My Dad had been wanting to go back to D.C. to watch the Marine "Silent Drill"- which was on his "Bucket List" :) My Aunt Della put in for tickets for him to go and I was the lucky one because they had an extra! So I got to tag along to D.C. with my parents and Sydni. Matt was so great and took off work to watch the kids so that I could go AND I should mention that he also packed our house while I was gone since we were moving the next week ;) We left for the airport bright and early wed morning. Due to time change and layovers we didn't get into D.C. until that night. We had just enough time to find our hotel and get some dinner.
Mom, Syd and I on the airplane. Poor Dad had to sit by himself :(
Thursday we started off our day by visiting the Holocaust Museum. It was definitely an eye opener and very sad and disturbing. we could have spent a whole day in there. After the museum, we were starving so we were trying to decide on a place to eat. While we were planning our trip and when we go there my dad kept referring to "The Mall." So as any girl would do, Sydni and I suggested that we go to the mall to eat. That is the moment that we found out that
THIS.............
Thursday we started off our day by visiting the Holocaust Museum. It was definitely an eye opener and very sad and disturbing. we could have spent a whole day in there. After the museum, we were starving so we were trying to decide on a place to eat. While we were planning our trip and when we go there my dad kept referring to "The Mall." So as any girl would do, Sydni and I suggested that we go to the mall to eat. That is the moment that we found out thatTHIS.............
was the mall-The National Mall. Which to those of that don't know, it is a stretch of walkway that leads to the Smithsonian Museums. Needless to say, Syd and I were a little disappointed. We finally found a place to eat lunch(which we had to show ID and go through a metal detector to get in) and then we walked and walked and walked (approx 7 miles) and saw some of the memorials, monuments and The White House. Note to self....DON'T Ever go to D.C. in July. It was so HOT and HUMID!!!
Washington Monument
The White House
I just could not resist taking this picture of this ladies pants that we named Scapri's (skirt/capri's) We thought that they were so funny. They definitely could not be that comfortable, she had to take tiny steps because the crotch was at her knees!
Vietnam Memorial
At the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial steps. 
Dad, AKA "Where's Waldo." Whenever we lost sight of him in the crowds, we just looked for his hunter orange shirt (which was pretty easy to spot) so I nicknamed him "Where's Waldo" for the day :)
The Korean War Memorial
The statues were absolutely amazing and so life like!
Washington Monument
The White House
I just could not resist taking this picture of this ladies pants that we named Scapri's (skirt/capri's) We thought that they were so funny. They definitely could not be that comfortable, she had to take tiny steps because the crotch was at her knees!
Vietnam MemorialThey had the Vietnam Wall too but I did not get a picture of it.
Lincoln Memorial
At the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial steps. 
Dad, AKA "Where's Waldo." Whenever we lost sight of him in the crowds, we just looked for his hunter orange shirt (which was pretty easy to spot) so I nicknamed him "Where's Waldo" for the day :)
The Korean War Memorial
The statues were absolutely amazing and so life like!
World War II Memorial
This wall of stars symbolizes all the men and women that died in World War II. There are 400 stars and each star represents 1000.
The memorial was beautiful. The pillars around it represent all the states.
This wall of stars symbolizes all the men and women that died in World War II. There are 400 stars and each star represents 1000.
The memorial was beautiful. The pillars around it represent all the states.
Thursday evening Aunt Della, Uncle Richard, Wade, Jr, Gisele and Jacob drove from Tennessee to enjoy our vacation with us.
Friday morning we went on a tour of the Capitol. It was alot more interesting than I thought that it would be and it was very educational. We got a private tour from Senator Bennett's staff that told/showed us all the neat and interesting things about the building.
State Capitol
"Lady Freedom"
This is the "Crypt" it is the center of Washington D.C. and is said to bring good luck if you step on it.
One of the hallways in the Capitol. Everything is hand painted on the walls and ceilings. It looks just like wall paper.
This painting of George Washington is said to be the most expensive item in the Capitol.
The ceiling of the Statue Room
Throughout the Capitol there are two statues that represent every state.
One of Utah's statues was Brigham Young
Our guide told us an interesting fact about this statue. If you look at him from his right side, he is grinning.
If you look at him form his left side, he is serious. Can you see it???
The under ground tunnels that lead to the Capitol. There are stores and barber shops in them for the "important" people to use.
The little train that shuttles you in the tunnels with Uncle Richard posing for me :)
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial
State Capitol
"Lady Freedom"This is the "Crypt" it is the center of Washington D.C. and is said to bring good luck if you step on it.
One of the hallways in the Capitol. Everything is hand painted on the walls and ceilings. It looks just like wall paper.
This painting of George Washington is said to be the most expensive item in the Capitol.
The ceiling of the Statue Room
Throughout the Capitol there are two statues that represent every state.The Ronald Reagan Statue.
Notice the different style of stone right under the ledge, it is stone from the Berlin Wall.
One of Utah's statues was Brigham Young Our guide told us an interesting fact about this statue. If you look at him from his right side, he is grinning.
If you look at him form his left side, he is serious. Can you see it???
The under ground tunnels that lead to the Capitol. There are stores and barber shops in them for the "important" people to use.The little train that shuttles you in the tunnels with Uncle Richard posing for me :)
National Law Enforcement Officers MemorialFriday morning after the Capitol tour we walked to the Law Enforcement Memorial. I have to admit that I was a little disappointed in the memorial compared to the rest, all they had was this plaque in the concrete and the wall with all the fallen officers names. Maybe it is because law enforcement is so dear to my heart, but I felt like it should have been more.
The Lion at the beginning of the wall of fallen officers. I LOVE the quote!
The Marine Night Parade/Silent Drill
The Lion at the beginning of the wall of fallen officers. I LOVE the quote!
The Marine Night Parade/Silent Drill
Friday night was the "Main Event." After taking the metro train to the wrong address and ending up in the Ghetto, we finally made it to the parade and it was so worth it. Those soldiers did an amazing job and were PERFECT in everything that they did. I loved it!!!
This flag is the very first American Flag made
Aunt Della and Dad
The Marine Band
The Marines in the blue performing the "Silent Drill"
Washington Monument
This flag is the very first American Flag made
Aunt Della and Dad
The Marine Band
The Marines in the blue performing the "Silent Drill"
Washington MonumentSaturday morning we went for a tour of the Washington Monument and road the elevater inside of it to the top of the monument.
The view of the White House from the monument
The view of the Lincoln Memorial (top) and World War II Memorial (bottom) from the monument
Inside the elevator shaft of the Washington Monument
I am definitely a better photographer than Syd :) The picture of her looks much better than the picture of me-oh wait maybe it is that she is a better model than me!
Arlington Cemetary
The Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The changing of the guards was definitely one of my favorites. It was so touching and amazing that these men dedicate and sacrafice so much to hold the honor to guard the tomb.
Pres. Kennedy's grave at Arlington
Our last night there, my dad decided that he wanted some all-you-can-eat crab. Wade searched all-you-can-eat crab in his phone and found Tim's Rivershore not too far from our hotel. So we all jumped in the car, typed in the address in the GPS and off we went. Well our GPS got lost so we just started following these big signs that said "Tim's Rivershore." We drove down this long back road with trees on both sides the winded down to some railroad tracks which is where we saw him.......
He pointed us over the railroad tracks (Sydni and I are completely dying at this point) to find this....
It even cam with nicely spray painted parking spaces on the dirt. When we walked up to it it smelt horrible! It was the worst "fish" smell that I had ever smelled!
Sydni and I with our "worried" faces :)
Our table top- it was just a bunch bunch of random pictures glued to the table and this was my lovely view :)
These pictures do not even do this place/experience justice. Syd and I were laughing so hard and were just in awe the whole time. It was so hot and muggy/humidy it there that we were sticking to the tables and chairs.
All the lovely crab shells along with the fine china :)
This ended up being one of our favorite experiences, we laughed about it the whole night and the next day on the way home.
The view of the White House from the monument
The view of the Lincoln Memorial (top) and World War II Memorial (bottom) from the monument
Inside the elevator shaft of the Washington Monument
I am definitely a better photographer than Syd :) The picture of her looks much better than the picture of me-oh wait maybe it is that she is a better model than me!
Arlington Cemetary
The Changing of the Guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
The changing of the guards was definitely one of my favorites. It was so touching and amazing that these men dedicate and sacrafice so much to hold the honor to guard the tomb.Pres. Kennedy's grave at Arlington
Our last night there, my dad decided that he wanted some all-you-can-eat crab. Wade searched all-you-can-eat crab in his phone and found Tim's Rivershore not too far from our hotel. So we all jumped in the car, typed in the address in the GPS and off we went. Well our GPS got lost so we just started following these big signs that said "Tim's Rivershore." We drove down this long back road with trees on both sides the winded down to some railroad tracks which is where we saw him....... He pointed us over the railroad tracks (Sydni and I are completely dying at this point) to find this.... It even cam with nicely spray painted parking spaces on the dirt. When we walked up to it it smelt horrible! It was the worst "fish" smell that I had ever smelled! 
Sydni and I with our "worried" faces :)
Our table top- it was just a bunch bunch of random pictures glued to the table and this was my lovely view :)These pictures do not even do this place/experience justice. Syd and I were laughing so hard and were just in awe the whole time. It was so hot and muggy/humidy it there that we were sticking to the tables and chairs.
All the lovely crab shells along with the fine china :) 
This ended up being one of our favorite experiences, we laughed about it the whole night and the next day on the way home.This is by far one of the best vacations that I have been on minus not having my hubby and kids with me. D.C. was AWESOME!!! It was so educational and at the same time so humbling to see the love and dedication that our forefathers had for our country. And a great reminder of the love and sacrifice our soldiers have and conitinue to fight for.
Thank you Mom and Dad fot the great trip!
