Obligatory White House Photo

I took this shot of the White House's north face during a walk early Thursday morning. The pink ribbon had gone up a couple of days before for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Winslow Homer, High Cliff, Coast of Maine (1894)

During a break in today's program, I walked a couple of blocks to the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum to poke about. It was actually a bit disappointing (special exhibits not to my liking) until I happened upon Winslow Homer's High Cliff, Coast of Maine and just stopped. This photo, taken with the miserable camera on my smartphone, doesn't nearly do it justice. I expect most people walk right past this with barely a glance, but then most people didn't grow up near this and move away over a decade ago.

Grand Hyatt D.C., Room 177

I've made it safe-and-sound to D.C. and checked in at the Grand Hyatt for this year's NCHC Conference. I don't like having to pay for wifi, but the room's nice. (Apologies for the crappy video -- this is about the best my cell phone can do.)

Another Tooth Lost

On the ride home, Cam lost another incisor — it had been dangling for a couple of weeks.

Cam Leads the Hike

Since Mull, whenever we've gone out for a walk, Cam has liked to take the lead.

A Walk in the Woods

Boys Watching the Water

Near the entrance to arboretum's Education Center is this little artificial pond with subtle jets that keep the water moving. The boys were fascinated.

Fall at the Arboretum

It's a beautiful autumn day — cool and dry — so we headed down to the North Carolina Arboretum for a nice walk through the gardens and on the trails.

Gutting a Pumpkin

Last weekend before Halloween — time to carve jack-o-lanterns! Cam proved to be quite skilled at separating the seeds from the guts.

Saturday Afternoon Visitor

Joanna first spotted this guy in our front yard. By the time I'd grabbed the camera, he had made it to our neighbor's backyard, where he was eating some bread left out for the birds.

Saturday Morning in Ian's Room

On Saturday mornings, Ian can often be found in his room, watching a DVD, while Cam plays on his Nintendo DS, Mom exercises in the living room, and Dad showers or does dishes.

Cam Reading to Ian

Ian's had a tummy bug for the past couple of days, so Joanna stayed home to deal with him (and Mickey, who has been erratically incontinent for the past few days). He seems a bit better today: well enough to play with Cam but not enough to eat much.

Elena on the Slide

Cousins in the Backyard

Why does it look like Ian's daring Elena to eat a bug?

Cam & Elena Sharing

No better way of strengthening a child's immunity system than a long weekend with her cousins.

Ian Introduces Elena to Thomas

Wanna play with some trains?

Elena in the Living Room

A couple of days after Nancy & John visited, Karen & Arthur brought Elena for a long weekend in the mountains.

Boys w/ Nancy & John

Nancy & John visited on their way home to Texas back on 16 September. (Yes, it's been a while since we last updated.)