Washington D.C. Trip

Our mightly car driving warrior with his Januhairy facial hair (a joke with his work friends). Next stop Washington D.C.

This is the way Trent preferred to spend his time during the long car ride to Washington D.C.

Arlington Cemetary - The reverence this humbling cemetary brings to a persons soul makes the hair on my arm still raise. The price of freedom.

The memorial center at Arlington Cemetary.

The cold Putomac River and Memorial Bridge are fun to drive over.

Lookout Elli - she was almost eaten by a hungry hippo in the Museum of Natural History!

The Air and Space Museum allowed us to get our hands on the steering wheel and image being a pilot - lookout world, Trent is on the loose.

The Capitol Building was number 1 on Elli's top ten list. Do you see all of the black automobiles? When we visited the Capitol there was a special VIP in the house. Can you guess who it was? Yes, President Obama was holding a press conference during our tour.

The ceiling of the capitol is beautiful. Each room we were in was interesting and rich with history. Have you ever heard of the echo spot? Try taking a tour of the capitol and check it out. It is amazing!

Did you know Martin Luther King Jr. stood on the Lincoln Memorial steps when he gave his famous speech? Joe happened to find the spot under a puddle of water he was clearing away for us on our walk up the monument. Wow there ins't anything like stepping into history's path.

We all braved a cold white winter night out to see Lincoln's Memorial. It was well worth the trip.

Trent enjoyed the Spark's Lab (under 5 play area) in the American History Building.

Elli enjoying a try at windsurfing in the American History Museum.

We had a wonderful visit to Mount Vernon in the snow. The drive to the home along the Putomac River was sensational. The history and reverence of the historic home and land was even better.

Slave quarters - 2 to 3 slaves slept in each bed in effort to stay warm. The slaves at Mount Vernon became masters of their trades. In his final will, President Washington left money and instructions for schooling for his slaves. Some believe he would have freed his slaves if he had lived longer.

On the back porch of Mount Vernon overlooking the Putomac River.

Ken, this picture of guns etc. used in the Revolutionary War is for you.

Learning to spin yarn was a must for a child Elli's age. The Mount Vernon instructors taught her the fine art.

Elli dressed-up in Colonial clothing. The rules was to not show too much (ok hardly any) skin even on HOT summer days.

We had a chance to go up to the top of Washington's Monument on Friday. It is 555ft tall. There are 50 flags representing the 50 states around the base of the monument. At the base of the monument the walls are 15 feet thick. The view from the top is priceless.

On our last day in D.C. Elli's legs were tired. She joined Trent in the stroller.

Trent was happy to be home and OUT OF THE CAR. Infact to celebrate the sunny weather and his freedom he played in the sprinkler - afterall it is Feb. 1st.