Antietam Battlefield

We are getting prepared in the Visitor's Center

of the Antietam Battlefield

Battlefield memorials outside the visitor's center

Irish Brigade memorial and observation tower
overseeing the battle fields


View out one of the windows to the observation tower

Lower Bridge (Burnside Bridge), a battle of 3hrs occurred here between the Union and Confederates. Under Ambrose Burnside's command the bridge was finally captured, forcing the Confederates back toward Sharpsburg, MD.

View from Burnside Bridge

Intently taking it all in, our little historian

Antietam National Cemetery, we were able to locate

the Illinois and Iowa soldiers.

A panoramic shot of the National Cemetery rear wall

Little fuzzy buddies that seemed to be everywhere!

Behind us is the mountains, it was beautiful!

(I guess you'll have to trust me, hee)

Nearing the end of our adventure, Caelan

prefers his binky and blanket to the sights.

Sunken Road (Bloody Lane)

This farm lane had turned into a battle of many hours,

resulting in hundreds of Union casualties filling the entire road.

Yesterday we took a road trip to see the Antietam Battlefield near Sharpsburg, MD. The drive was absolutely beautiful and the weather was perfect. We tried to soak up all the amazing sights around us and the history to be learned. The area is so large, it's not possible to see it all in one day. So we chose some highlights of the battle fields: the observation tower, Burnside's bridge, Georgians Overlook, The Antietam National Cemetery and the Sunken Road. Each place we stood, to imagine what happened there, how many lost their lives and the terrain and conditions in which they faught. It was such a wonderful experience from a time that should be respected and honored. I'm glad we were able to see it as a family.

Caelan in Action at Homestead Farm

Caelan was having so much watching these piggies.

He was laughing and making noises at them.

Daddy and Caelan search for the next Great Pumpkin!

Homestead Farm

Snack time
They're ready for anything

Our lil' pumpkin

Hayride, after finding the Great Pumpkin
Caelan found his own ride

On the 19th we went out to get our pumpkin. We traveled to Homestead Farm in Poolesville, MD. This was a pick your own apple and pumpkin farm, along with other great family activities. We had so much fun. Caelan loved all the animals that were there. We saw goats, chickens, pigs, a bull, birds and a big friendly golden retriever walking around with everyone. He got to feed a goat for the first time, which was very exciting, but I believe his favorite was the piglets. When he saw them playing and rooting around, he got so excited and was making noises at them. (see the video in our next entry) After the animals we took a hayride out to the pumpkin patch. Dad and Caelan found our perfect pumpkins. We all had so much fun, it was a beautiful fall day and a great family memory was made!

The FoHawk

A couple days ago when Caelan and I were at a playground, a very nice lady came up to us and told me how cute Caelan was and his hair was so adorable, its so old fashioned and sweet. Caelan said "Oh no Mommy, I can't have any of that old fogy hair-do going on." So today we attemped a fohawk, which is a mohawk for the contemporary man. He told me he had a good hair day today!

Brushing Your Teeth 101

Now that Caelan has 8 choppers we decided it was really time to start teaching him proper dental hygiene. He really is doing well. First I do a little brushing then I hand the toothbrush over and he does some brushing with a little song for encouragement. Then he runs his toothbrush over everything in the bathroom he can get his hands on! Ahhhck! (Which is Caelan's new word, ha.)

Pentagon Memorial

Entrance
Each bench has a name or names on it

This is the side of the Pentagon the plane entered.

The lighter stone is the new portion of the building.

On 10-15-08 Caelan and I went to the Pentagon Memorial with our friends Carrie and Maggie. I felt the memorial was really a powerful remembrance of the day that changed our nation.

184 people lost their lives that day at the Pentagon. The benches are organized as a timeline of the victims ages from youngest (3 yrs) to the oldest (71 yrs). Some of the benches face towards the Pentagon indicating the victims who were inside the building and some face away indicating those who were on Flight 77. (If you get a chance read about the memorial online.)

A really beautiful and detailed memorial.

My Perfect Hat

Caelan's new favorite hat! Its heavy duty, allows a lot of air flow for when those happy dances get crazy and you can wash grapes in it.

Its fantastic!

A Really Fun Week

South Arlington Mom's Group play group
A perfect house for meeeeee!
Caelan takes Maggie for a serious spin around Clemyjontri Park
Clemyjontri Park, "The Wonder Park"
Caelan and Adelyn anxiously await for the carousel to open

This past week has been a whirl wind of funness! Last Saturday we went to Art on the Avenue in Del Ray, a small historical community near us. There were over 300 artists showing work and a couple bands providing background music for the crowd. I had a blast!!!!! I love art fests! And Caelan did really well with the large crowd and I believe he loved the art as much as me. Hee. (Get ready buddy, this is just the beginning.)

Tuesday we had our South Arlington Mom's Grp playgroup, which met at a really fun playgrond. The kids all had fun and the moms always chat it up.

Wednesday, Shawn and I took Caelan to Clemyjontri Park in McLean, where we met our friends Tara & Adelyn and Carrie & Maggie. This park I think of as "The Wonder Park". It was amazing. The absolute largest playground I have ever seen. So many fun things for the kids to do and play on, and it was fenced in and the entire ground had a rubber coating. It was fantastic! We all had a great time. We worked up a huge appetite which lead us to a really yummy Italian deli for lunch.

Thursday, Caelan and I went to our other playgroup in Pentagon City where we have some really close friends. The kids swap lunches and the moms swap laughs!

Friday, Shawn took us out for sushi at Finn and Porter. We had a great meal and Caelan enjoyed using his own set of chopsticks. It was so funny watching him try to jab at the rice with his sticks. I really wish I would have had the camera!

Saturday, the weather was beautiful! Caelan and I went into Old Town Alexandria to the Torpedo Factory, which is right on the Potomac River, for Family Art and Craft Day. Caelan had a great time watching all the kids and all the fun messes they made! Then we headed out onto the water for a stroll. We headed home for a much needed nap (for us both) and of course after the naps, mom had to fit in one more thing. We went for a walk into Crystal City, where we live, and there is an open air art market that is set up Thur-Sat with live music. I admired the artwork and Caelan was entralled by the music. He got really upset when I would turn his stroller and he couldn't see the musician playing the piano. We had fun!

What an amazing week!

The Men of the House

A Lesson in Gardening

Mom, what are we going to do about these plants?

They look a little unhappy.
Hmmm, I believe its the soil. Not the right mixture,

I think they need some vitamins.
Do they make Flintstone vitamins for plants?
Come on Monkey, our work here is done!