DC Trip...National Geographic and Air and Space Museum

Monday-May 19th, Day one of the National Geographic events...

Kirk is in the middle row in navy
This is the set for the final round, which was on the National Geographic Channel and some PBS stations. The first night, they had a reception for all the kids and families at the National Geographic Building. They really treated us like VIP's and told us they all look forward to this event every year. The kids loved the food, especially the ice cream sundae bar! (They know what kids like after doing this for 20 years!)
Earlier in the day, we visited another Smithsonian: the Air and Space Museum. It was huge! I also took pictures of the first airplane by the Wright Brothers, but I think it is on my other camera. We loved seeing all the actual space craft, missiles and planes. It also had lots of information on their use in wars we've been in.

Kirk had been anxious to visit this museum and he wasn't dissapointed!

DC Trip...Mount Vernon and Arlington

Mount Vernon
Home of George Washington

Olivia was so happy to use her umbrella! It was a cool and rainy day but beautiful.

The grounds were lush and green with a working farm and animals.
View of Mt. Vernon from the riverboat. He decided that our nation's capitol should be on the Potomac River. He loved the Potomac and used it for fishing and transportation. Evidently, he had quite a business selling fish as well as farm produce.

The American Indian Smithsonian

I took Kirk and Zachary with me, while Mike and Grandma Earl took Olivia to get a hamburger. We had a great time looking at the exhibits but it was a short visit. Someday it would be nice to take more time there.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Arlington. It had been a rainy, cloudy day but just as we made our way out to Arlington, the sun began to shine. It was so pretty.

I also love this one of Zach below this huge tree.

We just made it for the 6:30 changing of the guard. The boys and I were hurrying to make it in time. Thankfully, we got there just as the new soldier came. It was very impressive but Zach thought it was kind of boring. Mike said Olivia really liked it though. (They made it there at 6:00, so we just missed seeing it together.)

It was nice to visit the National Cemetery right before Memorial Day. The next Sunday when we were visiting the cemeteries here, Kirk remembered our visit to Arlington and that it was just the week before that we were in DC.

Remember!

I've been thinking about a lesson from church a month or two ago and thought I would mention it mostly to help me keep trying to do this! Also, it is kind of the direction I would like to go with my blog. Everyday is a gift and full of miracles, small and large!
The lesson was about remembering the ways we are blessed everyday. Many small things happen each day and it is so easy to forget them if we don't find some way to remember. Some ladies suggested a gratitude journal but even if we don't write it down, we can share our feelings with our family and friends and especially think about our blessings during our prayers. I especially liked this qoute:
"Tonight, and tomorrow night, you might pray and ponder, asking the questions: Did God send a message that was just for me? Did I see His hand in my life or the lives of my children? I will do that. And then I will find a way to preserve that memory for the day that I, and those that I love, will need to remember how much God loves us and how much we need Him. I testify that He loves us and blesses us, more than most of us have yet recognized. I know that is true, and it brings me joy to remember Him. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen." Henry B. Eyring-October Conference 2007 http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-775-24,00.html (if you want to read the whole talk-it is really inspiring)
Now, I need to remember to finish my DC trip pictures!