Arlington National Cemetary

All joking aside tonight.  I truly enjoyed visiting Arlington National Cemetary.  I have visited before, in the 9th grade, so I just remember bits and pieces. What a sacrad place.  It really puts everything into perspective to think that it covers over 600 acres of land and most of it looks like this below.  On average, they hold anywhere from 25 - 30 funerals in a day.  A day. That number is staggering to me.

I think this was a Civil War section but forgive me if I am wrong.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the Changing of the Guard Ceremony

Band leading funeral procession

I didn't mean to take a picture of someone's funeral.  Just a few minutes after I snapped the band we watched a horse drawn carriage bring in a flag draped casket.  Talk about an experience.  All I could think about was that this person fought for my freedom and lost their life.  There was an eerie silence in the park as everyone stopped to watch and pay their respects. 

Many thanks to all service men and women, past and present, who put yourselves in harm's way to protect those of us that do take our freedoms for granted. 

MAN-A$$-AS

Surprisingly [especially to those of you that know us well] we left right on schedule this morning.  The kiddos were more than excited.  In fact, we'd not even made it to 85 from 74 when Gabe said, "How many more minutes daddy?"  The excitement quickly waned and this is the result :)


Love that sweet mouth ♥



Not quite all the way asleep but quiet for the first time :)



Sweet girl ♥

And of course we can't forget DJ Coop!

My favorite coach ♥


About 15 minutes from Manassas, [or MAN-ASS-AS as Craig says it in chunks and as Gabe later repeated, "Are going to see a lot of asses here?"  Thanks Craig] the hotel calls to tell us we've been walked.  Now for those of you that travel a lot you may well know what the heck that meant.  However, to me, the girl who made and PAID for the reservations in FEBRUARY I was a little more than ticked off.  We arrived at the hotel to be booted to another one ~ WAY NICER :) We win!! 

Our first adventure was to Manassas [MAN-ASS-AS] Battlefield.  Short was loving this!!!  It was really cool and I had a great time watching the kids.  We decided to get Emma and Gabe some small Fuji disposable cameras for the trip.  We will have at least 10 pictures of the same thing from each of them.  I don't care - they totally loved taking pictures!!

Henry House where a poor old soul was killed in the crossfire - still standing at its originial spot.

Stonewall Jackson - This statue is pretty big!

Pointing to how Stonewall got his nickname



Ummmmm.....getting up at 4am is for the birds....He was so super tired!!



We didn't get to see much at the battlefield due to a huge thunderstorm that came bustin' up through Manassas [MAN-ASS-AS] so we are making plans to go back to see what we missed. It wouldn't be a redneck vacation if you didn't visit the Wal Mart now would it? We found one - IN A MALL - and this was the biggest Wal Mart I've ever seen [and I don't have to tell ya that I have frequented a Wal Mart or 10 in my time] and full of people - EVERYWHERE.  We got our groceries, ate, took showers [we smelled], then let the babies swim. 

Gearing up for day 2....more tomorrow!  As always, life as a Short is just plain AwEsOmE!!