Twice as Nice

John and Annmarie's twins are two months old already! They bring everyone so much joy.  Carter absolutely adores them and cannot get enough.  If the boys are around he is usually holding one.

Julia finally asked for a turn.  Babies are not her thing.  She is much more of an animal lover, but couldn't resist the cuteness...

They are still so little you can carry them both double-decker style in one arm and even Carter can hold them both...

I love that my sports nut, battle-loving, rough and tumble boy gets so much joy cuddling these two little ones. Melts my heart!

Ethan and Noah...

My dad got in on the baby holding last weekend.  The multi-tasker watching football, taking a call, and holding the boys...

Is it really fall?!

I'm not really sure when it happened but apparently fall arrived and is in full swing! Wasn't it just Labor Day?! The signs are everywhere, so I guess it's true.

Now that it's here if it could just slow down a little so we can savor every moment that would be great.

Navy Football

Time for some tailgating.  My dad's class has their tent right on the hill next to the stadium.  The food was incredible (the company, too!)  We feasted like kings!

The weather was picture perfect.

The entire brigade marches in formation through Annapolis into the stadium. A sight to behold...

I always get choked up when the mids are recognized as well as all those serving around the globe.

The band marches in and begins to play.  Then it's time for the flyover...

And we're ready for some football!

We had great seats with a view of all the action.

With every Navy touchdown the mids do their pushups for every point, plus one to "Beat Army"...

I love the firing squad who shot off a round for every touchdown, kickoff, and extra point.

I think we need one in our front yard :)

In the end, Navy couldn't pull of a win.  Southern Miss dominated the first half, though Navy came back to outscore them in the second half.  It was a memorable day all around.  So many memories old and new.  Family, friends, fall, and football- the perfect combination.

Annapolis- USNA

On Saturday, we made the quick trip into Annapolis.  My dad is a Naval Academy grad and returned there to teach when I was young.  I spent my childhood in this incredible town.  This is the first time our kids have been to visit.

Within minutes of arriving a pickup football game was started...

Dahlgren Hall.  Fun memories of learning to ice skate back in the day...

The kids loved the cannons just as much as my sister and I did as kids...

Tecumseh all decked out for the football game...

Bancroft Hall.  Home to the entire brigade of 4,000+ midshipmen and the mess hall, clinics, post office, barber shop, stores, gym, bank, etc.

The majesty and grandeur of the inside takes your breath away.  The kids could hardly take it all in...

Checking out one of the rooms with Grandpa.  Everything you need in one concise and neat little space (preparing for a life at sea, in a tent, or in the barracks)...

Enjoying a stroll down Stribling Walk...

Posing at Grandpa's Class of '73 bench...

Herndon Monument and the Chapel...

Hanging out on the seawall checking out historic downtown Annapolis and all the boats on the Severn...

Julia and Grandpa watching the Sailing School...

She was loving every minute.  We had to drag her away when it was time to go.  We definitely have another water-lover in the family... ocean, lake, pool, or river... boat, pier, beach, or float- we'll take it :)

Then it was off to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium for some football!

WE *heart* YOU, DC!

After Julia's last scan day a few weeks ago, we loaded up the car and headed up 95 for a much needed family vacation...

Grandpa's last duty stations in DC (living at the Navy Yard and Marine Barracks 8th&I) were the source of so many amazing memories for us.  Thus the "DC" category on this blog.  Such an amazing place to live and visit and being right in the middle of it all was such an amazing opportunity for us.  One of the benefits of Grandpa being a retired general officer is that we are able to go back and visit with him.  We actually stay inside the Latrobe Gate at the Navy Yard.

It was built in 1806 after Thomas Jefferson chose Benjamin Latrobe to design the facility and gate (he also designed the US Capitol). It was one of the few structures in the area not destroyed in the War of 1812 when the British burned the Yard.  It is a beautiful building with tremendous features.  You can help but stare up at the huge ceilings, even on the 3rd floor! The kids loved their room. Julia especially loved the dog theme in the decorating...

It was such a treat to be back with the Marines, too.  The kids were able to participate in one of their favorite rituals, watching the Marines take down the flag at the end of each day.

The kids couldn't wait to hop on the metro and hit The Mall the next morning...

We spent the day at two of our favorite Smithsonian museums.  We started at Natural History (Julia's choice) to see the animals...

...and then headed over to American History for The Founding of Our Nation and American Wars exhibit. We started in colonial times with the Boston Tea Party and the Stamp Act.  Julia hopped on top of the tea box and began to sing....

"In 1773-ee-ee, the colonists dressed as Mo-hawks, dumped tea from the British East India Com-pa-ny-y, into the Boston Har-bor." 

Thank you Classical Conversations! As you can see it is sinking in already.  We then followed the progression of the war from the first shots at Lexington to the technique of firing a musket to the life of the soldiers in the camps to more about George Washington.  This is his actual suit!! I'll let that sink in for a minute...     (so crazy!)

We learned about all the battles up to the surrender at Yorktown and even got to see the surrender flag...

Then it was on to new government.  Both the kids were singing and dancing reciting their CC history...

"In 1789, in NY, George Washington was granted the full po-wers and responsibilities of the pre-si-den-cy by the US Constitution."

And "In 1803 the purchase of Louisiana from France prompted westward exploration by pioneers such as Le-wis & Clark and congressmen Davy Cro-ckett, Davy Cro-ckett."

It really hit me hearing them practice these lines, while at the same time explain what they were seeing, make connections, and ask questions.  My dad and I (the family history buffs) just looked at each other and smiled.  At 5 and 7yrs they know more American history than the majority of Americans.


Then it was on to the Civil War, Vietnam, WWI and II and the Gulf Wars.  Carter was completely in his element (and Grandpa, too!)

We LOVE the Smithsonian and all of its museums.  They are doing such an amazing service for our entire nation.  After 30 years of visits, I still get excited and learn something fascinating and new every single time. It was the perfect first day to a fabulous fall weekend!

We had a great morning at Eastern Market. I love all the crafters and artisists.  The place is so full of life, color, energy, and talent...

 I would love to do my grocery shopping here every week...

 

 Though as much as I love seafood, I don't think I could eat one of these!

 And no trip out of the Carolinas is complete without ample trips to 7-11.  I grew up a Slurpee girl and definitely miss them in the South. 

 Yes, all three of those were mine.  I did share the leftovers with the kiddos!