Some of our favorite memories from DC were just being together as a family. Watching movies (way more than at home!) coloring, playing outside, going to the pool, doing sparklers… I’m pretty sure if you asked my kids these would be their “favorite things” from our vacation.
They also all got to sleep together at nights… pretty sure this was a favorite thing of theirs too!
On July 6th we rode the metro into DC to walk visit the American History Museum and to walk around the mall to see the White House and National monuments. I think we walked over 7 miles by the time the day was over. Also, Hayley and Nathan rode the metro from Baltimore to spend the day with us too. What a fun group to be with (Isaac, Kate, Melissa and David were with us too!)
Isaiah on the metro, not sure if he’s ready to go or not
First stop, the National Museum of American History:
We ventured through the African American History exhibit first. They are in the process of opening a museum of African American History which will be great to go back to see. I still remember how much the Holocaust Museum stuck with me from my last trip to DC (we did not take the kids to that one this trip!) and I’m guessing the African American Museum will be just as thought provoking, educational and memorable.
Official proclamation by President Lincoln:
And his hat that he was shot in:
And the 13th Amendment:
Then we ventured to an interesting section on transportation through the years. It went from the beginning of horse/buggy, to trains, to railcars, to trucks, barges and even went through the stages of family vehicles in our history:
Just sitting around waiting for the next railcar with this local business man…
Watching the steam engine work away to bring passengers to America:
This model of a train kept someone occupied for a while:
There were many many more interesting sections that I’m sure would bore anyone reading this. One final picture though of some of the first ladies’ inaugural gowns:
And one of Ruth and Melissa
After the museum and lunch, we ventured outside to see some notable statues, monuments and places, starting with the white house:
Back entrance:
And the front entrance:
Hayley and Ruth:
Then we went to the WWII Memorial, starting with information about Pearl Harbor:
Since it was hot out, we all took off our shoes to cool off in the WWII pond before walking around to look at the states:
Arkansas!
Then we did a little reflecting time at the reflection pool in between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial:
The kids in front of the Lincoln Memorial:
Beautiful skies with a plane flying over the Lincoln Memorial:
Then on the the Viet Nam memorial. This memorial is quite sad. While most places you would hear families laughing and talking, the Viet Nam memorial is very quiet and reverent, with the sound of a few whispers and silent cries as families look at names of loved ones.
A poem left by a veteran’s name:
So many names…
After a little more walking we stopped to enjoy some ice cream in the shade:
And we enjoyed looking at the beautiful government buildings as well:
And some notable statutes:
Ruth saw some things, but also saw a lot of her eye lids:
Finally after a full day, we went back to the metro station (where Emelyn was now a pro and doing it on her own!) and headed home:
