A Phenomenal Fourth

Brent has been going to Washington, D.C. for work since January. He is there almost every other week. Sometimes he is only gone 2 days, other times it's a full week. Needless to say, it has been an adjustment. Luckily the worst of the traveling is almost over.


We've been talking about taking advantage of all of his miles and hotel points and making a vacation out of his work commitments! So last week Brent was in D.C. for work and the girls, my mother-in-law, and I flew up there on Thursday to meet him! We thought it would be neat to be there over the 4th of July, but I had no idea how truly incredible it would actually be.


Thursday night, just a short time after arriving in D.C., we were able to get pictures in front of the White House.

We spent Friday morning at Mount Vernon. The girls even enjoyed the bus ride on the way there!

Mount Vernon ended up being one of the highlights of the trip for me. It wasn't something I really thought I was particularly interested in. But there was just something about being there and soaking it all in...George Washington actually LIVED in the very rooms we walked through and looked at the same river we looked at and planted the same trees we stood next to. It was just a really neat experience!

George Washington planted this tree!

Gorgeous home with a gorgeous view of the Potomac.

A little museum fun...

After Mount Vernon we visited Ford's Theater. Lauryn got quite the education on this trip between learning of the fates of both President Lincoln and President Kennedy. She would literally ask questions all day, and the next morning she would start with new questions. Things I never would dream to think of asking.

My favorite was when she asked if the doctor who fixed Booth's leg knew that John Wilkes Booth was a bad guy. And if he did, then why did he fix his leg? And how did they get Lincoln across the street to the house? What was the name of the man who helped him on the bed? Why did Booth shoot him? NEVER. ENDING.

Standing in front of the house where Lincoln died.The actual room and bed where Lincoln died. It's hard to see, but the entire bed is surrounded by Plexiglas.

We toured Arlington Cemetery on Saturday. There are no words to describe it.

Visiting the Tomb of the Unknowns was extremely moving. We were also able to see the changing of the guards which was amazing.

Standing in front of Arlington House with Brent's mom. There was such an incredible view of the city.

Statue of Iwo Jima

In front of the Washington Monument

Lincoln Memorial

The kids were beyond perfect. They hung in there every day as we walked miles and looked at statues and monuments and documents and buildings. They never complained. They never argued.

They did get a little tired at times.

Allie woke up in time to get her picture with Abe!

We visited the Smithsonian and saw Dorothy's REAL slippers!! The girls (and I) thought it was pretty cool!

One of my favorite parts of the museum was visiting the exhibit featuring dresses worn by dozens of First Ladies.

Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush dresses...

Laura Bush

Julia Child's kitchen

The girls also loved riding the Metro. It was so cute to see them put their little farecard in the machine and walk through like they've done it all their lives!

Sunday morning (July 4th) we found a nice shady spot and waited for the parade to begin!

Allie found the grass to be slightly more entertaining...

Definitely a different view from last year's parade!

We made it back to the hotel room in time for a nice, long nap before heading back out to watch the fireworks.

Ready to celebrate!

Not much compares to celebrating the 4th of July in front of the Washington Monument.

This trip holds so many fun memories for us. I definitely learned more in four days about our nation's history than I remember learning in school (of course, its been a while, but still...) Seeing the Constitution and Declaration of Independence in person is definitely not the same as reading about them in a couple pages of a history textbook. I would absolutely love to go back and let the girls experience it all over again when they are older.

We enjoyed getting to spend lots of time with Grandma and learned a lot from her (she knew the answers to almost all of Lauryn's questions...I don't know what we would have done without her!) This trip was definitely a highlight of our year!

And the festivities continue...

Saturday we went to the local Fourth of July parade and started the day off right...donuts!!!

In an effort to not follow up the parade with a trip to the ER due to heat stroke, we arrived super early to get a spot in the shade.

Getting there an hour and a half early meant the girls had to come up with their own entertainment before the parade started. I can't think of a better way than watching ice melt on the scorching sidewalk.

Or tormenting a worm with sticks. Despite their best efforts, the poor worm never did hurdle that stick.

Finally the parade began! First in line was Nolan Ryan...icon of the All-American Pastime.Immediately followed by the other great All-American pastime of wearing sombreros. Or something...

They loved waving those flags!

I wonder what has her so bewildered??

Oh.

I loved this one! Cracks me up...

Happy Fourth of July!!

Quick Holiday Recap

Wow...crazy week so far. Super busy around here, but had to get 4th of July pictures up before the month is over! At the rate things are going, that will happen before I know it!

SFB joined us for a little pre-fourth celebration at our house, then over to watch local fireworks!

Precious babies!!

While we stood in a ridiculously long line waiting for free sno-cones, the kids made their own entertainment by rockin' out to some live music.

At long last!!

Rachel: "Don't even think about it..."

We went to the local Fourth of July parade on Saturday morning...I'll get those pictures up soon!