A Family Conflicted

Capitalizing on a gorgeous day, Mike took the two oldest kids to the Cubs-Nationals series finale yesterday afternoon.  Our loyalties are a little split these days.  We are starting to embrace the new home team, but there is still a fair amount of Cubs love in this family.

Michael decided to root for the Nats, despite his non-commital outfit, while Katie was decidedly for the Cubs, who won 6-3.  Mike also pulled for the Nats to end their week-long skid, but to no avail.

The kids seemed to enjoy the day of ice cream, nachos, lemonade, etc. (and occasionally a glance at the game).  Perhaps Nevie-afternoon-grumpy-pants will join in next year...

"Fifi"

Good to see this old bird at this afternoon's flyover.  "Fifi," a B-29 Superfortress, is one of only a few surviving in existence and the only one currently flying as of June 2014.  It is owned by the Commemorative Air Force, an organization that my dad, Mike Sr., enjoyed and gave years of his talents to when I was a kid.  In fact, growing up, Dad and I climbed into the cockpit of Fifi and at least one of the other warbirds that flew over today.  Pretty sure he would have found some way to be in D.C. this weekend if he was still around.  Miss you, Dad, but thanks for holding the tails up this afternoon!

Arsenal of Democracy: World War II Victory Capitol Flyover

To honor the heroes who fought in the War and those on the home front who produced the tanks, ships, and aircraft that enabled the United States and its Allies to achieve victory, one of the most diverse arrays of World War II aircraft ever assembled flew above the skies of Washington, D.C. on Friday, May 8, 2015, the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe (VE) Day, as part of the Arsenal of Democracy World War II Victory Capitol Flyover. The flyover included dozens of World War II aircraft flying in 15 historically sequenced warbird formations overhead. The formations represented the War’s major battles, from Pearl Harbor through the final air assault on Japan, and concluded with a missing man formation to “Taps.” Never before has such a collection of WWII aircraft been assembled at one location, to honor the large assemblage of veterans gathered at the WWII Memorial for a ceremony.

Beer & Cookies

This little lady had her first communion this past weekend.  Katie, we are so proud of you and love celebrating your milestones with you.  In fact, Michael was so proud that he drew a special picture for his older sis.  He kept telling Traci that it was Katie's "beer and cookies," but we eventually figured out that he had drawn the holy bread and wine for the big day.  All class around here!

Thank you to Papa, Grammy, Uncle David, Julian, and Nico for celebrating with us.  And for those of you that could't make it, but sent your congratulations.  Here are some of the better pictures we got throughout the weekend . . .

Thunder Road

Lots of pictures of Michael lately, but in all the craziness we haven't had a chance to post on the little guy's T-ball resurgence.  He's in his second year, this time on the Thunder!  Dad is an official assistant coach this year, which has added to Michael's interest a little bit.  The poor kid hasn't had much practice time with the uncooperative weather, but we've managed to get two games under his belt.  One of the team moms broke out the digital camera this past Saturday, taking 250+ pictures.  This one was a particularly good one (Traci calls it "pure joy").  More to come as the season continues...

Dollar Shave Club

They grow up so fast, don't they?

Good Numbers!

Nevie finally had her three year well visit this morning.  She really has matured a lot in the past year as the doc could not believe that this Nevie 2.0 (calm, cool, collected, answering every question with a laugh/smile) was the same person as last year's Nevie 1.0 (screaming, crying, thrashing, complaining of bloody murder).  I guess that is one benefit of our whole vomiting/anemia era of last summer:  Neve is now completely used to the doctor's office.  Speaking of anemia, our little lady did get a blood prick today to test her hemoglobin counts.  Our doc literally did a little jig as her numbers had elevated from a perilously low 5 count to a perfectly normal 11.9!!!  No more anemia for our gal!!  Otherwise, the doc was amazed at her verbal and cognitive skills, while assuring us that her motor skills were right on par.  She did suggest that, even though Neve thinks that she can keep up with her older siblings' schedules, she may need a little more sleep.  (No argument here!)  Anyway, all is well, even with her usual measurements:  H - 37 1/8 inches (48th percentile), W - 31.2 lbs (52nd).