Washington D.C., Day 2

We started our day even earlier in the city this morning and had an incredible time.  Unfortunately Dad was dealing with truck problems and couldn't join us...  We started our day in front of the White House.  Since we did not pre-arrange a tour, we just took pictures and headed to the National Archives building.  The kids we totally enthralled!  They were so excited to see the REAL Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights (thank you National Treasure!).  When we left there we went to the National Museum of Natural History.  Then came the most interesting part of the day...  Brett went to the Washington Monument early to get tour tickets and the only time available was during the Capitol tour that I arranged earlier.  So, we gave the kids a choice and they ALL decided they wanted to tour the Capitol because of the history (see Brittany, the reports DID pay off:)!). 

National Archives Building

Good Morning, Mr. President!

End of the Day at the Capitol

National Museum of Natural History

Our tour was absolutely amazing!  The tour guide was terrific and the kids were totally interested in each part of it!  Of particular interest were the statues within the Capitol itself.  Did you know that each state is allowed two statues to display within the Capitol?  The only parameters are that the people for the statue must be dead, and the statues must be either bronze or marble.  The kids zeroed in on this because fourth graders in Utah recently learned that their state only had one statue.  After a letter writing campaign to their elected officials, the children convinced them to send a statue of Philo somebody, the Father of Television, to the Capitol as a statue!  What a great lesson in democracy for our kids!  The Capitol itself is absolutely beautiful and truly awe inspiring.  The tour begins with a wonderful movie about how out of many, we are one.  It really made me think about the incredible diversity of our country and how it truly is amazing that we can still have a government by the people.  At the end of the day, I am incredibly humbled to realize what a great privilege it is to be American.

Washington D.C. - Day 1

In front of Air and Space

Carver and Baba

Carver and Kayla in front of Amelia Earhart's plane

Brett's "perspective" on the Washington Monument

Woo Hoo!  We made it to DC late last night and started out early this morning to find the VRE train station in Fredericksburg.  Thanks to a very kind local commuters,  we figured out the train system and headed north to DC.  The train ride was very peaceful and Union Station was beautiful!  We left and headed toward the Capitol and the National Mall.  We walked down to the Washington Monument and enjoyed the views before backtracking to the National Air and Space Museum.  I wish I had a picture of Carver's face when he realized the planes and space vehicles he saw were real and not just recreations!  We were struck with how many advances were made in aviation in a century.  Kenna was very inspired reading all about Amelia Earheart.  Kayla and Carver thought the 3D imax movie about the Hubble telescope was the highlight of the day.  It was incredible to hear about all the advances in astronomical knowledge the Hubble has made and will continue to make.  Kenna also loved hearing all the different languages in the museum and Carver was blown away with a model of the USS Enterprise that took the creator 12,000 (yes, 12, 000!) hours to build!  Kayla LOVES taking her own pictures with her own camera and is greatly enjoying photographing all the architecture.  It is such a treat to have Nana and Baba with us!  All three kids keep giving them hugs and are so excited to share this experience with them.

Travelers of the Day

I gave the kids all "traveler of the day award" for their great travel on the 16 hour day...there was no monetary award for this achievement, just a fathers delight. (I was blessed by my children.) I realized "a fathers delight" has its own reward...the desire to be with them more, the desire to bless them in return, the desire to encourage, the desire to love and display that love more deeply.... I wonder how my "father" feels about me as I travel through my days? Do I gripe? Do I complain? Or do I simply accept what he has put before me in my day...am I a "traveler of the day" each day and am I satisfied with his delight as its own reward? Is his joy enough to live for? Just a thought.

Brett

welcome...

When I asked my dear friend Jamie Jo how I could thank her for providing us the amazing opportunity of our next three weeks, she said, "Blog each day!" and set up this blog for us.  So, we have joined the blogging world and are grateful you will join us on our exciting journey.  On Monday, we will join my parents for an incredible week in Washington D.C.  The kids have read books, written reports (yes, I am THAT mom...), watched Night at the Museum 2:  Battle of the Smithsonian and National Treasure over and over, and we are ready for a terrific time learning lots of national history from our own personal tour guide, my Dad!  Then, on July 2nd, Brett, Kenna and I will kiss Kayla and Carver goodbye and join our team from Camp Kivu for our trip to Rwanda!  It will be VERY hard to leave Kayla and Carver, but they are super excited to drive back to Texas with Nana and Baba enjoying the sights along the way.  We will join up again in DFW on July 14th and will fly back to Durango together.  We will blog throughout our trip with pictures and video, so thanks for traveling with us:)!