Ninny

On Sunday, Pops, Uncle Jason, the kids and I headed north to PA.  Our first stop was to visit Ninny's and my grandfather's gravesite.  My Dad specifically wanted the tombstone placed before June 30th so we could come visit on this day. June 30th was my grandfather's and Ninny's wedding anniversary.  Ninny's tombstone was placed just a few short days before our visit and we wanted to see how it looked next to my grandfather's. It is hard to believe that Ninny has been gone for more than 2 months now.  I know she would have been so happy that Dad, Jason, my kids and I were spending time together and that was only really possible because she left to be with the Lord. It was kind of surreal driving up with myself and Dad in the front and Jason and the kids in the back....seems like just yesterday when Dad, Jason, Ninny and I were going on our annual vacations.  Except now, instead of Ninny in the back, it is my own children. 

It may be a little confusing to see, but my grandfather was previously married before Ninny.  His wife passed away during childbirth after they had 6 children together. So she and their infant are also buried here.  This is how my Dad has 6 half siblings...only one of which is still alive today, who is 18 years older than him. 

My sweet Ninny....so missed.

Since we came to visit Ninny on her and my grandfather's anniversary, I thought I would share their wedding picture.
 

After seeing my grandfather and Ninny's gravesite, we walked all over the cemetery looking for my great-grandparents who are buried there as well.  However, they both died in the 1920s and many of the tombstones were so old they could not be read and some had even been knocked down.  So unfortunately, we were not able to find them, but the church should have record of where they buried. Hopefully before the next time we visit, we will be able communicate with the church and find out this information.

 

 

Day trip to Annapolis

The next day Pops and Uncle Jason were up here visiting, we took the short drive over to Annapolis.  We walked up and down the historic streets of this quaint city and marina, drove over to the US Naval Academy and viewed the War of 1812 exhibit they had opened. Annapolis is the current capital of Maryland and was first settled by Puritans, so there is a lot of history here.  In its earliest days Annapolis was first nicknamed the "Athens of America" and the name of the town was originally "Providence" when settled by the Puritans. Annapolis has always had lots of culture, dining, and shopping to offer its visitors which goes back to the 18th century.

 

While we were on the historic streets of Annapolis, we came across a comic book store.  What a perfect opportunity for Nico to go into his first comic book store with Pops and Jason! Pops is a comic book fan and collector and Jason was immersed into this as a boy as well. Nico walked out with his own Flash figurine, a Wolverine comic book and a Green Lantern comic and ring.

A Visit from Pops and Uncle Jason-Day trip to D.C.

Both Pops and Uncle Jason flew in last week and stayed up north for just about a week!  We had so much fun hanging out together, doing lots of sightseeing in DC and Annapolis and then taking our own mini-vacation to PA where we visited Ninny's grave and toured Gettysburg! The first full day they were here we took the train into DC to do A LOT of walking and quite a bit of sightseeing.  Starting at the Supreme Court, passing by the Library of Congress, visiting the Capital, then walking through the National Mall to the Smithsonian American History Museum.   After the museum, we then walked over to the Washington Monument and wanted to pass by the White House, but the rain clouds that moved in over us changed our minds!  It was a good thing we decided against going over to the White House because as soon as we stepped on the train the sky opened up and rain poured down.

Here are the pictures from the Supreme Court...it was pretty inspiring to walk through this incredible building where so many laws and policies for this great country are shaped.

 

Library of Congress

The Capital

 

 

Just some extra snapshots while we were walking around DC

 

We were waiting to go into the American History Museum...both kids had fallen asleep!

USS Philadelphia from 1776

 

 

Pieces of the actual Berlin Wall from when it was brought down

Piece of the 9-11 wreckage

 

Washington Monument

Father's Day

For Father's Day this year we went to visit the Arlington National Cemetery.  Ed and I were not quite prepared for the amount of walking that was involved; however it was a great experience to be there, pay respects to those who have been laid to rest there, and see the Father's Day ceremony for the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Before you look at the pictures, I have to give my husband a shout out for Father's Day.  He is a father who:

• The first thing he does when he comes home from work is wrestle with and spend time with the kids
• Makes special individual time for each child
• Works very hard to support our family and to ensure the kids are able to do the fun things that they love participating in
• Loves to snuggle up with the kids in his big chair
• Shares his ice cream with Nat-Nat!
• Respects and understands the need for us to stick to the kids' schedule, even on the weekends.
• Does his share of bedtime story reading
• Is protective
• Shows them unconditional love
• Loves to make them smile and laugh
• Puts Nico and Natalee's needs before himself
• Teaches them that honesty is always the best policy and integrity is vital

Thank you Ed, for all you do for our kids and for our family!  We love you!

There were thousands and thousands of gravesites....just so many.  It was very surreal to look out and see so many.

Pictures of the Tomb of the Unknown and the Father's Day Ceremony

 

 Memorial for the Challenger Space Shuttle

 

 Memorial for those who died attempting to rescue the hostages held in Iran in 1980

Memorial for Columbia Space Shuttle

 

President Kennedy and Jackie O's gravesite with the eternal flame

  Beautiful view where you can see the Capital and the Washington Monument...a look out right off of the Kennedy gravesite. The stone walls are engraved with JFK's memorable speeches. 

President Taft and his wife's gravesite

 Happy Father's Day to the best father around!