20130721 - Washington Marathon

20130721 - All up and down for bfast. Out for a quick lesson on how to use the Metro and we were ready to roll. The boys were thrilled to ride a subway for the first time!

First stop Arlington Cemetery. We walked to the Tomb of the Unknown Solder just as it started.

The boys thought it was pretty cool. We found a place in the shade and watched it a second time, but closer so the boys could watch the gun inspection ceremony.

A quick walk to the Eternal Flame of JGK with a spectacular view of the Lincoln Memorial.

We walked back to the Metro and on to the Air and Space Smithsonian where all got to touch a rock from the moon and see a bunch of other cool stuff. We had lunch there and then headed across the mall to the National Archives.

There we got to see the original Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Back out in the heat and the boys put their feet in a big fountain to cool off.
Next was the Museum of Natural History. So cool, so many things to see on all 3 floors. J&I had to make a special trip through the bug area and G had to see the animals :-)

Back on the subway to look for a hat for D... Couldn't find it in the old Post Office building, but it had a cool ceiling.

Finally headed home where walked past the hotel and to the same restaurant we ate in last night.

More chili dog for me!!! A quick dip in the pool, done hot chocolate and a couple good shows on TV and we are all soar and wiped out from a big day.

20130720 - 5 States 1 District

20130720 - OH Up and had home doughnuts then on the road. WV the rain started...


... but we got through the state quick, for more heavy rain in PA...

PA was a bit longer and wetter than expected. We took the scenic route 68 and enjoyed the views of lightening and pounding rain into MD where we stopped for lunch.

The rain finally let up and we cruised through DC and into Alexandria VA to our hotel. We parked our massive car in a tiny spot in a tiny underground garage And made it to the room. We sent D to the lobby to get some maps and he somehow ended up in an alley...

A short 16 block hike to the water front to see the sights and listen to a 67 year old man play water glasses. He has been playing for 36 years, 27 of them on this same corner. He told J&I how he packs them up every night and about the concert he once did in the Kennedy Center.

A ride on the trolley got us to the Hard Times Cafe, wold famous for their chili, where I had THE BEST CHILI DOG OF MY LIFE!!! I plan to eat there every night if L will let me.

A short walk and we made it to the pool :-)

20130719 - Summer Vacation

20130719 - UP and an incredibly busy day at work getting things lined up and done for vacation. Went out to lunch with Steven at the Mexican place and had the same things we had last week YUM! Finished up the day with people in and out of the office. Done and home, L& the boys had everything packed up. I finished up some stuff and D&I set off the bug bombs and out on the road; first stop Gma&paB's for the night to spend the night and get Lilly and the rodents settled in.

20130718 - Vacation Prep

20130718 - Up and in to work, trying to get things done for vacation and they come in as fast as I close them... Had a nice lunch with Mike today. L took the boys to the pool and another ortho today, likes this one. Home and D mowed, JG&I went to the ball park to see my buddy Jim's boy play baseball. Then we went to Rita's to register D&G for Fall Baseball and a cool treat that Jack spilled all over himself. TWICE! LOL... Home and back to the ball park to see the usual crowd. Home and watched #5 of the Fast and Furious series. up late closing things off for trip. Looks like someone wants to go with us...

20130717 - Countdown

20130717 - Up and in to work for a very fast and stressful day...  L took boys to get ortho estimate$$$.. Home and ate on the run heading to the pool to meet my Weblos Scouts to help them get their Aquanaut pins.  To a buddy's house to help him get his PC running and D mowed Mr. T's yard.  Stopped by the Pettit's on the way home to chat and hang out.  Home and up late planning the vacation.

20130716 + Splash Fast

20130716 + Up and a fast and furious day at work.  Home for a messy dinner.  Changed and took DJ&G to the pool for ice cream night and some splashing good fun.  Home and watched the 3rd movie in the Fast and Furious series.  Boys to bed, doing email until late.

20130715 - Foggy

20130715 - Up fell like crap, worked a full fogged day.  home for dinner, D to scouts, played carrom with J&G while we watched Clue the movie.  Picked up D, got gas, home doing paperwork to prep for vacation.

20130714 - Family Times

20130714 - UP and got some things done and planned for vacation.  Headed to Delaware for family pictures and then on to Ken & Nancy's for some cousin time and swimming.  We ended the day at the Franklin County Fair with some funnel cakes and lemon shakes-ups.

20130713 + All-Star Tubin

20130713 + Up in the am an took the white car in for servicing. Walked home and stopped to chat with a neighbor and then another that was having a garage sale. Home got D and we headed out. First stop returning baseball equipment, then post office where I ran over D's foot with the car :-o On to McD's to get some bfast, then home to get cleats, bank deposit and finally to the ball field for D's All-Star activities. The organizers had no water or food planned for the boys, so I ran home filled up our big cooler, grabbed the shade tent and some tables. GpaW showed up and helped set up the area at the field and then I ran to get subs at Subway for the boys. It was a lot of running but worked out great. Finally it a chance to sit down and watch the All-Star game.

L was sending me updates and pictures of the fun they were having on the pontoon boat they were on w/ Gma&paB. LJ&G were fishing and tubin all day, they had a blast.


The game was a lot of fun, boys griffin off and having a great time. When th game was over at 4 GpaW carried me to get the white car and then he an D went to the neighbors garage sale while I unpacked the car. Then GpaW D&I went to a Chinese buffet and ate a ton. GpaW headed home and D&I hit Best Buy and Blockbuster on the way home. We sat in front of the TV catching up on the Fast & Furious movies until LJ&G got home and told us all about their adventures. What a beautiful FUN day!!!

20130712 - Double Feature

20130712 - Up and in to work.  I got to go out to the factory floor for an hour before getting sucked into meetings.  I had lunch with CG & Steven at a Mexican place that was awesome.  Finished day and headed home to get D.  LJ&G are at Gma&paB's so D&I went to dinner at BWs, met by Scott Holohan and his son Brenan, and then went to see 'Oblivion' and then 'Olympus Has Fallen'.  Home and packed an ebay sale for shipment.

20130711 - G in the All-Stars

20130711 - Up and n to work.  Very busy day and got a lot done.  Home and had dinner with the fam.  Rested a min before LD&I took G to the All-Star game.  The boys got called out and lined up on the baselines, just like the big leagues.  They played a great game and they all had a great time. These kids are all good and the plays were amazing for 6 year olds.  G's team won 17-5, but not one kid asked em the score during the game, they just had a blast!  Home and trying to wrap up a million things before vacation...

20130710 - Getting the Mustard

20130710 - Up and into work, calmer today.  Got a lot done.  L had a mammogram today.  More really bad storms...  Home picked up LD&G and headed to Kingston OH to pick up some Ben's Mustard for the OhiOOrigins.com website.  J called us and talked to everybody a couple of times, him and GmaB are on their own tonight and they lost power.  J is a bit homesick :-)  We got our mustard and had dinner at Rax with a view of a pumpkin shaped water tower and then headed home.  Home and shipped some mustard.  Up late getting things done.