Excitement Boiling Over

"I'm so excited, I think I'm going to explode!" Well, those were Porter's words anyway in describing the event that finally occurred last week. A visit from Grandma and Grandpa (my parents) and best of all for Porter his Uncle Grant and Aunt Aubrye!! He was thrilled, as were we all, that they were all coming; but Aubrye...oh Aubrye! Both of my boys have a special love for their Aunt "Aw-bee". They were all able to come out for a visit and we all had so much fun! We hit tons of sites, including Mount Vernon, Air and Space, Natural History, American History, dinner at Old Ebbitt's Grill, and a chartered night tour including the Jefferson, Lincoln, Vietnam, Iwo Jima, Korea, Arlington, Korea, WWII and the White House! They were even able to do a little site-seeing without us and crazy kids as my parents went to Monticello and G&A were able to spend a day at the National Holocaust Museum. We also hit Tyson's Corner for some good shopping, some swimming at the pool, and discovered a new favorite pastime: check this out music lovers. (we thought it was pretty fun anyway) Phew! What a week! And to think, really we didn't even do half of the things we could have! I love living here, there is so much to do... and so much more to entice visitors to return trips!!

All of us enjoying George Washington's backyard. Not too shabby! A perfect view of the Potomac. A few of my favorite things about Mt. Vernon besides the GORGEOUS view- were the original key to the Bastille that he had been given because he was "the father of all Liberty", and the awesome Spartan green dining room! Let me tell ya folks, it was GREEN!

G & A and the boys in front of the original Wright Flyer.

I had to get a picture of my diplomat with the original Secretary of State- Thomas Jefferson. This was actually the first time that Noah and I had been this close. Just kept driving by it, shame on us. It was beautiful.

We used the opportunity we had sans kiddos (got a babysitter for our twilight tour) to linger at some of the other sites I had been wanting to explore more closely. The Korea Memorial was really amazing, especially at night- all of the soldiers in their ponchos and gear. Giant radios and equipment to haul around, and miserable conditions. It gave me a whole new appreciation. The side wall is also covered with real images of the servicemen. It really was awesome.

We were just able to see Iwo Jima up close quickly because of a giant downpour that started. Amazingly enough though, the picture I got really turned out cool. You can see some of the raindrops, and the sky is kind of an appropriate color for the moment.

Lastly, I'll finish up this post with a shot of the White House all lit up. It really is beautiful at night, and this was also the first time since we've been here that we went this close to it! We had so much fun while they were here, and loved spending some family time before we head out. Anyone else want to come visit? You've got a month from today! Come on over!

to do list

there are things I need to do that I have been putting off. not sure why, just can't seem to make myself do them. besides the obvious of blogging about my family's recent trip out here (that one is not so hard, I just have gotten distracted) there are a few more things that I need/want to have done that I am struggling with. I decided that if I put it on here, with more accountability I can make myself do it. 1. I need to shred a large pile of stuff. (first I need to buy a new shredder too, seeing as our old one was junk anyway and is currently in our HHE.) 2. I need to organize/download/transfer all of our home videos onto DVDs so I can leave a copy of them all in our safety deposit box. 3. I need to do many more Turkish lessons of Rosetta Stone before we leave 4. I need to scan/re-organize all of the files we have here into a better set up for traveling. (still working out in my mind exactly what I need to do. but do something I must. we have too much to take with us.) 5. we need to make our will and fill out "5 wishes". The rest of the things on our list are steadily getting checked off. These things are the ones I need some motivation for. Wish me luck! We leave in ONE MONTH FROM TODAY!!!!! Woo hoo!!! Istanbul here we come!

The Fam 2010

Our awesome friend Miss Micah (well Mrs. technically) graciously agreed to take some family pictures of us the other day. We shot at some fun spots on our favorite bike trail the W&OD. She was so sweet to do this for us, and the boys thought she was the bees knees! She did a great job, and got a bunch of darling shots. We have accepted the fact that until our children get older, the classic well posed photo is just not going to happen. We will instead enjoy the fun times we can capture in an attempt at such a photo. The top photo is my absolute favorite! Welcome to our craziness! This is our life, and we love it.

The side of the rail car says "Aware Alert Arrive Unhurt". This should be their motto. Instead my boys seem to go by "Oblivious, Distracted and Roughhouse until we get Hurt!" That's ok. We love them anyway.

And lastly, this hat didn't quite go with his shirt-but he refused to leave the house without it. He's just such a cutie, how can you not love this picture?! That's my baby.

There are multiple other cute ones that we are still deciding which ones like best. Par for the course, I love ones that Noah doesn't at all and vice versa. But we'll save those for things like grandparent photos and Christmas cards. Ooo the suspense! Thank you thank you Micah for a job well done and thank you Noah for supporting me in my constant need to take pictures!

Quite the President

The other day we decided to take advantage of some GORGEOUS weather and hit another thing on my "must see" list. I really have knocked off most things, but the FDR Memorial was still just sitting there tempting me. It is somewhat close to the rest of the memorials, yet just far enough away that it was the one that kept getting skipped when we were all tuckered out for the day in any previous sight-seeing trips we have taken! We loaded into the car and zipped downtown! We found a great parking spot in the shade. It was sunny and breezy. Perfect for strolling around with nothing else on our agenda. I must say, this might be one of my new favorites. We were actually pretty spoiled though, it was fairly empty- so having it much to ourselves made it that much more peaceful. It was much larger and prettier than I had expected. All the water features were beautiful and Porter just loved to sit and watch them.

I knew that FDR was a president like no other; in length (4 terms), challenges of his Presidency (Great Depression, World War II etc.), being disabled, etc. He truly accomplished so much and lead the American people through some of the biggest challenges we have ever faced. Being surrounded by so many inspiring quotes that were on the walls throughout the memorial really makes you realize that he was quite the President! He had so many truly inspiring quotes. I don't know if it was really him, or his speech writers, but whoever came up with the things he said was genius.

This was one of my favorites, but there were tons of great ones. It is a great memorial to make you sit and think about all of our blessings.

Lastly, we had to get the great "tourist" photo of the kiddos in the breadline. Now we know that Ronan is a cutter in lines. He refused to stand at the back of the line with Porter. We'll have to work on that.

We had a really nice time as a family, and tried to use the opportunity to explain to the kids some of this important history. Hopefully with things like this to experience as they grow up it will all sink in and inspire them to stand up for what is right in the world. A good day. Hopefully many more to come like this.

Dental Checkups

We took the boys to get their dental checkups the other day. The place we went to was fabulous, had a great playroom for the kids and they were just fabulous to work with. I'm so glad that we have found a place in the D.C. area that I love for my kids to go to. Both kids had no cavities to report! Yay! Porter rocked it, and was very well behaved. I thought this picture was great, loving the sunglasses for his eyes. What a cute boy! There is no picture of Ronan's visit. Why you ask? He screamed the whole time, even while I held him on my lap with his legs around my waist and head in the dentist's lap. Fun times:) It actually was pretty funny; because he screamed but he still let them get in his mouth. When the doctor told him to say AWE- he tried to obey, but screamed AAHHHHHH! We were all laughing. Silly boy. Maybe next time I won't have to help hold him and I can get a decent picture. Fingers crossed.

Summer is Here

The summer has officially started!! Every year I soak up every second of spring (it is my all time favorite season) and think I will never want it to end. By the time Memorial Day Weekend rolls around however, I am forced to bound into summer and am always reminded of the things I L.O.V.E. about summer, but have hard time remembering when I am enjoying the tulips! This year was no exception, as we spent another fabulous Memorial Day Weekend full of some of our very favorite people, sunblock, sprinklers, watermelon, strawberry shortcake, and patriotism! I truly love it all, and am realizing that few things in life are as sweet as moments like these!

I apologize for a heavily Ronan laden post-he was in an exceptionally good photo taking mood, and Porter not so much. Seriously, how can you resist this kid?!

Sheer joy.

The Carousel on the National Mall.

Our Phirst Phillies Phamily Phun!

If you know Noah well, then you know he is a HUGE Phillies fan, growing up in PA and all. Well,

We finally made it to a Phillies game as a family! They played the Nationals in April (yes, I am a tad behind) and we made sure to be there. We had such a wonderful time, and definitely something we can't wait to do again! All the ballpark traditions were kept, and we sat dutifully behind the Phillies' bullpen with other Phillies fans. We got to go with our friends the Choreys, who are also huge Phillies fans, so it made the day complete!

I'll let the photos speak for themselves...

Mary and I with George. He is much bigger than I imagined him to be my whole life!

All in all, a FABULOUS time at the ballpark. And, pretty much the perfect evening!!

p.s. though we will always be Phillies fans, if we have to have a second team, I say anyway (not Noah) that we can like the National's second best.