Fun with Grandpa

We had a great time with Grandpa Jim when he came and visited for the weekend. The Brewer game was a blast and the weather overall was great. On Sunday, we had Grandpa's cousin Julie over for Brats. On the day of his flight back, we showed him Old Town Alexandria along the waterfront and had giant ice cream sundaes. Thanks for the great time!


Grandpa, cousin Julie, and the kids


Ladies in red.



Alexandria Fire Boat!


Ice cream where Lucy demanded the vanilla malt.

Brewers Game at National's Park Against the Washington Nationals

Despite being bummed Uncle Brian couldn't make it to town with the Brewers on this trip (since he got called to Atlanta for the Bucks playoff game), we had a blast at the Brewer's game in DC. Apparently, it was a horrible game (we lost 8-0), but our seats were amazing! We were in the second row right behind the visiting Brewer's dugout.

Nickolas was given a ball by 3rd baseman Casey McGehee AND another one from Prince Fielder. Typical mommy who felt he had enough balls, told Grandpa to give it to the 7 year old boy in front of us. After some chitchat with his nice parents, we later found out the little boy was the nephew of the Milwaukee Brewer's owner (and likely already had an extensive collection of game balls)!

From Atlanta, Uncle Brian was working his magic trying to get us on TV for the Milwaukee coverage. He exchanged pictures with his Director from the broadcast truck to identify us and below was one of them. Nickolas is on Aimee's lap wearing Aimee's sunglasses. Somehow only Aimee made it on tv as Nickolas thought his ball was more fun to play with on the ground.

On the Mall with Grandpa Jim

Grandpa Jim came to visit for Aimee's birthday weekend. Nickolas and Grandpa started the day eating breakfast and reading the sports section of the newspaper. Nickolas was able to name all of the sports by picture, including boxing.

We had a breezy and warm day to tour the Mall and view some of Grandpa's favorite monuments including the Korean War Memorial, Lincoln, and the stroll along the reflecting pool. The kids had a great time and enjoyed their stroller ride.


Viewing the Potomac River from the west side of the Lincoln Memorial.

Facing east from the Lincoln (with Capital and Washington Monument in background).

The soldiers at the Korean War Memorial.

At the World War II Memorial. The winds picked up while we were there, so Nickolas and Grandpa went close to the water fountain to get sprayed in order to cool off. They got WET!

Taking a break at the Tidal Basin.

Lucy getting antsy after being in the stroller, Lucy wanted to climb and stretch.

So, Grandpa had the idea of having Lucy crawl on a soft patch of grass at the FDR Memorial. Nickolas and Lucy competed in about 5 crawling races. Lucy would start out wiggling her legs, then she'd tap Nickolas, and then they were off!

FDR.

Last Hurrah with Grandma

Thanks Grandma Julie for changing our diapers, feeding us, letting us crawl/jump/climb all over you, and for the fun times.

Remembering Dan's Cousin Chris

A few years ago, Dan caught up with his cousins and aunts and uncles in Scotland for the very happy occasion of Uncle Duncan and Aunt Flora's 50th wedding anniversary. Sadly, he unexpectedly lost his cousin Chris this week, who was the dashing husband of Dan's lovely cousin wee Flora. They also have two brilliant and charming sons. We are thinking of them all and are honored to have shared the time we did with them.

The beautiful family.

Brothers.

Family and niece.

With Dan, children and nieces.

Dan's gratitude to wee Flora in 2007:

http://weechitlin.blogspot.com/2007/08/wee-flora.html

http://weechitlin.blogspot.com/2007/08/duncan-and-floras-golden-anniversary.html

Heat Wave

We've been experiencing a heat wave making it feel more like July than early April with temperatures reaching to 90 degrees. Last night, we put together the water table for the kids to splash around with. Splash they did. They also poured, dumped, doused, and squirted themselves (not each other) with water.


Checking out the funnel.


Pouring.


Water pouring race with Grandma Julie.

The aftermath.

Happy Easter!

Easter egg roll after the 9:00am Easter Sunday morning mass.


Grandman and Lucy scanning for eggs.


Found one!


Washington Cathedral in the background.

Success! Nickolas got 3 eggs!

Later that day, we enjoyed Easter dinner with family. We had lovely weather for a nice outdoor feast of ham, lamb (made specially by Dan), turkey, asparagus, corn, and cheesy potatoes.

Group shot - Lucy, Colleen, Kat, Nickolas, Dan, Rob the Giant, Aimee, Grandma Julie, Wayne, Sue.

Nickolas taking on Wayne in hockey.

Cousins

Ready for the giant egg cake!

Cheers and Happy Easter!

Dan's Big Day Becoming Catholic

After much studying and weekly classes since September, Dan became Catholic being both Baptized and Confirmed at Annunciation Catholic Church in Washington DC. His sponsor was our good friend Reid. We are quite fond of Monsignor Lockman and the parish. The Saturday Easter Vigil that takes place the eve of Easter Sunday was nearly 3 hours long. It was lovely, educational, and quite special. Aimee, Nickolas, and Lucy are quite proud of Dan. Now he can teach us all he has learned.


Various prayers before hand incorporating the Easter candle.


Dan being Baptized.


More prayers with his fellow Catechumen.

Dan being Confirmed.


In the church after the festivities.

Eggs

Nickolas dyed Easter Eggs for the first time and did it with Grandma Julie's expertise.