Vactioning with my sister!

Since it was so warm, we tried to take a break from outdoors and go some place a little cooler!  The Casemate Museum at Fort Monroe.



TT and Chris found the vent for the air conditioning.  It was too funny!!



Chris took his turn in "cooling off". lol





TT and Chris at the Casemate Museum. The Brig.

  TT and Chris, they are two cutie pies!  lol

 Standing in the casemate window...

 We went out on top of the casemate to overlook the Chesapeake Bay

 Soon we were off to see Williamsburg and Yorktown! Here we find a special tricorner hat for TT!

                                                               Chris in the stockade! 

                                Uncle John helps TT go in "time out".  She looks too happy! LOL

 Next it is Mom and Dad's turn!!  Andre and Deedra, time out time!!

                                                         Some cute looking colonials!

                                          Chris is telling me how his new gun works!!

                                    Uncle John is telling Chris all about the cannons!

                                   Andre, Chris and TT explore the cannons with Uncle John.

                                          cutie pies hanging out taking a break in the shade.

      TT and Chris in Yorktown.  I think I have a picture of their mom and uncle Eddie in the same position.
Next adventure: Busch Gardens!

A visit from my Sister and her family!

Kim's sister, Deedra, Andre, her  husband, Chris age 4 3/4 and Triniti aka TT age 2 3/4 came to visit!  They are from the Pacific Northwest so there was a lot to see on the East Coast. 

We started out by taking them to see a real life Battleship!

Chris poses in front of the USS Wisconsin.

 TT sits on a model of a sailboat and poses for her picture!  There were quite a few hands on exhibits for kids to learn about ships, the ocean and wild life!

 The kids got to touch a horse shoe crab!

 Once we got back to our house, it was Pool time!  It's MUCH warmer here than where they are from so it felt good to cool off! Both of the kids were a little nervous and needed mom and dad for support!

 Off we went to Washington DC.  Here Andre and John provide transportation to the kiddos!
As warm as it was, the kids kept up the entire time walking around DC.  They were real troopers!

                                            Uncle John and the kiddos watch the ducks. 

 The whole family!!  It was so cute, TT had her "pirate" smile...the darn sun!

 We went to see the MLK Jr. Memorial.  Deedra, Andre and kiddos look towards the Jefferson Memorial.  Ian heads back .

                          Chris poses for me on our walk to find the car!  Look at those muscles!

 We took them to Arlington National Cemetary. 

 Finally!!  The Dinosaur bones!!  There were so many people and so many bones, I think sometimes Chris was over whelmed! 

                                      TT got a better view from Dad's shoulders! 

 Taking a break outside on one of the national gardens.  Chris chills with "Meme"  Aunt Kim

                                                  TT chills with Meme as well. 

 On to the Carousel!!  Deedra and TT!!  I got a few pictures of Chris and Andre but they were so blurry.  Those horses were going fast!

 Chris, at the air and space museum, with one of the Wright bros.

 A long day of walking up and down the National Mall.  We hang out in front of the Capital building.

 We trundle off to the National Botanical Gardens.  Here in the Children's garden.  Chris pumps the well so water will come out of the fish next to TT.  TT is cooling off in the water!

                                   Ian, chills watching the kids play in the water!  Cool plants!!

 Hey, who are these venus fly trap people!! LOL 

 The police man at the gardens awarded TT and Chris with a special sticker because they were so courteous and respectful during their visit!

                                          A family portrait in front of the Capital Building!!
We waited while Uncle John and Ian went to get the car.  TT and Chris serenaded those who passed by with a lively rendition of "old McDonald" till our ride arrived! 

                                      Chris and is  well deserved police sticker!

48 Hours in Pensacola, Florida

My job is unique in that we are scattered all over the world which makes training a challenge.  A new system is coming out soon and the Gov't wanted to provide us with hands on training.  We all appreciate that!!  The training took one day, and it was scheduled to be in Pensacola, Florida.  We flew down one day, attended the class the next day, and flew home the following.  We were in Pensacola for approximately 48 hours.  We took advantage of the time we were there and attempted to go to the beach.  Stormy weather came in just as we did.  Just as soon as we got down on the beach and put our feet in the squeaky sand, lightening and thunder cleared the beaches. 

                                                             Pensacola light house

                                             Parts of an old Fort that sits in the middle of the Base. 

                                               An unusual looking tree on the Base

 We took a ride out to Pensacola Beach to see the Gulf.  It was rough that day!

 

                         This is a school in the midst of being built.  not too far from the beach!

 We had dinner at McGuires Pub and inside they have dollar bills all over the ceiling and walls. It was pretty dang cool. The food was amazing as well. 

 On our way back to the Gateway Inn and Suites, I took this picture. We weren't there very long but the training was good, the food was excellent, the weather was typical and my traveling companions were fun!