Diploma!

There it is ladies and gentlemen, family and friends. I have never known my husband to be out of school. The only semester he didn't take classes was the summer we got married.
One of his diplomas arrived in the mail this afternoon and we are very happy.
This is the International Studies Bachelor's degree. The Political Science degree with the international relations certificate are still to come.
Clinton has worked very hard and seems to be pleased with his accomplishment.
Labor Day Monday was a pleasant day for our family. We thoroughly enjoy treks downtown to see the sights. This is the Fountain outside the Navy building. I really like this spot; the constantly rushing water in 4 separate fountains along with the flags and pennants are very nautical and appropriate for the Navy.
Lizzy and I pose here in front of some cool-looking building with the Washington Monument in the distance. I love the skyline in D.C. The city maintains limits on the height of buildings to keep the skyline distinctive and to avoid overshadowing all the fabulous architecture that is here.
Several weeks ago we visited the Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian Institute and only managed to see about half of the displays. Our Labor Day destination was therefore the continuation of our previous adventure. Here Clinton coaches Lizzy on the proper way to pilot a Cessna.

We also saw a display of artifacts from the American History Museum, which is closed for a two-year renovation project. We saw Edison's light bulb, Lincoln's top hat, R2D2, C3PO, George Washington's uniform, Benjamin Franklin's cane, the chairs occupied by Grant and Lee at Appomatox Couthouse, the table Elizabeth Cady Stanton's used to write the Declaration of Sentiments, Thomas Jefferson's writing desk that he used to draft the Declaration of Independence, Stevie Wonder's Ray Bans, the lunch counter of the Civil Rights sit-ins, a sun stone from the Nauvoo Temple, Mohammed Ali's gloves, Sandra Day O'Connor's Robe, Dorothy's Ruby Slippers, and lots of other really interesting bits and pieces.
Both Grammy and Grandma have been gently reminding us how long it's been since we posted some pictures of Elizabeth. Here she is enjoying a bit of Daddy's graduation cake with a fork and spoon. She is getting more and more dexterous with utensils.
A few weeks back, after Lizzy's bath Clinton and I got busy in a political discussion and suddenly noticed that Lizzy had gone. We went in search of our daughter, who was not in the kitchen, not in the living room, and we had a momentary panic until Clinton went into the bathroom to discover Lizzy in the tub playing with the dying bubbles.
We bought Lizzy some walking shoes a month ago. Yesterday she showed us a new trick: pushing her push toy walking. (previously the push toy was done from the stability of walking on her knees.) Today she inched along down the hall leaning on the wall for support; but nevertheless on her feet. Any minute now will bring the baby's first solo step.
Oddly enough, we find babies covered in spaghetti to be among the greatest wonders of the world. A year later, this isn't at all cute; but verging on naughty. I think it might be all about the discovery and watching her learn to do things. I think the voyage of discovery might be more fun to watch than to encounter first hand.
And here is Elizabeth reaching for my keyboard. She also does very well with mice. She has recently discovered that the keyboard we give her is not plugged in to the computer and her work is not registering. This is maddening to her, and the minute we turn our backs, she is after the live keyboard and mouse. She also enjoys talking on the phone. Anything can be a phone, luckily. She puts the remote control up to her ear and says "Hi. Hi."

We are happy and we feel very blessed. We hope and pray the same for all of you dear friends and family.