Washington D.C. Vacation

Day 1
We had such a blast out in Washington D.C. and visiting with Jeff, Michelle, and Aliyah! We flew into the Baltimore, Maryland Airport at 11:30 p.m. The kids did so well on the plane. Both of them fell asleep for most of the flight and we were able to enjoy a movie. When Jeff picked us up, he drove us into D.C. so we could see it at night. It was sure amazing to see all of the monuments a glow and the State Capital building. Mark got a great picture of it at night. By the time we got to Jeff and Michelle's house it was 2 in the morning and we were so tired from traveling. We jumped into bed and fell asleep quickly.




Day 2
We woke up and got ready to go to church with the Thomson's. It was actually their Stake Conference. It was pretty neat to be able to attend another ward in a different state. It confirmed to me that the church is the same wherever you go. The people there were so friendly. Senator Orin Hatch is actually in Jeff and Michelle's stake but we weren't able to see him.

After church we came back to the house and enjoyed playing games and playing with the kids. Vanessa had so much fun playing with her little cousin, Aliyah. We sure do miss them so much!

We were able to go and see the Washington D.C. temple as well! It was absolutely amazing and so big! I love how it is surrounded with trees and that it stands out! We were able to see it right at sundown. When looking at it I was overcome with the Spirit. Just by being there in the of such a sacred and beautiful building, my testimony of Jesus Christ was strengthened. I really wish we could have attended a session there but with two kids and limited time we were not able to do it. Definitely next time!










Vanessa really enjoyed seeing the temple. She would point to it and say "Temple, Temple." I also asked her where angle Moroni was and she pointed to the top of the temple.

Day 3
On Monday we had our first Metro ride and were able to go to all of the monuments and memorials. It was a day of a lot of walking but worth every minute! Our first stop was at the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. What a site! I couldn't believe how big it was. It was so cool looking at it from across the Potomac River.









Our next stop was at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial. I never knew it was that big. It was fun to be able to walk around it and read some of the quotes and see all of the statues and fountains.


After that we set off to see the World War II Memorial. That too was amazing! I loved how it had all of the states etched into the pillars. It is also located in between the Lincoln and Washington monuments and in front of the Reflecting Pool. It was such a cool site to see.


We then made our way down the National Mall to the Korean War Memorial. It was very sobering to realize that so many Americans and UN men and women died to protect freedom. There is a saying imprinted on the wall there that reads: "Freedom is not Free." I realized then and there how important our freedom is! I am very thankful for all of those people who gave there lives so we could be free.


Our next stop was one of our favorites, the Lincoln Memorial. I was so excited to see Lincoln's statue inside the building. It was amazing to think that I was standing in that building. I have always wanted to go and visit D.C. and see all of these things! I thought it was neat that the Gettysburg Address was inscribed on the walls.

We took many rest stops to allow the kids to stretch and eat. Vacationing with kids is always an adventure! After our rest, we made our way to the Vietnam Memorial. This too was very sobering. To see all the names of the people who paid the ultimate price for our freedom was very sobering.


Our last stop was the Washington Monument. It was incredible to see how big it actually is! It is amazing to think that people can build something so tall and have it be stable. We were not able to go up in it this day but we were on Thursday. Monday was such a fun day even though we walked over 6 miles.



Day 4
On Tuesday, we were able to take a tour of the White House. We have never been inside it so we were all very excited to see what some of the rooms are like. We were able to through the first floor and see the Red, Green, and Blue rooms and also the Dinning room. It was so cool. The walls were decorated in what looked like wall paper but it is actually silk. The majority of the decor was all authentic. It was so cool to see such old things and to be actually walking the same halls as our current and previous Presidents. The White House has so much history. Just being there made me want to find out as much as possible about it. Unfortunately we were not able to meet the President. I guess he is just way too busy to come out and meet us!


We got to go see Jeff''s law school. It was pretty big and nestled right in the busy city. It was very different from the school settings that we have gone to. It seems like a really great school though.

After eating lunch, we walked to Ford's Theater and got to see where President Lincoln was assassinated. It was pretty neat to see the actually place. They had a museum there as well and it had the gun that Booth used and Lincoln's clothes he wore that night. We also got to sit in the actual theater and listen to a guide talk about Booth's plot to assassinate Lincoln. I did not know half the information that he told us so it was fun to learn more about it.



We then were able to go across the street to the house where Lincoln died. They had a replica of the bed he died in. I guess the real one is in Chicago at a museum. Lincoln is one of my all-time favorite Presidents. He did so much to change the course of history and will forever be praised and honored for what he did to free the slaves. What a great man! It is sad to think that he was killed.

Our last stop was the National Archives. We got to see the Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights and the Constitution. It was pretty amazing to see it. Our pictures did not turn out the best because we couldn't use the flash but we tried.

Before going home, we got ourselves some street vendor hot dogs! It is not a vacation without getting hot dogs. They were pretty good.


Day 5
On Wednesday, we went to the Bureau of Engraving and Imprinting. We got to see a case filled with 1 million dollars of unmarked bills. That is as close as we will probably get to a million dollars! The factory was pretty neat. We got to see them making 20 dollar bills. There was sure a lot of money being made. I just wish we could have some of it!


Our next stop was to the American History Smithsonian. We got to see some pretty cool stuff inside there. There is so much to see that we spent hours in there. There was a section of money and coins that we thought was cool and they also had a section dedicated to Lincoln. We got to see his original top hat and face mask of him when he was alive.

The coolest thing we go to see was that Original flag that Francis Scott Key saw and inspired him to write the Star Spangled Banner. It was huge! I never thought it to be so big. It was an awesome site to see. I got the cold chills when walking through the exhibit. I am sure "Proud to be an American!"

Our last stop was the Natural History Muesuem. We only had 30 minutes to walk around and see things that day because it closed at 5:30. We got to see the dinosour, early animals, and oceans exhibits before it closed.

Day 6
On Thursday, we decided to brave the rain and cold and go see Mt. Vernon. We were very glad that we did! What a cool place! Now I can say that I walked that same paths as George Washington. He sure knew how to pick a place to live. The view and grounds are breathtaking. I would love to sit on my back porch and look at the Potomic River! His masion was incredible as well. I thought it was interesting that he made the outside of his house to look like bricks with wood and sand. Pretty inovative.



While there we got to see where he is intombed. It was cool to be able to stand in his presence!
We also got to go in a museum there and see some things that he owned and used on his plantation. We got to see his dentures too!

We returend to Jeff and Michelle's house soaked and cold. The kids did exceptually well for being so cold and raining. We decided to leave the kids there at the house while Mark and I ran into D.C. to go up to the top of the Washington Monument. We barely made it in time! We had to run all the way from the Metro to the monument. Talk about getting so exercise! Because the weather was so bad, we were only able to see a few miles out, but it was still cool to be up so high and see the District.


Day 6
On Friday we started the day by going to finish seeing the Natural History Muesum. Vanessa really enjoyed seeing the animals and especially the big elephant. One of our favorites was the Precious stones and gems exhibit. They had some pretty amazing stones and jewlery. We actually got to see the Hope Diamond out of its necklace. Why can't I be lucky enough to find something like that!

Our next stop was the US Capital. We were able to have a guided tour and go and see places that some people don't get to see. We saw the House Room and got to go into the Rotunda. I can't believe the hand work that was throughout the whole Capital! It was so intricate and exquisit! We were able to stand in the exact center of D.C. there too! It was very impressive!



Our last stop for the day was at the Supreme Court and Library of Congress. That buidling too was amazing! I couldn't belive that human hands were capable of making such intricate masterpieces of art. It was pretty amazing to see all of these things!




Day 7
Saying goodbye! It was so fun to be able to stay with Jeff, Michelle and Aliyah! We are so appreciative for letting us stay with them and for them taking time to show us around D.C. It was hard to say goodbye knowing that we would not see them for awhile. This vacation was sure a blast and a great opportunity for us to learn more about our history.

On the way to the airport, we stopped at Arlington Cemetary. It was raining quite a bit that day so we made it quick. We saw J.F.K gravesite along with Ted Kennedy's. We also got to see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. That was neat to see. What respect and reverance! I was once again made aware of all the people that have given their lives to protect our freedom!

All in all, our vacation will be one to be remembered and treasured! We learned so much and gained a desire for further knowledge. We are so glad we were able to take this trip!