Kenai, the dog preferred our bed for sure. Right before they arrived I got a temp job at Eastern Virginia Medical School where I work for the Health Professions enrollment department. I process applications and assist the Director of Enrollment. It has provided a nice low maintenance employment experience which I do not take home with me at the end of the day which will be important especially when classes start for me in August. Anyway... back to the visit... Mom and Dad and Garrett went to Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown while I was working and when I got home each evening we would enjoy dinner on the town. 
Friday night we went over to Virginia Beach ate at a local seafood joint and then walked the boardwalk enjoying people watching, listening to live music, and looking out at the water. I was introduced to Rita's Iceys and Custards on the way home. (we forgot the cameras in the truck) Saturday we enjoyed the beach at the end of our street.
Garrett and Dad tossed the football around while Mom and I enjoyed reading our books and taking in the sun. We had an early evening and got up early on Sunday to drive our separate ways. I drove 11 hours up to CT with our truck and they drove back to Ohio with the trailer we had borrowed from them. We each arrived safely at our destinations.
While Tony and I were getting settled on the East Coast, Erik and Susie were enjoying the West Coast. Susie is back from China and had a family reunion in the Seattle area which Erik attended. The verdict is the family likes him. Way to go Erik. :) They too are enjoying early retirement and took an opportunity to see some sights on the Coast while they are applying to schools and jobs. Rumor has it they are looking into the Boston area.
They enjoyed the Oregon coast and the Redwood Forest. I cannot believe the size of those trees! I hope to get there at some point. Our mom always talks about how it was her favorite part of a cross country trip our parents did years ago.
I made a pit stop in CT and stayed with Jen and Matt and of course my little angel, Caitlyn. She showed me that at 5 months she can roll over completely! So proud... Monday morning I drove up to the Cape where I met up with my parents on Winslow Landing.
I got to spend time with Carrie and Chip, and my Aunt Pat and Uncle Pete. There are two pictures below the next family picture that somehow got out of order. Erik and Susie arrived late Wednesday night and we spent time bike riding and showing Susie the Cape. Unfortunately, we found out on Tuesday that My dad's father, our Grandpa, was not doing well and that the nursing home didn't think it would be more than a week before he might pass away. Unfortunately he didn't last that long and passed away on Thursday afternoon. We drove back to CT on Friday to help with planning the funeral. The following is a group shot of the entire Benson clan at the luncheon after the funeral. Though it was a sad time, it was really good to see everyone and catch up.
Cape Cod...
Erik and Susie at the Beach in Cape Cod...
Here are more pics from the day of the funeral. Mom, Aunt Helen, Molly, and Ella Grace smiling for the camera.
Tony flew in from Florida on Saturday - two days ahead of schedule, and he and Susie finally got to meet. We all enjoyed food and drink in honor of Grandpa.
Though it was a rough day for Nana, she was very excited to meet her great-grandaughter, Ella.
Our friends Jen & Brian came to show their support and how could we forget Caitlyn!
We took this picture driving home to spend the last evening together at my parents house. Tony, Brian, Susie, me, and Erik. We all enjoyed relaxing by the pool and reflecting on Grandpa and the days events. 
Susie took this picture of us in the back yard of the house. At night we roasted marshmallows around a campfire. It was a wonderful evening. Tony and I left the next morning headed for Virginia and Susie and Erik headed for Boston. 
In Loving Memory of Irving Russell Benson. He was 89 years old. Born in 1920. He lived a good long life, was a good father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and son. He loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. The joke I remember him telling me a long time ago was "What do the Starship Enterprise and toilet paper have in common?" "They both float around uranus searching for cling-ons" I told that joke at the funeral and got some laughs - Grandpa would be proud.
We love you and miss you. xoxo
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