A Quiet House...

While Julie packed, Papa took Tate & Hunter on a

walk in the woods where they collected many "valuable artifacts---

a twisted branch, dirty beer bottle & 2 deflated soccer balls.

If that wasn't enough, Papa then took them to play 9 holes of golf.

Hunter impressed his grandfather with some impressive shots.

Evidently these activities were not sufficiently exhausting.

So the boys took Sadie out for a game of soccer.

Bend it like Beckham, Tate!!
The house is quiet now. Sadie seems lost without her boys.

Papa and Nana both took naps upon return from the airport

We're not used to that much energy and activity.

But it was a delight for 5 days. Can't wait until we see them again.

Nor can Sadie!!

D.C. Day 2

Late start...a few unexpected events....

Tate's hand gets slammed in the car door by Nana...

In an unexpected form of self-punishment,

Nana walks into a cherry tree...

It didn't knock any sense into me...

Be that as it may---we had a GREAT DAY!!!

Papa and Tate stayed in the van with Sadie while Julie,

Nana and Hunter walked through the

FDR Memorial and the Jefferson Memorial Darn those long bread lines...even on the mall!!

Old Folks at home waiting on the WPA
"The test of our progress
is not whether we add more
to the abundance of those
who have much, it is whether
we provide enough for
those who have too little. "
FDR

Three terms, a depression, a war,
Hunter and Julie find out he was a "giant" of a man...

The tidal basin as seen through Jefferson's"eyes"...and Hunter's.
Cherry blossoms almost ready to blossom in full...

Nana and Hunter in front of U.S. Grant

Beware of walking around D.C. with a history teacher.

Did Hunter get tired of Nana's lessons???

He says, "Yes." Julie says, "Tell me more!!"

(My favorite kind of student. : ) )

Sadie entertained Tate & Nana while we waited outside...

Hunter sits in Minnesota Representative Jim Ramstead's chair.

The waiting line in the capitol was so long the tour got scrapped.

A beautiful day...

But a little exhausting...

Good Times in D.C. with the Grandkids

Okay, so the cherry blossoms are not yet in full bloom,

yet there were about a gazillion tourists on the capital mall anyway.

Are we nuts??? Why were we there today???

Because it's not everyday we can show

the Minnesota grandkids

and our Julie the nation's capital.

Riding the Metro---
Waitin' for the train...

There were 22,000 children who got to roll Easter Eggs

on the White House lawn this morning. But there were only 2 children who had their own egg roll

on the mall in front of the Natural History Museum. Tate won when Hunter's egg did not cooperate.
Sitting on Einstein's lap pondering relativity
while your big brother picks the great man's nose.

Whoa....guess who we meet at the Air & Space Museum??
Just Washington's bestest tour guide---
well, she says she is actually an "Instructor."
Abby is working for the American Civics Center
http://www.americancivicscenter.com/
This week she is showing 46 young people from
Puerto Rico around the city for 4 days.

Papa tried to feed Tate to T-Rex...

Hunter checks out the dinosaur teeth...

Standing in front of Grandpa Furnish's donation to the Smithsonian

Amenoids or Cephlapods? You be the judge...

Union Station Food Court has the best Reuban's according to Nana.

Julie and Papa agree...

Iraq is what they hear every night on T.V.

Vietnam was their grandparents' war.

Sacrifice transcends generations.

What a day we had!!

Tomorrow the capitol!!!!!

Oh, Happy Day!!!

Hallelujah, Christ is risen-----The Lord is risen indeed

http://www.covlife.org/

...and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins

Toasting the holiday at the "kids' table"

Dessert with Chris, Bunny, Julie and Hilda.

Abby, Sam and Stephanie were not around to enjoy....

Abby's delicious and EASY Sopapilla Cheese Cake (recipe below)

Walking off the calories with Hunter & Tate in the lead! Well, behind Bailey and Sadie!!

COLD BLOODED AMPHIBIANS

and PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE!!!

The White House was a favorite stop for Hunter.

The protesters screaming about Tibet were a bit interesting, too!

But the highlight was the FROG exhibit at the National Geographic Museum. Look at these little guys---the ones with blond hair. Though the colorful ones above were pretty awesome!!

Tomorrow we go look for the big fossil Grandpa Furnish donated to the Natural History Museum.

Abby's Delicious Sopapilla Cheese Cake

2 pkgs crescent rolls, 2 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, 1 1/2 C sugar, 1/2 stick butter melted, cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla

Pat 1 pkg of rolls in the bottom of a 10"pie plate. Mix the cream cheese, 1 C sugar and vanilla together. Spread the cheese mixture on the rolls and cover with the other pkg of rolls Mix melted butter and 1/2 C sugar and spread on top of rolls and sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes

Lucky Peace Corps

She got the letter today. It said PANAMA!!

She will utilize her skills in environmental education.

She will perfect her Spanish---muy mucho.

She will minister to God's people in another culture.

She will have a wonderful 27 month adventure.

That's the UP side.

The DOWN side is 2088 miles from Rockville.

And 27 months! Is it dangerous?

The Peace Corps website said there is always a risk---

health, sanitation and political unrest.
That's not something a mother wants to hear.
But it's not Iraq. And she is in God's hands.
He is sending her in this direction.
We sought Him. And He answered.
She is thrilled. I am thrilled for her.
But, for me, my mother heart is aching.
She has been gradually moving out of the nest these last 4 years.
It is just that I was hoping she might move to a nearby "tree."

A little closer.

I guess this is MY adventure too. An adventure in letting go.