For spring break we decided to go to Washingto DC. Andy only has so many days off so we planned the trip when both of our families could go. We asked Tabby's parents if we could borrow their suburban so you can imagine how much fun we had driving with every seat filled in that car. When we got there we stayed about 10 min away at a Days Inn and Andy got us a killer deal. We took our hotel shuttle to the Metro. Lennix loved every bit of it because he felt like he was riding on a train. He never stopped looking out the window.
The Capital building
We went to the Museum of Natural History first. I think we could have spent a lot more time in there but I think we pushed our limits with the kids although they really did enjoy it.
Such a funny little smile
We stopped at a little dinosaur a la carte and the boys played there for a min.
The dinosaurs were one of their favorite things they saw
In their own little world
Jay trying to explain why that lion was being mean to that water buffelo. I would like to have heard how he explained it :).
This was the main foyer as we walked in
The Hope Diamond. I told Jay that I'm not a big diamond type of girl but if he wants he could get that for me for our 25 wedding anniversary :).
Lennix and Brooklyn looking at different crystals
This was just one of those classic "family vacation pictures" It looks like he knows something we don't
We went to one of the last sections of the museum and I am so glad we did. They let the kids hold all sorts of fun insects and of course they loved it.
That was the larget walking stick I have ever seen. I think Lennix was a little bit nervous. I don't blame him.
Jensen was really enjoying the museum
There was a room full of some of the most amazing photography so here are just a few of them. Jay says that this is what he wants to do when he retires :)
I don't know why I liked this picture so much
Ahhhhhh
We had to get a picture by the huge whale
Andy and his girls by the Monument
This was by far the funniest thing that happened during this trip. I will tell you the short version. As we walked to the monument the winds picked up like crazy so all of us decided to take refuge in the corner next to the building. Well, Tabby took her girls out for a quick photo and as I was standing there I watch Andy squat down to take the picture and just as he did the wind picked up their stroller that was by him, flew in the air and hit him. It knocked him over which sent the camera flying and while this was happening I notice that the stroller is heading for a young boy who is clinging to the wall, trying to get out of the way. Luckily it missed him and Tabby runs over and jumps onto the stroller and surfs it until it comes to a stop. By that time a group had formed and they all asked if everything was okay. We still laugh so hard every time we think of our experience and it was just the beginning of our Washington adventure.
Us in the Metro
Lennix and Jensen with their best friends in the world. Brooklyn and Madie
We are the cheapest travelers. So, each night we would stop at the grocery store and buy a complete meal that we could heat up in the microwave that was in the lobby. Tabby and I would take all of the food down and just chat while we cooked each dish. We actually ate pretty well and saved a lot of money.
The Washington DC Temple
Our Family
We wanted to see the Temple at night because we heard how pretty and lit up it is at that time. We got there and were so happy to find out that the visitors center does not close until 9:00 so we got to go in and look around.
I love this picure
The next day we decided to go to the Museum of American History.
The actual Dorthy slippers that Judy Garland wore in the Wizard of OZ
My favorite picture of Me and Tabby
Jay being funny
Even though Jay has the cutest smile in this picture I think we were all ready to be done walking around the museums.
We had to take a family photo by the big steam engine
We were just one week too early for the Apple Blossom festival that they have there every year but all the blossoms were in full bloom and they were gorgeous.
There's the White House
Lennix was worn out. This was such a sweet picture
Nothing is better than a good smooch from Jensen. I think Madie didn't mind a bit
That face kills me!!
Where we spent a lot of time
As we waited for our shuttle to go back to our hotel, Jensen was being so funny with this stick so I took a few pictures.
One of the places we really wanted to go was the Holocaust Museum. They don't let kids in there because it is too much for them so we were going to swap kids and us adults were going to go in separately. Well, we stood in line and realized that the only time we could get in was at 2:30 and If we wanted to get on the road at a reasonable time that would not work. So, we took the kids into the "kid friendly" part of the museum and got a little feel of what the children lived like there. It made us very grateful for all of the wonderful circumstances that we were born into
After the Holocaust Museum we decided to have lunch by the Monument. It was really fun to play frisbee and blow bubbles and just hang out and sit down for a while. This first picture is of some random girl that Jensen made friends with. I thought it was very cute that she sat and played frisbee with him for a while.
Lennix's bestest friend in the world. We were joking that it kind of looked like an engagement picture. Hey, neither of us would mind! :)
Jay and Lennix at the Washington Memorial. This was Jay's favorite part of the trip
Me and my Lennix
I love this picture
This was my favorite picture of me and Jay. I think I am almost 4 month prego :)
We had so much fun on this trip and it just mad us love the Miller's even more. But I have to say that our trip home solidified our friendship. We used the GPS to get home and looking back I'm glad it took us on the most random roads (like Fearer road which was actually a back country dirt road) because it was all part of the adventure but I have lost a little bit of my confidence in GPS's. We did make it home after 9 hours of driving, laughing so hard while driving in mud holes, and they guys telling us scary stories about crazies in the dark fields next to us. We finally found the main Freeway and drove the last leg of the trip into this crazy snow storm but we did finally make it back to Columbus safely at 2 am. Such a fun trip!
