Virginia is for Lovers

After 6 1/2 years Dave finally talked me into a vacation without the kiddos! Our destination... Dave was raised in Virginia and his parents now live in Colorado so he does not get to visit his old stomping grounds very often. In fact the last time he was there was for our wedding reception 9 years ago!

Our gracious hosts were his big brother James and his family. James, Becky, Jordan, Cody and Thomas the tank engine were very nice to let us take over their home and help us get to our destinations! We were also let in on a little family secret....James's favorite song. It is the Stary Eyed Surprise. :)

Crazy thing about this little family is that both their kids have this ability to hang from basketball rims, monkey bars or any object. You just lift them up, they grasp the bar and hang for minutes untouched!

Thank you James and Becky for welcoming us into our home and making us feel welcome. It was great to see you!
The first stop on our trip was Mildred Drive. This is the house Dave grew up in. In the back the yard opens up to some woods that he roamed around in. Also from the back you can see his bedroom window! We also visited the pool he spent the summers at, Beech Tree elementary and Jeb Stuart High School and his church. The best part of the tour was hearing all his crazy stories. I hope our children will have fond memories of their home when they are older.

The National Mall was next on our list. It was raining during our stops at the monuments but after sightseeing with hungry, tired kids, sightseeing in the rain is almost heavenly. By the end our hands were frozen and pants soaked through but well worth our time together seeing such great monuments.

We called Samantha from the white house to let her know we were at President Obama's house. She calls him Rock-A-Bama!

Our next stop was the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. You can't take pictures inside so we don't have any photos. However, we do have images in our minds that will last a life time. I was so irritated when I left...I just don't understand how people can treat others so unkindly.

Next was a two day event. I will preface this by saying that airplanes to the McLay family are like chocolates to the Willy Wonka family. If there is an airplane museum around an area they are visiting, you have to stop in. Since the Smithsonian just opened a second Air and Space Museum we HAD to see both!

It was fun to see all the aircrafts and have time to read about them. With the kids we don't get to take the extra time!

Next, the US Capital. Dave's friend arranged a tour for us with a House of Representative's intern. It was so interesting to hear all the history of the building. Again something you can't do with 3 young children. Thanks for setting it up Vit!

Along with Dave's brother two of his best friends also live in Virginia. It was great to see them and their families and they were so nice to welcome us into their homes and provide meals for everyone. Thank you Miska's and Van Dam's.
The kids.....well they didn't care that we were gone. Between Jungle Jim's, the fire station, the park, riding bikes, and playing with their cousin's, I don't think they even knew we were gone. We are blessed to have my parents so close and who are willing to take on our three monsters! Samantha welcomed us home with her third missing tooth this month and her fourth will come out any day now!