Last Stop

Friday was the last full day of our trip.  Cayce had his graduation from his F School.  The graduation was held at the Fort Meyer chapel, and through the windows Arlington National Cemetery could been seen mere footsteps away. It was beautiful.  Cayce was the Honor Grad, top of the class.  It was an amazing morning.  The only way I can describe the events following the graduation at the reception is as Cayce being head-hunted.  He had several different people, a Chief, Senior Chief, and an Admiral, approach him wanting him to come work for them.  I was so proud of him.  I've always had faith in his leadership skills and his high quality of work, but to stand next to him and watch these people actually "wooing" him to come work for them was probably one of the proudest moments I've had for him ever.  *tear*

Receiving his award for Honor Grad.

Cutting the cake.  

 The cake had the class photo on it.  When all was said and done, the RP2 who came in second behind Cayce for Honor Grad happily took the slice with Cayce's head on it, and voraciously destroyed his nemesis.  Funny story.  Someone poorly planned for the cake to have dark blue icing.  Therefore, everyone was trying to hob nob and network with all these important Navy officials while looking like they had eaten a poor family of Smurfs.

After the graduation we spent the rest of our day doing the museum circuit.  We had a bit of confusion when we went to the National Art Gallery with me thinking it and the American Art Gallery were the same thing.  No, not the same thing.  There was a Norman Rockwell exhibit at the American Art Gallery (which is the Smithsonian) that I really wanted to see.  So here we were enjoying all kinds of early Spanish and Italian oil paintings, and I was trying to figure out where the Norman Rockwell exhibit was come to find out we were in the wrong building.  *rolls eyes*  In the mean time Lily would not stop talking.  She was soooooo loud.  We took her out into the rotunda to let her get some energy out, and wouldn't you know it.  She stopped talking. 

Sitting with Daddy in the rotunda.

Inspecting the fountain.

Refusing to tear her eyes away from that super interesting fountain for a picture.

 We finally made it down to the American Art Gallery.  Totally worth the fuss.  The Norman Rockwell exhibit was great, and the National Portrait Gallery is a can't miss.  Both museums were wonderful to walk around.  The crowd size was to a minimum, and we definitely were able to slow down and enjoy ourselves. 

Little known fact:  I love the National Park system.  After watching Ken Burns' PBS documentary on the National Parks I found even more love for them.  So I was very excited to come across these Thomas Moran paintings of the grand canyon of Yellowstone.  These paintings are what helped convince Teddy Roosevelt to create Yellowstone National Park.  I can't wait for the day when I can share this beauty with Lily in person.  For those from my hometown, the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa also has some of Thomas Moran's paintings from Yellowstone.  Worth the trip.  They are paintings with incredible depth.  Standing inches from them you find all the nooks and crannies and hidden wildlife Moran wanted to share.  I highly recommend it.  Anywho, enough of the art lesson. 

Learning with Daddy

Looking for Daddy

Lounging with a different view of Yellowstone.

 We also spent a little bit of time at the Air and Space Museum, but it was busy so we quickly toured the highlights.  We headed home after a wonderful day, Cayce still high from his recognition, and me happy to have been there to witness it.  Lily came home ready to stretch out and play.

 Lily then got the pleasure of watching a video of her friend Brianna chatting.  Brianna is a month older than Lily, but their mommies and daddies both went through an ordeal to bring them into this world so I like to think the two are a kind of kindred spirits. 

What's up B?

That was the end of our sightseeing in DC.  We made the decision to get a good night sleep, take our time packing, and mosey home.  We were in no rush to return to Beaufort. We both loved DC, and Cayce wants to get stationed there some day.  One can hope.