Nothing like Girl Time!

Shortly before my return to Austria, my sisters, mother, and I went to the beach (Carpinteria) to spend some girl time together.  It was a wonderful chance to spend my last few days at home with some of my favorite people!  I'd go into details about what happened that weekend, but then I'd have to kill anyone who read this post.  Just Kidding!!!  We had a great time with lots of memories to last for a long time!

Girls' Weekend at the Beach

Dave and Busters Trip

Making time for Friends and Family

My time home this summer was spent...
1. relaxing from the school year
2. shopping for 1 year worth of "stuff"
3. spending most of my time with friends and family!!!

Four weeks in America may seem like a long time, but in reality, it's actually very short!  Thankfully I was able to spend most of my time doing what I love...being with people I hadn't seen in a long time!  There's nothing quite like coming home and spending time with those you love!!

Granddaughter Dinner

With Beautiful Baby Elise

Family Dinner

Family Night at the Musical 1776

Dinner with old College Roommate, Mary

Loving the Time with My Dad

For Father's Day I decided to take my dad out to Santa Cruz's Boardwalk for the night.  Since he was the first person to introduce me to 50 cent night (it's now 1 dollar night), I thought it would be appropriate to go there for our "Father/Daughter Date."  Because I had only been able to spend a short time with him for Christmas, it was WONDERFUL being able to have some "us" time before I went back to Vienna for a new year.  My favorite part of the night was just being with him (although beating him in the ghost shooting game was really cool too).  I'm so thankful that God gave me a father who is there when I really need him, but also a man who taught me how to handle things myself.  Even though the lessons my dad has taught me over the years haven't always been easy, I'm thankful to have a wise, godly man who I can call Daddy.

Final Score: Dad-1550, Mandy-2140!

View of the Boardwalk

Giant Dipper...Best Wooden Coaster EVER

Keeping up with the Fam

Every year my family joins the Romberger side of the family for our annual Mount Hermon Christian Conference Family Retreat.  This year marks the 28th trip since my birth!  Unfortunately I had to miss two of the years, but I've been at every other year. :)  This year was a wonderful time of catching up (I hadn't seen anyone for at least 6 months), relaxing, and enjoying time spent with family!

BBQ on the Lawn

One of our speakers-Dr. Barry Corey (DBC)

Pancake Breakfast

Train Day

The two wonderful grandparents who take us every year!

Game Night

S'mores night!!!!!

More train pics

Annual Spitting from the Train on the Bridge

"Attacking" each other in the Tunnel

Me, Mom, Dad, Joshua

The "Adult" Group