The White House and Capitol

July 16, 2009

Today was our best day yet in Washington D.C. We started our day with a tour of the White House. We did have to wait to get in until the President finished walking his dog. But once in we realized just how beautiful it was. Then it was on to the Capitol. Here we had a very private tour from Senator Martinez's office. Wow! We even got to see the Senate in session.

The Florida House (Florida Embassy) and the U.S. Supreme Court were additional stops on our tour today. Then it was back on the Metro to Arlington.

After dinner Jenni, Bailey and I headed to the ice cream shop and then to catch fireflies. Jeremy and Adam spent their evening at the Washington Nationals baseball game. Adam's first pro baseball game! He loved it!

We could not bring our camera into the White House or parts of the Capitol so the only pictures we have of that our in our minds to share. But I did include some photos from the evening.

Washington D.C. Day 2

July 15, 2009 - Jeremy's Birthday

What a great way to spend your birthday, outside in beautiful weather with your family walking around Washington D.C. Today's excursion included the Lincoln Memorial, the Korean Memorial, American History Museum and the Air and Space Museum. Adam's favorite of course was the Air and Space Museum! We really enjoyed the day.

For our evening enjoyment it's a barbeque at the Ashley's with birthday cake and song, of course. Then it's off to the Air Force Memorial for a concert and beautiful views of D.C. and Arlington.

Happy Birthday Daddy! Love, Bailey

Washington D.C. Day 1

July 14, 2009

We began our day with a Metro ride into the city. The kids thought it was cool to start above ground and then go under ground. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to walk around. Today's stops included the Jefferson Memorial, the Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the Museum of Natural History and the Washington Monument. Jenni and Will met us at the Smithsonian and we all had lunch on the Mall. A highlight of the day was seeing the President take off in Marine One heading for the Allstar Game in St. Louis from atop the Washington Monument. Another highlight was revisiting the spot in front of the Washington Monument that Jeremy proposed to me 18 years ago.

The Reunion

July 12, 2009 and July 13, 2009

I’m writing this as I’m sitting in the car on our way to Washington, D.C. We got right up, packed and headed out the door so I didn’t have time to log in and update you on what happened yesterday. As I look out the window I’m still amazed at how beautiful the mountains are. I can stare out the window and just watch the scenery go by for hours. And hours it is…we have now hit the Maryland border and we’ve been in the car for a little over 6 hours. Oh I forgot, I’m supposed to be updating you on yesterday’s activities.

We headed over to Glimmerglass State Park which is right on the lake where Camp David is just on the other side. Mary’s family is having a big family reunion of her grandfather’s decedents. People have come from all over. We were all introduced many times to people Jer hasn’t seen since he was about five years old. We chuckled at the “beach” they had at the park. It was about 60 degrees and the beach was packed with folks laying out in their bathing suits and playing in the lake. We watched in our jeans and jackets. We also explored a trail which led to the oldest covered bridge in America. The kids were not impressed.

After a day of extended family we headed back to camp so Adam could go tubing in the lake. Bailey also took a quick dip in the lake. Jer and I choose to watch both events. When we went to bed that night it was in the 50’s.

Now as I sit right outside of D.C. in the car and feel the warmth, I’m ready for a whole new adventure with the Ashley family. We loved our experiences in upstate New York and can’t wait to see Washington D.C.

A Day at Camp David

July 11, 2009

Today we hung around camp and visited with family. The kids loved just running around outside playing. The lake was a bit rough to swim and it was an overcast day. But despite the weather the day was fun. We ended with a campfire outside and toasted marshmallows.

Cider Mill and Family

July 10, 2009

We woke up this morning to beautiful weather. The sun was shinning and blue sky all around. The temperature mid afternoon actually got up to about 75 degrees. After dropping off our car to the shop to have a new radiator put in Adam took a dip (a very quick dip) in the lake. We then headed off to Fly Creek Cider Mill to see how apple cider is made. The shop there was really neat. They had great samples of all different kinds of dips and sauces and even some cheeses that are kept in Howe Caverns.

Then we headed down to Oneonta (where Jeremy was born) to have dinner with all of Mary's family. Adam and Bailey got to meet a lot of aunts, uncles and cousins that they had never met before. It was great to catch up with everyone. A nice evening had by all.

The Farmers Museum

July 9, 2009

Our big outing today was to the Farmer’s Museum. A neat old town with a blacksmith, one room school house, tavern and all the amenities of the 1800’s. The kids had fun riding the carousel, feeding the baby animals and walking through all the old houses. Adam even got to plow the field. Jeremy’s grandfather actually helped move some of these buildings brick by brick to help create this museum many years ago.

We ended our day with a great boat ride into Cooperstown for some ice cream and pure old fashioned fun of rolling down the hills on really soft grass. Life is good.