Katie was ecstatic when they arrived. After they introduced themselves to Peter, we went to Gravelly Point to see the fireworks from the Cherry Blossom festival. Then we went home and watched the UConn men beat Arizona to advance to the NCAA men's basketball finals.
On Sunday we were one of the few that went to see the Nats play the Braves. Since no one goes to see the Nats, we thought it'd be easier to buy tickets at the gate. We didn't plan on the ticket window being horribly slow. After waiting for at least 30 minutes, we finally got our tickets. And like most baseball games in April, it was a bit blustery. The box score said there were 22,000 people there but that seemed incredibly generous. In any case, it was fun being at the ballgame with Melinda's family and the Braves fans went home happy. Then we went home to watch the UConn women lose (lose!) to Notre Dame in the NCAA women's basketball semifinals. Nancy was crushed.
On Monday we trekked to Arlington Cemetery to see JFK's grave, Ted Kennedy's grave, the Lee-Custis house, and the changing of the guard. Then we went to the Iwo Jima memorial where Katie and Peyton flew her kite. After that, we drove by the Tidal Basin and lucked into a good parking spot. Everyone's energy was waning but we sucked it up and trudged to the cherry blossom trees and took a few photos. Then we went home and watched the UConn men win the 2011 NCAA Men's basketball championship. Nancy was stunned but happy.
Tuesday I had to get up super-duper early (6:30am) and listen to a lecture all day at a Data Warehouse conference. Everyone else took a rest day but that night we went on a nighttime tour of DC. Unfortunately, their guide led them astray and we hiked up the hill to the Washington Monument at 9pm in the cold wind expecting it to be open. But, alas, it was closed (the extended summer hours don't start until May). Then their guide astutely noticed that the police were preparing for Obama's motorcade to go down Constitution Ave. Again their guide gave them bad advice by advising them to drive a little closer and park. The security didn't like having a van full of people sitting in their car waiting for Obama and told us to get moving. So we missed seeing Obama's motorcade but we did take a nice tour of DC. Then we stopped at the Pentagon and visited the 9/11 Memorial.
On Wednesday I had to sit through more lectures at the conference but then took Tim and Peyton to a Caps game. The good guys won 5-2 and I think Tim and Peyton had a good time. Peyton was yelling "Let's go Caps!" at every opportunity and enjoyed riding the subway to the arena. The girls stayed home and did girly things. I think burgers and toenail painting was involved.
On Thursday we went downtown to the American History museum. We lucked into a great parking space but could only stay there for 3 hours. Plenty of time, right? Well, almost. We spent a little over 2 hours in the museum and then tried to find a place to eat. We decide to forego the cafeteria in the museum for the well-regarded food court at the Reagan Building across the street. It seemed like a good plan and would have worked out well if every tour bus in the region hadn't dropped off all their passengers ahead of us. The line to go through security to enter the building was very long. So after much deliberation, we decided to repark the car near Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum (that Kaylyn wanted to see), eat lunch, and deliberate some more. Melinda and Kaylyn ended up zipping through the wax museum while Tim, Peyton, Katie, and me strolled around the National Portrait Gallery. Had I been thinking, I would have realized that it was hosting an exhibit of Calder's wire sculptures that we want to take Katie to. Instead we just hung out in their courtyard (which was enjoyable, nonetheless).
Later that afternoon Tim, Peyton, and I drove to Baltimore to see the Orioles play the Tigers. We had seats in centerfield and got there early enough for batting practice. There were several balls hit near us (in BP and during the game) but we didn't have any luck getting one. At least we weren't the guy that got smoked in the chest because he wasn't paying attention during batting practice. Somehow he seemed unfazed. The game was attended by even fewer people than the Nats game (official attendance 11,000) and the O's won. Tim and Peyton got a good flavor of how obnoxious, crude, and unoriginal Baltimore fans can be. Once again it was a bit blustery, but that's baseball in April.
On Friday they left to return to their spacious house that has plenty of seats for everyone. Katie was very said to see them go. Kaylyn was probably happy to not have someone clinging to her anymore. It was great to see them again and we hope they had a good time. Everyone did remarkably well for being in such a small space for a week. And everyone took turns playing with Peter and Katie. Katie slept in the basement with Kaylyn and Peyton all week and loved it.
Pics are below. More photos are here.
Melinda meets her newest nephew.
Peyton with his future Wii competitor.
Kaylyn and Peter watch Katie model a dress that her Great Aunt Mary made for Melinda and Lisa a long time ago.
The Cockrells can claim to be one of the few people to see a Nat's game this season. At the gate, the security guard sized up Peyton and said, "You must be from Georgia."
Katie with a mischievous look while Peyton searches for another seat.
Kaylyn is riveted to the 11-2 game.
It's always a good idea to give your kid as much sugar as possible when you're out in public for 3+ hours.
Katie is held by some sort of human fly.
Peter was unimpressed by the Nat's pitching and defense.
Katie and Peyton dance.
At Arlington Cemetery. I was unprepared for Katie's questions about why the soldiers died and who killed them. I think I stumbled through an answer well enough to satisfy her... for now.
Katie and Kaylyn at the Lee-Custis house in Arlington Cemetery
Flying her kite with Peyton at Iwo Jima.
Katie stuck closely to Kaylyn all week.
Peter loved hanging out and watching his cousins.
Tim and Peyton after the Caps game. You can't tell from the photo, but the Caps consistently fill the Verizon Center with 18,000+ enthusiastic fans. They've sold out every home game for the last 3 years.
Katie stares at an elephant from the Disney Dumbo ride at the American History museum.
Tim and Peyton in front of Babe Ruth at Camden Yards Baltimore.
Our view during batting practice.
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