We were so excited to spend our summer vacation with the Miller family (June 2012). After arriving at our hotel, we headed over to the Presidential Monuments. It was great to be out after dark in the cooler air. After all, we weren't ready to sleep because of the three hour time difference. The Millers wouldn't be arriving for two days. Our first stop was the Jefferson Memorial. As we stood on the steps of the Memorial, you can see Washington Monument in the background.
We spent close to three hours walking around all the monuments- back to hotel by 11:45 PM.
Spy Museum
Sculpture Garden at the Hirshorn Museum...we took photos by each of our Chinese Zodiac sign.
National Air and Space Museum
Camille and I rode in the flight simulator. It was fun for maybe 5 seconds then the remaining 3 minutes were hot & humid being stuck in that small space. Camille was in control then I tried to get us back upright- it was crazy trying to keep our unit upright!
Smithsonian Institution Building (The Castle)
We were excited to see my sister, Leigh-Ann and all her family. We took off to walk to the metro station. The kids were having fun during our ride to the Zoo.
It was a very hot day (100 degrees & very humid).
Smithsonian National Zoo
At 3 PM we split up. Leigh-Ann and Stephen took little kids to hotel for nap. We walked- a VERY long walk to Georgetown. We rented kayaks and paddled down the Potomac River. It was fun travelling under the Key Bridge and seeing all the beautiful greenery. I loved this old Boathouse.
After kayaking, we enjoyed some time while kids played in the fountain. Remember, East coast heat plus humidity...they loved the water!
Museum of American History
On our way to the Library of Congress Tour.
Dinner by Georgetown University...great food and our tot contest. Who could stuff the most tots in their mouth at once. It was a tie between me & Lil Stephen.
Not going to include any pictures of that!
Museum of Natural History. Kids loved all the animals and we ended our time in the Butterfly Conservatory.
The little kids were ready for naps, so Stephen & Wes came with us to tour the Supreme Court and the United States Botanic Garden.
We were so fortunate to see our parents our last evening. They had just moved there to serve a mission for the LDS church. We had our trip planned months before they found out they would be living there. It was such a treat to see them! The visit wasn't long enough but, they needed to travel home and get back to "work".
Tour of the White House
Holocaust Museum visit and then met the Millers for dinner- our last night in DC.
We said goodbye and rented a car and had a peaceful drive to Williamsburg, Virginia.
Our beautiful hotel, the Williamsburg Inn.
Colonial Williamsburg. Record heat of 105 degrees!
Colonial Williamsburg feels we had stepped back into the 18th century.
We wandered the streets exploring the Revolutionary City and talking with individuals running shops and living the life like was done centuries ago. Below is the courthouse. We toured the capital building and watched reenactments of actual events that occurred in 1775 (Benedict Arnold, gathering troops to march to Yorktown, etc. It was amazing to speak with shop keepers that sold items, showed up how wigs were made, the original printing presses and their thoughts on life during that period of tumultuous life amidst the threat of war.
We "enlisted" and spent 40 minutes training at the Military Encampment. Then lunch at Chowning Tavern garden. Too hot so we returned to the hotel to swim.
Our last night...dinner and 1776 Show. Ryan got to sit by Martha Washington!
