 Hannah
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North_Dakota_Wheat
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Jacob
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Wednesday, July 30, 2003
The Statue of Liberty
Of course no trip to New York would be complete without a trip to the Statue of Liberty. A wonderful symbol of America, and a wonderful gift from the French! Such a stark contrast between the ideology of the terrorist and the democratic pioneers of this country. God does truly bless this country. For me my blessings are Shell and the kids, and the experiences in New York allowed us some time to let our hair blow in the wind.
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Of course no trip to New York would be complete without a trip to the Statue of Liberty. A wonderful symbol of America, and a wonderful gift from the French! Such a stark contrast between the ideology of the terrorist and the democratic pioneers of this country. God does truly bless this country. For me my blessings are Shell and the kids, and the experiences in New York allowed us some time to let our hair blow in the wind.
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
On to New York
Along the way we stopped at each State capital that we encountered. When this trip is concluded we plan to put up a corkboard with a USA map and trace out the route we took. We also plan to put in a pin at each capital and national park. The New England area was all fairly new to a Midwestern farm boy. Boston's Constitution, the first part of the US Navy, was great and reminded me that all things really do start from small beginnings and good planning. My kids were impressed by the capitol experience in Rode Island. First the governors reception area was very beautiful, but more importantly a news conference was just finishing. Ah, an opportunity for a mischievous bunch of kids! Wouldn't it be great to stand up on the podium and give a mock speech. That is exactly what my two oldest did.
Maybe they will serve in a public service office for part of their careers. Then as we continued through the capitol a Senator (Add his name) just introduced himself to the kids and gave a spontaneous tour.
We wanted to pay our respects to the victims of 9/11 so we made New York a key stop. I had never been to New York and I have to say that the city is totally different from my home of Houston even though both are large metropolitan areas. Where Houston is a horizontal city, New York is definitely a vertical one. My son asked, "why would somebody do this?" A simple question so difficult for a parent to answer. Actually, I didn't have an answer and I do not think anyone does. Love and grace are really very rare things! We were very glad that we made the stop. It is like a pilgrimage for many Americans.
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Along the way we stopped at each State capital that we encountered. When this trip is concluded we plan to put up a corkboard with a USA map and trace out the route we took. We also plan to put in a pin at each capital and national park. The New England area was all fairly new to a Midwestern farm boy. Boston's Constitution, the first part of the US Navy, was great and reminded me that all things really do start from small beginnings and good planning. My kids were impressed by the capitol experience in Rode Island. First the governors reception area was very beautiful, but more importantly a news conference was just finishing. Ah, an opportunity for a mischievous bunch of kids! Wouldn't it be great to stand up on the podium and give a mock speech. That is exactly what my two oldest did.
Maybe they will serve in a public service office for part of their careers. Then as we continued through the capitol a Senator (Add his name) just introduced himself to the kids and gave a spontaneous tour.
We wanted to pay our respects to the victims of 9/11 so we made New York a key stop. I had never been to New York and I have to say that the city is totally different from my home of Houston even though both are large metropolitan areas. Where Houston is a horizontal city, New York is definitely a vertical one. My son asked, "why would somebody do this?" A simple question so difficult for a parent to answer. Actually, I didn't have an answer and I do not think anyone does. Love and grace are really very rare things! We were very glad that we made the stop. It is like a pilgrimage for many Americans.
Saturday, July 19, 2003
The Constitution
After the reception our family turned east to Boston, New York, and Washington D. C. Boston is a beautiful city but our moto became "The City with NO Parking!". It was my kids first experience with a T-metro and we got the three day passes. Number one on the list was the Constitution. It is part of the heritage of the beginning of the Navy, and it impressed my kids. Especially with a real navy sailor spinning the tales and barking out the command to watch your head as you went under deck. Man the cannon mates! 
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After the reception our family turned east to Boston, New York, and Washington D. C. Boston is a beautiful city but our moto became "The City with NO Parking!". It was my kids first experience with a T-metro and we got the three day passes. Number one on the list was the Constitution. It is part of the heritage of the beginning of the Navy, and it impressed my kids. Especially with a real navy sailor spinning the tales and barking out the command to watch your head as you went under deck. Man the cannon mates!
Thursday, July 17, 2003
The Reception
Dan and Shay had a great reception. Plenty of food and drinks to go around! A round of volleyball and horse shoes definitely topped it off for my kids. Especially Elizabeth. She is the high energy, runner in the family. She enjoyed chasing down the ball as much as hitting it, and everyone else appreciated having a "ball girl". Dan had the hat trick for my son though. Dan is an avid fantasy reader and loaned the complete Circle of Magic series by Tamora Pierce. As it turned out he finished the series as we continued around the country in the Expedition. You can read John's reviews at Hoppin Readin Review.
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Dan and Shay had a great reception. Plenty of food and drinks to go around! A round of volleyball and horse shoes definitely topped it off for my kids. Especially Elizabeth. She is the high energy, runner in the family. She enjoyed chasing down the ball as much as hitting it, and everyone else appreciated having a "ball girl". Dan had the hat trick for my son though. Dan is an avid fantasy reader and loaned the complete Circle of Magic series by Tamora Pierce. As it turned out he finished the series as we continued around the country in the Expedition. You can read John's reviews at Hoppin Readin Review.
Bemidji, Minn.
Bemidji was great as we hung out with my four cousins (plus number five from Lincoln). My son fished and caught sunfish, blue gill, and crappies. They have a cabin on a little lake and a big fire ring! What great bon-fires! I have always enjoyed seeing my cousins. They are so laid back, yet enjoy the finer leisure's of life ... fishing, boating, four wheeling, partying, and smoking. I think that we enjoyed our time so much, we are going to have to swing around again before schools starts!
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Bemidji was great as we hung out with my four cousins (plus number five from Lincoln). My son fished and caught sunfish, blue gill, and crappies. They have a cabin on a little lake and a big fire ring! What great bon-fires! I have always enjoyed seeing my cousins. They are so laid back, yet enjoy the finer leisure's of life ... fishing, boating, four wheeling, partying, and smoking. I think that we enjoyed our time so much, we are going to have to swing around again before schools starts!
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
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My cousin got married this year and we headed up to Bemidji, Minnesota from Houston, Texas to go to the reception. My kids are ten, seven, and two and are car broke, mostly. I have a long tradition of road trips from early childhood, during college backpacking adventures, and now with the whole family crossing America. Inevitably during the winding drive, like through the Ozarks this time, my oldest daughter (seven) gets car sick and loses her lunch. As my youngest (two), watched, I heard her behind me say quietly, "Me too...". At that moment I did not realize how good a communicator Hannah was, but shortly the meaning of "Me Too" became clear when she joined her sister is this community time!
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