July 4th Engagement Party

On July 4th weekend, Ben's parents gave us an engagement party in Fairfax. Eliza's parents and all of Ben's brothers, sisters-in-law and nephews made the trip up for the party. The weekend was a lot of fun. Ben's parents went all out, and we're very thankful for all of the work they put into the weekend. In fact, it would really be more accurate to say they threw us three parties: a July 4 burger grill-out, the actual engagement party, and a Sunday brunch.

Ben's newest nephew Clyde had a great time showing off his many skills for the family. Here he is doing a furniture inspection, watched over by Ben's dad.

Here he is showing Eliza how to open a box.

Lunch time.

Laughing with his dad-- Ben's brother Jon.

Here we are helping Mom and Dad with some last-minute shopping for the various feasts of the weekend. Don't just stand there, Eliza! Grab a tomato or something. Jeez!
One of Clyde's favorite activities is grabbing doorknobs. That's his mom Karen to the right.
This is one of our favorite shots of Clyde.

These doors are more your size, Clyde.
Here's Clyde showing us where his eyes are. (Just after this, he tried to crawl away while still covering the eyes. Didn't work out so well.)
Clyde and Karen.
Eliza helping prep the flowers.
Can't remember what Clyde was eating here. Looks like a pie crust or rocks or something like that. Bon appetit!
Ben showing off his "Texas for Obama" t-shirt.
Ben hoisting Clyde, and Clyde's not so sure about this move.
Doorknobs!
Doing some push-ups in preparation for the party.
This is where the actual party photos begin. Here's Eliza with her little friend Jessica, who lives in Bethesda.
Custom napkins. How could you have a party without these? Eliza was very excited.
Ben's dad in the middle of all the action.
Ben's nephew Miles giving Ben the stink-eye, with Lewis in the background.
Our neighbor Mr. Koplan, Eliza's dad, Ben's nephew Lewis and Ben's brother Billy manning the grill.
Ben's mom tells the camera to "talk to the hand" while she chats with Eliza's parents. She's become quite sassy since retiring.
Ben with his brothers Chris and Jon, all eating. Budding pyromaniac Lewis gets his hands on some sparklers.

Eliza helps with the cake.
Lewis and Miles share a brotherly moment. That's their mom Kathy in the back talking to Ben's mom's friend, Mrs. Jordan. On the far right is her husband, who Ben mainly knew as Santa Claus growing up. (He was very convicing.) Lewis looks on and samples the goods.

The next day, before dropping off Eliza's parents at National airport we stopped by the World War II memorial downtown, which overlooks (or maybe underlooks?) the Washington Monument.
It was pretty darn hot, so Patricia wisely cooled off in the pool.