Trip - Take 4

These pictures are from our trip to Mount Vernon. The kiddos had never been and we showed up a few days after the lambs were born. So sweet and the rain held off until we left.

I love this picture of Dan and the boys.

What a beautiful view of the Potomac from the deck. As you can see they were re-planting the grass.

I found it so beautiful, all the glorious colors of spring.

George Washington's tomb.

George and Martha's coffins are shown here.

The conservatory. It was wood feed 24/7 during the winter, so they could have orange trees and some tropic flowers and bushes.

A fun picture in the children's section of the museum.

We had a lot of fun at the National Rifle Museum. Some really amazing weapons.

That a look at that bullet in the gun case below! WOW!!

Trip - Take 3

We took a day off of sightseeing for some R & R and some fun time with the kiddos!

their favorite game... Uncle Lucas playing the tickle game (tag, but tickling instead of tagging).

Dan, Lucas and I took Jake and Gabe to one of the playgrounds by their house.

Monkey see...
Monkey do!

Jake

Gabe

crawling through the bushes. Are they Marine kiddos, or what?

Born to be Marines!

Jor Jor (Jordan)!

peek-a-boo!

Such a happy and smiley baby!

playing the tickle game

Sam (glued to Uncle Lucas)

Gabe

I really wasn't sure how the kiddos would do with us, just because Lizzie and Sam were so little when they left Moscow and Jake really didn't know us (since he was just a baby), but they all love spending time with us so much. We didn't get as much time with Lizzie and Sam (being at school) but it was so much fun being with them. I pray that we will have many times together.

No Kidding!!

This is what it's like today!!! November or April?

Trip - Take 2

Our second day was totally jammed full with sightseeing and Dan was our "tour guide". Jess was in such great pain that day she wasn't able to go with us, which was a big bummer, but she was able to join us that afternoon and picked us up (for which my feet and legs were very thankful).

We started the morning off with a Amtrack train ride (my first) from Quantico t0 Union Station (which I'm disappointed that I didn't take any pictures of the station) it was a beautiful building. Then we started to walk and walk and walk...

First to the Capital building...

Then we went to the Smithsonian of Natural History...

then the FBI building... then the Smithsonian of American History...

I thought all you ladies out there would appreciate these pictures of Julia Child's kitchen. Sorry the pictures aren't real great with the glass and flash ; { It was tough being with two guys who were rolling their eyes at me with wanting to take pictures of this and seeing the First Ladies exhibit. OH WELL... I still had a great time with it. How would you like to do you laundry like this?

1. Soak over night

2. Scrub

3. Boil white linens and cottens

4. Rinse

5. Rinse again with bluing powder

6. Dip in starch and hang dryNot me!!!

Here I'm trying out my wringing power, I did it 15 times and gave up for the line behind me. then on to the Washington Monument... Vietnam Wall... the Koran War memorial, the forgotten war... This monument left me speechless. I just read a book about the Korean war and it really sobered me. With the greater than lifesize men ready for anything to happen."OUR NATION HONORS OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS WHO ANSWERED THE CALL TO DEFEND A COUNTRY THEY NEVER KNEW AND A PEOPLE THEY NEVER MET"

1950 ~ KOREA~ 1953

I was trying to show how the wall was engraved with these pictures, but it really didn't come out very well... You can see Lucas and Dan in the shadow.

then the Lincoln Memorial...

A view from the Lincoln... the Reflecting Pool, empty? What's up with that?

then the Marine Corps Memorial to finish the day...

Jess was able to join us at this point and we took a moment for a photo op.

More to come...

Anniversary Trip - Take 1

For our past anniversary Lucas and I decided to take a trip back east. We haven't taken any long trips away from the girls except over night, so this was a big adventure and a needed break! We went to Virginia and stayed with Jess and Dan for a week and a half. After a bit of a rough start (plane delay in Phoenix for 5 hours which didn't put us into Baltimore until 2:40 am and finally arriving at the Jess & Dan's at 4:30 am), we still had a wonderful time. We had a great visit with Jess and Dan and the family (and my mom who's been there helping Jess out after she broke her back) and sight seeing all over D.C. and Virginia. It was so beautiful and green! We had some really great weather (as I'm posting this it's snowing! Yes, it really is!) while we there. I'm going to be posting in stages, so here I go...

The first day (after sleeping for 5 hours) we went to the Marine Corps Museum with just Dan & Jess. I didn't take very many pictures this trip to the museum, so the first picture was actually from the second time we went, that's why we have different clothes on.

More to come...