Special Moments Take Two

Here we all are, on the streets of D.C. We had just visited the Spy Museum, and the National Portrait Gallery. Both were excellent! The Portrait Gallery was especially nice, and not as crowded as the Smithsonian buildings over on The Mal. Left to right: me, Collin (my niece), Emily, Hannah, Mark, and Scott. In the back is my brother, Chuck.

This was one of the highlights of the trip. While at the National Portrait Gallery, we headed for their atrium area to grab some lunch. As luck would have it, the Airmen of Note were about to perform. They are the Jazz Band for the Air Force - a top band, and wow were they good! They were doing a tribute to Benny Goodman, playing old songs from the 40's. They were even dressed in authentic uniforms from the period. The band encouraged the listeners to dance, and when this couple got up and danced, it was just as if they were both in the 20s again. Can you see the sweet smile on his face? That says it all.

As we were walking across the street, I looked down and saw the Capitol, and made my girls (Emily, left, and Hannah) stop for a quick shot. Gives me a lump in my throat, I'm such a patriot - and I love my girls so much. They're pretty terrific.

So okay, I think I also posted this picture on my last post, but I'm in a hurry, so here is it again - Hannah and Mark in Old Town Alexandria, along the Potomac.

All in all, a great vacation, with lots of special moments! Life is good!

Special Moments

We took a really nice family vacaton over 4th of July this year. Four of us (Scott, our daughter, Hannah, and her boyfriend, Mark) drove from Illinois to Washington, D.C., to visit my relatives. We had a great time, and didn't get sick of each other! Below, see Hannah and Mark along the Potomac, in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Very hot, but a beautiful day!We had lots of fun with each other. We were invited to the home of Joel and Jesse, friends of my nephew, Nathan. We had an outdoor picnic, including some fun playing baggo (see my sister-in-law, Jean, celebrating with Mark, below), and then watching the D.C. fireworks from their high-rise window. Here is our daughter, Emily, with our nephew, Nathan. Cousins and friends - the best!

This is a great picture of Hannah, myself, and Jean. It really shows how much fun we were having and much we like just being together.

And I just love this picture, with Emily and her dad (Scott) on the streets of Old Town Alexandria. It is so charming and picturesque, and don't they look adorable?

More phots and special moments to follow!