Virginia State Capitol

Richmond, VA

Yes, TOTALLY took the picture of the roses for YOU, Sue!

 

The Capitol Building of Virginia.  Designed by Thomas Jefferson. 

 

Inside, thre are several really cool models of the Capitol and grounds.  There is even one that they originally used to "Present the plans" with. 

A copy of the Declaration of Independence in the Jefferson Room, across the hall from the Old Senate Chambers.

Under the "Interior Dome".  This capitol doesn't have a dome you can see outside, but you can see it from the inside.  This is a really cool statue of George Washington.  Life size (he was 6'2") and apparently the only actual "True to Life" replica of President Washington.  The artist even made a mold of his face for it.  Loved the floors and interior paint of this building, which has been restored to it's original colors.

The entrance of the Old House Chambers.

The Old House Chambers... very beautiful staircases on each side leading up to the gallery.

Same room, there's a statue of Robert E. Lee.  Ryan is the librarian at Lee Elementary so we got this picture for him to hang in the library... by the time we were heading for home, Ryan had a whole "Robert E. Lee" display planned for the school with the photo's we were able to take!

The "Dome".

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip visited in 2007 for Jamestown's 400th anniversary, then sent portaits to be displayed in the Capitol Building.  There was also a beautiful Thank You note she sent that was framed beside it.

The current Senate Gallery... Pretty high security in this building, and the current Senate and House chambers are locked and behind these barriers.

Through the windows...

Sonic Statue.

The Governor's Mansion, on the grounds.

Court House across the street... I thought this building was really beautiful!

The entrance to the Capitol is WAY far away and you have to walk through a tunnel underground to get to the actual building.

Loved this statue outside... Especially THIS part...

Ok, that's a REAL bird perched on his finger!  I know, I know, easily entertained, but I took about 50 pictures of that, laughing all the time!

This is Robert E. Lee's house, right down the block from the Capitol Building. 

 

In view of the Capitol Building, is the church where REL went to church (are you seeing a Lee Elementary Display Pattern here?) and his old pew is marked, etc... There is also about the most beautiful stained glass window I've ever seen, in his memory.  Besides being SO well done, it depicts the story of Moses leaving his place in Pharoah's family to be with his Original family, the Israelites.  Very unique, and I love the "Shout Out" to the Old Testament:) 

 

Camping at Acadia National Park... in a tent.

More vacation fun... it just make take me 4 months to get around to posting all our great adventures!  Perhaps the highlight of our trip was our excursion up to Acadia National Park in Maine.  Every National Park we've visited has been just amazing, and this was no disappointment!  My sister is trying to visit as many of these Parks as she can and she even gave us a Passport book a couple of years ago, and we are each working on getting stamps in them! 

We've been wanting to try "Tent Camping"... mostly because we think it might be the best way to navigate the Great West in a few years when we hit THOSE capitol buildings.  But we needed guidance.  Lots of guidance.  Turns out, my sister and her pyromaniac husband are Pros.  So they were kind enough to teach us the ropes.  Above is our campsite when we pulled in...

And our adorable tent.  Kind of looks like an Alien, which is quite fitting.  Bought that at Target.  The night before.  Turns out, it was really comfy and easy to put up.  Even with 2 kids jumping all around us. 

And this would be my sister's campsite... across that road from ours.  Hilarious.  Told ya they were Pro's.  They came complete with 2 room tent, screen room, and chairs for everyone.  I was so impressed.  We decided we are minimalists.  We just had a tent.  It would have been nice if we had our own flashlight, but she was kind enough to share!

There's our spot... our tent, and our car.  We decided that is about all we need.  And a flashlight.  Like I said.  We have since purchased WINDUP flashlights... because we can never find batteries!  They will also come in handy during hurricane season:)

Inside, I know you are dying to see this... Ben and Carly's "spot"... Laurie lent us her self inflating mats for the kids to use... those are going on our Christmas list.  They were great!  Ben and Carly were very comfy!

We had an air mattress we borrowed from my parents.  (Thanks Mom!) and blankets we stole from Kristin's room since she made the mistake of telling us that this was the warmest blanket ever!  (Thanks Kris... you were right!!!)  It was in the 40's at night!!!

There's Tim, hand in the fire.  I told you.  Pyromaniac!

Remember the Orange Jacket from our Alaska trip last summer??

Our sweet niece, Amanda.  She's still smiling, so this must have been BEFORE Carly told "scary campfire stories" that she learned at camp.  The Doll.  HA!  I believe she said to Carly, "You're freaking me out, Carly!"  hahahahaha. 

Ben helping Tim light the fire for the first time.  After he struck the match he said, "Wow, that went MUCH better than the last time I did it".... um, wait a minute!  WHEN WAS THAT??!??!

Hanging out around the fire... Ryan (who hates marshmellows) was making them "scream" by piercing them with a redhot metal roaster... they actually do "scream" when you do that.  Well worth trying out.  Highly entertaining, especially if you have children ages 8 and 11.  I thought it would be more entertaining with Peeps.

Tim made us breakfast over the campfire!  We thought, "Camping.  Pop tarts." But apparently the Pro's had other ideas!  It was cracking me up, as I said, MINIMALISTS.  But it sure tasted good!

And of course, eggs.  Why not, right?  I was waiting for them to make a cake.

Ben, VERY excited to be camping!

So, no cake, but Uncle Tim made her s'mores for breakfast!

And our pet for the week... a little red squirrel.  It's a well known fact around her that my sister LOVES squirrels.  She even brought them peanuts for treats.  This little thing was burying the ones he wasn't eating all around their campsite. 

What can I say, we are easily entertained!

Ryan used a little firewood to make signs for the kids...  you know, when he wasn't making marshmellows scream.

and finally...  the campground didn't have showers, although thankfully there WERE bathrooms!  We went each day to this place near the entrance... $2 for 4 minutes!  Amazing how fast you can shower when you have to pay by the minute!

Ok... so we LOVED camping!  Even the tent!  Of course, we had great company and a fantastic environment, but it is DEFINATELY something we will do again, just as soon as it gets a little cooler in Florida!  Plus, we have flashlights now!  HA!

Vermont State Capitol

The Vermont State House.... in Montpelier, Vermont.   While we were visiting my sister in NH, we took a "day trip" to head over to visit this grand building!  We loved the "mountain" that is right behind it.  In fact, you can hardly walk BEHIND this building, it's that close to the hill.

Another capitol building that had to be rebuilt a few times due to fire, until they rebuilt it using marble and stone!

A statue of the Greek goddess, Ceres (goddess of agriculture) is on the dome. 

The view out the front doors... There were people playing frisbee on the front lawn.

Super cool black and white checkerboard floors, complete with fossils.

 

Still love the chandeliers!

 

Beautiful carved desk in the Senate.

The House of Representatives... 

Beautiful carved staircases, and adorable tie-dyed-hatted kids.

 

And our very nice Tour Guide, Blanche.  She is a school teacher who gives tours over the summer.  She was really patient with the kids and I think she might have been impressed with their knowledge of Capitol buildings in general.  Of course, that could be their mother talking... you know, hoping they are actually soaking in some of this great education we are providing them!

The hallway, sporting a bust of Abe Lincoln....

Very good chance I texted a picture of Abe and Ben to Tracy with a message that said, "Hello, from your Birthday Buddies!!"

*sigh*  yes, they are still pretending to be statues.  This is her Celebrity Pose.

Haiti

My parents are heading to Haiti on Saturday for a Medical Missions trip... Please pray for them!!

July 24th - 31st , 2010

I'm attaching their prayer letter here so you can see specific needs to pray for:

THE TEAM: Bala & Ann Rao, Nadine Pelham, Patricia Garcia, Emma Ocampo, Susan Augeri, Brandon Proctor, Al & Judy Melton.


Haiti, the poorest nation in the Western hemisphere was devastated by an earthquake in January. Since then God has been moving in a phenomenal way and there are a reported 135,000 new converts. We go as a team to provide needed medical care and join God in the evangelism effort. We will be doing medical clinics as a way of attracting people so they can hear the gospel.

God chooses to work through the prayers of His people. So would you partner with us by praying for the team. We count on your prayers.

Pray that our hearts would be transparent and right before God so we can be usable and useful servants.

Pray that the details of the trip: medicines, transportation, housing, food, interpreters and travel will come together.
Pray for team unity and travel safety.
Pray for good weather as we work and as we travel.
Pray for stamina for the team and the ability to work in the heat.
Pray for supernatural ability to diagnose and treat illness in primitive conditions.

Pray we will stay well and not be affected by local food.
Pray that those who come will have hearts prepared and receptive to the Gospel.

Pray for anointing on Al as he preaches Sunday.
Pray for Al & Brandon as they present the Gospel to each one who comes for treatment

And whatever you ask in my name I will do that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 14:13

Would you ask God for a great harvest in Haiti?

Endurance

Summer Swim Meets. They are what we call Developmental Meets... mostly for the little ones to get them ready for "real meets". They don't really count in the realm of official USA Swim Meets, but they are important none-the-less. Carly did a great job tonight! She is learning how to dive off the block this summer. Ben is learning how to do the concession stand, since he is "beyond" the developmental meets.



So, here's what I really loved about tonight's meet: Dana. I mean, I think that's her name. Pretty sure that's what her parents were yelling to her. "Go Dana! You are almost there! Keep going!!!" We get it because we are big screamers, too! I mean, CHEERERS. But there is just something so incredible about seeing a little kid (and I mean LITTLE... Dana is TINY!) swimming their heart out... probably the longest distance they've ever had to swim! and being WAY behind the others in their heat and yet they keep going. You know, because there are people cheering them on. And when they get to the end of the race, they jump into their Daddy's arms.


I just don't want to forget that very poignant picture.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,

and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith,

who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame,

and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1,2

Anyways, that is what I needed today.

Baptism

This morning was a really special day for our family.  Ben and Carly (and several of their friends!) were baptized.  They were pretty excited to share their faith in God with everyone by following Christ's example... We just love to see their faith grow and to see how each day they learn more and more ~ it's pretty exciting.  I was unable to post the video's here, but they are on Facebook.  Here are some picture that my mom took:

                        

I know I've said it before, but one of my favorite things about our church is the great community and family atmosphere it has!  There are kids everywhere and they are completely encouraged to be hands on with their worship, and are totally integrated into the body.  We started attending Tampa Covenant Church when Carly was 3 weeks old and even then we kept the kids in the service with us for the worship part of the service... no one cares if they are talking or fussy, and they learn early on by watching their parents and other church members.  We love that!  As you can see, the portable baptismal (which was outside in the courtyard) is surrounded by kids, all getting their hands wet!  Carly was surrounded by people who love her and support her!  LOVE THAT!!  Also, my Dad was able to pray over her and give a blessing, which was very special.  Ryan's best friend, Rodney, is the Worship Pastor at our church and he baptized her (and Ben) with Ryan's "help" (my Dad, too!)  they encourage the father's to have a hands on part in the baptism, and I just thought that was really great, as he has such a MAJOR role in the spiritual upbringing of these kids! 

LOVE the look on her face!  So joyful.  I guess now would be a good time to add that immediately after this look, she stood up and took a bow.  *Sigh*  Working on that.

Praying over Ben.

So happy to see this day, and to know that our children came to this decision to be baptized on their own.  Above all, we are so thankful to our Savior for redeeming us, who are so unworthy, so we can be with Him forever.