Aunt Colleen came to visit. She brought 2 sets of matching outfits for Madi and Lilli, some diapers, and other goodies - including the gecko that Madi is holding. That was so thoughtful. Thanks for everything! Nikki is planning to do a photo session with the girls in their matching outfits.
We headed home from D.C. today after a stop in West Virginia. We planned a surprise stop for Cole and Stephen. We went tubing down the Potomac river. We rented inflatable tubes and floated downstream through the rapids. Pictures will have to come later as we used a disposable waterproof camera. The river must have been lower than usual because the web site said that the trip should take about 1.5-2.5 hours and it took us 4 hours. We had to use our arms to paddle most of it, we were pretty miserable when we finally reached the take out point. The boys soon crashed after we ate dinner.
Waiting backstage, before I bring her back to the orphanage. It was so cute that Miss Hannigan was Annie's mom in real life, too.
Today we went to Arlington National Cemetery. We watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns.
The National Cathedral. Then we took a break at the hotel for a swim and dinner.
And we hit The Lincoln Memorial at night (as well as the Jefferson Memorial and Vietnam Memorial)
What do you do when you have a tornado watch and don't have a basement?? We went into this closet in the hall closet it's under the stairs. brought the kids dogs and me in there. The winds were bad and the rain was bad too. but nothing was damaged.
Maureen, Annie and Farrell did such a wonderful job in the play last night! We are all so proud! The last picture is of the set that Farrell just put in place!
We started our day at the Museum of Natural History. Here is Cole in a crystal ball.
Then we went to the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. We got to see how they make our paper currency.
It was raining when we left the BEP so we ducked into the Holocaust museum. After the rain subsided we went to the Museum of American History. And, then before we collapsed we went to the top of the Washington monument.
I took Aunt Mary Lou with me to grocery shop at Aldi's. She had mentioned the other day that she has not been to a store in a long time. It took one hour to get through the store.
We were invited by the Cougars to Fantasy Day at the stadium. Joe participated in batting practice and catching in the outfield. This is Joe getting his standing ovation! : )
Our first tourist stop of the day was the White House. While we were in the visitors center we ran into a family that I know from Geneva (it was very weird).
Waiting for "the Metro"
After our day sightseeing we swam and chilled by the pool. Here we are playing a card game while we wait for our dinner.
I broke my rule about not taking work home with me. My 'to do' pile at work is getting so big and so disorganized that some things don't get done on time. So I am spending a short amount of time to get it sorted out.
After a 13 hour drive we arrived in Washington D.C. at about 7:30.We checked into our hotel and then took a walk to see the Capitol at night. There was a military band playing at the bottom of the stairs. We watched them for a little bit and then walked back to our hotel. Tomorrow we are off to the White House and Ford's theater.
Annie took this picture of the pears on our pear tree, today. Then, she went out to the yard & made herself a fruit salad with some raspberries & grapes.
Gianni and I went to Joe's union hall today to drop off a check for Joe's continuing education classes. It was so sweet to take Gianni there since that is where we had our wedding reception.
Started packing the car tonight because we are leaving for Washington D.C. early in the morning.
See the 2nd white building in the far off distance? That is where we have to park when the parking lot where Maureen and I work gets full, which is everyday by the time I get to work! I took this picture from near our building.
Today we finished celebrating James Birthday today with my mom and Joe. We ate cake and opened presents.
I love getting together with all you girls! Wish everyone could have been there.
We started to celebrate James 2nd birthday since Joe has duty on his birthday and my mom is here for the weekend. James and Emily loved the balloons especially the one that sang Happy birthday with elmo's voice
Clint missed the train last night so I offered to drive him to Chicago this morning so he could get to work by 8a. This is the sight we saw at every turn. I did not realize that it had rained enough to close the major highways. It took us 4 hours to get to Chicago! Obviously he was late to work.
We've lived in this house 12 years & have never had a problem with the sump pump until last night...
