Rachel's Dance Class

Rachel couldn't be here for the recital, so I took some pictures and video of her practicing for it. She loves dance and is excited next year to be on the Pep Squad at the high school and then try out for either cheer or dance or both and see what happens.

Since my camera will only record for a certain amount of time, this is Part 1 of the dance.

Marshel's Final Game

Well, Marshel has had a great time playing basketball this season. He has improved so much from when he began. His dribbling is pretty good, even though he has still does the 2-handed kind sometimes. He made a few baskets, got some free throws and no fouls this season (okay the refs were really lenient with this age group). He got a ribbon and a trophy and his team had a really awesome pool party afterwards. He loves basketball!

This video is Marshel showing off his dribbling skills.

Michael - June Update

We don't hear much about what Mike's doing, but here's the latest:

First of all, he has a new girlfriend. He really likes her and thinks she's beautiful, of course. Her name is Tsukasa. She lives in Sasebo, so they get to see each other almost every day.

Mike is now underway, heading for Australia. It should take about 2 weeks to get there, but he's really excited to see that part of the world.

Mike is doing another job for about 3 months, which he refers to as TAD (whatever that is). He works the night shift in the galley, serves food for midrats, cleans up the kitchen, does dishes, and makes sure the kitchen is ready for breakfast. Then he's off to bed. He sleeps during the day.

He seems to really like this job, as it is easier than the one he was doing. Plus, he gets to eat the same food as the officers, which he says is prepared with more time and thought, rather than the big pot of stuff the rest of the crew eat.

Mike is also proud of the fact that he passed his Physical REadiness Test with a time of 10:58. He received an outstanding. They do this twice a year.

We sure miss him around the house, but we know he's doing well. He keeps in touch with us pretty regularly.

By the way, Marty and I are planning to visit him next summer. Let us know if you want to come along.

Washington DC Trip - Memorial Weekend 2009

After shipping Marshel and Kellee off to Grandma and Grandpa in St. George and Nate and Rachel to stay with friends, Marty and I flew to Baltimore Airport, and our adventure began. We took the Amtrak to Union Station, then a cab to our hotel. The next morning, we walked about 3 blocks to the Metro (which we became really good at using) and headed back to Union Station.

At Union Station, we picked up our tour bus, The Tourmobile. What a great way to see DC. You can hop on and off whenever you want and see what you want. We did the 2 day pass and the feet were done for sure by the end of those 2 days. We must have walked 10 miles by the time we were done. We saw everything we wanted to see and loved it.

Sunday morning, we checked out of the hotel and drove to Mt. Vernon. We toured George Washington's estate, saw the Mansion, the slaves quarters, the laundry area, etc. We also visited the graves of George and Martha, the slave cemetery, and many other areas of the estate. We took a 2 hour cruise up and down the Potomac River, which was beautiful and relaxing.

We then drove to Richmond, Virginia, to visit our good friends, Diane and BJ Shelton. It was a nice way to spend a weekend.

Julia Child's Kitchen
Marty Windsurfing

National Aquarium

Air & Space Museum

View of the Potomac River

Going into the depths of you know where - the Metro!

The Hard Rock Cafe was almost cheaper than eating in the Smithsonian Cafes - much more fun.

Washington DC Trip - More Sights

World War II Memorial

The Vietnam Memorial - The Wall

I didn't think it would be that emotional, but to see all of the notes and pictures that had been left there, not to mention the men who were there honoring their fallen friends, brothers, etc. I walked away from there with tears streaming down. There was a veteran there playing the bagpipes as well. It was awesome.

Reflecting Pool - dirty and full of ducks, not too much reflection

Washington DC Trip - National Mall Sights

Shakespeare Library U.S. Capitol

Library of Congress

Department of Education

Jefferson Memorial

Washington Monument

White House

Old Post Office

Peterson House - Where Lincoln Died

Ford's Theatre

Masonic Temple

National Association of Letter Carriers

American Indian Museum

Holocaust Museum Eternal Flame

Holocaust Museu

FBI

Department of Justice

Washington, D.C. Trip - Arlington Cemetery

This was a very interesting and special place to visit. We could feel the peace and spirit of the cemetery. It was humbling to see so many grave markers. Some were children that had died during the Civil War. We saw the graves of Thurgood Marshall, Robert Kennedy, John F Kennedy and Jacqueline. We thoroughly enjoyed the events at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - the wreath laying ceremony and the Changing of the Guard. It was very cool. I wish we had more time there to wander around, but I hadn't realized how huge that place really is.

Robert F. Kennedy Grave

John F Kennedy and Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis - Eternal Flame

It was very cool to be there on Memorial Weekend and see all the flags by the graves. I can only imagine how long it took to put those all out.

This is the Memorial to the Navy.

Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns