Day 16 and 17--Rain, Relaxing, and Home

Our "Host Family"

Yesterday was our final, full day of vacation. We didn't have anything specific on the schedule, and we were just going to play it by ear, and go see whatever we missed. When we woke up, it was a rainy, dreary, kind of day, so...we went out to a late breakfast, and went back to our friend's house, and took up residence on their couch and watched the World Cup. Our friends then made a great dinner. It was nice to just relax all day!

The kids loved being with their friends!

Today we had breakfast with our "host family" as Dan called our friends. (Thank you Lee family for a great time!) Then we flew home.

It was a great trip with many highlights. Here is what everyone said their top 3 things were. (Note--we told the kids they could not say being with the Lees--it had to be a tourist thing that we did--otherwise, that was their favorite thing. Plus, they could not say everything!)

Kyle:  Naval Academy, Monticello, and the bike ride around D.C.
Erin:  Plimoth Plantation, the Star Spangled flag, and the bike ride
Dan:  Valley Forge, Lexington/Concord, and the bike ride
Wendy: Monticello, the Star Spangled flag, and the bike ride

Obviously, the bike ride was a big hit! Now it is time to enjoy the rest of our summer, and for Wendy to start planning next year's vacation.

Day 15--Washington D.C. again

Changing of the Guard

Today was a tough day. We started at Arlington Cemetery. We were able to watch the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown solider. We also witnessed the laying of the wreaths for the day. They were presented by an elementary school and middle school. It was a neat experience. Then it was on to JFK's grave. On our way out, we also went by President Taft's grave.

Next, it was on to the Holocaust Museum. It was painful to see everything, but necessary. We felt it was important for the kids to learn about this time in our history. It was very well done.

On our way out of town, we stopped into the Freer Museum, which has the"Peacock Room". Wendy and Erin had learned about this room a few years ago, when they did an art project for school. It was neat to see it in real life.

The Kerns

In the evening, we visited our old neighbors, the Kerns. It was a nice time of visiting and catching up.

Day 14--More Washington D.C.

The Tidal Basin

Today was Tour de Washington! We rented bikes and went all over town seeing the sights. First, it was to the Tidal Basin to see the Jefferson, FDR, and Martin Luther King Jr. Memorials. While riding around the Tidal Basin, several military helicopters were flying fast and low. One of the helicopters was Marine I-which means the President! Dan and Kyle loved this!

Then it was off to the Mall to see the Korean War Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial again. Next, it was on to the American History Museum to see the flag that was flown at Ft. McHenry, and Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner about. (Erin is seeing her report from school, come to life, once more.) It was a lot bigger than expected.

White House

Finally, it was a ride to the White House, to see it from the other side, than what we saw the other day.

On a side note--while riding through the streets/paths today, Dan loved his "bell" on his bike, and rang it constantly!! It was driving Wendy crazy, but Dan just laughed and rang it more!

Day 13--Washington D.C.

View from Newseum

Today we went back to Washington D.C. for the day. We went to the Newseum--which is a museum about the news. It was great! We saw headlines from 100 plus years ago to today, acted like anchors on a news show, and saw the antenna from the World Trade Center from 9/11. We also watched a bit of the World Cup on a HUGE screen.

Air & Space Museum

Then it was off to the National Gallery of Art, where we saw some of Monet, Degas, Cassatt, Van Gogh, etc. Next, it was the Air and Space Museum. The kids enjoyed the hands-on area, where they did various activities about flight. Now it is time to rest up before tomorrow's adventures.

Day 12--Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon

Today we visited George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. We toured the mansion--it was nice, but we did feel like we were prodded through like cattle. (There was a lot of people, and they just moved us along quickly.) We then went on the "National Treasure Tour". We were able to hear about the filming of the movie, plus see different areas where they filmed i.e. basement, ice house, etc. That was a neat extra thing to do.

Wendy and Katy

As a special treat, we met up with Kyle's former teacher, and Wendy's friend, Katy. Katy recently moved to the area this past year. It was fun to see her and her adorable son, Lincoln.

Day 11--Williamsburg

Could we do this now?

We hit Colonial Williamsburg today. We watched throughout the day, the reenactment of what was happening in Williamsburg from 1775-1781. It was fun to interact with the characters in between the "show" they put on. We heard the entire Declaration of Independence being read aloud from the steps of the capitol building. Erin really liked going into the "weaving" place and watching the girls spin the wool and use the loom. We also went onto the William and Mary campus also. We were welcomed with the heat and humidity today--in the 90's with high humidity. The kids are now swimming in the hotel pool, while Dan and Wendy are watching the USA vs. Ghana World Cup game.

Day 10--Monticello

Another gorgeous day, as far as the weather goes. We spent the day at Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home. The grounds are unbelievable--views over the hillside below, flowers everywhere, plus the actual house is spectacular! Thomas Jefferson really was an amazing man--the details that went into designing and building his house were well before his time. We went on a tour of the house, and then one that talked about all of the slaves which worked on the plantation. It was very well done and informative. We also saw his grave, along with his family.