Celebrating Veteran's

Since I last posted on September 23,  I have been pondering what I want to do with my blog while reducing the time I spend on social media.  I will save that for another time, today I want to honor our nations Veteran's.

Yesterday was Veteran's Day.  Living in our nations capitol there is always something you can do or experience and Veteran's Day is no exception.

Dad & Paulette at Mount Vernon

The most notable activity in the area is to attend the Presidential speech at Arlington National Cemetery.  Yesterday was extra special, President Biden, Dr Biden, Vice President Harris and Second Gentleman were all in attendance.  The President and Vice President laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  

Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
 Arlington National Cemetery

On average 5,000 people attend this special Presidential speech.  One day I will attend, but this year I took my dad and Paulette to explore Arlington a few days before in order to avoid the big crowds.  We had a beautiful blue sky day that was like no other I have experienced.  

The National Park System acknowledges our Veteran's with special  free admission into all of its parks. Restaurants offer free meals or special treats and many other businesses offer discounts.  There are parades, concerts, flag displays, run/walks, and ceremonial events.  It isn't hard to find an activity that fits you to help honor our Veteran's.  

This year I spent the day with my family at Mount Vernon, George Washington's home.  I love Mount Vernon.  I love being in George Washington's home, walking part of his plantation and through his forest.  To honor Veteran's they had a special book for them to sign, entrance was free and they provided red carnations to any adult that would like to lay it at his tomb.

Our family had a wonderful day.  As Cutie E was sitting on my lap during one of the films I wondered how each of these events and the places we visit will shape his life.  He ran around the bowling green, walked through the house and held our hands as we walked through the gardens and slave quarters.  He was so good.  Cutie O enjoyed a lovely stroller ride through the grounds of our first president.

Not every kiddo has the opportunity to visit, experience, explore and listen to the words of the men and women who laid the foundation for our country.  They are so lucky to have these expereinces build who they will become.

Fort McHenry

I continue to wonder,

How will their parents, uncle and great grandparents military service shape them?

How will the words and information they hear about our nations history impact them?

How will running around the first presidents plantation shape their future?

How will these experiences early in their life influence their path?

I am excited to see who these beautiful boys become.

I am so honored to be part of a family that has been willing to serve, that love our country  and the history it holds close to its heart.  I hope all Veteran's felt loved and appreciated on their special day. 

The Gang's All Here

When the kids were growing up I always slept better when everyone was home.  Safe and sound, and all tucked in.

When the fridge, freezer and pantry were full after a Costco run I couldn't stop smiling.  There was plenty of food and everyone could eat when they got hungry.  I never wanted the kids to go hungry.

Their safety and full tummies were priorities for me.

Three weeks ago I went to bed smiling.  Everyone, all 10 of us were under one roof, tucked in for the night.  The best part was we were in our new home in DC all together.

After a little paintball fun

In January at the end of a busy Disneyland vacation Sean and I didn't think we would ALL be together till 2028, our next family trip.  Much to our surprise we were together in DC to celebrate family and the 4th of July.

Disneyland: Blue Bayou

Our family celebrations began with Marissa and Jake reuniting after another separation.  Riss was gracious and shared time with Jake with the family.  We started his visit with a trip to the Udvar-Hazy Air & Space Museum.  I love this place.  The history of flight is top notch.  Getting to see actual planes from history like the Enola Gay or the Blackbird or Tom Cat are impressive, but the Discovery Space Shuttle steals the show.

Despite the heat and humidity we did make a quick stop at Great Falls National Park.  Sean and I couldn't believe the difference of the falls from spring till early summer.  We haven't had much rain since March  which is why the falls weren't as dramatic, but still beautiful.  This time we had Holly, Dreyton, the boys and Marissa & Jake with us.

Great Falls National Park

Jake has a deep love of and for our country.  While his sweet wife was at work he wanted to visit a few places, the Capitol Building, Supreme Court, National Archives and Fort McHenry.  Each of these experiences with him was an opportunity to share our love of history.

Capitol Rotunda

Cutie E & Freedom

Fort McHenry

Just as Harrison and Ragen were to arrive in DC six of us had tickets to enjoyed a DC United soccer game.   Tickets to the game was Marissa's birthday present. 

Each of the kids played soccer for a period of time.  Sean and I even played in your younger years, but the girls were the ones that played through high school.  They continue to love the game, whether its kicking the ball around or watching a favorite team play. 

 

Sean and I arrived at the soccer game a little late so we could pick up Harrison and Ragen.  Since Ragen hadn't been to DC before I needed to plan a trip for her that took advantage of every moment.  After grabbing a bite to eat we visited the Pentagon and Air Force Memorials.  

9/11 Pentagon Memorial

In four days we walked over 35,000 steps, rode electric scooters over 10 miles and visited every major site (25 total) in Washington DC and Annapolis.  We won't discuss the fact that I "Supermaned" off my scooter and ended up with 12 stitches in my knee.  Like a good mom, I jumped back on that scooter and rode 2 miles to our car.

Washinton Monument

White House

One of the highlights of having Harrison and Ragen here was watching Ragen experience DC for the very first time.  She was amazed by the sheer vastness of the city and architecture of our Capitol, White House and memorials.

There is so much you can do in Washington DC, but we also wanted family time.  This meant good food, games, movies and little sleep.  Some of my favorite moments together were watching the aunts and uncles with the boys.  

Capitol Tour with the boys

Jake jumped right in, as if he was a regular visitor.  He would get Cutie E out of his carseat, hold Cutie O while playing games with Dreyton, played on the floor with each of the boys and enjoyed the giggles from his silly faces and funny noises.

Auntie Riss 

Harrison and Ragen were all about the boys.  It didn't matter if they were fussy or full of smiles they were willing to hold or feed them.  By the end of their trip each of them were getting hugs and kisses from Cutie E and lots of snuggles from Cutie O.

Uncle Harrison is warm & cozy, a great place for a nap

Ring Around the Rosie with Aunie Ragen

We had big plans for the 4th of July.  Fireworks on the Mall in DC.  Since the boys are still little trekking into the city on a very hot and humid day seemed a bit too much.  We opted for a quiet day at home with games, patriotic movies and lots of food.   The fireworks were spectacular over the Naval Academy.

Maryland WWII Memorial in Annapolis

I loved being together, our red, white and blue outfits and everyone cooking in the kitchen.  Cutie E even managed to squeeze in to help as well.

Before everyone arrived Holly suggested we have a family water balloon fight like when they were kids.  GREAT IDEA!  We found these these awesome throwable paintballs called Goblies.  Best part about these paintballs is that they are biodegradable, so no clean up and the paint washes out of all clothing.  

We had so much fun smashing paint on shirts and watching them splatter as you nailed someone.  I would get these paintballs again.  Next time I'll get more, buy us all white shirts so the paint shows up for pictures and I'll make sure to be injury free so I can chase down children.

At the end we dodged pop its and lit up our cul-de-sac with sparklers.  A few of our new neighbors kiddo's came out to help us use all the sparklers.

Capturing family time is important.  I take way to many pictures, but I want to make sure to capture our time together.  Most of these pictures appear in frames around the house and in scrapbooks.  

While we were in Disneyland we were hoping that one of our character pictures would turn out good enough to replace the official family picture in our family room.  The lighting wasn't great and we were missing Cutie O in person.  On our last day together I arranged for family pictures.  There are so many great places for family photos, we settled on Annapolis along the river.  

January 2024

I can't wait to see how the pictures turn out, the boys were adorable.  They smiled at times and Cutie E even grabbed his brother for a few hugs. 

Before Jake left I caught a few moments of the kids gathered together.  

Gathering in DC at Holly and Dreyton's home was not planned in advance, it just happened.  It gave us time together to share our favorite summer activities, play, explore and eat. 

Annapolis 2024

I love going to bed knowing we are all gathered in one place.  Those 5 days together were just about perfect.  I'm already looking forward to our next vacation together.😍

 

Patriotism

 Happy 4th of July!

It is wonderful to spend this special holiday with family.  This year is extra special, I have my entire family here in DC.  I can't believe it, we are all together.

Our son in-law arrived at the end of last week and we have been doing a bit of sight seeing while our daughter is at work.  I have learned that he is very patriotic.  He loves our country, its history and honors those that had the determination to set aside their personal lives to sacrifice all they had to create a new country and see it succeed.  

This got me thinking, what does it mean to be patriotic?

I have considered myself patriotic for years.  I wear all my red, white, blue and flag clothing before and after Memorial Day, the 4th of July and Veteran's Day.  I fly my flag proudly daily.  I love learning about the men and women who helped build our country.  Their stories inspire me to want to do more.  Visiting their homes, the places they walked, the cities they built and the wars they fought touch my heart deeply.

Living in Washington DC has given me an opportunity to deepen my understanding of our nations history.  I'm not rushing through museums, quickly passing by monuments or memorials, instead I have time to notice details I hadn't before.

I love the United States of America.

In September of 1814, Fort McHenry endured 25 hours of bombing from the British.  The British were met with American cannon fire.  The air filled with smoke.  At times it was so thick that the men could not see in front of them.  

From the deck of the US Truce Francis Scott Key was looking through a telescope in hopes he could see some evidence that the Fort had survived the bombing.  It had.  Fort McHenry did not surrender.  

It was just after dawn on September 14, 1814, when Key saw the flag flying over the fort.  Key described his feelings, "through the clouds of the war the stars of that banner still shone in my view, and I saw the discomfited host of its assailants driven back in ignominy to their ships.  Then, in the hour of deliverance, and joyful triumph, my heart spoke; and "Does not such a country and such defenders of their country deserve a song?"

On the 14th, he jotted down some notes and finished the poem a couple of days later in Baltimore.  The song's first title was "Defence of Fort McHenry".  It is now known today as "The Star Spangled Banner" and became our National Anthem in 1931.

Francis Scott Key was an example of patriotism.  He honored our fight for freedom and independence with beautiful words that we get to sing as our Anthem.

Like my son in-law I love our country.

I wish each of you a very Happy and Safe 4th of July.