Mount Vernon

On Monday we spent the day at George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. It was such a pretty day and we had a nice time exploring the home as well as the grounds.

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Anna, Reagan, Aunt Annette, and Lauren Uncle Barry and Michael learning the Colonial game of Trap Ball (I think that was the name)
Uncle Barry trying his hand at hitting the ball
Out in the field
Michael giving it a go Michael playing another Colonial game
Katie, Lauren, Michael, and Reagan enjoying a break at Mount Vernon

On Tuesday we visited Arlington Cemetary but unfortunately I forgot our camera. In the afternoon Reagan, Michael, and I stayed home and rested while everyone else went shopping in Old Town Alexandria. As you can see from the pictures in the "Hamlin Family Visit" post Reagan enjoyed her one on one time with Michael reading to her after her nap very much! :)

The National Zoo

During the Hamlins last day in DC we visited the National Zoo as well as the National Cathedral. The animals were all pretty cooperative and active at the zoo even though it was a little hot and humid. One of the areas we enjoyed the most was the elephant exhibit since they were especially active. Reagan learned a new trick from Aunt Annette there too. Now if you ask her what an elephant says she makes an elephant sound and puts her arm up in the air as a trunk.

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Watching the elephants

Reagan and Uncle Barry at the Panda exhibit
I didn't get any pictures at the National Cathedral but it was beautiful and we enjoyed spending time there as well.

Medieval Times

For their last evening in town we went to dinner at Medieval Times. We had a great time and enjoyed both the dinner and the show.

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All the newly crowned Lords and Ladies ready for the feast! :) Aunt Annette and Reagan hanging out before the show
Michael, Zoe, Reagan, and Lauren posing with armor
Ladies Reagan and Lauren shopping for souvenirs
Anna and Reagan ready for dinner

Lady Katie with our hero, the Red and Yellow Knight - he threw his first flower to Katie and later on another one to Lauren :)
Lord Tim, Lady Reagan, and the Red and Yellow Knight
The Red and Yellow Knight with Lord Michael
Thank you Hamlins for coming to visit us! Thank you also for the adorable pink outfit Reagan is wearing along with all the other fun gifts you brought. You all are too generous! We had a wonderful time and hope to see you again soon! :)

Happy 4th of July

We had a nice leisurely 4th of July here in DC this year. We grilled out Friday afternoon and headed down town to watch the fireworks on the National Mall in the evening. Just as the fireworks were beginning a couple with a dog walked up next to us. Reagan loves animals so much it took a couple of minutes to get her focus off the dog and skyward towards the fireworks. What a nut! lol :) Once Reagan finally noticed the fireworks, however, she loved them! She sat on Tim's shoulders pointing at the sky and repeating "Wow" (a three syllable word pronounced oo-wow-wah) over and over again. It was so cute and everyone around us was laughing. Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July!

Eating snacks while waiting for the fireworks
WOW!
Kissing Daddy's head
Squinting - for whatever reason Reagan likes to squint now and this is the first time I thought to take a picture of this particular goofy face :)

Burgess Falls with Heidi

For whatever reason I'm still dreadfully behind on uploading Reagan's first birthday pics. I think it took so long to get them back that it seemed anti-climactic at that point to include them... I was looking at pics from that weekend, however, and thought I would include these of us hiking at Burgess Falls with Dan, Dorothy, and Heidi (maybe this will encourage me to work on getting the rest posted...). What cute fun little girls we have!!! Thanks so much to Dan and Dorothy for making the trip to Tennessee for Reagan's birthday! :)

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Two cute girls with two cute dads! :)

Why don't I hold onto your glass for a while?
Dan, Heidi, and Dorothy taking a walk

Customer In Training

We went grocery shopping during our Open House last Sunday. Our favorite grocery store has little carts for kids with a little flag entitled "Customer In Training." It is too cute! Since both Mommy and Daddy were along we decided to let Reagan try the little carts out. Reagan had fun for a while and didn't crash into too many things...


Shopping with Daddy
Thank you to Ms. MaryAnn for the adorable ladybug dress! :)

Teddy Roosevelt Park

Teddy Roosevelt Park is one of the not so well known monuments in DC. It's a little off the beaten path but really nice and Grandpa Ted introduced it to us several years ago. On Saturday Tim suggested we take an outing to the park while our house was being shown. It was the perfect way to spend a couple of hours and we had a great time!It was completely coincidental, but Reagan kept raising her right hand like the statue of Teddy Roosevelt
Going up
Coming down

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(as I'm sure anyone with little kids can imagine we went up and down several times)

Enjoying the bench and tickle time with Mommy
Enjoying being outside
A duck!
Let me in the water Daddy - I'm sure I can catch that duck!
Thank you to Grandma Karen for the super cute sundress! :)

Anna's First Birthday Party

Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Ted came to DC to visit us for Father's Day weekend. They were nice enough to give Anna and Reagan a ride back to Tennessee so we could attend Anna Stiriz's first birthday party. We had a great time seeing everyone and especially enjoyed Miss Anna's super cute princess party! Reagan loves her crown and sceptre and still carries them around.

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Kelly and Chaz helping Anna blow out her candle

Where should I start?
This is pretty yummy!
Two Princesses
Giving Noah a kiss - although it doesn't look like Noah quite appreciates it...

Kiddie Pool

The first day we got out the kiddie pool we intended to fill it before nap time to let it warm up a bit. Reagan decided she should climb right in, clothes and all, and of course Grandma Sherry and Mommy thought it was quite funny. lol :)

Reagan likes big cups just like Daddy...

Water Hose

Grandma Sherry helped Reagan discover the joys of a water hose. I think she had more fun with the hose than the kiddie pool. One evening she was out on the deck while Grandma was watering her flowers. Grandma turned around because she heard "Pease Pease" (Reagan's please) and Reagan was standing there hands outstretched asking to be hosed down. Of course Grandma accomodated such a polite request. lol :)

This is my favorite picture. Grandma wasn't actually spraying Reagan in the face but I just love that Reagan was running into the water with so much enthusiasm.