Washington DC

It's Spring Break and Daddy had business in the DC area so we all went along. The drive wasn't bad and the weather was pretty good on day 1. Day 1 (by myself with kids b/c Matt had business) included a subway ride, Air and Space Museum, looking at the Capitol and Mall, Natural History Museum and a subway ride back and then a ride on the bus (Whew!). The kids loved the subway, the museums and the bus ride back to our friend's house. I must say that mass transportation with 4 kids isn't for the weak. The metro was fine, it was getting on and off the bus with 4 kids by myself (2 who can't really walk and a stroller to fold up) that presented a small challenge, but we all made it home and had a great time. We then played with our friends Robbie, Jon and Dmitry and had a nice Family Home Evening with them.

Day 2 was with Daddy and we went to the Lincoln Memorial and the Vietnam Wall. The boys knew the Lincoln Memorial from watching "National Treasure" and reading one of our children's books about Martin Luther King Jr.

The Vietnam Memorial was special because our Paw-paw and Grandpa both fought in Vietnam. Paw-paw had two very close friends killed on the day that he was injured. We were able to see their names on the wall. Day 2 weather was a bit drizzly and colder. The girls were tired of riding in the stroller and the boys were ready to rest their legs. We headed home after the monuments and drove most of the way through Virginia in the rain.

Thanks to our friends the Petersens for opening their home to us. We were able to stay with them in Moscow 6 years ago when the adopted Kirill. It's nice of them to live in such exotic tourist spots! Sorry that the pictures aren't in order of the trip, I still can't figure out how to re-arrange them. I'll try to post more pictures later.

Kirill looking at the wall. This panel, 30E, has the names of Paw-paw's friends, Roy R Lee and Merrell P. Whittingham. You can see Alex and Kirill's reflection in the wall.

The family on the steps of the Lincoln memorial looking toward the Washington Monument. Courtney said, "OOOOO!" when she saw the big Lincoln statue.

The boys riding the metro. They were dying to stand up and hold onto the poles and ride. Luckily on our way home it was pretty empty so they could try out different seats and stand up for a little bit.

A giraffe at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. This was Courtney and Gracie's favorite part of the day. They loved seeing the animals, but were sad that they couldn't touch them. BTW, the only stroller accessible entrance to the Natural History Museum is NOT on the Mall side. You have to go around to the back on Constitution Avenue.

On the Mall in front of the Capitol Building. Courtney had fallen asleep. She had too much fun at the Air and Space Museum.