Oops...I am out of order here :) Gettysburg

This is the beautifully strategic spot where the Northern Armies sat up on the ridge and had sharpshooters pick off the Confederate soldiers one by one. They had rifles that could shoot twice as far as the Confed. and so even though they were out numbered, they won the battle. this was the big turning point for the Civil war. This was called Little Round Top. Statue of Col. Stong Vincent atop the ridge where his sharpshooters were.

Part of the scenic drive through Gettysburg

One of the many statues throughout the National Park

Totally forgot Gettysburg...

This kind of looks more like a photo opp for Tiana than taking pictures of battlefields, but we needed to make them interesting :) So after we did the Baltimore harbour and Fort McHenry, we left for the next tour...of Gettysburg. Not really on the way to Philly but close enough we couldn't pass it up. We had a gorgeous day and we went to the visitors center and learned all about the battles that went on here and then went on the car tour that is 24 miles of amazing countryside, plaques to read about and statues to memorialize those who fought.

Fort McHenry and Baltimore

We flew into Baltimore and had an evening and then the next morning for touring around the Harbour and the Fort. We had a yummy meal looking out on the water as the sun was setting and then took a boat tour of Baltimore. We loved that beautiful city!

Fort McHenry

Tiana and Ted

Tiana on the boat tour. I loved being on the water. Very fun!

Ashley graduates from dental school - Hooray!

Ashley's graduation was held in a beautiful old opera house (in fact the oldest that is still used in the USA) Ashley singing her solo at the end of the program. She sang "If I could change the world" by Eric Clapton. She did fantastic!

Tyler and Ashley at Olive Garden after......celebrating with family and friends!

Cute picture with Tiana.

Four years of hard work. You both should be so proud! I know we are. What a brave thing you did going out to the East Coast and figuring things out and making it all work. Ty, you didn't walk, but you should be proud too, of getting your Master's while you were out there. Congrats again you two.

Lincoln Memorial

The view across the pond to the Washington Memorial

Tiana and Ted loving this adventure!

Tiana can hardly believe she is actually in Washington DC

The famous view

Tiana there with Lincoln himself. Again, much bigger than looks on TV or in pictures.

Arlington Cemetary at Sunset

On the bus getting ready for our own personal tour. We were the last group allowed in and it was just us 5. Tiana, Ashley, Tyler, Ted and I.

There is Ted sitting so he can visit with the tour guide and not sit on a wheel well. If memory serves me correctly over 380,000 people are buried in this cemetary. I asked how you get to be buried in there and the answer was 1. If you are killed while in active duty (so on the battlefield, or walking to work and getting hit by a bus) 2. Served mored than 20 years in the Military 3. Received any of the Military Honors. There are a few Presidents buried there and also those who died in space.

The tombstones went on forever and ever. Very precise and orderly.

I loved the view of this picture.

Tiana being her cute self.

Arlington Cemetary

This is the staff of the USS Maine.

I believe this was part of Pres John F. Kennedy's grave/monument

The changing of the guards, so incredible, humbling and inspiring. Makes one proud to be an American.

More DC

Ty and Ash being romantical again....

Building where the archives are kept. All the famous signings of the Pres are there, the Contitution and Bill of Rights etc.

Ruby red Slippers from the Wizard of Oz at the Museum of American History

The White House. So gorgeous in person. Very heavily guarded now since 9/11.

The US Capitol

We went on the tour here and it was amazing. The pictures are just from the inside of the dome and some statues. I went a little picture crazy, because everything was so beautiful.

Ceiling of the dome

band of artwork around the dome

one of many statues...there was a famous leader from each state in the US represented.

The US

Wash DC United States Capitol 09

I honestly can't remember where this pic was taken but very romantic Ty and Ash!

Ashley in windy DC

Tyler at the capitol

The big, giant building. Much bigger in real life than anything in pictures. HUGE

Wash DC May 2009

This was such a beautiful building. Every square inch of the walls and ceilings and floors were a work of art. Truly amazing. Steve and Delynn, these are for you.