Jack and Tyler have a play date at their fabulous beach house in Delaware

Jack and Tyler were born six days apart. Tyler is Tom and Vince's nephew. Jack and Tyler met each other for the first time this weekend and had a great time.

They discussed the merits of midnight drooling vs. never be farther away then 3 feet from doting parents.

By the way, both Jack and Tyler both see riding lessons and yachting lessons from Uncle Tom in their future.  Just a few more years....after they learn to sit up on their own.

Lovey, Tell Gilligan I need a Martini pronto, and bring the Yacht around.

Someone had a very good time at Tom and Vince's this weekend.

Katie Commissioned By Captain Jami Uptgraff

Jami and his wife Amy were Katie's mentors, guides, adoptive parents, home base, therapists and all around good friends during an extremely challenging four years. Jami commissioned Katie into the Army.

I held her 2 weeks after she was born...and now she's all grown up

This is my niece Katie, who just graduated from West Point. We couldn't be prouder of her. She's going to learn to fly those heavy duty attack helipcopters. Jeff and I are trying to figure out a way to get her to drop us off at the beach after she's been certified to fly.

Hat toss!

At West Point, this is the moment that undergrads become officers.  All of the graduating seniors have received their commission (from Secretary Gates, no less). The Superintendant turns over the corps to the head cadet who dismisses them. The hats then fly into the air. Shortly thereafter, 500 kids are released from the sidelines to gather discarded hats. (Typically the hats will have cash or notes tucked in them.)  Because these cadets never have to wear this type of hat again, they are all too ready to get rid of them!

Katie GRADUATES!!!!!!

At this moment, Katie is receiving her diploma. Katie is on the right. She was so excited and so proud. More pictures later. This is the moment that she had been working towards for so long. We are all extremely proud of her.

Grandma Gert LOVES LOVES LOVES Jack

We were at West Point this weekend witnessing the graduation of the first granchild, Kate, from the United States Military Academy.

Jeff, Jack and Mark flew to JFK and then drove up to West Point.

When we got to West Point, and got out of the car, Grandma Gert's arms stretched out immediately.   She just loves babies, and in particular, Jack.

 Gert kept saying over and over "Jack you are so lucky; you have TWO daddies. You are so lucky."  When all the filters are gone, truth seeps out.  Just in case anyone is counting, it's not Jack who is soooo lucky; it's Mark. He had Gert and Gordon; two wonderful loving PATIENT parents. 

Thanks Mom and Dad for everything.

Spike and Carla love Jack

This is another fun shot for all you Top Chef fans. Both Carla and Spike work in DC.

Sarah and Tim's baby shower!

Much fun this weekend. Our good friends Sarah and Tim are having a baby very soon. A group of us threw a shower for them. Here are some random shots (I was not doing a good job taking pictures as I was worried about making sure there was enough food and champagne!

Baby/Food

Jeff made popovers this morning. So we decided to put Jack in the basket and see what he would do. Shocking - he made a play for one of the popovers! We whisked him out before he could get himself into trouble!

I've discovered the high speed shutter setting

And here is my first victim! This is Sarah, caught in the middle of eating a fantastic cupcake. She was trying to say "Stop taking my picture" but she had cupcake in her mouth.  Doesn't it kill you how some people, even with a mouthful of food and fleeing the paparazzi, still manage to look radiant.

(The cupcakes are from SinDC Cupcakes - delish! Check out capitalsindc.com )

Thinking about you.....

Happy Mother's Day, Jen!

Dear Jen,

Thanks for everything! I hope you have a great day. We are very excited about your graduation. My dads said to tell you hey!

Love,

Jack

Quick Fire Challenge

Having only tasted Similac the entirety of your life, and not quite having control over your hands, you have 20 minutes to create an appetizer using local ingredients that would be appropriate for a summer festival.

Grandma Ruth's in the HOUSE!

Jeff's mom, Ruth, came to visit about a month ago. When she departed, she told us she was sad because she didn't see how she could get back anytime during the next three months.

Recently, we received a phone call from Santa Fe. Ruth said she couldn't stand being away from him so she is back with us this weekend! Grandpa Ray is back in New Mexico, minding the home front, but sent a very cute stuffed bunny and two fun books.

Jack and Ruth have a date tonight.

More reports later!

Wahoo WA!

Mark, Jack, and Jeff at Mr. Jefferson's University. Note how Jeff and Mark are mimicking the triangular cap on the Rotunda. When you go to UVA they teach you to notice things like that. (Of course, at other schools, they teach you the actual names of the architectural components, but we are all about the big picture at UVA!)

"American Gothic" Reimagined

This is our version of the classic image.

Bring me my Hosenfeffer...

[With apologies to the King in the Bugs Bunny cartoon....]