Me: "Smile," My kids:
My wonderful mother-in-law came to visit this week and she stayed home with Seara and Elijah while Samuel, Enoch, and I took a long trip to Virginia to visit ...
My wonderful mother-in-law came to visit this week and she stayed home with Seara and Elijah while Samuel, Enoch, and I took a long trip to Virginia to visit ...MONTICELLO & MONTPELIER
Monticello is the home of Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence and third President of the United States. The home was designed completely by Jefferson ... as were many things inside. Like a clock that tells the day of the week and a dumbwaiter next to the fireplace that allowed him to get cool wine from the cellar below. If you recognize the house, it's likely because it is on the back side of the nickel.
Janae in front, Sam in back
Jefferson grave
Just 30 miles from Monticello is Montpelier, home of James Madison. Madison was the author of the Constitution and fourth President of the US. He was also the shortest and lightest president (5'4" and 100 lbs). Just thought I'd throw that in. :) The home is actually under historical renovation right now, so some of the walls are stripped and you can see the original beams, plaster, and Jefferson factory nails. We were the last tour of the day, and since it was just us and one other couple, we got an hour long personal tour that was AMAZING.
Me 'n Montpelier. Sam and I LOVED this home. We would live in it, for sure.
Madison's Temple was built on top of an ice house so that it would be cool in the hot summer. (They collected ice in a huge underground storage all winter, and then used it for drinks, ice cream, etc. in the summer.)
So now we have visited the homes of three former presidents: Washington, Jefferson, and Madison. And I've noticed two things that these three all have in common:
First, each one married a widow. And both Washington and Madison's wives had children with their first husbands, but not with their second. Interesting, huh?
Second, they named their homes. Washington: Mount Vernon, Jefferson: Monticello, Madison: Montpelier. So did John Adams: Peacefield. So, after lengthy discussion during our car ride home, Samuel and I (read: I) decided that when we move into our put-down-roots home (which will hopefully happen when we graduate this summer) we are going to name it. We brainstormed for over an hour and have come up with two names we like: Ricksenshire and Ricksington. Any opinions on either side?
15 comments:
Definately Rickenshire. hands down. Either that or Mount Samae... :)
Ricksenshire - no question. Not a fan of Ricksington however if you move to California by us you can name your home whatever you want. I will even be your holiday decorator just like the staff that spruces up the White House for the holidays.
I go for Ricksenshire too. That's pretty classic. I've wanted to name our house too, but it wasn't inspired by former presidents of our country. It was inspired by Anne of Green Gables who always named her homes. I just haven't thought of a good name yet. Any suggestions?
You're so funny! I'm jealous of all your travels!
I'm gonna be the odd man out and say Ricksington. Mostly though, I just want to say how JEALOUS I am that you get to see all of these great historical sites. (Although I'm still a little bit mad at Thomas Jefferson after reading John Adams last year.)
Cara - we should brainstorm together. I bet we could come up with a great name for your house! :)
Jennifer - yeah, I chose not to mention on the blog how I think Jefferson was a great man who fell just like David in the Bible. I am soooo bothered by his history. John Adams, on the other hand, is AMAZING. Love him.
I think everyone who's read John Adams has some reservations about our friend, Mr. Jefferson.
I kind of like Ricksington more. Although Mount Samae has some possibilities :) (Wait, I guess you already know my opinion, huh?)
Oh, and Elijah's smile in the first photo is classic.
I think both of the names sound classic. I'm with Cara on always wanting to name a house. After reading all those old British novels and Anne of Green Gables it just seems so romantic to name things. I'm afraid most people would make fun of me for naming my house... and it seems like it needs to be some grand place to have a name. I guess "Patty's Place" in the Anne series is small. I'll have to think on it. We'd all like to move into a house like that! How long was the trip? What a nice mother-in-law.
Erin - it was three hours there, and then an hour between the two places, and three hours back. So not hugely long (we've done trips that long before), but still long enough that we were grateful not to have all the kids!
Ricksenshire is my vote. You guys are so funny.
I'm going to have to vote for Ricksington. It's got a nice ring to it. I've always wanted to visit Monticello--so beautiful!! Jefferson may have had some rough times, but he is still pretty cool. I also read John Adams and am totally obsessed with good old John. Do you have plans to visit John Adam's place while you are back east?
Paige - we desperately want to visit Peacefield, but it is about 8 hours away, so much too far for a day trip. We're not sure if we're up to getting a motel and doing the overnighter thing with three tiny kids who don't sleep well in strange places. So we probably won't make it. But I'll keep my fingers crossed!
I'm impressed with both names. Also - this was SO WEIRD to see on your post because just earlier this week I was reading Simon and Amy's latest post and they had the same picture in front of the Monticello home!
I have always wanted to name my home! I think it's really awesome. You guys should think about Rickingstein - it gives a kind of old world castle feel, you know? haha! (I thought I published this comment before, but I guess it didn't work.)
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