My favorite pics so far

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Hiatus at an End

Okay, at Lisa's prodding, I have resumed my blogging career. For those of my friends who still bother to check if I've updated, many apologies. Long story short, my iBook decided to crash and I have been computer-less for the last two months. I just got a new iBook courtesy of my father, who also did an amazing rescue job on all my files. Moral of the story, back up files!!!

New Arrivals at the Sampson House

Meet Charlie and Susie, the newest additions to the Sampson Family! We just adopted two large and adorable chocolate labs. They belonged to a friend of a friend of a friend of an old man who couldn't take care of them. Since they were going to be put down unless a home could be found, we decided to take them. Suzie is the one in the pink collar, Charlie in the blue. They are brother and sister and love to play fetch. They are also trained hunting dogs, whatever that means. But I guess if I ever decide to shoot a rabbit or pheasant or something, they will retrieve it for me. They also love to play in the pool, relaxing on the top step to cool off or jumping in after a ball. Apparently they lifeguard too. When my sister got in the pool to swim, Susie tried to save her by tugging on her arm.

Smithsonian: D.C. Chronicles Part 8

On Wednesday we visited the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the National Gallery of Art. (Unfortunately the Museum of American History is closed for a couple years). Even if you had a week to explore and appreciate all of the museums along the Mall, it still would not be enough. The highlight of the Natural History Museum for me was the Hope Diamond. I could totally take that baby home!

The National Gallery of Art (technically not a Smithsonian Museum) is amazing. Lisa and I ran through that thing in about an hour and a half. That has to be some sort of record. We basically sprinted past beautiful Vermeers, Rembrandts, Monets, Reubens, Cezannes, and a stunning Da Vinci. It was kind of a painful experience!

Known Unto God: D.C. Chronicles Part 7

Tuesday afternoon we visited Arlington National Cemetery, site of over 300,000 graves of soldiers and their families. The beauty and peace of the cemetery washed over me as I thought about the courage and the honor of these men who had dedicated their lives to their country. After we walked around visiting the graves of men like John F. Kennedy, his brother Robert, Audie Murphy (the most decorated veteran of WWII), we went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where the 8th graders participated in a wreath-laying ceremony.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has the unidentified bodies of soldiers from WWI, the Korean War, and WWII. The body from the Vietnam War had recently been identified using DNA analysis and re-interred in his hometown. Because of DNA analysis, there will never again be a soldier only "known unto God," as the inscription on the Tomb says. The tomb is guarded day and night by an honor guard from the Army's 3rd Infantry. Watching the precision and perfection of these guards inspires a sense of awe and timelessness. The soldiers always take exactly 21 steps and pause for exactly 21 seconds during their turn at guard.

Hail to the Chief: D.C. Chronicles Part 6

I just got back from D.C./N.Y. I am so happy to be back! I can't wait to hang out with my friends. Sorry for not keeping up with the blogging. A combination of exhaustion and lack of internet. But we had a great trip and I'm going to update my blog in the next few days. (FYI: I have no idea what happened to Part 3, but I think I just misnumbered. Again, exhaustion.)

On Tuesday, we visited the White House. It was so cool knowing how much history had been made there and how even as we were there, decisions were being made a couple hundred feet away that impacted the whole world. It was especially fun chatting up the Secret Service guards around the rooms. Since they were guards not agents, no dark sunglasses and suits, but it was still amusing to ask them questions. Q: Is that a door in the hallways? A: I'm not allowed to say. Q: How many people work in the Secret Service? A: I'm not allowed to say. Q: How long did it take to do your background check? A: Two and half years, back to eighth grade.

Btw, on the way out of the White House, we noticed that the street was closed down. Pretty soon a cavalcade of black SUVs with men and guns hanging out the window started to drive by. Then we saw a limo and believe it or not, George W. Bush leaned forward from the back seat and waved to our group! Unbelievable!! The kids jumped up and down and screamed like it was a rock star. I am still smiling!!