Here we are on Thursday, August 26th, waiting at the metro station. We heart the metro!!!! What a great, easy way to get around. The boys really enjoyed it!
We just got off the metro at the Archives (in the background). Gorgeous waterfall at the Navy memorial.
We went straight to the National Museum of Natural History. Here's Henry with Rexy!!!!!
Here's Joe "yikes!!!".
And Benjamin with another T-rex. He liked the black teeth :)
Here's Benjamin in the jaws of a shark!!! Very cool!!! They all three loved the underwater exhibit in the Natural History Museum (me too!!) - and the stuffed animals (giraffes, tigers, lions, bears, etc).
Taking a break before going into the National Archives.......which I might say is VERY COOL. Saw the original signed Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights!!!!! "WE THE PEOPLE......" Just Awesome!!!!
If you've ever been to Washington DC, you know that you do LOTS of walking. Good thing we have three athletic boys. They were quite the troopers!
On our way from the National Archives to the Washington Monument. Stopped for a photo op about halfway between the Capital and the Washington Monument.
Off we go..........
We had the most beautiful weather while in Washington DC. Made for some gorgeous photos.........
The flags surrounding the monument are just gorgeous against the blue sky!
The tour of the Washington Monument was one of my favorites of the trip. The history surrounding the construction of this engineering feat is so intriguing.
View looking towards the Lincoln Memorial.
View looking towards the White House.
View looking towards the Capitol.
View looking towards the Jefferson Monument.
So - after that fun-filled day, we started Friday, August 27th off at the Capital building. AMAZING!! This would have to be my next favorite landmark we toured. So historical.......you could just feel it in your bones.
We ate lunch in the Capitol cafeteria - YUM! - then headed across the street to The Library of Congress. It is amazingly beautiful (just like all the buildings in Washington DC). Pictures cannot do it justice (sorry)!
The boys looking up at that super tall ceiling in amazement!
This shot is looking through a locked door into the actual library. The picture does not do the grandness justice........
Those little people are my family - Jason with Joe and Henry way off in the distance - Mom and Benjamin looking at a display on the right.
From The Library of Congress, we headed back towards the Mall - which meant walking past the Capitol. Had to get some shots with the family and the Capitol - and "Freedom".
Beautiful!!!!
My boys.......
My boys and Mom :)
And, yes, I was there :) (thanks Mom for taking my picture :))
From the Capitol, we headed to The Air and Space Museum. Jason, Joe and Benjamin went on their way. Henry, Mom and I went on our way. Here is Henry about to board a large commercial plane :)
We had ice cream at McDonald's in The Air and Space Museum - pretty cool! Then, headed on our LONG walk to the Lincoln Memorial. This was Friday night, so things were really gearing up for the rally on Saturday. As we approached the Washington Monument, we could see the "Restoring Honor Rally" sign. I LOVE this photo!!!!
It was a LONG walk. But, amazing. There were so many people already gathered for the rally. And, people just there to take in the sites of the amazing sunset on the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument........
Wow - is all I can say about the Lincoln Memorial. The way Abraham Lincoln is looking down on the reflecting pool is SOOOOO Powerful! No matter how many times I see it (first time was what Mom - when I was less than a year old?!) - I will NEVER get over how awesome it is.
My boys first pic with Abe. There will many more to come as they get older.
One of my favorite pictures from the trip.........
Looking back on the reflecting pool from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. You can see the crowd gathering, the backdrop screens and the big TV screens for the rally. There was already such awesome, good, positive energy in the air!
My handsome Henry.....
My handsome Joe.
My three handsome boys!!! They LOVED Washington DC. Just a few days after getting home, they were ready to go back!
The memorial lit up at night is amazing!!!
WOW!!
Saturday morning, on August 28th, we took a taxi from our hotel in Alexandria, VA to the Lincoln Memorial - I mean, he let us out as close to the steps of the Memorial as you could get in a vehicle. We got there at 7:40 am (rally scheduled to begin at 10:00 am). We walked around for just a little bit and scoped a good spot stage right in the shade. We were really close to the stage and first set of screens.
We were surrounded by LOTS of awesome, nice, clean, friendly people from 7:40 till the time we left around 3:00......
This was still early. Jason and I walked around just checking out the people. It was amazing the amount of people pouring in - it was like a professional sporting event just let out - for hours and hours - just flooding in!
This was taken from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Nothing like three boys watching the tiny screen on a PSP to entertain themselves for hours!! They were SOOOO good while waiting over two hours for the event to start - and then over two hours of the event!! Even the people sitting around us commented to me what a great job Jason and I have done in raising the boys. They were totally impressed with their patience and behavior. Moments like that make a parent so proud........even though we know how good our boys are - it's always nice to hear it from complete strangers :)
My mommy and me waiting for the big event :) And, yes, I did see the fly-over by the geese at 9:58 am. Simply no words for that God thing................. :)
Sarah Palin was moving as usual. What a fabulous woman!
Albert Pujols was presented with the Hope medal. He is quite a man........ I have a new found respect for this very generous man.
This was the most amazing crowd. I don't think I've ever seen so many flags and crosses in one place! Actually, I know I haven't. It was amazing........ Everyone was there for one reason. Everyone wants the same - to restore honor to our great nation - to put God back in it.
The dude in the tree was my only complaint ;) We had a great view of the big screen until he got in our way..... Oh well, the message could still be heard. That is Glenn in the screen giving his amazing talk. If you were not present to hear it, and have not listened to it online, I highly suggest you do. Hear it first hand. Don't listen to the media summarize what this rally was all about.
"Rich" from "Big and Rich" performing.
A view from the water's edge after the event. It was so calm afterwards - people just hanging around listening to music being performed. One big thing we noticed was how CLEAN the area was. There was NO garbage on the ground. The trash cans were overflowing but I witnessed several people putting trash on the pile at the trash can and being so careful to make sure that their trash didn't roll off - made sure it stayed right there in the pile. There's something to be said about a crowd that big leaving the place looking the way it did before we arrived. Awesome!
We walked about 8 blocks from the memorial towards a metro station and took a taxi back to our hotel. Thank goodness we didn't venture to the metro station - we heard reports about the metro stations being so overcrowded that they ran out of tickets in the machines that they just opened the gates and let people through. I can't imagine being down there with three little worn out boys for hours upon hours......or imagine being on the EXTREMELY crowded trains........
The question regarding how many people were actually in attendance will never be answered by us.......but He knows...
Our taxi was a mini-van (PERFECT!). The two little guys crashed on the way to the hotel. Look at proud big brother holding his little brothers....... So sweet because this wasn't fake at all!! He loves taking care of them. They don't let him much - they think they're too big.......
We had the best mini-vacation - and loved being a part of the historical rally that took place. Something none of us will EVER forget!
~Shelly :)
What a vacation, You will remember this for ever. I cannot imagine the greatness and feeling of being among that many people loving our country and serving our God at the same time it gave me goosebumps just seeing the pictures. GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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