Miriam and Winnie alone at home for the first time. What's the first thing those sweet children did? They locked themselves out of the house when they went to their youth activity. They tried getting a key from Grandma Susan's house but couldn't find one, so eventually Ana had to drive down from Rexburg to let them in. After that, the girls made sure to take a key with them wherever they went.

The day of Kent's ceremony, we met with other family members at Melissa and Kent's house on the base to eat breakfast and take a walk on the beach. I'm not a huge fan of beaches or the ocean in general, but having your own private on-base beach isn't a bad deal. 

Seth with a crab we saw on the trail to the beach.

Rachel, Melissa and Andrea at the beach.

Andrea and Seth.

Then we went back to our hotel (a La Quinta Inn we were able to book with our Alaska points) for a while to get ready for the ceremony. As with all things military-related, civilians getting on base for their brother's ceremony was a process that involved a lot of paperwork. Kent walked us through it before we got there, so everything was in place when we approached the gate and drove in to the right building.

After watching the ceremony, we were so glad we made the effort to attend. Not only was it great to spend time with the family, it was also enlightening to see and hear what it takes to become an officer. It really is a big deal, and we're very proud of Kent and his family who worked so hard to make it happen.

Rachel, Justin, Seth and Andrea (with Emma, Melissa and Charlotte in the front row) at the ceremony on October 1. Kent and Melissa hired a professional photographer to capture some candid moments.

Group photo of all the family that came to see Kent receive his commission. Andrea, Seth, Hudson, Cooper, Rachel, Kelsey, Justin, Charlotte, Kent, Melissa, Emma, Grandma Susan, Grandpa Dennis, Jason, Alyssa (his girlfriend) and Jessica (Melissa's sister).

Eating at a no-host reception in Kent's honor following the ceremony.

The rest of our time in Virginia was spent going on adventures and spending time together. 

Andrea and Seth at the local Food Lion on October 2. We took this picture because Rebekah has talked about shopping at the Food Lion in Delaware. (We don't have this chain in Idaho.)

Seth and Andrea judgingly waiting for everyone else to arrive at First Landing State Park to go on a walk. We were supposed to meet there at a specific time, but everyone else was late. Seth thought it would be funny to send this picture to the group chat. 

Wading on part of the trail at the state park.

The praying mantis Seth found on the trail.

Eating dinner together at a Chinese restaurant. Every couple ordered one dish, then we set them on a lazy susan in the middle of the table and got a chance to sample everything.

On the base's beach on October 3.

Tiny crab on Andrea's leg.

Andrea and Seth on the beach. Seth played in the water the entire time, but I didn't get it until right before we were going to leave because I knew that I'd get too cold. (Ummm ... hello? The beach in October? Of course I'd get cold.)

In the cornstalk teepee at the local farm. They make ice cream and slushies at this farm, plus all sorts of amazing breads, jams, cheeses, etc. Seth and I bought some jellies to bring home and share with the girls only to have them confiscated at the airport. Stupid TSA 3.4 ounce liquid and gel requirements. As if the cinnamon pear jelly we purchased had any explosives in it. 

The whole group that came to the farm outside the corn maze. This farm also has apple picking, but we arrived too late to do that. As it was, we almost didn't get everyone there in time to do the corn maze because they don't allow entries after 4. One challenge with having lots of family around is getting them all (or the ones who decide they're coming) to arrive at the same place in a timely manner. But we had fun nonetheless.

Andrea and Seth going to North Carolina for the first time. After going to the farm, we decided to meet for dinner at a seafood restaurant at a certain time, but we still had some time to kill. Seth and I saw that we were only 15-ish minutes away from North Carolina, so we drove in that direction to check out a new state.

At the wildlife refuge in North Carolina. We got to walk on a couple of trails and see fish jump out of the water.

Eating our seafood boil during our last evening together. Seth and I had an early flight the next morning, so we gorged on this deliciousness (the sauce from the seafood poured over white rice is to die for!), bid everyone goodbye, then headed back to our hotel for the night so we could catch our early Uber the next morning.