Memorial Day 2011

We started our memorial week when we visited the Riverside National Cemetery last Sunday morning. We enjoyed the beautiful grounds and, more importantly, speaking with our children about sacrifice, honor, freedom and the terrible reality of war. Of course our children are still quite young so the conversation was simple, but they understood the key points.

From May 2011

Carter and I reading the grave stones and discussing names, dates and the World Wars. He asked the logical question a child might ask, "When is World War III?"

From May 2011

William enjoyed walking around although the grass was so thick it swallowed his chubby little feet.

I wouldn't have posted this, but Sarah insisted.

Claire being Claire.

Will is ever pointing the way...to what he wants.

Carter helping us out with William...and ensuring he will soon have a full diaper.

On the way out we were struck by all of the flags; too bad we didn't get a photo of the cemetery today, it looked spectacular as we drove past.

Carter and Claire preparing to pose for the Memorial Day outfit shots at Grandma and Poppa's. As you can see, this shoot was doomed before it ever started.

William bails immediately.

Carter is enjoying the meltdown for some strange reason and Claire appears indifferent.

He's done...

And Claire declares the sun to be simply too much.

And we've lost #2...and I argue it was a success. We captured our children as they often are and we managed to display their outfits.

This morning's preparations and yard work included a visit by my every-helpful father-in-law who put up another mini-fence in order to ensure our pool is securely gated off to prevent children drowning.

Sarah looking content (and cute) at our little family get-together today out back.

My mom also looking pretty and content.

We also took the chance to celebrate our amazing niece Ella's fifth birthday.

Claire handled it all fairly well. Ella shared very well which made things go much more smoothly.

My dad and Ned playing with their cameras. They never figured out how to turn them on.

All in all we had a great day remembering loved ones who've gone before and those who sacrificed all for our freedoms. I wish I would have snapped more photos, but I know many other shots were taken and we look forward to seeing them.