DC the great city

DC really is an awesome city and thankfully Monday was another day away from school (when I saw April 1st listed as a teacher work day - right on the heels of spring break - I honestly thought it was an April fools joke)  But turned out to be a great day to explore DC with the cousins.

everyone ready?

beautiful day!

We chose just a few monuments to walk amoung - the World War II one being the first.  The kids were on a search to find the Army and Marine Corps seal

They also searched to find the different states they could recognize - here is Seb in the distance after finding CT.  Nick was able to recognize Michigan - no problem!  Shocking right?

Time for a little snack on the steps

Here's Nick holding up the Washington Monument

These boys really can make a slide out of anything (at the Lincoln monument)

really guys, the inside of the railing?

the kids did great indulging us on some siteseeing - when they REALLY just wanted to climb trees

this was our picnic spot right at the base of the Lincoln monument

Perfect right?

We did a little family photo shoot as this tree climbing had everyone in their element

Gotta love the silly one - comes out great every time!

Not much I can say on this one - always an emotional one

Next along the park to check out the ducks

DC seems to have monuments at every turn.  I don't think i have ever seen this one - but its dedicated to the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

it lists the states and all the names involved in the monumental event in history

Glad we found it

Nice photo Nick!

A great morning/afternoon of exploring

The white house egg roll was going on in the extreme background.  We stayed away from all that crazy activity.

After that we drove home via Springfield - I grabbed drew and pauli and headed back to Ashburn.  Thanks to Liz and Tam for making the drive south and craving out some time for us.  it was great for everyone to catch up (especially Liz and Chris who managed to stay up until 2:30 just chatting - so valuable to ahve that time together that they sacrificed their sleep!)  Nick and Seb loved roaming around together and acted as if they hang out all the time.  I hope that they continue to grow and know their cousins so well.