4th

I took Todd to DC for the 4th this year. I really wanted him to experience 'the mall' and all it's craziness. Plus I think DC fireworks are the best! This was also the first time the 'grandkids' were invited to accompany us to Fairfax :)

Look who is spoiled! Someone spread a sheet on the couch so they'd be comfy since they didn't have their 'chair'.

My boys :)

We actually didn't make it into DC for the show - but we did have sweet seats at Bolling AFB. It was kinda nice not to have the crowds - but next year we plan to 'do it up' all day on the mall :) To include the Metro crowds so T can have the full experience!

You can see the Capitol across the river.

Photo by mom :)

Pop Quiz - Answer.

I was.... in my grandparents basement in WI.

The whole family traveled to WI to spend time with my grandma and some extended family, and to celebrate the life of my grandpa who passed away in June. It had been 6.5 years since my last visit to WI and it was sooo good to be there! I have LOVED my grandparents house since I was a little girl - I remember when I was still in the single digits begging my grandma to leave the house to me in their will :) They built the house themselves over 50 years ago. My grandfather was an engineer and put his skills to use in the house. His set up is so extreme that even by today's standards it's 'overkill'. There are many parts of that house that are so uniquely 'Douglas' - it always makes me smile :)

He set all this up...

...to run a one story house (w/ full basement). 3 BR. 2 Bath.

Here's one set of kitchen light switches. On the wall in the breakfast nook heading to the dining room. Yes - you have 12 switches to choose from. Yes the switch plates are wallpapered to match. Yes the wall paper design is lined up exactly :) This is common throughout the house. Most places have 1 light switch, maybe 2 - at their house the minimum is 5 :)

My favorite feature has always been the glass blocks between the garage and the (enclosed) porch. LOVE THEM :)

Additional quirkiness - their electricity rate in the evenings and on the weekends is WAY cheaper. Something they set up years ago - and for some reason the electric company hasn't changed. To mesh with this the water heater is set to only heat from 7pm - 7am. So you better be careful when you shower :) The place is special in many ways :) Plus... so many memories in that house and surrounding our many road trips to WI as kids!

Check out these awesome lamps....

In the dining room:

These are both in the basement:


This is my favorite! In the living room:

My 88 year old grandma - still mowing her own lawn! She's pretty awesome.

The Grandkids.

A sweet kiss from Great Grand Daughter AB.

It was a fun trip. It was great to introduce Todd to my Grandma - and WI :) We ate Kopps Frozen Custard 3 of the 4 nights we were there. Of course I missed my dad :) He was there in so many ways though.

(More pictures to come of our trip to the zoo. Someday)
(I promise - no more two part blogs!)

Happy Birthday Daddy :)

Not a day goes by that I don't miss you!