Much belated posts regarding our vacations this summer. We had a blast and our kids had what we think is easily the best summer ever. First off, our awesome and amazing French exchange student that became part of our family in 2012-2013 came back for a visit. It was such a blessing to see him again and catch up. I wondered when we first got to the airport if it would feel different having him back again, but I can honestly say...it was like he had never ever left. So many good times were had and I sadly didn't take enough pictures. I blame my broken iPhone.
Phil and Greg jamming...J joined in too.
Now...on to our Washington trip in July. One word: HOT. It was entirely TOO HOT FOR HUMANITY. Seriously ya'll. It was so hot (how hot was it?) that I saw two hobbits throw a ring into a pit of fire. It was so hot (how hot was it) that I couldn't muster up the energy to take my picture beside JFK's memorial tomb because I was just too tired. I was like, "I'm good." So sad.
Anyway, besides how hot it was, we had a FANTASTIC time. I can tick off some items off the bucket list now. I've been to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History!! How cool is that? We could have spent easily a day in just this museum but we were short on time. The exhibits were not only educational but truly beautiful. I will definitely go back because we only got to see a very small percentage of the museum.
I think the kid's favorite thing was the Air & Space Museum. It was pretty mind-boggling. So much history that covered early flight into space travel and there were really a lot of interesting displays that were interactive for the kids, so I really enjoyed watching them learn about flight dynamics, space travel, and there was even an interactive display where the kids could take a personality quiz that showed them which part of the NASA program that would be best suited for them, should they want to become an engineer one day! Very cool.
Here are C and L standing in front of the replica of Neil Armstrong in his spacesuit. There was an exhibit right around the corner from here which showed NASA in the process of preserving the historic "Man on the Moon" space exhibition space suit.
Now to the monuments in D.C. We actually got to walk up to the White House this time (last trip we couldn't find any parking and it was sooo cold) and were surprised to see a church group leading worship just steps away from the gate. It was a humbling and beautiful experience. We spoke to the members of the group who told us that they are from the local Korean church in D.C. and have been coming out to minister to people through music each Sunday evening. Great people with awesome hearts for people and for God.
Random alert: right in front of the White House there is a statue of President Jackson and when we walked up, we saw a cute little squirrel sitting on his arm. I thought this was kind of fitting because Jackson was a pretty crazy dude. I could totally picture him with a rabid pet squirrel. Wish we had gotten a picture of that!
President Jackson...I salute you.
We also visited the usual sites: Washington Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, and the Jefferson Memorial. Phil and I got into a debate over which Memorial was best. I say Lincoln and he says Jefferson. I think the kids ended up siding with Jefferson other than C, because she and I kind of LOVE President Lincoln. Nice to have someone on my side. We also stopped by Arlington Cemetery to view the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I have never witnessed a more distinguished and revered site. And appropriately so.
Either way, this trip was super educational not just for the kids, but for us as well. There is almost no cost involved at all, but there is a lot of walking to do. I would go back and hope to do so in the next couple of years. If you have ever debated going to D.C., please consider making the trip if you can. There's something to be said about the history and solemnity of the city there.
From D.C. we drove a little farther to visit family in PA. The visits always seem to short because there are so many family members and friends to see and try to catch up with in such a short time. The kids have so many cousins there and I am pretty sure each night that they went to bed that they were completely exhausted (but in a good way) from all the playing and visiting.
Lastly, we were able to make the short drive to Niagara Falls. This was the first time we had been back in over 10 years! Crazy. The kids had never gone and they were pretty impressed with the site, as far as I could tell! I think Phil was on the verge of a panic attack because he was worried someone was going to squeeze through the bars and fall in.
Niagara Falls!!!
If we are able to go back in the future, I would love for the kids to get to travel over to the Canadian side, because there is a quaint little town directly on the border there that I remember visiting with Phil years ago that I think they would enjoy.
So basically, that was our summer in a nutshell. Of course we had the usual cookouts and BBQ's but, we got to do so many extra things (that ended up not costing us very much at all, so bonus!) that I think it was easily the busiest summer we have ever had. And it's over far too quickly!! Now we are back to the grind and gearing up for school to start for the kids next week. Until next year, summer!
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