Visit to Manila!

Our bucket list this summer wasn't super ambitious, but it did include a trip to visit Manila, where our family spent 10 wonderful years.  It had been several years since our last visit- why is it so hard to drive the few hours to get there?!

We finally managed to squeeze a trip in between other activities- but it had to be short.  We packed up on Friday and headed out.

Our Suburban is wonderful- it fits all of us so we can be together for family trips.  It fits in the garage, unlike the other option (12 passenger van) that we explored.  We do, however, end up with a kid sitting between us in the front seat.  Obviously, Annie needed some entertainment.

We finished the very familiar drive to Manila and drove around town- here's our old house.  I still seriously miss those trees.  Except when I don't have to rake the leaves in the fall.  And in a wind storm.  Still...

The kids had a blast playing at the elementary school playground.  They spent so many hours here over the years- it was fun to see them, all grown up, playing on the same equipment they did as little kids.

Here they are reminiscing...

Yeah... the last time we were here, Josh was NOT that long.

This is a re-creation of a photo we took before we left for the Azores.  Don't know where the original is, though...

Eliza's first visit to Manila!  It seems strange to have a child who never lived there!

This is also a photo that we took before leaving for the Azores- I can't believe how fast time has flown!