tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90163465942030438072024-03-13T11:48:21.360-05:00Herron Family NewsA blog dedicated to the adventures of Erik, Lea, and Carter.Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.comBlogger261125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-35334545967789561342014-05-22T02:09:00.001-05:002014-05-22T02:09:54.277-05:00Update from MaidanMaidan Nezalezhnosti, the central square of Kyiv that we fondly remember from many trips to Ukraine's lovely capital city, has changed tremendously since we last visited. Erik is in Kyiv to participate in an observation mission for the presidential election this Sunday, and he walked through the square early this morning. <br /><br />Over the years, he has taken many strolls along Khreshchatik, Kyiv's "Main Street". Maidan Nezlaezhnosti is located toward one end of Khreshchatik. The square, which had been transformed into the center of resistance to former President Yanukovych's regime, remains an occupied camp. The perimeter has guards on duty, though they were relaxed and even a bit jovial as Erik walked through the area. The tent city is still occupied, and people were up and about early: smoking, drinking, chatting, and making breakfast. Unlike the 2004 Orange Revolution occupation which felt more like a camping excursion, this tent city has a martial feel. Walking around the encampment, you can catch the subtle acrid whiff of burned tires from the pitched battles held just a few weeks ago.<br /><br />Monuments to the "Heavenly Hundred" who died defending Maidan are everywhere: photos, signs, graffiti, and even the promise of a small park dedicated to the fallen. The starkest reminders of what occurred here, however, are the burned out shells of cars and the Trade Union building that give the area a post-apocalyptic atmosphere. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--I-jcV4ov8g/U32gwnjZ7WI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/hn7pnrXw-rk/s1600/IMG_1824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--I-jcV4ov8g/U32gwnjZ7WI/AAAAAAAAGHQ/hn7pnrXw-rk/s1600/IMG_1824.JPG" height="256" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Deserted car with the Trade Union building in the background.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vFWir229He0/U32gy6DlONI/AAAAAAAAGHY/3xnYc1KqELo/s1600/IMG_1826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vFWir229He0/U32gy6DlONI/AAAAAAAAGHY/3xnYc1KqELo/s1600/IMG_1826.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trade Union Building</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oF9chUCUKYc/U32g0dnAAaI/AAAAAAAAGHg/gh7MWLKzDaw/s1600/IMG_1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oF9chUCUKYc/U32g0dnAAaI/AAAAAAAAGHg/gh7MWLKzDaw/s1600/IMG_1827.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shrine at the barricades.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUew7mu1p0E/U32g15IxmnI/AAAAAAAAGHo/t5U-OOykI-I/s1600/IMG_1828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zUew7mu1p0E/U32g15IxmnI/AAAAAAAAGHo/t5U-OOykI-I/s1600/IMG_1828.JPG" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Commemorating the "Heavenly Hundred."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6dTk2n4kFw4/U32g3cs_S6I/AAAAAAAAGHw/rxj2ShkU_KE/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6dTk2n4kFw4/U32g3cs_S6I/AAAAAAAAGHw/rxj2ShkU_KE/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" height="256" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maidan Nezalezhnosti.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl_eYxc5zwA/U32g6dOcrdI/AAAAAAAAGH4/NqlG0y7RLXA/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zl_eYxc5zwA/U32g6dOcrdI/AAAAAAAAGH4/NqlG0y7RLXA/s1600/IMG_1835.JPG" height="256" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the Trade Union building.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-77959194346835840752014-02-11T10:49:00.002-06:002014-02-11T10:49:42.680-06:00French Arrival Ceremony #WHSocial<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Two years ago, after a failed attempt to secure White House Easter Egg Roll tickets, Lea became aware of a TweetUp to get access to the event. Our second effort was unsuccessful, but we made contact with the White House Social Media Office and procured <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/04/saturday-afternoon-in-white-house.html">Garden Tour</a> tickets as a (great) consolation prize. Late last week, we received an invitation to submit for a lottery to attend the arrival ceremony for French President Francois Hollande. Erik was a lucky applicant and headed out early this morning to the White House. The air was crisp and frigid, but the sky was bright. After waiting in a few security lines, he made his way to the South Lawn. A bit after 9:00 am, the event began with the presentation of colors, renditions of Hail to the Chief and national anthems, and brief remarks by both presidents. While Erik was not quite in handshake-distance of the presidents, he was close along the rope line. Other obligations kept Erik from attending the follow-up session in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, but the opportunity to participate in the ceremony was fantastic. Photos below.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2IpUBMeUXA/UvpLeCCuXqI/AAAAAAAAGDA/9nqkjZnKJUc/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_2IpUBMeUXA/UvpLeCCuXqI/AAAAAAAAGDA/9nqkjZnKJUc/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Soldiers and Sailors from the Armed Services</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfhNp5fAk_E/UvpLfg8_nbI/AAAAAAAAGDE/pFSc-yLuB4k/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YfhNp5fAk_E/UvpLfg8_nbI/AAAAAAAAGDE/pFSc-yLuB4k/s1600/IMG_0169.JPG" height="183" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting in the Cold</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M16kHMXVp9s/UvpLob8o0GI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/kvm-c-xD4aQ/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-M16kHMXVp9s/UvpLob8o0GI/AAAAAAAAGDQ/kvm-c-xD4aQ/s1600/IMG_0174.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Presidents through a Sea of Hands and Cellphones</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0yd-L3w3s4/UvpL8nfIl-I/AAAAAAAAGDY/HIUK3SdR-d8/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0yd-L3w3s4/UvpL8nfIl-I/AAAAAAAAGDY/HIUK3SdR-d8/s1600/IMG_0180.JPG" height="219" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greetings from President Obama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9dQ8a1MT4Y4/UvpMMTYZKZI/AAAAAAAAGDg/j98M2tL-Uzk/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9dQ8a1MT4Y4/UvpMMTYZKZI/AAAAAAAAGDg/j98M2tL-Uzk/s1600/IMG_0183.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More Greetings from President Obama</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LBFifvZKAp4/UvpNPd9L2tI/AAAAAAAAGD0/1Isx2KCiwZQ/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LBFifvZKAp4/UvpNPd9L2tI/AAAAAAAAGD0/1Isx2KCiwZQ/s1600/IMG_0200.JPG" height="320" width="215" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">President Hollande Addressing the Crowd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ufYY9dF8xJQ/UvpNUZRY5II/AAAAAAAAGD8/Lbtk7cctrW8/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ufYY9dF8xJQ/UvpNUZRY5II/AAAAAAAAGD8/Lbtk7cctrW8/s1600/IMG_0203.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The First Lady and Presidents at the Ceremony's End</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-27288955923591846562014-01-01T09:38:00.000-06:002014-01-01T09:38:36.902-06:00Happy New Year 2014!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dvksY3xOu6E/UsH5IRNWTiI/AAAAAAAAGBg/Q1YHrDjwEZE/s1600/dulles5k_family.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dvksY3xOu6E/UsH5IRNWTiI/AAAAAAAAGBg/Q1YHrDjwEZE/s320/dulles5k_family.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
Although our DC area adventure was originally scheduled to end in 2013, we were able to stay for one more year when Erik's term at the NSF was extended. While we will transition away from DC in 2014, we have continued to enjoy all of the opportunities that the area provides.<br />
<ul>
<li>In January, we woke up early and stood in the cold for several hours for the chance to witness the <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2013/01/57th-presidential-inauguration.html">presidential inauguration</a>. </li>
<li>In March and April, we traveled to the Tidal Basin several times, only to find the Cherry Blossoms uncooperative. But, we <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2013/04/almost-spring.html">spied a few lovely blossoms</a> in this annual treat.</li>
<li>May brought one of our favorite events, embassy open houses. <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2013/05/around-world-in-day.html">We visited Kazakhstan, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago, and Peru</a> on one weekend. The following weekend, we returned for the EU celebration, dropping in on Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Hungary, Netherlands, and Austria.</li>
<li>We continued running, completing many 5Ks, an 8K (where Carter finished 3rd in his age category), and a 10K. We are working toward a 10-miler in April. </li>
</ul>
<div>
In addition to success running, Carter also achieved several milestones.</div>
<ul>
<li>He turned eight and received First Communion and Reconciliation.</li>
<li>One of Carter's favorite birthday presents was a photography lesson from a good friend (who also happens to be a fabulous photojournalist). The lesson paid off - Carter's photo finished in second place in a county-wide competition (see below). </li>
<li>He also continues to improve in his favorite extra-curricular activities, soccer and piano.</li>
</ul>
While DC is an amazing place, it is also close to many other great destinations.<br />
<ul>
<li>We combined business and pleasure in January, flying to Florida for a conference as well as Epcot and the World of Harry Potter.</li>
<li>We visited <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2013/05/harpers-ferry.html">Harpers Ferry</a> in May, <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2013/06/conquering-old-rag.html">Shenandoah</a> in June to climb Old Rag, <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2013/07/summer-road-trips.html">the Outer Banks in North Carolina and New England</a> in July, Rehoboth Beach (Delaware) in September and October, and Gettysburg and Antietam in November.</li>
<li>After a quick trip to see family in Michigan for Thanksgiving, we returned via Niagara Falls and were amazed by the fantastic glaze of ice.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oiOJznBoRtw/UsH7DrgRIoI/AAAAAAAAGBs/MARYVoLx9Z8/s1600/niagara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oiOJznBoRtw/UsH7DrgRIoI/AAAAAAAAGBs/MARYVoLx9Z8/s320/niagara.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lea and Carter at Niagara Falls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIVtaMZLHto/UsII9QZqlRI/AAAAAAAAGB8/22GQINVBZwQ/s1600/cherron1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HIVtaMZLHto/UsII9QZqlRI/AAAAAAAAGB8/22GQINVBZwQ/s320/cherron1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carter's Award-Winning Photo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rqoeddqGuNE/UsIJyrFbufI/AAAAAAAAGCI/qD4Q3j2m2bg/s1600/IMG_2191.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rqoeddqGuNE/UsIJyrFbufI/AAAAAAAAGCI/qD4Q3j2m2bg/s320/IMG_2191.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandpa Bistak, Fr. Tuck, and Carter at First Communion</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We wish everyone a joyous and peaceful New Year.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-76684363778905395512013-07-30T15:35:00.002-05:002013-07-30T15:35:32.224-05:00Summer Road Trips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFABqaDlQiQ/UdcauS8Z3bI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/Tm6m2yLqZLw/s1600/IMG_2397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFABqaDlQiQ/UdcauS8Z3bI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/Tm6m2yLqZLw/s1600/IMG_2397.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LnmM-p1XUX8/Udcaw82I-XI/AAAAAAAAFuY/jQm0b47VQRk/s1600/IMG_2405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LnmM-p1XUX8/Udcaw82I-XI/AAAAAAAAFuY/jQm0b47VQRk/s320/IMG_2405.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
July was an adventure-filled month for the Herrons. We kicked it off with another fantastic 4th of July celebration. While every community in the US has its own special way of commemorating Independence Day, none can really compete with Washington, DC. We started the day in the District, attending the annual recitation of the Declaration of Independence by actors portraying George Washington, Abigail Adams, and other key Revolutionary War figures. We had fantastic seats right behind the stage on the steps of the National Archives. We moved a few feet for parade seats and watched most of it before our next engagement. Several Herron family members live in the area, and we gathered for a cookout. Last year, we watched the fireworks from the National Mall, but the trip home was too chaotic. This year, we found a nice perch on a hill near the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);">Netherlands Carillon and Marine Corps Memorial for a spectacular view.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JFABqaDlQiQ/UdcauS8Z3bI/AAAAAAAAFuQ/Tm6m2yLqZLw/s320/IMG_2397.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="212" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marine Corps Memorial.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<u>Outer Banks</u><br />
Later in the week, we headed to the Outer Banks. En route, we stayed in Hampton and visited one of the newest National Park Service sites, Ft. Monroe. We were unfamiliar with its history, but came away impressed. Not only was it one of the few Union possessions in the south never to be taken by the Confederacy, but it hosted many luminaries, including Harriet Tubman and Edgar Allen Poe. Robert E. Lee was its commander for a time, and after the war Jefferson Davis was imprisoned in a casemate cell. The great battle between the ironclads Monitor and Virginia took place in the waters nearby and was visible from the fort. We learned from another visitor that a German U boat was also spotted and destroyed nearby in WWII. On top of all of this, Fort Monroe is home to a crazy pet cemetery.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YOtBs_wEgL4/Uditp-o1lbI/AAAAAAAAFuo/4rm482EALQ8/s640/blogger-image--270945052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-YOtBs_wEgL4/Uditp-o1lbI/AAAAAAAAFuo/4rm482EALQ8/s640/blogger-image--270945052.jpg" style="max-width: 90%;" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pet Cemetery at Fort Monroe.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
We continued southward and spent a couple of days in the Outer Banks. In addition to relaxing on the beach, we visited the Wright Brothers National Historic Site. Kill Devil Hills is inspiring; it is hard to imagine that humans went from the first controlled, powered flight to the moon and back in just 66 years. Walking the path, and flying kites, where it all started was a great moment. Carter also had an opportunity to go hang gliding with his friend Kitty.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dz2Eul5jlY/UfXE6LbW-cI/AAAAAAAAFzY/SyiYWr5k6sU/s1600/IMG_7031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0dz2Eul5jlY/UfXE6LbW-cI/AAAAAAAAFzY/SyiYWr5k6sU/s320/IMG_7031.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carter flies a kite near the Wright Brothers Memorial.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xekY1cRvIs/UfXExWmUzHI/AAAAAAAAFzI/cEzoZEOoFO4/s1600/IMG_7036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--xekY1cRvIs/UfXExWmUzHI/AAAAAAAAFzI/cEzoZEOoFO4/s320/IMG_7036.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More kite flying.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2MwHPMRq0q4/UfXE1lED2vI/AAAAAAAAFzQ/3xLIL7eD-M8/s1600/IMG_7055.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2MwHPMRq0q4/UfXE1lED2vI/AAAAAAAAFzQ/3xLIL7eD-M8/s320/IMG_7055.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Per Kitty's suggestion, Erik snapped a picture of Lea taking a picture of Carter taking a picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCtmNXerF34/UfXE6j8zMhI/AAAAAAAAFzg/DcEtNpPgDkU/s1600/IMG_7060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TCtmNXerF34/UfXE6j8zMhI/AAAAAAAAFzg/DcEtNpPgDkU/s320/IMG_7060.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carter "raced" two flights and beat them! Here he is with Kitty at the spot where they completed the fourth flight.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<u>New England</u><br />
We ended the month touring New England. Our first stop was Providence, a way station on our journey to the north. We strolled a bit downtown, visiting the Irish Famine Memorial, Brown University, and the Capitol. The next day took us to Cape Cod. Driving up the beautiful coastline, we stopped to dip our toes in the Atlantic, admired the dunes and beaches, and visited the Cape Cod National Seashore sites so Carter could earn another Junior Ranger badge. We toured all the way around the cape to Provincetown, at the tip.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVL9qw198jQ/UfXDvQ1Jz5I/AAAAAAAAFvs/T55SpDYaSqE/s1600/CapeCodPanorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="98" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lVL9qw198jQ/UfXDvQ1Jz5I/AAAAAAAAFvs/T55SpDYaSqE/s320/CapeCodPanorama.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The life-saving station on Cape Cod. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
<u>Boston</u></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: start;">
Following our day at Cape Cod, we spent a couple of days in Boston. Once again, the quest for Junior Ranger badges drove many of our activities, but this conveniently included visits to all of the major sites along the Freedom Trail (our plan all along). Erik was especially happy to see the USS Constitution, another part of his War of 1812 Bicentennial obsession.</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QOJr6G98BbY/UfXDi52Lb1I/AAAAAAAAFvY/Z_7Q3u49vQo/s1600/IMG_2434.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QOJr6G98BbY/UfXDi52Lb1I/AAAAAAAAFvY/Z_7Q3u49vQo/s320/IMG_2434.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paul Revere's Grave.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mhsmYFwoRyU/UfXEr2bG35I/AAAAAAAAFzA/3441qCmWccE/s1600/OldNorthChurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mhsmYFwoRyU/UfXEr2bG35I/AAAAAAAAFzA/3441qCmWccE/s320/OldNorthChurch.jpg" width="185" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Old North Church.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktGHVCdiBSY/UfXDj-ooYKI/AAAAAAAAFvg/pEBP-mvV4E4/s1600/IMG_2446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ktGHVCdiBSY/UfXDj-ooYKI/AAAAAAAAFvg/pEBP-mvV4E4/s320/IMG_2446.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rigging of the USS Constitution.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUsHJ7hXxzg/UfXD2i9pRCI/AAAAAAAAFwE/9PumznN-fGM/s1600/IMG_2449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YUsHJ7hXxzg/UfXD2i9pRCI/AAAAAAAAFwE/9PumznN-fGM/s320/IMG_2449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can't escape history in Boston. This stone was located next to our car in the hotel parking lot.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>Acadia National Park</u><br />
We spend most of our time in urban areas nowadays, so we especially value opportunities to get out into natural environments. Acadia National Park in Maine was spectacular. We had an opportunity to hike trails along the coast and up Cadillac Mountain, and explore the tide pools. The tide pools were Carter's favorite activity by far. His quest was to find starfish, but we spied mussels, periwinkles, crabs, and other aquatic flora and fauna along the way.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dgzDMTfKOkw/UfXEGTUDO5I/AAAAAAAAFw4/z9pF-uRV7rk/s1600/IMG_7212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dgzDMTfKOkw/UfXEGTUDO5I/AAAAAAAAFw4/z9pF-uRV7rk/s320/IMG_7212.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mists over Acadia.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1e8Cj_7ezI/UfXEUtmPaeI/AAAAAAAAFxo/kvMUFc5seY0/s1600/IMG_7254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-P1e8Cj_7ezI/UfXEUtmPaeI/AAAAAAAAFxo/kvMUFc5seY0/s320/IMG_7254.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An evening view.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4pMuXpFuio/UfXD-VxhU9I/AAAAAAAAFwY/a1bPneNPzEM/s1600/IMG_7162.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4pMuXpFuio/UfXD-VxhU9I/AAAAAAAAFwY/a1bPneNPzEM/s320/IMG_7162.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lovely granite formation near Thunder Hole.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h-8bIug2tTc/UfXEAEMyRdI/AAAAAAAAFwk/ty7dvwkpQOA/s1600/IMG_7195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h-8bIug2tTc/UfXEAEMyRdI/AAAAAAAAFwk/ty7dvwkpQOA/s320/IMG_7195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the ocean while exploring tide pools.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-at_BONs9muQ/UfXD9WHTHuI/AAAAAAAAFwQ/98mIXa3C9Pk/s1600/IMG_7184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-at_BONs9muQ/UfXD9WHTHuI/AAAAAAAAFwQ/98mIXa3C9Pk/s320/IMG_7184.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After scaling down some rocks (less treacherous than the ones you see here), we explored tide pools.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEcFAjqk3Gk/UfXEAJmy3yI/AAAAAAAAFwg/Yb_sga9fCfw/s1600/IMG_7181.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LEcFAjqk3Gk/UfXEAJmy3yI/AAAAAAAAFwg/Yb_sga9fCfw/s320/IMG_7181.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lea exploring tide pools.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Af7UpSSTty4/UfXEELYACyI/AAAAAAAAFww/nLZWDzAwJ8k/s1600/IMG_7207.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Af7UpSSTty4/UfXEELYACyI/AAAAAAAAFww/nLZWDzAwJ8k/s320/IMG_7207.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lea and Carter looking for sea life in a different tide pool location.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfEa5pwZ8g8/UfXDvQ4gfEI/AAAAAAAAFvo/WxSfzCDfWNs/s1600/IMG_2487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qfEa5pwZ8g8/UfXDvQ4gfEI/AAAAAAAAFvo/WxSfzCDfWNs/s320/IMG_2487.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tide pool success! Carter found a starfish.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRtjVXxRgO8/UfXD1931cpI/AAAAAAAAFv4/cGZkmQpBids/s1600/IMG_2490.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vRtjVXxRgO8/UfXD1931cpI/AAAAAAAAFv4/cGZkmQpBids/s320/IMG_2490.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carter's starfish and its evening meal (see the crab on its arm).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPDa_qnNa3o/UfXEOoPoITI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/umQhd05uQ6o/s1600/IMG_7221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hPDa_qnNa3o/UfXEOoPoITI/AAAAAAAAFxQ/umQhd05uQ6o/s320/IMG_7221.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An early morning hike.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zclZ9MleWrw/UfXESxTUWsI/AAAAAAAAFxY/H59z3NZ2I90/s1600/IMG_7266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zclZ9MleWrw/UfXESxTUWsI/AAAAAAAAFxY/H59z3NZ2I90/s320/IMG_7266.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A frog in Bubble Lake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>Mount Washington</u><br />
After our whirlwind visit to Acadia, it was off to the brisk, damp, and cold winds of Mount Washington. Carter has enjoyed our hikes up mountains, so we decided to set the bar a bit higher. As the highest peak in the Eastern United States with the most volatile - and worst - weather, it is a bit too difficult for now. Instead, we took the Cog Railway up the mountainside to get a taste of what it would be like to scale it. The Cog Railway is an engineering marvel, and we settled in for a steep 40 minute trek upward. Upon reaching the summit, we had about 10-20 feet of visibility and moderate, chilly winds. But, on the top we met a woman who decided to scale the mountain on her 70th birthday - that day - and she became our inspiration. It is on the list after we train a bit more.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RuzIVX8TrAA/UfXETBVTI_I/AAAAAAAAFxg/ESbwWrZRxFA/s1600/IMG_7288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RuzIVX8TrAA/UfXETBVTI_I/AAAAAAAAFxg/ESbwWrZRxFA/s320/IMG_7288.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cog railway.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4MdHFxm-uUo/UfXEbgCegVI/AAAAAAAAFyE/E4aBnY1cGBM/s1600/IMG_7319.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4MdHFxm-uUo/UfXEbgCegVI/AAAAAAAAFyE/E4aBnY1cGBM/s320/IMG_7319.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heading into the clouds.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5F16LS5ue4/UfXEXKvyFGI/AAAAAAAAFxw/eqq-jIHoR5Y/s1600/IMG_7321.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5F16LS5ue4/UfXEXKvyFGI/AAAAAAAAFxw/eqq-jIHoR5Y/s320/IMG_7321.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the summit. Next time we'll really earn it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mE0NPlOYrM/UfXEYlH5bMI/AAAAAAAAFx4/EtSygTlsdNA/s1600/IMG_7323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7mE0NPlOYrM/UfXEYlH5bMI/AAAAAAAAFx4/EtSygTlsdNA/s320/IMG_7323.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The winds were not 231 MPH, but they were still brisk.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>Bretton Woods</u><br />
Mount Washington is near an important spot for a political scientist like Erik: the place where the IMF was founded after World War II. We stayed in the lodge nearby and took a quick spin through the meeting room where the agreement was signed.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcF-bYpJqGQ/UfXEbeqGQUI/AAAAAAAAFyA/oin7gCI6h8A/s1600/IMG_7335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kcF-bYpJqGQ/UfXEbeqGQUI/AAAAAAAAFyA/oin7gCI6h8A/s320/IMG_7335.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erik and Carter in the room where the negotiations took place.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59WNXo3mhS4/UfXEfEOSytI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/zZ_lTkpeUK4/s1600/IMG_7342.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-59WNXo3mhS4/UfXEfEOSytI/AAAAAAAAFyQ/zZ_lTkpeUK4/s320/IMG_7342.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Mount Washington Resort.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u>Vermont</u><br />
The final day of our visit (aside from the long drive home) was a spin through Vermont. Erik spent two summers studying Russian in a small town south of Montpelier and wanted to stop by to see how things had changed. The Russian School at Norwich University closed its doors in 2000, as demand for intensive Russian language training evaporated, but the private military college that hosted the school is still active. We stopped in Montpelier for lunch and a bit of shopping at the Farmer's Market (where we picked up delicious maple items), and then headed to Northfield. The final stop of the day was the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Park, Vermont's only NPS site, for one more Junior Ranger badge. The park is extremely difficult to find, but we made it and learned a bit about conservation.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IG4T27Q9OBY/UfXEgBPyN3I/AAAAAAAAFyY/RJih5tYfG8Y/s1600/IMG_7345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IG4T27Q9OBY/UfXEgBPyN3I/AAAAAAAAFyY/RJih5tYfG8Y/s320/IMG_7345.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vermont's golden-domed state house.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvMILzxkACg/UfXEgJBTMZI/AAAAAAAAFyc/xYhBexJOppI/s1600/IMG_7353.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MvMILzxkACg/UfXEgJBTMZI/AAAAAAAAFyc/xYhBexJOppI/s320/IMG_7353.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Erik on the campus of Norwich University.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRxRTY2FEXQ/UfXEkXSTRrI/AAAAAAAAFyo/-qoBxq2B04w/s1600/IMG_7355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PRxRTY2FEXQ/UfXEkXSTRrI/AAAAAAAAFyo/-qoBxq2B04w/s320/IMG_7355.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carter working on his Junior Ranger activities.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-EGW8sgflA/UfXEmTjg50I/AAAAAAAAFyw/nkQP-n95lCs/s1600/IMG_7366.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-r-EGW8sgflA/UfXEmTjg50I/AAAAAAAAFyw/nkQP-n95lCs/s320/IMG_7366.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The woods at Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqXVGFEmVEo/UfXEnlRHn4I/AAAAAAAAFy4/cxgHFLjHRCs/s1600/IMG_7371.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vqXVGFEmVEo/UfXEnlRHn4I/AAAAAAAAFy4/cxgHFLjHRCs/s320/IMG_7371.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Success! Junior Ranger badge #26!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
While we were exhausted at the end of the trip, it also inspired us to get out and see more during our final year in the DC area.</div>
Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-92020038640936943412013-06-27T19:00:00.000-05:002013-06-27T19:00:06.018-05:00Conquering Old Rag<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0VGG7M6w0I/Uctxx4FqOrI/AAAAAAAAFs8/s8uSe_GK9nI/s1600/IMG_2297+Stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="172" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0VGG7M6w0I/Uctxx4FqOrI/AAAAAAAAFs8/s8uSe_GK9nI/s320/IMG_2297+Stitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;">Last weekend, we took our third trip to </span><a href="http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm" style="text-align: left;">Shenandoah National Park</a><span style="text-align: left;"> with a major objective: to climb </span><a href="http://www.hikingupward.com/snp/oldrag/" style="text-align: left;">Old Rag</a><span style="text-align: left;">. The climb includes around 2,500 feet of elevation gain, unobstructed panoramic views, and rock scramble - lots of rock scramble. After our arrival in the park we headed to Skyland, our overnight spot, and then to Dark Hollow for a short hike to the waterfall. En route, we saw three of the six black bears of the weekend - a mother and her two cubs. Carter snapped a photo of one of the cubs in a tree below. When we first came across them (thankfully we were still in the car), the two cubs scampered up the tree while the mama bear took a good look at us.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hp4lDdeCWT0/UctxjlbT6mI/AAAAAAAAFsk/U36HTU_pOlw/s1600/IMG_2241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hp4lDdeCWT0/UctxjlbT6mI/AAAAAAAAFsk/U36HTU_pOlw/s320/IMG_2241.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The path to the waterfall was lovely, with many spots for photo ops.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knUktsm2uoY/Uctx5e8sDiI/AAAAAAAAFtM/4XibfibfGEo/s1600/IMG_6890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-knUktsm2uoY/Uctx5e8sDiI/AAAAAAAAFtM/4XibfibfGEo/s320/IMG_6890.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The creek was crisscrossed with fallen trees, many of which had wonderful mushrooms sprouting from the trunks.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5whtT5q92c/Uctx-hXoaKI/AAAAAAAAFtU/53aNeFK3jcs/s1600/IMG_6896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i5whtT5q92c/Uctx-hXoaKI/AAAAAAAAFtU/53aNeFK3jcs/s320/IMG_6896.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4J_22paUJCo/UctyCexoPHI/AAAAAAAAFtc/ZKlzc5wbj-E/s1600/IMG_6903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4J_22paUJCo/UctyCexoPHI/AAAAAAAAFtc/ZKlzc5wbj-E/s320/IMG_6903.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We made it to the waterfall and returned just before dark.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I4loh9ghE7Y/UctyEL4oMoI/AAAAAAAAFtk/unRWlbwawi8/s1600/IMG_6911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I4loh9ghE7Y/UctyEL4oMoI/AAAAAAAAFtk/unRWlbwawi8/s320/IMG_6911.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
A few months ago, Carter received his great grandfather Bistak's telescope as a gift from his Aunt Cathy, and we brought it on the trip. The "supermoon" was supposed to be visible over the weekend, so we tested out the telescope on the pre-supermoon visible on Friday night. We were able to snap some reasonably neat pictures and will experiment more in the future. Unfortunately, Friday night was the only clear one, with clouds blocking our evening skies the rest of the weekend.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vA_LpQp-aFU/UctxoFBU4II/AAAAAAAAFs0/jLQrz-3W8HM/s1600/IMG_2280.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vA_LpQp-aFU/UctxoFBU4II/AAAAAAAAFs0/jLQrz-3W8HM/s320/IMG_2280.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We got up early on Saturday to begin our 7-hour trek up Old Rag. The first few hours were wooded climbs along well-marked paths. Then the real fun began. The rock scramble had a few passages that were just right for Carter, but too small for Erik and Lea. Other areas had reaches that were too far for Carter and Lea, but not too bad for Erik. We had to figure out the puzzles of how best to climb, crawl, and pull ourselves up the mountain (occasionally passing Carter across crevasses). The climb is not really treacherous, but it definitely has some tricky parts.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsObw_jNO_o/Ucty5LvTidI/AAAAAAAAFuA/E6BBm_wmi5Q/s1600/IMG_6939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HsObw_jNO_o/Ucty5LvTidI/AAAAAAAAFuA/E6BBm_wmi5Q/s320/IMG_6939.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
We especially liked this area of the climb up the mountain. This section included a small cave and a path under a rock that had wedged itself in the gap.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V-ECx4eQUR8/UctyHRxHn1I/AAAAAAAAFts/ZMMbzIxgBdM/s1600/IMG_6945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V-ECx4eQUR8/UctyHRxHn1I/AAAAAAAAFts/ZMMbzIxgBdM/s320/IMG_6945.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
Around four hours in, we reached the summit. We had a lovely lunch and spent time enjoying the views. The climb down was along a bridle path which was smoother. We finished the day exhausted but exhilarated. We all want to do more climbing!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqL9DwbGTzE/UctyKRZIh5I/AAAAAAAAFt0/h147XiRpc_U/s1600/IMG_6962.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jqL9DwbGTzE/UctyKRZIh5I/AAAAAAAAFt0/h147XiRpc_U/s320/IMG_6962.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
However, our calves and quads had a different plan for Sunday. We strolled through the meadow (at the appropriately named Big Meadows) and encountered two playful fawns. Carter earned another Junior Ranger badge - the toughest one yet.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhI220i1D1A/Uctx0wtJYBI/AAAAAAAAFtE/LtYpMtvVcp8/s1600/IMG_7000.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DhI220i1D1A/Uctx0wtJYBI/AAAAAAAAFtE/LtYpMtvVcp8/s320/IMG_7000.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We'll definitely return to Shenandoah, but are also looking for new challenges like Old Rag.Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-39707200952174086432013-05-26T07:46:00.000-05:002013-05-26T08:37:22.253-05:00Harpers Ferry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emf0J2bt6Rw/UaH95LbH82I/AAAAAAAAFrg/CadsSe6DLE0/s1600/IMG_2212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-emf0J2bt6Rw/UaH95LbH82I/AAAAAAAAFrg/CadsSe6DLE0/s320/IMG_2212.JPG" width="213" /></a></div>
Six years ago when we visited Ukraine for Erik's Fulbright, we regularly confronted the region's contested history and the complexity of identifying heroes during wartime. Ukrainian partisans who were active in the western part of the country where we lived were portrayed as patriots by some and villains by others. The interpretation of John Brown, the abolitionist who led the failed raid on Harpers Ferry on the eve of the Civil War, is an American example of this phenomenon. During our decade in Kansas, we became familiar with John Brown as the hero depicted in the John Steuart Curry mural in the <a href="http://www.kshs.org/capitol">Kansas State Capitol</a>. Visiting Harpers Ferry yesterday, we witnessed a more ambiguous portrayal. Below are some images Carter took during our road trip.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIuclw0oq1o/UaH-Iyn2x2I/AAAAAAAAFro/xc76XUi_43I/s1600/IMG_2218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIuclw0oq1o/UaH-Iyn2x2I/AAAAAAAAFro/xc76XUi_43I/s320/IMG_2218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Ruins of an Episcopal church.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8hPuW8aTQNo/UaH-JXUAaII/AAAAAAAAFrw/0Ur-xfSQHcQ/s1600/IMG_2222.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8hPuW8aTQNo/UaH-JXUAaII/AAAAAAAAFrw/0Ur-xfSQHcQ/s320/IMG_2222.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Harpers Ferry from Jefferson's Rock.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5UOcI-DzB0/UaH-Knw3H9I/AAAAAAAAFr4/U1QIQXYP2U0/s1600/IMG_2224.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a5UOcI-DzB0/UaH-Knw3H9I/AAAAAAAAFr4/U1QIQXYP2U0/s320/IMG_2224.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Jefferson's Rock.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpgYoTngjUo/UaH-ODy4XtI/AAAAAAAAFsA/RS3gpijYGuA/s1600/IMG_2237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dpgYoTngjUo/UaH-ODy4XtI/AAAAAAAAFsA/RS3gpijYGuA/s320/IMG_2237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Cemetery at the summit of the hill behind town.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Carter earned three NPS Junior Ranger badges on the visit and we all learned a tremendous amount about the Lewis and Clark expedition, John Brown's raid, the Civil War, and the history of US military armaments.</div>
Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-63965265419006623362013-05-04T16:31:00.000-05:002013-05-04T16:31:03.631-05:00Around the World in a Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JfyB2vL01fI/UYV7Ou7p08I/AAAAAAAAFp4/hAeR1g2n8xY/s1600/IMG_2012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JfyB2vL01fI/UYV7Ou7p08I/AAAAAAAAFp4/hAeR1g2n8xY/s320/IMG_2012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
#PassportDC is one of our favorite cultural events in the area and we have enjoyed the embassy open houses tremendously. Last year, we were able to spend most of the day touring Embassy Row. This year's busy weekend schedule only afforded us enough time to go to Kazakhstan, Australia, Peru, and Trinidad and Tobago. Along the way we tasted wonderful local treats: doughnuts in Kazakhstan; Vegemite, cheese, meat pies, sausage, and wine in Australia; a Pisco Sour and Inca Cola in Peru; and mango spread in Trinidad and Tobago. We also enjoyed incredible music, art, and conversations with people we met along the way. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FujZiQdZ05g/UYV7QYcMHgI/AAAAAAAAFqE/RJLapfPTXTE/s1600/IMG_2021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FujZiQdZ05g/UYV7QYcMHgI/AAAAAAAAFqE/RJLapfPTXTE/s320/IMG_2021.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Carter was able to wield a sword in Kazakhstan (fortunately still in its scabbard).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eoWh_mXEncY/UYV7P3PQznI/AAAAAAAAFqA/pUbZZF1fiDE/s1600/IMG_2025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eoWh_mXEncY/UYV7P3PQznI/AAAAAAAAFqA/pUbZZF1fiDE/s320/IMG_2025.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
At the Peruvian Embassy, Carter and Lea posed with alpacas and their companions.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
It was a lovely spring day and a fabulous event.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-9841583676665876862013-04-06T06:54:00.002-05:002013-04-06T06:54:29.159-05:00Almost Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PrKw0t3Hf8A/UWAJYtJOPwI/AAAAAAAAFo0/eJ3zi6qpl_E/s1600/IMG_6796.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PrKw0t3Hf8A/UWAJYtJOPwI/AAAAAAAAFo0/eJ3zi6qpl_E/s320/IMG_6796.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
We have encountered an unusually late springtime in the DC area and have been waiting impatiently for signs of winter's end. The area's iconic symbols of spring are the cherry blossoms and they are also late arrivals. By this time last year, the trees had blossomed and the flowers were already disappearing. While Lea attended a gathering of Roeper students and alumni in the District on Friday evening, Erik and Carter checked on the status of the blooms. They found only one tree with open flowers - the rest are still waiting for the chill to depart. The Cherry Blossom Festival begins this weekend; hopefully the timing will be just right.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPCojJ-UWcM/UWAJV4BkCqI/AAAAAAAAFos/oj1HKn-TYP4/s1600/IMG_6781.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YPCojJ-UWcM/UWAJV4BkCqI/AAAAAAAAFos/oj1HKn-TYP4/s320/IMG_6781.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RyCyFFwvlA/UWALDoKolFI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/eiGLORUynGU/s1600/IMG_1934.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="220" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6RyCyFFwvlA/UWALDoKolFI/AAAAAAAAFpQ/eiGLORUynGU/s320/IMG_1934.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJkb1TJzx0M/UWAJcz0jQ2I/AAAAAAAAFo8/jMjxy1SJ680/s1600/IMG_6801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hJkb1TJzx0M/UWAJcz0jQ2I/AAAAAAAAFo8/jMjxy1SJ680/s320/IMG_6801.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--JMQWdGK5_4/UWAJj-9sDSI/AAAAAAAAFpE/tMKizeXN-B0/s1600/IMG_6815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--JMQWdGK5_4/UWAJj-9sDSI/AAAAAAAAFpE/tMKizeXN-B0/s320/IMG_6815.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-88343640179397590742013-02-11T05:42:00.000-06:002013-02-11T05:46:43.710-06:00Carter is Eight<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAqcu03rxxk/URggUj9KofI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/nVyycFIJ4jg/s1600/IMG_6749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tAqcu03rxxk/URggUj9KofI/AAAAAAAAFnQ/nVyycFIJ4jg/s320/IMG_6749.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Over the weekend, we had a small gathering to mark Carter's eighth birthday. The theme was "a trip around the world." The party included the creation of imaginary countries, flags, and anthems, and was topped off by the lovely cake produced by a local bakery that you see below. Happy Birthday to Carter!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5pXLp6eT0c/URggXdt6H3I/AAAAAAAAFnY/x50KqXIACZk/s1600/IMG_6744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a5pXLp6eT0c/URggXdt6H3I/AAAAAAAAFnY/x50KqXIACZk/s320/IMG_6744.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-63188267290393362122013-02-10T16:32:00.000-06:002013-02-10T16:32:48.972-06:00Gung Hay Fat Choy!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8xB80ufdO4/URgfDh83nyI/AAAAAAAAFnE/wPXn4JFPl70/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u8xB80ufdO4/URgfDh83nyI/AAAAAAAAFnE/wPXn4JFPl70/s320/IMG_1905.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Today we attended the Lunar New Year celebration in Chinatown. We found a nice spot on the parade route and waited on the cold curb for a while, popping fun trick noisemakers that a fellow parade-goer gave to Carter. Finally, the colorful parade passed by. Happy Year of the Snake!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47O0vycm1Dc/URgdKfGc5bI/AAAAAAAAFmo/kXTjPfdfXxs/s1600/IMG_6759.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-47O0vycm1Dc/URgdKfGc5bI/AAAAAAAAFmo/kXTjPfdfXxs/s320/IMG_6759.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iX3J-83HpwU/URgdNunTSKI/AAAAAAAAFmw/K5bhalLU4pU/s1600/IMG_6764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iX3J-83HpwU/URgdNunTSKI/AAAAAAAAFmw/K5bhalLU4pU/s320/IMG_6764.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikt2THcd80U/URgdS5cBSuI/AAAAAAAAFm4/EOgqG9ITRt4/s1600/IMG_6769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ikt2THcd80U/URgdS5cBSuI/AAAAAAAAFm4/EOgqG9ITRt4/s320/IMG_6769.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CyiRws47oDM/URgfCuCvZ7I/AAAAAAAAFnA/FZTKzzeTe0g/s1600/IMG_1903.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CyiRws47oDM/URgfCuCvZ7I/AAAAAAAAFnA/FZTKzzeTe0g/s320/IMG_1903.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-41375667471848489802013-01-21T16:25:00.000-06:002013-01-21T16:25:46.166-06:0057th Presidential Inauguration<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mH8GZsp7Fpg/UP2v8LqyoMI/AAAAAAAAFiM/L2Nm57AYRrc/s1600/IMG_1871.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mH8GZsp7Fpg/UP2v8LqyoMI/AAAAAAAAFiM/L2Nm57AYRrc/s320/IMG_1871.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Washington, DC always presents opportunities for exciting experiences, but some come along once every few years. We are fortunate that our time in the area coincided with a presidential election and inauguration. Not only are we interested in elections, but we were able to experience events like the inauguration first hand.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Lea planned for an early departure to get ahead of the crowds, and this part of the plan went off without a hitch. We headed to the National Mall around 6am, arriving in time to secure excellent seats toward the front of the public space. We were still bright eyed and excited at the crack of dawn.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udhNFyys7bM/UP2vuylvNBI/AAAAAAAAFiE/_YcuAIfXVno/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-udhNFyys7bM/UP2vuylvNBI/AAAAAAAAFiE/_YcuAIfXVno/s320/IMG_1849.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9SL-rET8Rs/UP2xJ6OjJAI/AAAAAAAAFio/gjDtfs6-xkQ/s1600/photo+(8).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-D9SL-rET8Rs/UP2xJ6OjJAI/AAAAAAAAFio/gjDtfs6-xkQ/s320/photo+(8).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The crowd quickly filled the Mall and we struck up conversations with lovely people who had come from all over the country: a higher education administration Master's student from Chicago and her parents, high school students from New Jersey who spent all night on a bus, a couple from Georgia with a great sense of humor, and many others. The mood was positive and friendly all day long. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XAOtOzZBqvo/UP2wCQNzn-I/AAAAAAAAFiU/CUbXpqrzvzY/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XAOtOzZBqvo/UP2wCQNzn-I/AAAAAAAAFiU/CUbXpqrzvzY/s320/IMG_1873.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
We were on our feet most of the time, but Carter was incredibly patient and enthusiastic, even though it was chilly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXKimiS66ag/UP2wEOzCEoI/AAAAAAAAFic/UoMd16vvehk/s1600/IMG_1882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oXKimiS66ag/UP2wEOzCEoI/AAAAAAAAFic/UoMd16vvehk/s320/IMG_1882.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Our long wait was rewarded with a great ceremony. While the return home was a different kind of adventure - requiring lots of walking, massive crowds, and detours galore - it didn't diminish the feeling that we were able to have another once-in-a lifetime experience here in DC.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v56xuSGH4I0/UP20eyAkgbI/AAAAAAAAFlE/qSjCZ9IiA6k/s1600/IMG_1886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v56xuSGH4I0/UP20eyAkgbI/AAAAAAAAFlE/qSjCZ9IiA6k/s320/IMG_1886.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-39708588124596437902012-12-31T18:25:00.000-06:002012-12-31T18:37:14.260-06:00Happy New Year 2013!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_CtBT0-NI0/UN0M3PQ5CsI/AAAAAAAAFgk/8Xs3LDwyOyA/s1600/IMG_6740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V_CtBT0-NI0/UN0M3PQ5CsI/AAAAAAAAFgk/8Xs3LDwyOyA/s320/IMG_6740.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
The Herrons have continued to explore the Washington, DC area during the second year of our tour. Highlights of 2012 included:<br />
<ul>
<li>Attending the <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/03/dc-is-blooming.html">Cherry Blossom Festival</a> to see the <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/04/carters-post.html">lovely flowers in bloom</a>, and watching hundreds of kites dance in the sky at the <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/04/carters-post.html">Kite Festival</a>. </li>
<li>Spending a day at the National Book Festival to watch Justin Roberts and attend the talk by Mary Pope Osborne. </li>
<li>Visiting the White House twice, for the <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/04/saturday-afternoon-in-white-house.html">garden tour</a> and for a tour inside.</li>
<li>Exploring the gargoyles at the National Cathedral.</li>
<li><a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/10/long-weekend-part-2.html">Spelunking in the Luray Caverns and wandering around Polyface Farm</a>.</li>
<li><a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/07/summer-update.html">Watching Fourth of July fireworks on the National Mall</a> after Carter played the role of Thomas Jefferson at the White House Visitor Center re-enactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.</li>
<li>Gazing at the other-worldly flora at the Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens.</li>
</ul>
We extended our range outside of the Beltway, visiting Williamsburg, <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/07/summer-update.html">Monticello</a>, <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/08/great-falls.html">Great Falls</a>, <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/10/long-weekend-part-1.html">Shenandoah</a>, West Virginia, as well as <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/07/summer-update.html">South Bass Island (Ohio)</a>, <a href="http://herron-family-news.blogspot.com/2012/08/empire-state.html">New York City</a>, Philadelphia, and Baltimore. Erik took a <a href="http://vse-na-vybory.blogspot.com/">quick trip to Ukraine to observe the October elections</a>. We also saw family and friends in Kansas, Ohio, and Michigan, including a wonderful day at our friends Todd and Diane's wedding.<br />
<br />
We have watched Carter thrive this year. He truly loves our adventures, from visiting nearly all of the Smithsonian museums to climbing mountains in Shenandoah. He really enjoys his school, and is busy outside of school with piano, running (in addition to several 5Ks, he ran his first 8K this year), soccer, student council, and just playing with friends and with us.<br />
<br />
More than the places we visited, we enjoyed spending time together as a family and with the incredible friends we have made over the last couple of years.<br />
<br />
We wish everyone a healthy and happy 2013!Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-22470395802220629652012-10-09T18:15:00.000-05:002012-10-09T18:15:15.339-05:00Long Weekend, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmBJtrbWqOA/UHSuS9GhwBI/AAAAAAAAFe4/HRXA7Zi-REw/s1600/IMG_6677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AmBJtrbWqOA/UHSuS9GhwBI/AAAAAAAAFe4/HRXA7Zi-REw/s320/IMG_6677.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
We hiked much of the day on Saturday, climbing to the highest point on the Appalachian Trail in Shenandoah, to the peaks of Big Stony Man and Little Stony Man, and along some rocky paths that used to be part of the Appalachian Trail. Despite the cold and wet weather, the day was wonderful. We made plans for indoor activities on Sunday because more inclement weather was scheduled to arrive. In addition to cruising along the Skyline Drive, we descended into the depths of Luray Caverns. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
En route home on Monday, we visited <a href="http://www.polyfacefarms.com/">Polyface Farms</a>, featured in Michael Pollan's <i>The Omnivore's Dilemma</i>. The farm was a delight: we cavorted with chickens, rabbits, and cows, were challenged by the guard goose, watched pigs rooting in the mud from a safe distance, and bought lots of Polyface products. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztBBi1NlyY8/UHSuA1S7oII/AAAAAAAAFeQ/JaWYncskDJU/s1600/IMG_6624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ztBBi1NlyY8/UHSuA1S7oII/AAAAAAAAFeQ/JaWYncskDJU/s320/IMG_6624.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZA1YmuPO8Ps/UHSuLb9xk1I/AAAAAAAAFeY/eTAw5PRnWys/s1600/IMG_6629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZA1YmuPO8Ps/UHSuLb9xk1I/AAAAAAAAFeY/eTAw5PRnWys/s320/IMG_6629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hck0GYpPrM/UHSuNF8nbtI/AAAAAAAAFeg/sVbEvSLSy_M/s1600/IMG_6658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0hck0GYpPrM/UHSuNF8nbtI/AAAAAAAAFeg/sVbEvSLSy_M/s320/IMG_6658.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkL9LsinjAg/UHSuO1z3STI/AAAAAAAAFeo/-RgJSdu7mYU/s1600/IMG_6667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkL9LsinjAg/UHSuO1z3STI/AAAAAAAAFeo/-RgJSdu7mYU/s320/IMG_6667.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUfk1QhST3g/UHSuczzxf1I/AAAAAAAAFfI/19Q-mgUlNbs/s1600/IMG_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LUfk1QhST3g/UHSuczzxf1I/AAAAAAAAFfI/19Q-mgUlNbs/s320/IMG_1503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpyUJ2KFZqc/UHSug8YtN0I/AAAAAAAAFfQ/tkHfNu97vWY/s1600/IMG_1516.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wpyUJ2KFZqc/UHSug8YtN0I/AAAAAAAAFfQ/tkHfNu97vWY/s320/IMG_1516.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mz9C8j7poI4/UHSuleq-6JI/AAAAAAAAFfY/v81M56-1YT8/s1600/IMG_1522.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mz9C8j7poI4/UHSuleq-6JI/AAAAAAAAFfY/v81M56-1YT8/s320/IMG_1522.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mySNxtb7N30/UHSuqyG9z1I/AAAAAAAAFfg/CuXmK-M97fg/s1600/IMG_1525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mySNxtb7N30/UHSuqyG9z1I/AAAAAAAAFfg/CuXmK-M97fg/s320/IMG_1525.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTZMWBQsv0g/UHSuwIHfxpI/AAAAAAAAFfs/lPbIVEhpRAY/s1600/IMG_1535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pTZMWBQsv0g/UHSuwIHfxpI/AAAAAAAAFfs/lPbIVEhpRAY/s320/IMG_1535.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkCL8epr66I/UHSuQWLrsqI/AAAAAAAAFew/5IxHmHPRYSM/s1600/IMG_6668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RkCL8epr66I/UHSuQWLrsqI/AAAAAAAAFew/5IxHmHPRYSM/s320/IMG_6668.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8R9Pp2etMSE/UHSuVXwN6aI/AAAAAAAAFfA/6ck-XD57EKY/s1600/IMG_6683.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8R9Pp2etMSE/UHSuVXwN6aI/AAAAAAAAFfA/6ck-XD57EKY/s320/IMG_6683.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-62874564820938385852012-10-08T19:12:00.001-05:002012-10-08T19:12:15.748-05:00Long Weekend, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--e7FRFU6vtE/UHNK7r6wHlI/AAAAAAAAFcg/pUH0dEgkEKc/s1600/IMG_6580.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--e7FRFU6vtE/UHNK7r6wHlI/AAAAAAAAFcg/pUH0dEgkEKc/s320/IMG_6580.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We just returned from a wonderful visit to <a href="http://www.nps.gov/shen/index.htm">Shenandoah National Park</a>. Last year, we missed the peak of fall color by arriving one week after an early snowfall took down most of the leaves. This year, we took advantage of the long Columbus Day holiday weekend and spent Saturday and Sunday in the park. Saturday was windy and chilly, and rain threatened us much of the day. Sunday was a washout, but we took a long foggy drive along Skyline Drive. Below you will find photos of some of our discoveries.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wqo-fAwUys/UHNLIJs1NJI/AAAAAAAAFc4/o7P1hpTrG5I/s1600/IMG_6508+Stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="117" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3wqo-fAwUys/UHNLIJs1NJI/AAAAAAAAFc4/o7P1hpTrG5I/s320/IMG_6508+Stitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--w-7b4A_KlY/UHNLVlyDlmI/AAAAAAAAFdM/8LokUkHBjLM/s1600/IMG_1424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--w-7b4A_KlY/UHNLVlyDlmI/AAAAAAAAFdM/8LokUkHBjLM/s320/IMG_1424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDVjW_kcGP0/UHNKeVazxRI/AAAAAAAAFbk/rucAMnaNF8o/s1600/IMG_6491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ZDVjW_kcGP0/UHNKeVazxRI/AAAAAAAAFbk/rucAMnaNF8o/s320/IMG_6491.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiU7T9tsHFs/UHNKyhZIi1I/AAAAAAAAFcI/2w_msCmNNK8/s1600/IMG_6566.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iiU7T9tsHFs/UHNKyhZIi1I/AAAAAAAAFcI/2w_msCmNNK8/s320/IMG_6566.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5PuZb5y7Cvw/UHNK0Vf0OGI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/54of8ktSQ_E/s1600/IMG_6568.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5PuZb5y7Cvw/UHNK0Vf0OGI/AAAAAAAAFcQ/54of8ktSQ_E/s320/IMG_6568.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vAi6tj522w/UHNK4UgGu7I/AAAAAAAAFcY/E8wpSQ-OuCM/s1600/IMG_6575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vAi6tj522w/UHNK4UgGu7I/AAAAAAAAFcY/E8wpSQ-OuCM/s320/IMG_6575.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwhY_yzcroc/UHNLkvyV5NI/AAAAAAAAFdk/fg66arFYW54/s1600/IMG_1462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BwhY_yzcroc/UHNLkvyV5NI/AAAAAAAAFdk/fg66arFYW54/s320/IMG_1462.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AIb_qDSBwps/UHNLLS2s96I/AAAAAAAAFdA/gLcDZOI9fx8/s1600/IMG_6522+Stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="129" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AIb_qDSBwps/UHNLLS2s96I/AAAAAAAAFdA/gLcDZOI9fx8/s320/IMG_6522+Stitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tmlyPNAYtE/UHNLcD5BtOI/AAAAAAAAFdU/G8rCD-Hudso/s1600/IMG_1453.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2tmlyPNAYtE/UHNLcD5BtOI/AAAAAAAAFdU/G8rCD-Hudso/s320/IMG_1453.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhwhRBwrMN0/UHNLoa6qeSI/AAAAAAAAFdw/DoBx-2yMhxg/s1600/IMG_1583.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jhwhRBwrMN0/UHNLoa6qeSI/AAAAAAAAFdw/DoBx-2yMhxg/s320/IMG_1583.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YxEyyAHn49g/UHNKh8WsCgI/AAAAAAAAFbs/Ip4Q8AoJrwE/s1600/IMG_6536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YxEyyAHn49g/UHNKh8WsCgI/AAAAAAAAFbs/Ip4Q8AoJrwE/s320/IMG_6536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7EaW25I7AUg/UHNKoYvkyII/AAAAAAAAFb4/DNUrRq0q5uQ/s1600/IMG_6542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7EaW25I7AUg/UHNKoYvkyII/AAAAAAAAFb4/DNUrRq0q5uQ/s320/IMG_6542.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zW-k2BZoKxU/UHNKsURke3I/AAAAAAAAFcA/45tcV2q3GaA/s1600/IMG_6552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zW-k2BZoKxU/UHNKsURke3I/AAAAAAAAFcA/45tcV2q3GaA/s320/IMG_6552.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDrYDTEGCOY/UHNK9GGEEHI/AAAAAAAAFco/OM3pqs7zFH0/s1600/IMG_6595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nDrYDTEGCOY/UHNK9GGEEHI/AAAAAAAAFco/OM3pqs7zFH0/s320/IMG_6595.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-7641630699439993262012-08-05T06:23:00.000-05:002012-08-05T06:23:19.885-05:00Great Falls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1DhpZBjW8g/UB5VHoG08zI/AAAAAAAAFZw/eAJeqyEcRPM/s1600/IMG_6462+Stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="163" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-R1DhpZBjW8g/UB5VHoG08zI/AAAAAAAAFZw/eAJeqyEcRPM/s320/IMG_6462+Stitch.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We have almost reached the one-year mark in our two-year DC adventure, but we are still discovering many exciting features of the region. Great Falls National Park has picturesque views, fun rock climbing, and a sprinkling of history. During our Saturday visit, Carter earned another Junior Ranger badge, learning about the Potowmack Canal and the people who created and tended it (you can see a Mason's mark hewn in the stone of a canal lock below). Not only is it a lovely place, but Great Falls is only 15 miles away.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPX0dbI6T1U/UB5V-RpZ5mI/AAAAAAAAFaE/2a_VvE6-7dU/s1600/IMG_1132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QPX0dbI6T1U/UB5V-RpZ5mI/AAAAAAAAFaE/2a_VvE6-7dU/s320/IMG_1132.JPG" width="240" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gfs1kSj890/UB5V2f-3PjI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/USu5f2AL1XA/s1600/IMG_6482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Gfs1kSj890/UB5V2f-3PjI/AAAAAAAAFZ4/USu5f2AL1XA/s320/IMG_6482.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SDy1IsA3jyE/UB5WCrNOuoI/AAAAAAAAFaM/1Gm7fcmMzzc/s1600/IMG_1142.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SDy1IsA3jyE/UB5WCrNOuoI/AAAAAAAAFaM/1Gm7fcmMzzc/s320/IMG_1142.JPG" width="213" /></a>Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-40600193605652285932012-08-01T19:27:00.000-05:002012-08-01T19:30:12.787-05:00Empire State<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xFI7V0tRuQs/UBnAESvoIPI/AAAAAAAAFX0/wLyEQcp7AIo/s1600/IMG_6369+Stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xFI7V0tRuQs/UBnAESvoIPI/AAAAAAAAFX0/wLyEQcp7AIo/s320/IMG_6369+Stitch.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
Last weekend, we visited Erik's sister and her family on Long Island and did some sightseeing in Manhattan. Carter had strong preferences about what we would see and do in New York, including: 1) earning his Junior Ranger badge at Sagamore Hill; 2) going to the observation deck of the Empire State Building; 3) seeing the Statue of Liberty; and 4) playing on the beach with his cousins. We are happy to report that all missions were accomplished successfully.<br />
<br />
Carter accomplished his first objective at Theodore Roosevelt's home and museum nearby his cousins' house. Carter's Uncle Scott is a ranger at the site and gave us a tour as his shift completed. We were fortunate to meet with a sound engineer from the Thomas Edison site who was at Sagamore Hill demonstrating wax cylinders and recording the local TR reenactor.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WSF9pbObUEY/UBm-kJfL53I/AAAAAAAAFXQ/RohBNz7lvOc/s1600/IMG_6335.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WSF9pbObUEY/UBm-kJfL53I/AAAAAAAAFXQ/RohBNz7lvOc/s320/IMG_6335.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
Later, we took a trip into the city to accomplish all of the other goals. We saw the city from above on the Empire State Building...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7TKXoaBxUI/UBm-mMXwDQI/AAAAAAAAFXU/WYWOlhSsAvU/s1600/IMG_6346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k7TKXoaBxUI/UBm-mMXwDQI/AAAAAAAAFXU/WYWOlhSsAvU/s320/IMG_6346.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKVpzhTVcwc/UBm_LV5YJ9I/AAAAAAAAFXo/s-tfRjFQv3E/s1600/IMG_6345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cKVpzhTVcwc/UBm_LV5YJ9I/AAAAAAAAFXo/s-tfRjFQv3E/s320/IMG_6345.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
...from the water on the Staten Island Ferry...<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DwJhkS6F6KA/UBnBX0RIMcI/AAAAAAAAFYc/49RXxxmMiOw/s1600/IMG_6431+Stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DwJhkS6F6KA/UBnBX0RIMcI/AAAAAAAAFYc/49RXxxmMiOw/s320/IMG_6431+Stitch.jpg" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
...and from the middle of Times Square.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAnoEZSpon4/UBnAlP6-3RI/AAAAAAAAFYE/Rk_L8YuBCW0/s1600/IMG_6440.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LAnoEZSpon4/UBnAlP6-3RI/AAAAAAAAFYE/Rk_L8YuBCW0/s320/IMG_6440.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
We also had a wonderful view of the Statue of Liberty, made more special by the appearance of a War of 1812 tall ship (or what appeared to be one. Erik was especially excited about this sighting given his current 1812 Bicentennial obsession).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-byY8kJMLU/UBnAP_0I13I/AAAAAAAAFX8/BiRGzjnAMiM/s1600/IMG_6384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n-byY8kJMLU/UBnAP_0I13I/AAAAAAAAFX8/BiRGzjnAMiM/s320/IMG_6384.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
Although the weather was not optimal, we even made it to the beach with cousins Jane and George. George taught Carter about the indigenous crabs and fish. They even caught a few and then released them to the wild. Carter loved our adventure in New York - especially because it gave him a chance to see his cousins.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XH7ZmFm_EEY/UBnJzL8Bq7I/AAAAAAAAFZQ/pwc3ChVWdgI/s1600/IMG_6443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XH7ZmFm_EEY/UBnJzL8Bq7I/AAAAAAAAFZQ/pwc3ChVWdgI/s320/IMG_6443.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dnGFthKe70/UBnBlXxl5CI/AAAAAAAAFYw/WLU__ve4HdY/s1600/IMG_6450.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8dnGFthKe70/UBnBlXxl5CI/AAAAAAAAFYw/WLU__ve4HdY/s320/IMG_6450.JPG" width="211" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KTEG2vqUC1M/UBnAy44DxEI/AAAAAAAAFYM/MrGf5j_sLeY/s1600/IMG_6443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-31432236292712740362012-07-07T17:29:00.000-05:002012-07-07T17:29:14.031-05:00Summer Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XP47wRlRBNM/T_ivbRvgqwI/AAAAAAAAFW8/fCXIsGnt-XY/s1600/IMG_0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XP47wRlRBNM/T_ivbRvgqwI/AAAAAAAAFW8/fCXIsGnt-XY/s320/IMG_0853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Since our last post, we have been active explorers in and around the DC area. Most of our activities have been limited to weekends, as Carter's school year ended only in mid-June (quite a departure from Kansas where summer vacation begins in May). Carter has taken on the primary role of family photographer, so many of the images that follow are his.</div>
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3sflUBMrLw/T_ip6mlF0eI/AAAAAAAAFUs/QHB6_29MbKU/s1600/IMG_0509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L3sflUBMrLw/T_ip6mlF0eI/AAAAAAAAFUs/QHB6_29MbKU/s320/IMG_0509.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
Over the last three months, Carter has returned to his Irish roots, seeking out four-leaf clovers. Although he is only about 1/4 Irish, he has found eleven of them since May. One of his specimens is above.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW9pbpW22nQ/T_iqQM2PyXI/AAAAAAAAFU0/bsGHMiAjF_A/s1600/IMG_0515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pW9pbpW22nQ/T_iqQM2PyXI/AAAAAAAAFU0/bsGHMiAjF_A/s320/IMG_0515.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
In early May, embassies from all over the world held open houses on two consecutive weekends. We visited fourteen, including Cote d'Ivoire (above) which had spectacular entertainment and food.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zm4eZUZMayU/T_iqhKR0-OI/AAAAAAAAFU8/smUz0YZS3gQ/s1600/IMG_0540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Zm4eZUZMayU/T_iqhKR0-OI/AAAAAAAAFU8/smUz0YZS3gQ/s320/IMG_0540.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Later in May, we traveled to Monticello. We had a lovely day, wandering through the grounds, picnicking in Jefferson's vegetable garden, and learning about the history of this important site.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w39cDbD2WCs/T_iq5jENu8I/AAAAAAAAFVI/FyPEp7xhKE8/s1600/IMG_0548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-w39cDbD2WCs/T_iq5jENu8I/AAAAAAAAFVI/FyPEp7xhKE8/s320/IMG_0548.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
On Memorial Day weekend, we attended a concert in front of the Capitol. Unfortunately, our evening was cut short by inclement weather - we were evacuated from the lawn halfway through the show.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NQCsFRlRcPQ/T_irOHWjBMI/AAAAAAAAFVQ/nytNMxG2lhc/s1600/IMG_0560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NQCsFRlRcPQ/T_irOHWjBMI/AAAAAAAAFVQ/nytNMxG2lhc/s320/IMG_0560.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
In June, we took a short drive to West Virginia with Scott, a graduate school chum of Erik's. Scott is co-owner of thoroughbred horses that race in Charles Town. In addition to watching the races, we had a tour of the stables. Above, Carter is petting Queen McRace.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3yWoLibKHs/T_ircrrqYuI/AAAAAAAAFVY/giM7Y1GH4a8/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X3yWoLibKHs/T_ircrrqYuI/AAAAAAAAFVY/giM7Y1GH4a8/s320/IMG_0591.JPG" width="320" /></a>
<br />
<br />
Later in June, Carter's grandfather Leo came for a visit. We went to the National Arboretum and took time to feed the koi, gaze in wonder at the bonsai (the tree below has been in training since 1625!), and even watch a "distant relative" stalk the koi later in the day.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmEAYIRbp2c/T_isVWS6Q0I/AAAAAAAAFVg/64VtoEaQelo/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UmEAYIRbp2c/T_isVWS6Q0I/AAAAAAAAFVg/64VtoEaQelo/s320/IMG_0617.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvyBzuzngyw/T_isqvlYTEI/AAAAAAAAFVs/9uiPFWxHlt0/s1600/IMG_0645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WvyBzuzngyw/T_isqvlYTEI/AAAAAAAAFVs/9uiPFWxHlt0/s320/IMG_0645.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Carter, Lea, and Leo spent an afternoon bird-watching at Dyke Marsh while Erik was at work. Carter especially enjoyed watching the young osprey learning to fly (see below).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y09DPmxDjuI/T_is3U5O5DI/AAAAAAAAFV0/n8QEe4lLi54/s1600/IMG_0693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y09DPmxDjuI/T_is3U5O5DI/AAAAAAAAFV0/n8QEe4lLi54/s320/IMG_0693.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
In late June and early July, we were on the road again. We stopped in Cleveland to see Lea's relatives, made a pit stop on South Bass Island to visit Perry's Monument (Erik is currently obsessed with the War of 1812), and then traveled to Michigan to attend our good friend Todd's wedding and stay for a couple of days with Erik's parents. The stop at Perry's Monument was especially fruitful. Not only did Carter attend a free harmonica lesson with a fabulous teacher (he was given a really nice harmonica), but one of the creators of Carter's favorite show (Phineas and Ferb) re-tweeted a picture featuring Carter in front of the monument wearing his Perry the Platypus t-shirt.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E7-1EqCsI4E/T_itNAqsXaI/AAAAAAAAFV8/1ItsI3XaSi0/s1600/IMG_0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E7-1EqCsI4E/T_itNAqsXaI/AAAAAAAAFV8/1ItsI3XaSi0/s320/IMG_0727.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We hurried back home to participate in Fourth of July celebrations. Although it was oppressively hot in DC, we spent the whole day at events. First, we watched the parade.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh-uZjarA60/T_itt_WCS_I/AAAAAAAAFWE/k2hBa5jGZ5w/s1600/IMG_0746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xh-uZjarA60/T_itt_WCS_I/AAAAAAAAFWE/k2hBa5jGZ5w/s320/IMG_0746.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
In addition to participants from (almost) every state, Bermuda and Bolivia also had delegations.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X-UoYaUCJLY/T_iuCP1cAVI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/gWwmyw2Xo4E/s1600/IMG_0757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X-UoYaUCJLY/T_iuCP1cAVI/AAAAAAAAFWQ/gWwmyw2Xo4E/s320/IMG_0757.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5GsJpZbzsQ/T_iuhDb24zI/AAAAAAAAFWY/Tve9-LHlup0/s1600/IMG_0761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W5GsJpZbzsQ/T_iuhDb24zI/AAAAAAAAFWY/Tve9-LHlup0/s320/IMG_0761.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Second, we stopped in the White House Visitors' Center where Carter participated in a re-enactment of the Continental Congress and signing of the Declaration of Independence. He got to play the role of Thomas Jefferson, announcing his support for independence and signing the document.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ISCP8-UdJ8/T_iu1txYBVI/AAAAAAAAFWg/cZj3nW3K8l8/s1600/IMG_0790.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ISCP8-UdJ8/T_iu1txYBVI/AAAAAAAAFWg/cZj3nW3K8l8/s320/IMG_0790.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Third, we dropped in on the Air and Space Museum to watch the Air Force's rock band (and cool down). Finally, we headed to a spot of grass to camp out and watch fireworks. It is hard to beat the Fourth in DC!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l4R8RDlSwwc/T_ivCOHqvDI/AAAAAAAAFWo/evCVwq0itt0/s1600/IMG_0801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l4R8RDlSwwc/T_ivCOHqvDI/AAAAAAAAFWo/evCVwq0itt0/s320/IMG_0801.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEsaWv9hWZk/T_ivM93F4FI/AAAAAAAAFW0/eoUEJUTyBtQ/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yEsaWv9hWZk/T_ivM93F4FI/AAAAAAAAFW0/eoUEJUTyBtQ/s320/IMG_0802.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-22455151563786816032012-04-22T13:57:00.002-05:002012-04-22T13:57:23.624-05:00Saturday Afternoon in the White House Gardens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ju5YiV-ib3w/T5MkpMTnExI/AAAAAAAAFS4/3w7HYua1ytg/s1600/IMG_1736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ju5YiV-ib3w/T5MkpMTnExI/AAAAAAAAFS4/3w7HYua1ytg/s320/IMG_1736.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
A few weeks ago, we entered the lottery for the White House Easter Egg Roll. Much like the Mega Millions drawing, we didn't have a winning ticket. Lea found out that First Lady Michelle Obama's <a href="http://www.letsmove.gov/">Let's Move</a> initiative (a fantastic effort to promote heath, nutrition, and exercise) was sponsoring a TweetUp, so we tried again. Unfortunately, we didn't make the cut on the TweetUp either.<br />
<br />
Fast forward a couple of weeks and we were planning a weekend jaunt to the Spring White House Garden Tour. Tickets were free, but you had to line up early to get them. On Wednesday, however, Lea received an email from a White House staffer coordinating social media. She liked Lea's entry in the TweetUp and offered us tickets for Saturday. We were so excited to have our morning free and our passes to the Garden Tour without standing in an extra line to procure tickets. On top of that, we would have gone on Sunday due to Carter's Saturday morning soccer game, and it rained all day Sunday. So, it worked out perfectly!<br />
<br />
The weather was glorious - sunny skies and warm temperatures - and we joined hundreds of people in spring attire wandering about the White House grounds. The experience was wonderful, and one that we will remember for a long time. Below you will find photos taken by Carter and Erik with some comments on a great Washington DC event. Lea's photos can be accessed via her Twitter feed, @leamarie.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRHN0Scg5cU/T5MsMkHrIiI/AAAAAAAAFUI/ETZKyNQO888/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YRHN0Scg5cU/T5MsMkHrIiI/AAAAAAAAFUI/ETZKyNQO888/s320/IMG_0487.JPG" /></a> <br /><span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">After passing through the obligatory security line, we entered the grounds. </span>We passed by the verdant Kennedy Garden en route to the south entrance to the White House. <br /> <br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qxmTWIkZqE/T5Ml0lGESRI/AAAAAAAAFTI/-2Ko_EvDMwU/s1600/IMG_1696.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3qxmTWIkZqE/T5Ml0lGESRI/AAAAAAAAFTI/-2Ko_EvDMwU/s320/IMG_1696.JPG" /></a> <br />Kennedy Garden <br /><br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qOox0OGBK28/T5Mr6iJbqrI/AAAAAAAAFUA/akazqbPnjZE/s1600/IMG_1698+Stitch+(1024x750).jpg"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qOox0OGBK28/T5Mr6iJbqrI/AAAAAAAAFUA/akazqbPnjZE/s320/IMG_1698+Stitch+(1024x750).jpg" /></a> <br />At the Rose Garden (above), we chatted with a friendly and enthusiastic staffer who told Carter all about White House history. We learned about several modifications that presidents have made along the way, including the Oval Office's move from the main building to the West Wing and finally to the exterior (so that FDR could have windows - see below). We heard about - and later saw - the putting green, the pool, and basketball court as well. The main surprise about the Rose Garden was how few roses were actually planted there.<br /><br /> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z77_xGP-h_4/T5Mk_Pbe-JI/AAAAAAAAFTA/M0_W2d8eSlc/s1600/IMG_1704+(2).jpg"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z77_xGP-h_4/T5Mk_Pbe-JI/AAAAAAAAFTA/M0_W2d8eSlc/s320/IMG_1704+(2).jpg" /></a> <br />After thanking the staffer for answering so many questions, we moved past the Oval Office to Malia and Sasha's outdoor play area. It was at this point that Carter expressed his disappointment that he does not currently reside in the White House. We explained that he could live there as an adult, but he was concerned that, as president, he would not have time to take advantage of the amenities of the White House. We told him we were sure the president would have some time to play. We also told him another option was to be married to the president.<br /> <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fH8dDxgnGCw/T5Mrs6cIczI/AAAAAAAAFT4/PciVrCgfzEM/s1600/IMG_0492.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fH8dDxgnGCw/T5Mrs6cIczI/AAAAAAAAFT4/PciVrCgfzEM/s320/IMG_0492.JPG" /></a> <br />Sasha and Malia's Playset <br /> <br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ak-kbY61ol0/T5MwPa_Jz2I/AAAAAAAAFUQ/B-UEdpplbek/s1600/IMG_1697.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ak-kbY61ol0/T5MwPa_Jz2I/AAAAAAAAFUQ/B-UEdpplbek/s320/IMG_1697.JPG" /></a> <br />View of the Washington and Jefferson Memorials from the WH <br /><br /> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46m2SUBs85c/T5MjTeEhziI/AAAAAAAAFSY/49On_U5Ehks/s1600/IMG_1713.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46m2SUBs85c/T5MjTeEhziI/AAAAAAAAFSY/49On_U5Ehks/s320/IMG_1713.JPG" /></a> <br />Lea and Carter on the Grounds <br /><br /> <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uvsxp53c7OU/T5Miq_CFnCI/AAAAAAAAFSQ/isvW2XUlp2w/s1600/IMG_1705+Stitch+(1024x359).jpg"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uvsxp53c7OU/T5Miq_CFnCI/AAAAAAAAFSQ/isvW2XUlp2w/s320/IMG_1705+Stitch+(1024x359).jpg" /></a> <br />Panorama of the South Lawn<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HqCTpv5wFUc/T5MjymgLpOI/AAAAAAAAFSg/kL84VJG2Ol4/s1600/IMG_1724.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HqCTpv5wFUc/T5MjymgLpOI/AAAAAAAAFSg/kL84VJG2Ol4/s320/IMG_1724.JPG" /></a><br />On our stroll, we paused to listen to the US Army Band and take some photos. We explored the White House Kitchen Garden and beehive - a highlight of the tour - pausing to chat with the helpful US Park Service Ranger, who confirmed that there are no beets in the garden. <br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpsTc4LCums/T5MkG85D7VI/AAAAAAAAFSo/3_iRStW-_EE/s1600/IMG_1727.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VpsTc4LCums/T5MkG85D7VI/AAAAAAAAFSo/3_iRStW-_EE/s320/IMG_1727.JPG" /></a><br />Beehive (with bees)<br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NQs92ycW1g/T5MkYUhbWyI/AAAAAAAAFSw/Od1lbJGEjj4/s1600/IMG_1733.JPG"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8NQs92ycW1g/T5MkYUhbWyI/AAAAAAAAFSw/Od1lbJGEjj4/s320/IMG_1733.JPG" /></a><br />Kitchen Garden<br />
<br />
The lettuces and other vegetables looked delicious and we loved how the red and green lettuces were planted. We were grateful for another lovely day and fun adventure in DC. </div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uvsxp53c7OU/T5Miq_CFnCI/AAAAAAAAFSQ/isvW2XUlp2w/s1600/IMG_1705+Stitch+(1024x359).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-46m2SUBs85c/T5MjTeEhziI/AAAAAAAAFSY/49On_U5Ehks/s1600/IMG_1713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uvsxp53c7OU/T5Miq_CFnCI/AAAAAAAAFSQ/isvW2XUlp2w/s1600/IMG_1705+Stitch+(1024x359).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uvsxp53c7OU/T5Miq_CFnCI/AAAAAAAAFSQ/isvW2XUlp2w/s1600/IMG_1705+Stitch+(1024x359).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Uvsxp53c7OU/T5Miq_CFnCI/AAAAAAAAFSQ/isvW2XUlp2w/s1600/IMG_1705+Stitch+(1024x359).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-30222800752351323262012-04-01T17:20:00.000-05:002012-04-01T17:20:25.756-05:00Carter's Post<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPoK5PxvSMc/T3jC-ozG7mI/AAAAAAAAFPY/4lR1CE-64fI/s1600/IMG_0214.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fPoK5PxvSMc/T3jC-ozG7mI/AAAAAAAAFPY/4lR1CE-64fI/s320/IMG_0214.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Carter received a great camera for Christmas and has been taking lovely photos all over Washington, DC. In this post, he describes his experiences and pictures.<br />
=========================================================================<br />
<br />
Before the cherry blossoms were gone, mom and I went to see them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng32VyZC1vk/T3jDFYU93hI/AAAAAAAAFPg/pQNin0eOG14/s1600/IMG_0215.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ng32VyZC1vk/T3jDFYU93hI/AAAAAAAAFPg/pQNin0eOG14/s320/IMG_0215.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNmf-0NzJNc/T3jDK_F0gGI/AAAAAAAAFPo/nsCS1-KUNvc/s1600/IMG_0217.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HNmf-0NzJNc/T3jDK_F0gGI/AAAAAAAAFPo/nsCS1-KUNvc/s320/IMG_0217.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Wcp5BK3_I0/T3jDQgYlgRI/AAAAAAAAFPw/DTTCZOL1RyE/s1600/IMG_0218.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8Wcp5BK3_I0/T3jDQgYlgRI/AAAAAAAAFPw/DTTCZOL1RyE/s320/IMG_0218.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Some of the pictures have the sunset in them.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4hUbeSsjwqo/T3jDVm-v__I/AAAAAAAAFP4/xOcwPkzsHZQ/s1600/IMG_0223.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4hUbeSsjwqo/T3jDVm-v__I/AAAAAAAAFP4/xOcwPkzsHZQ/s320/IMG_0223.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-50jnhrbp6Yg/T3jDbWwVRvI/AAAAAAAAFQA/yNFf49b8FCg/s1600/IMG_0231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-50jnhrbp6Yg/T3jDbWwVRvI/AAAAAAAAFQA/yNFf49b8FCg/s320/IMG_0231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XgPrQ2ABJxY/T3jDi95CFPI/AAAAAAAAFQI/OmN58TiGSs8/s1600/IMG_0236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XgPrQ2ABJxY/T3jDi95CFPI/AAAAAAAAFQI/OmN58TiGSs8/s320/IMG_0236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Mom and I found some ducks. I wanted a picture of a duck looking at me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-MHTci0j4E/T3jDmBvECAI/AAAAAAAAFQQ/D1w3OsH1gjk/s1600/IMG_0241.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-J-MHTci0j4E/T3jDmBvECAI/AAAAAAAAFQQ/D1w3OsH1gjk/s320/IMG_0241.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2pyBRW-eByk/T3jDsmSwe0I/AAAAAAAAFQY/OVree1JBWPM/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2pyBRW-eByk/T3jDsmSwe0I/AAAAAAAAFQY/OVree1JBWPM/s320/IMG_0245.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div> Mom and I were walking to the Hirshhorn.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCLPgk1N6vw/T3jDvQbtRtI/AAAAAAAAFQg/yvOw87hH0Kk/s1600/IMG_0247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qCLPgk1N6vw/T3jDvQbtRtI/AAAAAAAAFQg/yvOw87hH0Kk/s320/IMG_0247.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>The Hirshhorn is having a temporary exhibit with a screen around the Hirshhorn. It goes from sunset until midnight.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TNdwfzjNxhY/T3jDx65-kxI/AAAAAAAAFQo/YjCgZO7REmM/s1600/IMG_0254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TNdwfzjNxhY/T3jDx65-kxI/AAAAAAAAFQo/YjCgZO7REmM/s320/IMG_0254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDgEmu51Ta8/T3jD0uhLOdI/AAAAAAAAFQw/iVYwdtj69_U/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LDgEmu51Ta8/T3jD0uhLOdI/AAAAAAAAFQw/iVYwdtj69_U/s320/IMG_0259.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pvNgvZsPxg/T3jD3snlTII/AAAAAAAAFQ4/9vhpbFw0gZc/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_pvNgvZsPxg/T3jD3snlTII/AAAAAAAAFQ4/9vhpbFw0gZc/s320/IMG_0261.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rt9XJZG_DOg/T3jD8bKaelI/AAAAAAAAFRA/r-7RdUArJHI/s1600/IMG_0265.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rt9XJZG_DOg/T3jD8bKaelI/AAAAAAAAFRA/r-7RdUArJHI/s320/IMG_0265.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xO5M5Lh0xCo/T3jD_EQAqlI/AAAAAAAAFRI/C77WpvqxGc8/s1600/IMG_0270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xO5M5Lh0xCo/T3jD_EQAqlI/AAAAAAAAFRI/C77WpvqxGc8/s320/IMG_0270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> ========================================================================<br />
On mommy's birthday, we went to the American History Museum. On the way we saw some flowers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-niSu05F8IlU/T3jEEoVUlqI/AAAAAAAAFRQ/UWIZFOAfDa0/s1600/IMG_0274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-niSu05F8IlU/T3jEEoVUlqI/AAAAAAAAFRQ/UWIZFOAfDa0/s320/IMG_0274.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-faE8rqUXNSk/T3jEMJQI0DI/AAAAAAAAFRY/2AGQOnOJmIM/s1600/IMG_0275.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-faE8rqUXNSk/T3jEMJQI0DI/AAAAAAAAFRY/2AGQOnOJmIM/s320/IMG_0275.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div> Next we went to the kite festival.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FT4yychbDyo/T3jESR5Wn1I/AAAAAAAAFRg/88fKAc6LaMM/s1600/IMG_0285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FT4yychbDyo/T3jESR5Wn1I/AAAAAAAAFRg/88fKAc6LaMM/s320/IMG_0285.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sf5QmcIiDsg/T3jEXXUhWYI/AAAAAAAAFRo/1DDzQe4QcB4/s1600/IMG_0286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sf5QmcIiDsg/T3jEXXUhWYI/AAAAAAAAFRo/1DDzQe4QcB4/s320/IMG_0286.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hqueTH_6p7Y/T3jEclUQ4zI/AAAAAAAAFRw/hUJ0btLu5JI/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hqueTH_6p7Y/T3jEclUQ4zI/AAAAAAAAFRw/hUJ0btLu5JI/s320/IMG_0295.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3YtXDKw361A/T3jEhMFZJyI/AAAAAAAAFR4/edpp82G3h18/s1600/IMG_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3YtXDKw361A/T3jEhMFZJyI/AAAAAAAAFR4/edpp82G3h18/s320/IMG_0299.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9fsQNZKfkU/T3jEkfNHABI/AAAAAAAAFSA/eBr_d3IH8D4/s1600/IMG_0311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b9fsQNZKfkU/T3jEkfNHABI/AAAAAAAAFSA/eBr_d3IH8D4/s320/IMG_0311.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Next we went to people drumming. It was a Japanese drum show.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-orh8XNYIfT0/T3jRa9QzUHI/AAAAAAAAFSI/tN1AQbI4Z-w/s1600/IMG_0312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-orh8XNYIfT0/T3jRa9QzUHI/AAAAAAAAFSI/tN1AQbI4Z-w/s320/IMG_0312.JPG" width="320" /></a> <br />
<br />
It is fun to take pictures!Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-61836760038990781542012-03-20T17:45:00.000-05:002012-03-20T17:45:22.911-05:00DC is Blooming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nAXsHPjQFxo/T2kFeOGxgoI/AAAAAAAAFOk/qDdvlAD-b08/s1600/IMG_6296+Stitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nAXsHPjQFxo/T2kFeOGxgoI/AAAAAAAAFOk/qDdvlAD-b08/s640/IMG_6296+Stitch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">We have not posted in a while, but have been busy in the DC area. Over the weekend, our friend Todd visited for the annual March Madness ritual of hoops and brackets. Saturday morning, we visited the National Mall to walk around and see the view. The cherry blossoms are out and nearly in full bloom a bit early. A truly remarkable sight!</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a9e9AFJRNmw/T2kGazxzf_I/AAAAAAAAFOs/b0XuXDEN1u4/s1600/IMG_6275+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-a9e9AFJRNmw/T2kGazxzf_I/AAAAAAAAFOs/b0XuXDEN1u4/s320/IMG_6275+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tGUXFZh5II/T2kGeKSjnxI/AAAAAAAAFO0/LlE-BSKzF_E/s1600/IMG_6295+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4tGUXFZh5II/T2kGeKSjnxI/AAAAAAAAFO0/LlE-BSKzF_E/s320/IMG_6295+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xqTQwF56F2c/T2kGhLkfsPI/AAAAAAAAFO8/klN_NfVLSsU/s1600/IMG_6316+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xqTQwF56F2c/T2kGhLkfsPI/AAAAAAAAFO8/klN_NfVLSsU/s320/IMG_6316+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BtrDaLrnlvA/T2kGkLLYkII/AAAAAAAAFPE/WoIVvjPL7Is/s1600/IMG_6318+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BtrDaLrnlvA/T2kGkLLYkII/AAAAAAAAFPE/WoIVvjPL7Is/s320/IMG_6318+(2).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Carter found a small blossom in this tree and took the lovely photo below.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FfWIfBFv-fI/T2kIFziX7FI/AAAAAAAAFPM/rCma1RKD1D8/s1600/IMG_0202+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FfWIfBFv-fI/T2kIFziX7FI/AAAAAAAAFPM/rCma1RKD1D8/s320/IMG_0202+-+Copy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div>Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-30659859032524284142011-12-31T17:53:00.000-06:002011-12-31T17:53:27.769-06:00Happy 2012!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwUdmvJhJ5g/Tv94-hTuH5I/AAAAAAAAFOE/sT1BPzOVSZc/s1600/IMG_1683+-+Copy+%25281024x692%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PwUdmvJhJ5g/Tv94-hTuH5I/AAAAAAAAFOE/sT1BPzOVSZc/s320/IMG_1683+-+Copy+%25281024x692%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We wish everyone health, happiness, and success in 2012.<br />
<br />
Happy New Year,<br />
<br />
Erik, Lea, and CarterErik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-31010755229189531702011-12-19T16:19:00.000-06:002011-12-19T16:19:59.538-06:00Season's Greenings<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg7cwv3dvw0/Tu-2FO3oygI/AAAAAAAAFMw/-6JB-v3VaCo/s1600/IMG_1609+-+Copy+%25281024x682%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rg7cwv3dvw0/Tu-2FO3oygI/AAAAAAAAFMw/-6JB-v3VaCo/s320/IMG_1609+-+Copy+%25281024x682%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The US Botanical Garden has been hosting a holiday event since Thanksgiving, <a href="http://www.usbg.gov/exhibits.cfm">Season's Greenings</a>, with amazing displays made from plant material. We visited on Sunday, taking along Carter's friend Kitty to see the fantastic animal homes (like Monkey Mansion above), presidential houses (Martin Van Buren's below), and to while away the hours in the standard displays of lovely orchids and other botanical wonders from around the world. More photos follow.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BBh2fsH2-aE/Tu-2HtOpB1I/AAAAAAAAFM4/iCRCQv4fJNk/s1600/IMG_1630+-+Copy+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-BBh2fsH2-aE/Tu-2HtOpB1I/AAAAAAAAFM4/iCRCQv4fJNk/s320/IMG_1630+-+Copy+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We found several interesting plants, including this one that looked like a bird.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz2Gwk4_yvw/Tu-2NPHhTKI/AAAAAAAAFNI/jhHn5-8uN44/s1600/IMG_1637+-+Copy+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tz2Gwk4_yvw/Tu-2NPHhTKI/AAAAAAAAFNI/jhHn5-8uN44/s320/IMG_1637+-+Copy+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yGeKAfIMf0c/Tu-2RHiCDmI/AAAAAAAAFNw/0et0CNCTxSc/s1600/IMG_1668+-+Copy+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yGeKAfIMf0c/Tu-2RHiCDmI/AAAAAAAAFNw/0et0CNCTxSc/s320/IMG_1668+-+Copy+%2528683x1024%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Carter and Kitty mugged for the camera quite a bit, posing everywhere. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cd7wI0TdeFc/Tu-2MWiYcdI/AAAAAAAAFNA/0dO-3ci11Qc/s1600/IMG_1635+-+Copy+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cd7wI0TdeFc/Tu-2MWiYcdI/AAAAAAAAFNA/0dO-3ci11Qc/s320/IMG_1635+-+Copy+%25281024x683%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFN4c-HC-28/Tu-2ONWb09I/AAAAAAAAFNQ/GSRjKPTGpdY/s1600/IMG_1643+-+Copy+%2528682x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xFN4c-HC-28/Tu-2ONWb09I/AAAAAAAAFNQ/GSRjKPTGpdY/s320/IMG_1643+-+Copy+%2528682x1024%2529.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVySzd5iIzU/Tu-2OxWXxaI/AAAAAAAAFNY/WWCcNaZxgWQ/s1600/IMG_1648+-+Copy+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EVySzd5iIzU/Tu-2OxWXxaI/AAAAAAAAFNY/WWCcNaZxgWQ/s320/IMG_1648+-+Copy+%25281024x681%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u59-g8mwZsU/Tu-2PsRHmCI/AAAAAAAAFNg/O1ErxrSxFGc/s1600/IMG_1658+-+Copy+%25281024x684%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u59-g8mwZsU/Tu-2PsRHmCI/AAAAAAAAFNg/O1ErxrSxFGc/s320/IMG_1658+-+Copy+%25281024x684%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kovITBM3B8g/Tu-2QDIhumI/AAAAAAAAFNo/CxQPFQRe4Qc/s1600/IMG_1664+-+Copy+%25281024x682%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kovITBM3B8g/Tu-2QDIhumI/AAAAAAAAFNo/CxQPFQRe4Qc/s320/IMG_1664+-+Copy+%25281024x682%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGbZ-sJfZl4/Tu-2R1cilbI/AAAAAAAAFN4/9MVx2tfGysI/s1600/IMG_1673+-+Copy+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BGbZ-sJfZl4/Tu-2R1cilbI/AAAAAAAAFN4/9MVx2tfGysI/s320/IMG_1673+-+Copy+%2528681x1024%2529.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We asked Kitty if she were to ever live in the house above, would she be called "President Kitty?" The answer is no. For formal titles, she prefers her formal name - Katherine.</div>Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-87141617434081297892011-12-16T04:50:00.000-06:002011-12-16T04:50:41.167-06:00Race to the South Pole<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D7eTlk9AoyY/TusfTh2lHfI/AAAAAAAAFMk/XA7xyoMogzA/s1600/IMG_6239+-+Copy+%2528532x800%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D7eTlk9AoyY/TusfTh2lHfI/AAAAAAAAFMk/XA7xyoMogzA/s320/IMG_6239+-+Copy+%2528532x800%2529.jpg" width="212" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">A couple of years ago, Lea's mother purchased videos for Carter featuring songs and cartoons about world travels. Carter would watch the videos non-stop on long car trips across the country and learned about the famous <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/antarctic-teams-racing-against-clock-to-reach-south-pole-for-amundsen-anniversary/2011/12/13/gIQAyJ5lrO_story.html">Race to the South Pole</a>. Since arriving in DC, we have come across several references to the race, and even saw an exhibit about efforts to reach the North Pole at the National Archives. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We decided to honor the 100th anniversary of the race on Wednesday. Carter had an early-release day at school, so Erik took a half day at work. We decorated Christmas cookies and packed up a box to take to Erik's colleagues at the NSF. Carter made a special cookie for Erik's co-worker Brian which you see below. It is an extensive form game tree in the colors of the University of Nebraska (Brian is a game theorist who came to the NSF from NU). Brian loved the cookie, but reports that it cannot be solved without information about the players' strategies. After exploring Erik's floor, they traveled to the Office of Polar Programs for a photo op (Carter is holding a snowflake cookie as part of our South Pole tribute). On the way out, Carter had a chance to see the display of "Ancient Denvers," a collaboration between scientists and artists depicting Denver, Colorado as it might have looked during the dinosaur age.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Of8RAAsyzE/TusfTBHKEPI/AAAAAAAAFMc/TErgrgTIdrA/s1600/IMG_6231+-+Copy+%2528800x533%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Of8RAAsyzE/TusfTBHKEPI/AAAAAAAAFMc/TErgrgTIdrA/s320/IMG_6231+-+Copy+%2528800x533%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-60603929133641565512011-12-11T13:36:00.000-06:002011-12-11T13:36:01.539-06:00'Tis the Season<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-096gq5soxQA/TuUFmuzFDoI/AAAAAAAAFMU/w531URJ7DeA/s1600/IMG_1592+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-096gq5soxQA/TuUFmuzFDoI/AAAAAAAAFMU/w531URJ7DeA/s320/IMG_1592+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>We have been busy with all sorts of activities, so this post comes after a bit of a delay. Last weekend, we enjoyed a lovely holiday scene in Washington, DC. Not only did we visit the National Christmas Tree and all of the state trees (kudos to Maryland and the territory of Puerto Rico for their superior ornaments), but Erik and Carter skated in the Sculpture Garden downtown and we stopped in to visit with a Santa. It was a lovely winter-like day (sans snow).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4GGBPu1Odng/TuUFl4zSnrI/AAAAAAAAFMM/TjEElJYvCcU/s1600/E%2526C1+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4GGBPu1Odng/TuUFl4zSnrI/AAAAAAAAFMM/TjEElJYvCcU/s320/E%2526C1+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6DXi3nltlY/TuUFlSsG9VI/AAAAAAAAFME/mEfpBtfcgs8/s1600/C-Santa+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-V6DXi3nltlY/TuUFlSsG9VI/AAAAAAAAFME/mEfpBtfcgs8/s320/C-Santa+%2528800x600%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a>Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9016346594203043807.post-1759220540171752342011-12-02T05:40:00.000-06:002011-12-02T05:40:14.808-06:00Man of Character<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sQZ9oz9_mwo/Tti4GxG4cSI/AAAAAAAAFLs/AWRBmlUgrS8/s1600/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sQZ9oz9_mwo/Tti4GxG4cSI/AAAAAAAAFLs/AWRBmlUgrS8/s320/photo+%252810%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After school today, Carter told Lea that he had something to show her. He escorted his mother to a bulletin board featuring his photo and short bio. Carter's teacher nominated him for the "Wall of Character" because he demonstrates this quality (and is one). We are really proud of our character.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKifIR1pufo/Tti4RjET5MI/AAAAAAAAFL0/Tz8FTdIKGjo/s1600/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKifIR1pufo/Tti4RjET5MI/AAAAAAAAFL0/Tz8FTdIKGjo/s320/photo+%25288%2529.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvJGBLG6oWs/Tti4Ge_IYOI/AAAAAAAAFLk/hSRWiEUQ-8g/s1600/photo+%25289%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yvJGBLG6oWs/Tti4Ge_IYOI/AAAAAAAAFLk/hSRWiEUQ-8g/s320/photo+%25289%2529.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Erik, Lea, and Carter Herronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12456064326946588819noreply@blogger.com0