Baltimore

My buddy came to this side of the country a couple weeks ago for a conference so I went and hung out with him for a day. We went to the Inner Harbor in Baltimore and I loved it so much that it then inspired the day trip that Devon and I took the next week. 

This is in their memorial to 9/11. It is the top story of a tall building that overlooks the city and this part of the memorial has all of the names of the victims.

The original USS Constellation is docked there and is now a museum

There are signs guiding you to it and I was really excited to see the ship because my dad was stationed on the USS Constellation in San Diego. When we turned the corner and saw this I had to check my memory to make sure he was actually on it. Yes, he was, and the two now look VERY different.

The Inner Harbor has some really cool buildings and lots of amazing history

Oh hey, Judd. It was fun, buddy!

"Why am I afraid to dance, I who love music and rhythm and grace and song and laughter? Why am I afraid to live, I who love life and the beauty of the flesh and the living colors of the earth and sky and sea? Why am I afraid to love, I who love love love?"

-Eugene O'Neill

motivation, please come back to me

Am I the only one struggling with motivation lately? Sheesh! My room is a mess,I haven't worked out in a looooooong while, and the thought of Christmas makes me physically shudder. Granted, I never really love this season until a few days before the actual event but I was told last night (ahem, Devon you're a gem) that I am EXTRA Scrooge McDuck this year.

What's so bad about wanting to lay around all day? Oh, I know the answer - you don't make any money and your thighs expand to the size of baby hippos. Not something I'm interested in presently. So who is going to share their tips on motivation with me? Other than paying for a 24 hour live in life coach, I will accept all wisdom you care to impart.

Visit Highlights

We had such a blast! Mom and dad left this morning but very few tears were shed because I'll be home for Christmas in a few weeks!

#1 place on my dad's list was Gettysburg and now I know why. It's fantastic! 

This is in front of a giant cyclorama in the museum at Gettysburg. This oil painting was done in 1883 and it depicts the charge during the battle that won it for the Union. We heart history in this family.

In Georgetown. Aren't they just the cutest?!?

At the American Art Museum. If you enlarge the photo you can see the Preamble on the plates

Mom dorking out over this Alexander Calder sculpture. After we took the picture and walked away then we saw the plaque that says "no touching or climbing on the sculpture".....oops

In the war exhibit in the American History Museum

Rachel the Riveter! I did really well on my first try! It said I was ready to work with Rosie 

At the Korean War Memorial

This little brazen squirrel wanted mom's strawberry scone

Vietnam War Memorial

Monument to the 56 signers of the Constitution

(totally one of my favorites)

Thanksgiving day was absolutely beautiful

I had a wonderful time having my parents all to myself. It was wonderful to share my love of my city with my two favorite people. 

Ashley.....Right?

Ashley - this is for you and you know why.

ieyuilys

It's The Week Of......

Thanksgiving is just days away and I have yet to post a single thing that I'm thankful for! During a time of such upheaval and uncertainty all the world over, I am especially grateful for happiness. 

Happiness should be simple. I overcomplicated it for too long but this has been the year of learning for me. It has been a year of a million tiny heart breaks which have helped me to recognize what real happiness is.

I'm grateful for the hurts because they help make me to celebrate all the good.

I hope you have a safe and wonderful Thanksgiving!

Women in Service Memorial

What better compliment could you give to a woman who devoted part or all of her life to service? I teared up, I'll admit it.

They Came to Play

My mom and dad are in town! They arrived Friday night and are staying through Friday. Saturday we set out on our first adventure -

Arlington National Cemetery

We saw the changing of the guard and a wreath laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I am always so impressed by the sentinels at the Tomb. The reverence for duty, country and those boys in the tombs are just overwhelming for our little family. Learn more about them here 

I like them.

It was fantastic to be able to walk around and hear stories from military history from my dad. He is so knowledgeable!

My dad was most interested in seeing the grave of Audie Murphy. I hadn't heard of him before yesterday, but of course, dad filled me in. He was the most decorated enlisted man in WWII, and for quite good reason. Learn more about him here 

This one is for my dad - he served in the Navy for 20 years

My mom is obsessed with the leaves around here. She kept stopping and picking them up and would hang on to one for a few minutes before returning it to the ground and selecting another.

She's quite darling.

I always feel so humbled being at our nation's most sacred shrine

From Arlington we walked to the Marine Corp memorial, most commonly referred to as Iwo Jima. This one is easily my favorite.

I just can never get enough of my boys. If you need a recommendation for a phenomenal book, read "Flags of Our Fathers"

Those hands......they get me every time

Some Happiness for Your Day

soexcitedicannotbreathe

oh mah gawsh! i lovelovelove this series and cannot WAIT for this to come out! might have to make a trip home to see it with a few special people.....

mom - please show dad this trailer, thanks!

George Peabody Library

On Friday Devon and I took a day trip to Baltimore. Our first stop was the George Peabody library. I wish you could have seen us freaking out, we are such happy nerds!

hey there, friends

Pointing to Devon Island in Canada

I was either signing "finish" or demanding my camera back

whatababe

Because It Was Her Birthday

It was Megan's birthday last weekend! We started the festivities with a double surprise party for Meg and Rachel. They were very, very surprised!

Anywhere we go we tend to class up the joint. Rachel's "cake" was actually a giant rice crispy treat.

Sunday night we did what we do best and had people over for treats

I don't love hug sandwiches.......

We made a DELICIOUS apple crisp!

Thanks, Pinterest!

And thank you for being born, Megan! You make everything better when you're around, I'm so happy you're here!

Catch 22 - if I say that this fact makes so much sense then I'm basically admitting to having a good blog AND to being crazy.......