A Trip to our Nation's Capitol

We've wanted to visit Washington, D.C. and see the sites since we've moved here, and we were finally able to do it. We endured the 4 1/2 hr. car ride, which honestly, wasn't too bad, as the kids were all well behaved and set up with movies, books, and treats. I sometimes wonder how our parents ever did it without DVD players in the car. We really enjoyed ourselves and Dallin learned a lot about history. Ethan & Gavin just enjoyed being outside and running around "the mall".

The Lincoln Memorial.

As I read over the Gettysburg address and other writings there in the monument, I was impressed with what great men Lincoln and Washington were. Their speeches were so eloquent and they had such strong values that I wish they were alive today to lead our country.

Our family in front of the Capitol Building.

I love this shot.
They were all looking at the ducks in the pond.

The dinosaur hall at the Museum of Natural History (one of the Smithsonians).

We saw real (I even asked if they were real) T-Rex, stegasaurus, and triceratop bones. I thought it was just as cool as Dallin did.

The Washington Monument.




Our three little hooligans at the Washington Monument.
Ethan & Gavin had a great time walking around and making new friends here.




The Washington Monument and the reflection pond.




Hanging out in the hotel room reading books.




The Jefferson Memorial.




Dallin on the steps of the Jefferson Memorial.




Whose kids are they?
Notice the "Do not go beyond this point" sign and chain that they are attempting to go under?
**discaimer**
Tad took this picture (Jefferson Memorial).



Ethan & Gavin wishing they could go for a swim instead of looking at more and more monuments and museums.

The Air & Space Museum.

Tad & Dallin by "Buzz" Aldron & Neil Armstong's space capsule that they were actually in to re-enter onto earth.

Lots and lots of airplanes, rockets, shuttles to see.

The boys all loved it!

Arlington National Cemetary.

Seeing this cemetary again made me truly appreciate all the men & women who have ever served for our country; for our freedoms. Especially, those who have died doing so. I appreciate my dad and all of his service in the army.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington.

Sandy Hook, NJ lighthouse.

New Jersey has a few famous lighthouses, so we made a detour home to see this one.
It was built in 1746 and has been in continual use since. Dallin and I even got to go up inside.