Tuesday, June 15, 2010

A First...

For, I don't know, a week or so we have been trying to get Baby B to say "ma ma" or "da da", to no avail.

Yesterday we were shopping and he was in the stroller, so he couldn't see me.  Then all of a sudden I started hearing this:

"Mum"

So mum is what he calls me now.  Anytime he wants my attention he always says "Mum" really loud!

So cute, so stinkin' cute!

Saturday, June 12, 2010

If We Were Wii...

We would be...

Personal Trainers

Professional-
Basketball
Baseball
Tennis
&
Volleyball
Players

Boxers,
Golfers,
Runners
&
Bowlers too.

The life of the party
(which we all know I am not)

Race Car Drivers

And...
Don't forget Rockstars!
Which includes,
Drummers
Guitarists
&
And heaven help us,
But
Singers too.

Monday, June 7, 2010

A Tour, Day Four...

This was by far my favorite day in Washington D.C.  
We started at the Lincoln Memorial and ended at the Library of Congress.  And yes, we walked the whole way.  I don't think I have ever been as tired as I was this day.  Exhausted is probably a more appropriate word!








We also had a chance to visit one more memorial.
The Vietnam Memorial






































The roses all around Washington were so amazing.  The air was so sweet, it smelled of roses everywhere!  I could have spent all day looking at them!






I am happy and sad at the same time that we saved the library until last.  Sad because I was so tired that I didn't get at much out of it as I probably could have, but this had to be the most amazing building I have ever been in.  I highly recommend it to everybody who visits Washington.




We were lucky enough to get a private tour from Chris, Tobi's cousin.  I learned so much more than I would have if we just visited.  And we got to see this room, which is closed to the public.




These are silk painted ceilings. 


Can you believe this room?  Wow!  
And we also got to see the Librarian of Congress when we were walking through an underground tunnel between buildings.  What a treat!






This marks the end of our journey.  

I wish I could have posted more pictures, but I took 481 of them and I also have all of Tobi's that I have yet to go through.

I had an amazing time.  I can't wait to go back!
Thank you to Tobi who was kind enough to let me tag along.
Thank you to Victoria and Ken who were kind enough to let us crash at their house, feed us and play taxi and tour guide for four days!
Thank you to Chris for the amazing private tour.
Thank you to Samantha and Audrey for a couple of fun long nights of girl talk.  It was much needed!  And those cupcakes.  Oh, don't even get me started on the coconut...yum!
And last but not least...
Thank you to my hubby who stayed home from work and watched the kids for six whole days so I could get away and play with no responsibilities.  I love you.

The End.

Sunday, June 6, 2010

A Tour, Day Three...

First, Iwo Jima Memorial.




The size of this monument is particularly amazing.  It is so perfectly proportioned that you cannot really feel how big it is.  I don't remember the exact size, but one on those rifles is something like 16 or 18 feet.

This would be the first place we ran into this pretty amazing group of people.  Most were WWII veterans. 

Onto Arlington National Cemetery.








Robert E. Lee mansion.



This is the view from Robert F. Kennedy's grave.  Absolutely breathtaking!

Equally as beautiful.

Next Stop, World War II Memorial.







This is the Freedom Wall.  It has 4,048 Stars.  Each represents 100 Americans who died in the War.









Last but certainly not least, Vietnam Memorial.
















Even today, as I look at these pictures, a wave of emotion overtakes me.  I am thankful to have had the experience of visiting these memorials.  I have a new found gratitude for those who have served our country, and an even greater gratitude for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

 The Vietnam Memorial was especially emotional because our faithful tour guide, if you will, is a veteran of this war.  The emotion that overcome him as he told us the stories and showed us the names of the comrades he lost will forever be etched in my memory.  Thank you to the Kernal, Colonel Ken.  

I feel that every American should have the opportunity to not just visit, but experience these memorials.  There is so much more to them than just statues or a wall.