The Getaway- part 2

We started out our second day at Arlington National Cemetary. What a peaceful place. On average there are 100 funerals here every week.

  We took a guided bus tour through the cemetary so we could see key places without having to walk the whole way. We were able to see the Eternal Flame, where the Kennedy's are buried, And the view of DC was incredible from this spot!

The former house of Robert E. Lee

 This is an arena where funerals are held. Right behind it is the Tomb of the Unkown.

We were able to see the Changing of the Guard. If anyone has ever toured DC you know how eveywhere you go you are surrounded by kids on field trips... (loud, and disrepectful) I decided that Arlington was my favorite place because the kids were actually quiet and very respectful. It was so peaceful to sit and watch while only hearing birds chirping... I was surprised to learn that there is no longer an unkown soldier for Vietnam buried here. He was identified and moved to his hometown.

This was a mast from a ship that sunk, killing all on board. It was found and placed in Arlington to honor all who died.

I learned so much at Arlington, and left feeling very grateful for those who have given their life for our freedom. We are so blessed to live in this free country!

After Arlington we headed over to the Pentagon. My Uncle Alan works there and offered to give us a personal tour!

We were instantly made the new speakers for the department of defense! Okay, not really.

This was my favorite photo op!  The tour was fascinating. We got to walk the halls of all the departments of defense, and see the memorabilia they have put on display from our nations history. We were able to see my Uncle's office and walk around in the courtyard in the middle of the Pentagon. We also went into the chapel that was built after 9/11, and the looked at the memorial that is in there. We had already toured the memorial outside the last time we came to visit. It was neat! I was also shocked to see all the shopping available in there... the food court has so much to offer, not to mention Best Buy...

After we said goodbye to my Uncle we headed to the National Archives to check out the Declaration of Independence. What an inspired document! Too bad we can't take pictures of it! Not that you can read anything on it anyway... I must say, I was disappointed to find out how many liberties were taken in the making of National Treasure. Can you believe the Declaration is never moved? There is NO preservation room?? ha!  Typical Hollywood... (I still have mad love for that movie though)

After the Archives we walked to the White House.  Thanks to the AWESOME map that my uncle let us borrow. We had total freedom knowing where eveything was and how far we needed to walk.

Isn't it beautiful?

The first thing I noticed was the garden though... They use garden boxes like me!

  The view from the otherside...

We didn't get to tour it, they were booked for months...
So after we stared for a bit we headed to Georgetown to catch our boat tour. (Thanks Groupon!)
It was a 45ish minute boat tour down the Potomac, and we were able to see many of the national monuments!

Self portrait!

The Potomac

The Lincoln Memorial

The Washington Monument

Our boats sister... The nightengale II

Ours looked just like it

It was a jam packed Friday, there is so much more we could have seen too! But we only had one more day left...

The Getaway- Part 1

Joseph and I had the opportunity after 8 years of marriage to get away for 5 days without the kids. It was SO MUCH FUN!! Why haven't we done this before?

We went up to DC to take in all the sights, and let me tell you, we crammed in soooo much!

We left on a Wednesday and headed up to my Uncles house in Alexandria. We had dinner, and my Uncle showed us some sights before we got started the next day on all we had planned.

My Aunt was telling us about a townhouse that was about 6ft. wide. I didn't really believe that... so my uncle drove us by it. Crazy! If you couldn't tell, its the blue one in the middle. I guess some people were fighting over the alley in the middle, and the solution was to build a house in it. I wonder how they got their couch in there?

He also drove us down to see the Potomac, and the statue of the Awakening. It was neat! We also passed by the church where George Washington attended, and where his funeral took place. I wasn't able to get a picture though.

Thursday morning we headed off to Mt. Vernon!

We were able to tour George Washington's home, it was amazing.

View of the Potomac from the back porch

George Washington and his wife Martha's grave

The old family tomb where George Washington was originally buried

His new family tomb that he requested be built and have him buried in, in his will

Mt. Vernon is still a working farm, and they had people dresse in character taking care of it, It was neat!

View of the back of the mansion

After Mt. Vernon we headed off to the DC Temple to do an Endowment session.

I never realized how big this Temple was... It is gorgeous.

 

 Selph portrait as we were leaving...

First full day of vacation.. done.

April Rewind: Goodbye Scott, Hello Mud!

In my attempt to blog again on a regular basis, I am just going to post a bunch of pictures of whats been going on around here the last few months! I am SO far behind!

So obviously this picture didn't upload correctly, but thats alright. Its still cute. Ben LOVES Granddaddy, and he'd stay outside with him ALL day if he could!

My brother Scott left for his mission to Recife Brasil! Here is a picture after his farewell talk. What a crew.

Getting ready to board the plane!  I miss that kid like crazy!!

Also, back in April I was able to participate in a mud run last minute with Joseph's sister in law. It was awesome! It was the USMC Ultimate Challenge Mud run up in Columbia. To quote the website: "The Leatherneck is a 5.2 mile all-terrain Obstacle Course designed by a former Marine Drill Instructor to challenge each team mentally, morally and physically. The 36 Obstacles include mud holes, walls, trenches, and more that require swimming, crawling, climbing, jumping, determination, and team work"

Before the run... I'm not sure I knew what I was in for... After all, I had just been asked the day before to participate!!

The water was freezing!

None of these are in order, but you get the point!

We survived!! 

I had a BLAST. These girls were awesome. I am so glad I got to do this. And even finished with a smile!

My kids did lots of cute things I'm sure, but since I'm so far behind, I'll post pics of them later...