So Much Fun...

We've been having such a fun time with my parents in town! For the 4th of July we spent the day at Arlington National Cemetery and downtown DC. We watched fireworks in the nation's capitol which I think is so cool-what better place to celebrate our nation's freedom and independence!? However, due to inclement weather much of the amazing firework show was blocked by big smoke clouds that couldn't dissolve because of the moist air, but it was still cool! The boys were surprisingly uninterested in the fireworks and Jack was quite scared of the dark! Guess he's a wuss like his mommy!

Here's our view for the fireworks, the Lincoln Memorial on one end and the Washington Monument on the other...

Here is the changing of the guard ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier...it was such a cool atmosphere, everyone was dead silent-even my kids-while we pay our respects to all the fallen soldiers who have fought for this country... The twins have LOVED having gamma and bampa here to spoil them...How cool is this...my parents rented a mini van that has BUILT IN CAR SEATS! Great idea huh!? It's come in handy not having to move the car seats back and forth...although, we all know how much I love mini vans!!! Haha...

My cute lil sis and me...How cool is this, it's an actual piece of the Berlin Wall!

Of course Grandma had to spoil them at Target with balls and the Nemo DVD...

Playing at the little spray ground...
Dancing in grandma's shoes...
Last but not least, the highlight of my time out here so far, was Mt. Vernon! For those who don't know Mt. Vernon is George Washington's home/estate that he inherited and turned into this huge mansion. His property is over 500 acres! It's only about 30 minutes away so we thought we'd go check it out. It was SO cool! 45% of the stuff inside the mansion are authentic, we even saw the actual bed that George Washington died in! It was so weird to be walking where George Washington walked! We also saw his slave quarters, gardens, farms, and tons of other things. We also saw his dentures! Poor guy had horrible teeth and when he was sworn in as President he only had one tooth in his mouth! It was also super interesting to learn more about him and his life, it's pathetic how much I've forgotten since high school US History class! I have so much respect for our first President, he was truly an amazing man who was well ahead of his time. One thing that really struck me was how he was quick to thank "divine intervention" when he had success, can you imagine a President doing that now? You're not even allowed to MENTION God these days if you're in politics! Also, he gave up power TWICE! Can you imagine that happening now days? I also respect that on his death bed he freed all of his slaves. It was also fun to hear about him and Martha's love story, they were so in love and he treated her so well. No oval office hanky panky! Haha. Anyway, I loved it, I learned a ton, and I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone!!!

Here we are in front of the back of the mansion, which is right on the Potomac River, it could NOT be in a prettier setting!!!
Here are George and Martha's tombs...The boys LOVED petting the sheep and ox down in the farm area...
That's all for now, tomorrow we are all heading up to New York for the Hill Cumorah Pageant which will be fun! Also, Parker's family comes Monday! YAY!!! :)