Washington D.C. Trip with our Little Guys

Every year Marc has a legal conference in D.C. in November.  Sometimes I go with him, most of the time he goes alone.  We took Marc and Julia to D.C. in 2012-

 We took the whole family to D.C. and Annapolis in September 2016-

We decided to take the two little boys because they were so young and don't remember so much from their visit.  However, since we saw so much last time, it was nice to not feel the pressure to see everything- just the things we wanted to!

They were SO EXCITED to ride in an airplane!  Traveling day ended up crazy.  We had a direct flight at 11:30 that landed in D.C. at 2:00, but they called and said it was cancelled.  After first putting us on an earlier flight, which we could not make, they sent us to DALLAS!  Then we had a long plane ride to D.C. arriving late at night.

They brought books to read.  Everywhere we went security would say, "Boys, get your phones and tablets out." No phones or tablets here- just books. 

We passed out in the hotel room and slept in the next day (the boys and I did anyway- Daddy had his conference).

After Marc's morning events we went to the Museum of the Bible.  It is AMAZING- I highly recommend it to everyone!  (And if you go, you have to especially go to the 3rd floor and watch the interactive movies of the Old and New Testament.)

 I wasn't sure if you were allowed to take pictures, so I don't really have any from the day.  I did take one as we ate at the "Manna" cafe.  :)  We later got a cookie at the "Milk and Honey" coffee shop.  :)

 The movies were so amazing.  In the intereactive Old Testament you would watch a bit of the truly awesome animation, then walk on- through the ark, through a rainbow, past the burning bush, through the red sea, it went on and on and convinced you of God's faithfulness to His people.

We loved this museum and ended up staying for hours and hours.  We still didn't see it all when we had to move on.

That night, Daddy had a big conference dinner.  The boys and I ordered room service cold cereal (which they loved!) and watched movies.

And Marc met Father Scalia, son of late Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia.  I read his book, That Nothing May be Lost last year.  

The next day after Marc's meetings we went to the International Spy Museum, which is HUGE now! 

After the spy museum we went to the Smithsonian museums.

Then we went to Union Station for dinner.  Union Station is a GORGEOUS building.

Then we boarded an Old Town Trolley for a Monuments in Moonlight Tour.  We have done this tour so many times, and every time I LOVE it!  The capital city is so lovely in the evenings.

FDR Memorial-

 Lincoln Memorial-

Our tour guide said to look at Lincoln's statue from each side- on his right side he is relaxed, sitting calmly, ease of body.    And see that marble transparent ceiling- that marble is from Alabama!

On the left his eye brow is up, his fist is clenched and he's about to stand.  That is Lincoln at war.

 

The next day we went to an awesome Italian restaurant built in an atrium between two buildings.  It was so neat!

Then we decided to spend the whole day at the Air and Space Museum because our little guys LOVE outer space.   When we got there they had a team outside looking at the sun with a special telescope.

We walked to St. Matthew's Cathedral for Mass.  It is such a lovely church.

After Mass, Marc went to a dinner.  He ran into Ken Starr there.  The boys and I went to Subway and then back to the room for movies.  Such a fun time.

It went by quickly, but it was a wonderful trip with our little guys.  They rarely get time like that with us, where there are no big kids bossing them or a baby needing our attention.  It was precious.    This picture is from taking off this morning on our way home.

Thank you SO MUCH BB for staying and holding down the fort while we were gone.  Anastasia is a full-time job!  Thankfully she is a great sleeper and takes reliable naps and goes to bed from 7:30 to 7:30.  :)  And BB cleaned and organized and even had made a meatloaf for us to cook for supper when we got home.

 And thank you Poppy for driving Julia to horseback riding practice and Marc to meet friends.  I also had numerous friends pick up children to take them to various classes and events.  And I hear Marc and Julia were big helps with Annie as well.  It took a village to keep things running at home!  So glad it all worked out!