There and Back Again

So, the Summer of 2014 was a little different from our usual summer trips to NJ. My dad and stepmom had moved out to the DC area in 2013, so we had 2 sets of Grandparents to visit! We were also able to see my brother and his family and my stepsister and her family. It was a whirlwind of a weekend, but so glad everyone was able to fit us in!

We stopped by the Washington DC temple on our way down to visit Grandpa and Grandma Carla. Tyler and I visited during our Honeymoon and at Melanie's wedding, but this is the first time the kids visited. First stop? Visitors' Center!

 I love this image of Christ with his arms stretched out to everyone! The kids were still cooperative.

 DC in July is muggy. The kids were feeling it when we stepped outside, but it was beautiful.

 Cole was less-impressed by the quiet atmosphere of the Visitors' Center. I finally took him for a walk and we wandered the temple grounds. The flowers were going gangbusters and so was Cole!

Onward! We spent the evening with Grandpa and Grandma C and the next day took the kids to The Mall. Until Tyler and I got married, I thought that "The Mall" was a really big shopping center in DC. Maybe the original one. Turned out, The Mall is the location of the major monuments and landmarks in DC. Hee hee!

We started out at the Museum of Natural History. THE KIDS LOVED IT!!! Honestly, their favorite part!

 Henry was stoked to find a Penguin on display! He adores penguins,

 After lunch we dragged the kiddos through the heat all the way to the Lincoln Memorial.

 Jack studied the Civil War in 3rd Grade, so he was very touched by this stop. We read the speeches engraved on the walls and both got a little choked up.

 Amelia wasn't feeling the choked up.

 Aw, family cuteness! They were done after that, but we still dragged the kiddos through the Vietnam Memorial and on the the Martin Luther King, Jr. memorial. Then we sent the husbands off for the cars! 

The next day, we were able to meet up with my stepsister and her family further south. So fun to picnic and let the kids play together. We were able to meet John and Leslie in Germany a few years ago, so it was fun to meet up again with all our kids. 

Yay family!

Sunday, we pulled out of Virginia and headed to Delaware to visit my brother and his family. Due to scheduling conflicts (ie, scheduling with my brother rather than my sister-in-law--I should know better!!) we were only able to see them for lunch and church. It was so GOOD to see them and spend some time together, though!

 By the end of church (who ends 1-4 pm church with the Sacrament meeting!?!) the kids were DONE.

D.O.N.E.

We drove back to NJ that afternoon to finish out our trip. It was a whirlwind, but we're so glad we were able to see so many people we love!