First Trip to DC

For this year's Christmas card, which ended up being a New Years card, I was determined to get a pic of the boys in DC.  And the only place that I wanted to take this blessed picture was in front of the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool.  However, I had no idea where I was going, what it was going to be like when I got there and even if I'd find parking.  But I was determined, so I loaded the boys up and away we went.  I knew it wasn't going to be a full family shot because there was no way I was getting Jay to go downtown on his day off.  So for those of you planning to visit, just know that Jay will never accompany us downtown to see the sights.  Battlefields, yes.  Washington DC monuments, no.  It was a beautiful sunny day in DC and we really couldn't have picked a better day to go.  It was not crowded and the traffic was kind.  Thanks to my handy DC map, I found the place I wanted to go.  Just driving by it was breathtaking and surreal...was I really in this place I'd only ever read about?  Was that really the Washington Monument before us?  Problem was, I couldn't find parking.  Ended up getting caught in the roundabout and headed over to Arlington National Cemetary on accident.  BONUS!  Turns out there was a parking garage right at the cemetary and that is where we started out.  I can officially say we were at Arlington National Cemetary, but we hardly saw it.  We walked into it far enough to take a few pictures, but there is so much more I'd like to see there. 

It will have to wait for another day because I knew time was limited with these little boys and had to stick to my task at hand.  We were already further away from the Lincoln Memorial than I wanted to be so we had a lot of walking to do.  I was very impressed with my boys, they walked what seemed like several miles and were such troopers!  We definitely saw the Lincoln Memorial, but sadly the reflecting pool was empty and under construction.  Talk about disappointment!! 

But I got my pictures anyway!

We walked around the pool over to the WW II memorial which was A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.  So much detail...I could've probably spent longer in there, but again, had little ones with me and was more concerned they were going to dive into the pool of water...

I loved these quotes they had displayed in the memorial 

The boys got a kick out of finding each state they had ever been to, even the recent ones we passed thru on our trek across country

The detail was really impressive

Just across the way from the WWII Memorial was the Washington Monument.  We didn't go over to it, but we got a pretty amazing view of it.  Something I'd like to see even closer up someday.

We ate lunch at a little corner hot dog stand and then headed back over the bridge that crosses the Potomac River to the parking garage. 

Lots of walking for little feet, but all in all a fun experience for a first time in DC...and what a beautiful day to be outside enjoying it.  I think next time I bring the boys, I will look into the double decker tour buses that you can hop on and off at any location.  Can't wait to go back for more!