Washington in the fall

Although we officially moved to the Washington DC area (specifically a former part of the district … Arlington, VA) it feels more like an extended vacation. Plus, Anna’s pregnancy has made things much more interesting. We have been trying to take advantage of our time in the nation’s capital … or as the French say we’re trying to profiter.
So, here are some images I collected during the fall of 2009 here in the DC area.
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Honest Abe is impressive and is prevalent throughout the city. I most appreciated seeing and learning about him in a great exhibition in the Smithsonian Museum of American History. It even included the top hat he wore to Ford’s Theater in April 1865. Then, we went to a production of “The Rivalry” in Ford’s Theater. If you’re not familiar with the show, it’s a historical drama of the Lincoln-Douglas Debates in Illinois during the 1858 US senate race and perhaps the most famous political debate. Although Lincoln lost the senate contest, it catapulted him to national fame and enabled him to eventually become the 16th President of the United States of America. It was particularly poignant to see it in Ford’s Theater and we highly recommend the show.
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A wood duck in the reflecting pool of the National Mall.
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Two soldiers of the Old Guard during a changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery.
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You know where this is … who else would have (for a time) the world’s largest phallic symbol? Oh, and the capital.
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The World War Two Memorial that opened in 2004. Each small pillar represents a state or territory and the two large pillars represent the theaters of the war, Atlantic and Pacific.
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Walking near the National Portrait Gallery.
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The metro is fast, efficient and best of all … clean. The only thing we wish is the trains were more frequent. During rush hour, it’s PACKED and at night, waiting 20 minutes seems like an eternity. But, overall we are very satisfied with the DC metro.
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Judy Garland’s Ruby Slippers from the Wizard of Oz … now residing in the Smithsonian Museum of American History.
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Thanks to Mike E. for making this image.
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The Korean War Monument is one of my favorites in DC. I appreciate the look of fear on the soldier’s faces. I believe emotion is present in any conflict and not often reflected in the memorials.
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The all important US Air Force Monument.
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The Jefferson Memorial is another well done memorial, and the building was completed in 1943 and opened by President Franklin Roosevelt, on the 200th anniversary of Jefferson’s birthday. It was finally completed in 1947 with a 5.8 meter (19′) statue of the 3rd president weighing in at 4,300 kg (10 tons).
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These soldiers are part of a re-enactment at the Battle of Manassas. For those of you from the North, it’s also known as the Battle of Bull Run (1st and 2nd), fought on July 21, 1861 and August 28-30, 1862. If you’re confused about the dual name, you’re not alone. It comes from the northern tendency to name battles for the nearest land feature (in this case Bull Run Creek) and the southern tendency to name the battle for the nearest city (Manassas, Virginia).
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A demonstration of canon cleaning with a little water.
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The Henry family took refuge in this house during the battle. In fact, an octogenarian grandmother, Judith Carter Henry, was unwilling to move from her upstairs bedroom. Unfortunately, she didn’t survive the battle, along with about 28,000 other people between the two battles.
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The First Battle of Manassas (or Bull Run), according to legend, is where General “Stonewall” Jackson famously earned his nickname when Confederate General Bee attempting to rally his faltering troops shouted “there stands Jackson like a stone wall! Rally behind the Virginians!”
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The fall colors were stunning.
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While I joined the boys at Deer Camp at Moose Lake, Anna hosted Mom M. and Sarah here in DC. Fortunately, I was able to join the girls for a day at the end of their trip.
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A few weeks later Mom G. came out for a long weekend just before Christmas. The sights were great all decked out for the holidays. Oh, and this is one house that needs no introduction.
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The National Christmas Tree and Washington Monument.
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Apropos model train at the base of the tree.
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The capital is always beautiful at night.
The next post will have our holiday trip back to the midwest for a week, then a week out in California. It was a great trip and we’ll share the pictures soon.
until then.
–Jim

New York City!

Once we came home from Emma and Scott’s wedding in August, we packed up the house and moved back to the States in September (for a little while at least). We headed to the Washington D.C. area for our intensive French language class.
Soon after we got here, we learned there was a little one on the way. Nevertheless, we wanted to make the most of our time in the US, or as the French say we could profiter. So, we headed up to the great American city, New York .. twice. The first was over Columbus Day weekend and again over Martin Luther King Jr weekend. This post is a melange of the images from those trips.
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Although this image is from our second trip, the Guggenheim Art Museum is an architectural masterpiece. Designed by a Wisconsin son, Frank Lloyd Wright, it soars out of 5th Avenue. It’s my favorite piece by the man who was named best American Architect by the American Institute of Architects.
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Central Park is a great place to take a stroll.
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Anna snuck up behind me…
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We also happened upon a parade during Columbus Day Weekend. These women represented Uruguay.
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It takes a lot to control the huge volume of traffic in the city. New York’s finest were doing a great job.
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Love was in the air … and on the street.
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Radio City is always fun to see.
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Times Square always seems to be a-buzz with activity.
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On both trips we had the opportunity to meet up with our friends John and Gee. They joined us for a Broadway show and we joined them for a delicious brunch and trendy market. Each meeting is accentuated by great conversation. We look forward to hosting them in France.
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John captured this image for us.
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After the show (In the Heights … which, by the way, we HIGHLY recommend) we went to 30 Rockefeller Plaza to check out the skating rink.
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The fountains are also pretty nice at 30 Rock.
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The Top of the Rock had an amazing view and inspires an Empire State of Mind.
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Central Park at night is like a void in the cityscape. The George Washington Bridge in the background.
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Times Square was aglow.
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No, we didn’t go back for another safari. This is in the New York Natural History Museum.
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The exhibit on Native American nations was very well done. This canoe was one of my favorites.
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The life size blue whale was also unique.
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Or a chimp,
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I always love seeing gems. Anna … not quite as much, but doesn’t mind receiving them.
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A star sapphire.
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Another image of the home of the Rockettes.
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I had forgotten how amazing the Metropolitan Museum of Art was. We began the visit with some wine, cheese, classical music and finished with a phenomenal collection of art from around the world.
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The hall of statues was full of classical and modern masterpieces alike.
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The mighty Perseus.
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The Guggenheim again.
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Rockefeller Plaza was great when shrouded by clouds.
So, that covers our trips to New York City. We really enjoyed our time there and look forward to making it back soon for more show, museums and city life.
Until the next adventure…
–Jim

Wisconsin Wedding

Back in August we also made a trip to Wisconsin when Anna’s sister Emma married Scott. It was a beautiful wedding and we really enjoyed being with the family. It was fitting for a return. The summer before my sister, Julie, and Michael were married. The day after their wedding, I deployed. Now, three weeks after I returned, we were back in Wisconsin for another wedding. Next summer, we’ll be back for my Cousin Chad and Andrea’s wedding with a new baby boy (if all goes well).
Now, on to the Wisconsin trip.
We began with Emma and Scott rehearsal.
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Getting ready for the real deal.
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Anna and Susan at the rehearsal dinner.
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My beautiful bride.
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Susan also has strength and beauty to match a great smile.
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Billy Mitchell (or just Will) was a great ring bearer.
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The church seemed like a concert when they dimmed the lights and put a spot light on the happy couple.
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The happy couple.
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The best part of the ceremony (for them at least!).
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Just like in rehearsal.
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Dad Miller looking happy and stoic at the same time. He has the amazing ability to do that on a regular basis.
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Pat looking beautiful as usual. She identifies with the wicked witch, but I don’t get that. 🙂
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Emma’s friend Liz, who is also Pat and Tom’s daughter. I loved the way the light caught her eye.
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All 6 sisters together.
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The lovely bride.
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Mom Miller looking great as usual.
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Scott with the girls.
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I also got to hang out with two gorgeous women.
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Maroly and Juan, who Anna and I had a blast hanging out with. Next time we are in Mexico City, we look forward to seeing them.
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I recognize that tattoo from somewhere.
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Dancing was so much fun.
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Mom and Mike were certainly enjoying themselves.
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The next morning, we all gathered at the Miller house for the present opening. This image is quintessential Kira.
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A classic Emma look.
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Will with his big blue eyes.
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Sarah was the diligent note taker to keep track of all that stuff…
It was a great opportunity to come home and celebrate a special event with our family and friends. Until the next one…
–Jim