This last week we went to visit some friends in DC. We left home Tuesday afternoon and returned late Saturday evening. We've made this trip as a family once before, in December of 2009. It was Justin's first time to DC - but a bit cold to sight see. This trip was Ray's first trip, so he and Justin were tourists together. They fit quite a bit in during our short trip- Korean War, Jefferson and Lincoln Memorials, Washington Monument, Natural History and American History Museum, Tour of the Capital Building, Arlington Cemetery, a stop at the Library of Congress and a picture in front of the White House. I am sure I missed something.
I did not take pictures at all this trip. Ray was the camera man and I decided we didn't need to both lug around cameras :). So - if you want to see historical pictures, ask him - cause I am only posting cute kid pictures :).
We stayed in Old Town Alexandria. Our hotel was in a great location - right across from the metro and just down from King Street. We could hop right on the free King St. Trolley to go down to many restaurants and little shops. The girls loved to ride the trolley, "red bus". Hailey loved when the windows were down and she could let her hair fly and wave to people on the sidewalk.
One day we climbed on and were waiting for others to board. Hailey pointed out the window and said, "What's that?" I didn't want to answer, but I told her it was a giant mouse. There was definitely a rat running around the bus stop by the metro station. ewww. Another thing the girls liked about King Street were the musicians. Kaelin especially liked the violinist that played along with radio accompaniment. Both girls LOVED the fact that there were dogs everywhere. In DC most people live in condos or town homes, so if they have dogs, they have to walk them. The girls wanted to stop and pet each one :p.
Daddy and the girls at the Jefferson Memorial. It was a Warm day, and the girls thought it was neat how the floor/steps/benches were still cool to the touch. There was also a high school band playing that Kaelin liked.
There are probably 10 versions of this picture. She refused to smile, so I tickled her.
Our friends' daughter, Claire, and the girls playing in the grass in front of the Washington Monument. Claire is right in between our girls' ages at 3.5 years, but still the same height as Hailey :). She is half Puerto Rican and is absolutely pint sized adorable!
Tickling Hailey again a few hours later.
This was at the Natural History Museum. The girls are touching a replica Elephant femur. You could also stand next too one. It was taller than K.
The girls ALL loved the gems/crystals at the natural museum. Here they are touching some kind of Quartz I believe.
The day we came home (Saturday), we spent the morning at Mount Vernon. Easily the girls favorite part. We toured the mansion, then the museums. The guys liked watching some of the movies in theaters where the effects were amazing (I guess the seats rumbled, snow fell on you and smoke blew on you --they were watching that movie on the Revolutionary War.) The girls and I liked that they had a separate room just for young kids - it had colonial dress up, coloring, puzzles, a doll house replica of the mansion etc. When we were done touring only part of the grounds we ate 'colonial style' food in the inn. I had the Turkey pie. It was YUMMY!
In a section of Mount Vernon, they had some sheep. 3 of the young sheep were loose and Justin briefly attempted to catch them. The girls are cheering him on below. It was very cute.
They had this cut out in the Children's Area and Kaelin insisted we take a picture.
All in all it was a fun trip. Would probably not go again during spring break though - VERY busy! And we would plan ahead more - we wanted to visit the Baltimore Aquarium, but we couldn't get in the same day. A Lot of places in DC have you buy/request the tickets ahead of time. Some tours even have you place requests 3 weeks to a month ahead of time! We have learned, and will know better next time!
