Fourth & Fifth of July

We finally ventured to Washington, D.C. So here is our trip in pictures with a few captions in between!  We started at Arlington National Cemetery.

                                                         

We then traveled to the National Mall.  We saw part of the Independence Day Parade.  We visited the Lincoln Memorial, Korean War Memorial, and the Vietnam War Memorial.  I don't have any pictures of the Vietnam War Memorial wall because there were a lot of people and I just wasn't able to get a good picture of the wall. 

It was a hot long day, but totally worth it at the end of the day!  This is definitely one Fourth of July that I will never forget!  The only way it could have been better is if all our friends and family were there with us too!

  The next day we visited the Smithsonian Museum of American History. 

We were able to see the 30'x42' flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the battle of the War of 1812.  It was the same flag that Francis Scott Key saw that inspired him to write his poem that eventually became the Star Spangled Banner.  We were not able to take a picture of the flag because it is so fragile. 

This was probably the boys' favorite thing; C3PO.

The Abraham Lincoln exhibit was my favorite.  On the left is Abraham Lincoln's top hat.  The last time he wore it was the night he went to Ford's Theatre.  The picture on the right is Abraham Lincoln's inaugural suit.  The shirt and tie were reproductions, but the coat and trousers were the real deal.  The gown was Mary Todd Lincoln's inaugural gown.  

The next few pictures are for my sister:  Julia Child's Kitchen

 

There was so much more to see.  I can't wait to go back!  We had a really great time!

Fun Times with Pa Jim

It has been so great having my dad here for a visit!  We've enjoyed showing him a few of the sights around town.  Friday, we went to Inner Harbor, downtown Baltimore.  First we went to the Observation Deck of the World Trade Center building.  It is the tallest pentagon-shaped building in the world. 

This is the view of the Francis Scott Key Bridge looking from the Observation Deck.

After lunch, we traveled to Fort McHenry by water taxi.  That was really fun.  Here is your history lesson for the day:  The British attacked Fort McHenry in 1814 at the end of the War of 1812.  The bombardment lasted for 25 hours.  During the battle, Francis Scott Key was being held on a US truce ship in the Chesapeake Bay.  In the early morning of September 14th, Key saw the huge flag flying over Fort McHenry and was stirred to write what would become our national anthem.  Enjoy some of our pictures and if you ever visit Baltimore, I highly recommend a tour of Fort McHenry.  You definitely do not want to miss the short film in the visitor's center, either.  The actual flag that flew over the fort is now in the Smithsonian in DC.

Fort McHenry is the shape of a star.  I thought that was fascinating!

During the Civil War, Fort McHenry was used as a temporary prison for captured Confederate soldiers.  We found a couple of rebel rousers!  They were released later for being so darn cute!

ammunition room

Saturday, after a full day of golf lessons and t-ball, we drove down the road to Annapolis for ice cream at a local favorite:

We definitely enjoyed it!

After ice cream, we walked down to the end of the pier.  We had a great time!

Where did May go?

The month of May seems like a huge blur!  I honestly don't know what happened to it.  I'm sure it was full of life - mostly t-ball, golf lessons, and church activities.  We went to our first Oriole game and pictures will be forthcoming.  The last week and a half we have just known illness.  Pneumonia knocked me off my feet and now the boys are a bit under the weather.  It is a virus, so we will just have to let it run it's course. 

I'm so thankful that today is June 1st.  A new month and lots to celebrate.  First, Jarrell and I will celebrate 15 years of wedded bliss on the 3rd.  I'm so blessed to be married to my best friend!  My dad is coming to visit next week.  We are looking forward to seeing him!  Nathan turns 10 on the 23rd.  Unbelievable, that Jarrell and I are old enough to have a ten year old!  I'm also looking forward to summer activities with the boys; swimming, park, ball games, science center, museums, etc. 

So, here's to June, a new month and the beginning of summer! 

Luke's Fourth T-Ball Game

I'm finally posting pictures from Luke's t-ball games.  He wasn't able to play in the first game because it had not been three weeks past his surgery.  I took pictures at the second game, but I didn't think they were very good and didn't tell the story.  I forgot my camera for the third game.  Tonight, I finally took some great pictures of Luke in action.  He is loving t-ball and doing great!  He does not like to get out so he runs as fast as he can to base.  He usually makes it!  He is a lot of fun to watch! 

swinging in the batter's circle

up at bat

swing batter

on base at first, ready to run

on base at second, ready to run

running to third

scoring a run 

waiting to see some action as first baseman

waiting to make one of his two plays at second base