"the last full measure of devotion"

We had Will's sister and uncle with us this weekend!  It sort of felt like all I had to do was say that I wanted more family to come to us, and they came.  I'm going to try it again this week.

We packed the weekend full of sight-seeing, and had the perfect weather for it.  D.C., I apologize for complaining about your weather - the heat, the wind, and the rain.  I'm loving this fall spree we have going...let's keep it up, shall we?

The colors were especially gorgeous at Arlington Cemetery on Saturday.

It was, of course, moving to be there on this weekend, with so many veterans and their families.  The changing of the guard was as crowded as I've ever seen it, but the soldier's silent walk, measured turns, and clipped motions elicited the same quiet reverence it always demands.

It's so easy to remember to be patriotic in this city...you're just steeped in it everywhere you look.  I hope that the time we spend here will help me retain that whenever we leave, but just for extra insurance, we'll probably have to take our kids here to visit a lot [mostly because their parents will miss it].