So Saturday was it. The last day. Trying to cram in all of that stuff that we hadn't done yet. This is impossible to see with just two people, much less 6 and 3 of those being kids. But...we had to try. We will call this Memorial Day. We went first to the Washington Monument. We didn't get to go up in it because tickets were sold out until sometime in August unless you get there early in the morning to get tickets for the day and that just wasn't going to happen.
We then headed to the World War II Memorial. This was cool because there were several veterans there and most were in wheelchairs and we took the kids up to their group and shook their hands and thanked them for their service to our country. I think it was special for them and us both.
Then we headed to the Korean War Memorial. This was special because both of our Dad's fought in this war. Pretty special indeed and a neat memorial to go to.
Next up was the Wall at the Vietnam War Memorial. Kind of surreal seeing all of the names of those that gave their lives up for our country in that war. Goose bump kind of thing...
We kind of ended the Memorial swoop with the Lincoln Memorial. This is a neat monument and one that is special to Riley since he has done a project in school on Abraham Lincoln. It has a great view back towards the US Capitol but the only bummer was that the reflecting pool was drained and being worked on so that kind of took a bit of the beauty of the view away but it was still pretty amazing. We were going to have April run out thru the water shouting "Forrest, Forrest" and I was going to be standing on the steps going "Jenny...". But it just wasn't meant to be. Sigh. The good thing was that I was able to represent my family and all of Tennessee by being in as many random family photos that I could sneak into. Now I didn't pose with them but I just "happened" to be in the background of anyone I could find that was taking a picture. A "Where's Waldo?" event if you will.
So at this point we were monumented out so we headed to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum. What was our first stop once we got there? Yep. McDonald's. Had to feed the beast. Or as we like to call him...Riley. We then meandered around and saw a Moon rock and a Space Monkey and lots and lots of planes and then saw a 3D IMax movie about planes.
So at this point we had all pretty much given all we had to give and headed home. All the stuff we didn't get to will just have to wait till the next time we come here. Just between you and me, I don't think Josie is going to remember any of this....
Today's pics:
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Day 7 - Baltimore
So we had a slow start to the day and finally kicked our tails into gear around lunch time. We've been going pretty hard every day so it was nice to kind of recharge our batteries. We headed off to Baltimore and let me just say that the traffic up here is HORRIBLE! I'm not gonna complain about Nashville traffic any after this. It took us a couple of hours to get up there when it should have taken an hour. We'd be be-bopping along and traffic would come to a stop. We'd go slow for a while expecting to finally get up to where the wreck was only to never get to the any such wreck. Traffic would simply pick back up. I hate that. If I have to sit in traffic like that I want to see something that justifiably caused it. But I digress...
We get to Camden Yards and park and head off to get our tickets at Will Call. We get the tickets and head off in search of the Inner Harbor. We asked a Police Officer and a family with kids and both sent us in one direction. This direction led to the Hood. Let's just say that we were not in a very safe place to put it lightly. Finally we turned around and eventually made it to the Inner Harbor. The sucky part about that was if we had been directed correctly initially then we would have been there in like 20 minutes. But we can say that we have seen parts of Baltimore that your average bear hasn't :-)
We go to the game and had a big time. The Orioles are the worst team in the American League and they were playing the Indians. It didn't turn out well for the home team. It was close and only got beat 6-5. We had tickets in the lower level in left field but after the 2nd inning we were able to move to better seats that were still in left field but lower. Josie was a big hit. She was wearing a real cute little outfit and people were oohing and aahing over the lass. She has gotten that same reaction all week. I was glad the game was over though because I was tired of hearing Riley ask for a hot dog and nachos and cokes and a souvenir. Sigh. The boy just doesn't stop, nor does his sister. At any rate, we watched fireworks after the game and I will say that they were no where close to being as good as fireworks at the Sounds games. Kind of sad that a minor league team puts on a better show than a major league team. After the fireworks we meandered back to the car and headed home. We got home around midnight and pretty much collapsed into bed and so ended our Baltimore journey.
Enjoy the pics:
We get to Camden Yards and park and head off to get our tickets at Will Call. We get the tickets and head off in search of the Inner Harbor. We asked a Police Officer and a family with kids and both sent us in one direction. This direction led to the Hood. Let's just say that we were not in a very safe place to put it lightly. Finally we turned around and eventually made it to the Inner Harbor. The sucky part about that was if we had been directed correctly initially then we would have been there in like 20 minutes. But we can say that we have seen parts of Baltimore that your average bear hasn't :-)
We go to the game and had a big time. The Orioles are the worst team in the American League and they were playing the Indians. It didn't turn out well for the home team. It was close and only got beat 6-5. We had tickets in the lower level in left field but after the 2nd inning we were able to move to better seats that were still in left field but lower. Josie was a big hit. She was wearing a real cute little outfit and people were oohing and aahing over the lass. She has gotten that same reaction all week. I was glad the game was over though because I was tired of hearing Riley ask for a hot dog and nachos and cokes and a souvenir. Sigh. The boy just doesn't stop, nor does his sister. At any rate, we watched fireworks after the game and I will say that they were no where close to being as good as fireworks at the Sounds games. Kind of sad that a minor league team puts on a better show than a major league team. After the fireworks we meandered back to the car and headed home. We got home around midnight and pretty much collapsed into bed and so ended our Baltimore journey.
Enjoy the pics:
Friday, July 15, 2011
Day 6 - Mt. Vernon
So Thursday. We went to Mt. Vernon. One of Cathy's friends met up with us and spent the day with us. Her name is Sara. She is a DS Special Agent. DS stands for Diplomatic Security and they handle the security for the Department of State, which includes protecting the Secretary of State as well as foreign diplomats in the states. They are also at each American Embassy around the world.
Anywho..... we headed off to Mt. Vernon and spent most of the day there. We had a good time. The actual Museum and Education Center is better than the Mansion tour. We just got shuttled thru like cattle and frankly didn't get to learn a whole heck of a lot but it was neat anyways. A lot of of the pics of the water I post are from the back porch of Mt. Vernon overlooking the Potomac. Pretty incredible view and I can only imagine what it would have been like to live there in the late 1700's. So we left there and headed to Tysons Corner Center. This is a Mall that is ridiculously big. The reason we went was because they have an American Girl store that Laura had been jonesing to get to. She had saved her allowance and birthday money for this day. It was a huge event. After about an hour of shopping it to death she had made her acquisition. Today, Friday, she is wearing the same outfit as Julie is wearing. It is very cute. I will put the pictures up on tomorrow's version of the blog. Let me just say that Josie got an American Girl doll as well. Her name is Felicity. Yes my 5 month old has a very expensive doll. Part of me died at this place. I am admittedly weak when it comes to these girls. I just hope that they don't kill me with it over our lifetime.
So then we went to Ray's Hell Burger in Arlington. Apparently President Obama went there to eat recently so it was placed on our agenda as well. The burgers were good but honestly 5 Guys makes a much better burger but it was for the experience, right?? Riley loved to say where he was eating and what he was eating...just because he got to say the word "hell" and not get into trouble.
So this pretty much ended our day. Tomorrow we go to Baltimore and go to an Orioles game. They've lost 8 in a row. We may be the only ones there. Enjoy our pics...especially the ones of Cathy eating a Hell Burger and the one of me at Mt. Vernon...
Anywho..... we headed off to Mt. Vernon and spent most of the day there. We had a good time. The actual Museum and Education Center is better than the Mansion tour. We just got shuttled thru like cattle and frankly didn't get to learn a whole heck of a lot but it was neat anyways. A lot of of the pics of the water I post are from the back porch of Mt. Vernon overlooking the Potomac. Pretty incredible view and I can only imagine what it would have been like to live there in the late 1700's. So we left there and headed to Tysons Corner Center. This is a Mall that is ridiculously big. The reason we went was because they have an American Girl store that Laura had been jonesing to get to. She had saved her allowance and birthday money for this day. It was a huge event. After about an hour of shopping it to death she had made her acquisition. Today, Friday, she is wearing the same outfit as Julie is wearing. It is very cute. I will put the pictures up on tomorrow's version of the blog. Let me just say that Josie got an American Girl doll as well. Her name is Felicity. Yes my 5 month old has a very expensive doll. Part of me died at this place. I am admittedly weak when it comes to these girls. I just hope that they don't kill me with it over our lifetime.
So then we went to Ray's Hell Burger in Arlington. Apparently President Obama went there to eat recently so it was placed on our agenda as well. The burgers were good but honestly 5 Guys makes a much better burger but it was for the experience, right?? Riley loved to say where he was eating and what he was eating...just because he got to say the word "hell" and not get into trouble.
So this pretty much ended our day. Tomorrow we go to Baltimore and go to an Orioles game. They've lost 8 in a row. We may be the only ones there. Enjoy our pics...especially the ones of Cathy eating a Hell Burger and the one of me at Mt. Vernon...
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
DC Day 5
Today we slept in. Today is Wednesday. I think. Ya know how you lose track of days on vacation. Nonetheless (I love that word), we went swimming first thing this morning for a while and then headed out about lunch time and went and got on the Metro and rode into DC.
First stop. Library of Congress. Wow. If you like incredible architecture then this place is a must see. I must say as an avid reader I would have liked to have spent hours here and most likely by myself. It isn't real conducive for hanging out with kids but Riles and La had fun for the few hours we were there. They are having a big time though. It rained while we were in there so that was nice because it cooled things off big time.
Next stop was the National Archives. This is where the original copy of the Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are on display. Pretty surreal to be viewing such important documents in our nations history. We stumbled out of there and were all hungry and walked a ways and found a Ruby Tuesday's. Praise the Lord. We were all starving. After that we headed home and got in about 9.
So let me tell this little nugget of info. First thing when we got off of the Metro at Capitol South we were waiting at a traffic signal for the Walk sign. There was a taxi that pulled up and picked someone up and kinda blocked the lane. Well the next guy in line was waiting and got stuck by the red light. This apparently irked the guy behind him and so he jerked around into the next lane and ran the red light. This flew all over me because I, along with my precious cargo, was about to cross into the crosswalk and would have had I not been paying attention. So...I yell at him "Really???" real loud. I looked to my immediate right and who is sitting there but a Washington Police car. He promptly looked at me and did a U-Turn and went and pulled the jerk over there. To say that satisfied me immensely would be an understatement. I take credit for aiding in the maintenance of public safety. There is a very good reason that I graduated from the University of Awesomeness.
So I guess that is it. No wait. Today is my Mom's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!! I know you are reading this and likely the only one but alas... Tomorrow we visit Mt. Vernon and then go to the American Girl doll store. These girls are gonna be the death of me....
First stop. Library of Congress. Wow. If you like incredible architecture then this place is a must see. I must say as an avid reader I would have liked to have spent hours here and most likely by myself. It isn't real conducive for hanging out with kids but Riles and La had fun for the few hours we were there. They are having a big time though. It rained while we were in there so that was nice because it cooled things off big time.
Next stop was the National Archives. This is where the original copy of the Declaration of Independence, US Constitution, and the Bill of Rights are on display. Pretty surreal to be viewing such important documents in our nations history. We stumbled out of there and were all hungry and walked a ways and found a Ruby Tuesday's. Praise the Lord. We were all starving. After that we headed home and got in about 9.
So let me tell this little nugget of info. First thing when we got off of the Metro at Capitol South we were waiting at a traffic signal for the Walk sign. There was a taxi that pulled up and picked someone up and kinda blocked the lane. Well the next guy in line was waiting and got stuck by the red light. This apparently irked the guy behind him and so he jerked around into the next lane and ran the red light. This flew all over me because I, along with my precious cargo, was about to cross into the crosswalk and would have had I not been paying attention. So...I yell at him "Really???" real loud. I looked to my immediate right and who is sitting there but a Washington Police car. He promptly looked at me and did a U-Turn and went and pulled the jerk over there. To say that satisfied me immensely would be an understatement. I take credit for aiding in the maintenance of public safety. There is a very good reason that I graduated from the University of Awesomeness.
So I guess that is it. No wait. Today is my Mom's birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!! I know you are reading this and likely the only one but alas... Tomorrow we visit Mt. Vernon and then go to the American Girl doll store. These girls are gonna be the death of me....
DC Day 3 and 4
So here we go. On Day 3, Monday, we went on a US Capitol tour and then to the Senate and House Galleries. Security is pretty tight. We lost an expensive bottle of Baby sunscreen to the security policy. April is still a little bitter.... We got to see a whole bunch of famous Senators (McCain, Kerry, Franken, Lieberman, etc..,) as they got ready to "discuss" the debt ceiling / budget deal.
On Day 4, Tuesday, we went back to DC and went to "Tennessee Tuesday" with Senator Corker and Alexander. We got there in the nick of time and got to hear them speak and get our pictures taken with them. We then took a Trolley tour around the city and got off at the Smithsonian of American History and stayed in there a while. Just as a side note we were gonna eat at their cafeteria but a drink was $3 and a BBQ sandwich was $9.05. I would have gnawed off my arm and ate that before I paid those prices...so we left. By this time it was late and so we got back on the trolley and went back to Union Station and finally got back to our condo. Oh and let me say that it is hot here too...as is much of the nation. Me thinks it is supposed to be cooler the rest of the week but we shall see. Last night we went to eat and came home and C.R.A.S.H.E.D. And all was well.
For all that are wondering, Josie and the rest of the kids are doing great. I definitely suggest that you never let age of your kids get in the way of making trips and memories. They all are loving it and learning away. The next time we come back they will remember some of these things and hopefully will help develop their love and appreciation of our nation and our nations history.
Day 3:
Day 4:
On Day 4, Tuesday, we went back to DC and went to "Tennessee Tuesday" with Senator Corker and Alexander. We got there in the nick of time and got to hear them speak and get our pictures taken with them. We then took a Trolley tour around the city and got off at the Smithsonian of American History and stayed in there a while. Just as a side note we were gonna eat at their cafeteria but a drink was $3 and a BBQ sandwich was $9.05. I would have gnawed off my arm and ate that before I paid those prices...so we left. By this time it was late and so we got back on the trolley and went back to Union Station and finally got back to our condo. Oh and let me say that it is hot here too...as is much of the nation. Me thinks it is supposed to be cooler the rest of the week but we shall see. Last night we went to eat and came home and C.R.A.S.H.E.D. And all was well.
For all that are wondering, Josie and the rest of the kids are doing great. I definitely suggest that you never let age of your kids get in the way of making trips and memories. They all are loving it and learning away. The next time we come back they will remember some of these things and hopefully will help develop their love and appreciation of our nation and our nations history.
Day 3:
Day 4:
Sunday, July 10, 2011
I'm back!....and Day 1 and Day 2 of our D.C. Trip
So I'm thinking there is no better way to get back into adding to this blog than to document our vacation to D.C. So here is what we have done so far.
Saturday we finally got on the road after leaving my girl, Bella (our Goldendoodle), at my sisters house and then hit the road. We headed east and made it to Knoxville before we had to stop for lunch. Now this won't seem as impressive to most people but then again most people aren't traveling with 3 kids, and one being 4 months old. So I was happy with how far we got. We hit the road again and headed up thru Virginia. We stopped in Somewhereville, VA at a Cracker Barrel and fed Josie and racked up on some VA Tech clearance items and hit the road. I pushed the limits with Riley and April on supper because by the time we stopped at an Arby's they were both delirious and singing weird songs that all ended in some sort of food (ok...so I'm being a little facetious here but Riley really had ramped up the whining but not April). So we ate at Arby's and finally made it to Charlottesville about 10:30 EST. Pretty much at this point we all crashed.
Day 2 we slept in. H.O.O.R.A.Y.! We finally got up about 8:30. Yes. This is sleeping in for us. If "college age Bryan" had ever thought that I would make that statement he would be very disappointed but I digress. We got up and Cathy and David (April's sister and brother-in-law) met up with us and we all headed to Monticello. I will interject here that Cathy is going on the D.C. trip with us but not David. We went to Monticello and toured there for about 3, rather warm, hours. About 3 o'clock we went to eat at a cool place called Michie Tavern. It has been in business since the late 1700's and they all serve you in Colonial attire. It was good food but to be honest we were so hungry that we would have probably eaten Michelin tires at this point. So we ate well and then got on the road and headed into D.C., specifically National Harbor, MD. We are staying at the Wyndham Resort and it is a rather swanky place and we will be spoiled for future trips. We are now heading out to eat and I am uploading some pics that I will put on here for all to see the fun we are having....
Saturday we finally got on the road after leaving my girl, Bella (our Goldendoodle), at my sisters house and then hit the road. We headed east and made it to Knoxville before we had to stop for lunch. Now this won't seem as impressive to most people but then again most people aren't traveling with 3 kids, and one being 4 months old. So I was happy with how far we got. We hit the road again and headed up thru Virginia. We stopped in Somewhereville, VA at a Cracker Barrel and fed Josie and racked up on some VA Tech clearance items and hit the road. I pushed the limits with Riley and April on supper because by the time we stopped at an Arby's they were both delirious and singing weird songs that all ended in some sort of food (ok...so I'm being a little facetious here but Riley really had ramped up the whining but not April). So we ate at Arby's and finally made it to Charlottesville about 10:30 EST. Pretty much at this point we all crashed.
Day 2 we slept in. H.O.O.R.A.Y.! We finally got up about 8:30. Yes. This is sleeping in for us. If "college age Bryan" had ever thought that I would make that statement he would be very disappointed but I digress. We got up and Cathy and David (April's sister and brother-in-law) met up with us and we all headed to Monticello. I will interject here that Cathy is going on the D.C. trip with us but not David. We went to Monticello and toured there for about 3, rather warm, hours. About 3 o'clock we went to eat at a cool place called Michie Tavern. It has been in business since the late 1700's and they all serve you in Colonial attire. It was good food but to be honest we were so hungry that we would have probably eaten Michelin tires at this point. So we ate well and then got on the road and headed into D.C., specifically National Harbor, MD. We are staying at the Wyndham Resort and it is a rather swanky place and we will be spoiled for future trips. We are now heading out to eat and I am uploading some pics that I will put on here for all to see the fun we are having....
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