Tour of DC and just hanging around

We finished the weekend downtown DC and spending time around the house.  The cherry blossoms were supposed to peak this weekend, and we were excited to see all the pink. Some of the cherry and violet trees were very colorful, but I think the real peak will be in a week or so. Even though the cherry trees were just starting to bloom, it was a beautiful day to be outside!

Ashley had a great idea to take a bus tour, so we got tickets and hopped on the upper deck of an open air bus. Caleb enjoying a tootsie roll pop while waiting for the bus.

Do you see the wedding party? This was the first of two weddings we saw downtowan today.

 Our bus drove around the monuments, around the Tidal Basin and mall, and museums. There is so much history in DC to absorb. For the 8 years I have lived in the area, this was my first time on the bus tour, and it was good to learn more about where we live and our nation's history.

 

 

Ashley was our tour photographer for the day and she did a great job! I wish I could remember the names of these statues and landmarks, but sadly I do not retain history very well, eventhough I do enjoy learning about it.

 Almost one year ago, Nathan's dad, Caleb, and I were at the mall in almost this very spot, to attend Nathan's graduation from George Washington University. Today the mall was packed with people wanting to enjoy a beautiful spring day!

The Capitol

The Japanese Memorial from WWII

Aren't my cousins gorgeous? I can still remember when they were Caleb and Ben's age, and I love being able to watch them grow up into the women they are today. My cousins and I have a special bond, and I was so thankful that we could spend this extra time together.

The Washinton Monument is still under renovation from the earthquake a couple of years ago.

The Jefferson Memorial is one of my favorites along the Tidal Basin, and I love the way it looks when the cherry trees are at their peak.

 I forgot a hat to keep the sun and wind out of Ben's face, but my scarf and sunglasses did a good job:).

Lincoln Memorial

We finished the day with a trip to the Natural history museum. Caleb liked seeing the dinosaur exhibit, and kept saying 'roar!'. It was so crowded inside the museum, and we were were pretty hungry so we ate at a cafe inside the museum. At the end of the day, Caleb enjoyed running up and down the sidewalk  until our bus arrived.

The end of a fun day!

On Sunday, we ate a delicious brunch out, and then came back our house to for a few hours before their flight. The boys got lots of love and playtime today. My aunts said the boys will need a few days to regenerate all of the sweetness that they took from them:).

I'm getting so big!

Caleb loved walking around in Alexis's shoes.

Great Aunt Gail and Ben. I love the happy look they both have on their faces:).

Notice how Ben has his eye on Caleb...

My two cousins stayed with me for the weekend, and it was no nice to spend time with them. I really appreciate all of their help with the boys too. I'd come downstairs and they would have a diaper change in progress, changing clothes, or reading books. They were naturals, and you can tell that they both love to be around children so much. Caleb looks more like them than me - haha!

The girls could not get enough of sweet Ben...we are so thankful for our sweet little guy!

It means so much to me that my family came to visit before we move overseas in a couple of months, and we had a very fun weekend together! They loved spending time with us, and the boys loved all of the attention. Unfortunately they missed Nathan by one day from his trip to Ethiopia, but they were thankful for the opportunity he had to serve, and will skype with him soon. It is not easy for me to say goodbye to people, so we left it as so long for now, since we will be returning in a few years.

Thank you Aunts Gail and Eileen, and Cousins Ashley and Alexis for the wonderful weekend! We love you so much.

Spring day in Annapolis

My aunts Eileen and Gail, and cousins Ashley and Alexis arrived late last night, and it was so good to see them today! It means so much to me that they came up to visit, and we have a fun weekend planned. Caleb was very excited to see them, and he got a cool new slinky, car keys, and phone. They were perfect gifts for this little boy. They were instantly in love with Ben and his big cheeks, he got lots of love today.

 

This afternoon, we went to Annapolis. It was close to 70 degree and a beautiful day! I was given a crab cake restaurant recommendation from a co-worker, and it was a hit. Chick and Ruth's Delly in historic Annapolis, home of the 6 pound milkshake and 3 pound sandwich and cheeseburger, had amazing crab cakes, and it was a great place to bring little kids. We all enjoyed our meals, Caleb had fun exploring and he was a good eater too. I think his favorite thing to eat was french fries dipped in pickle juice...yuk! Ben hung out so quietly the entire time and watched us eat and talk and eat and talk.

After eating, we got some ice cream and looked at the ducks. Pretty mallard ducks! Then the boys, cousins, and I went to the Naval Academy to walk around while my aunts hung out in the square and listened to some music. Ashley and Alexis really enjoyed walking around the Naval Academy, it is such a beautiful campus. And the spring flowers and blooming trees made everything so colorful. Caleb had a blast running up and down the football field with the girls, kicking and throwing balls, and we even went looking for bunnies, again.

We had a fun day! The girls wore Caleb out and both boys feel asleep on the way home. Stay tuned for more weekend adventures!

Getting Ready.....

For some visitors tomorrow! My dad's two sisters Eileen and Gail and my cousins Ashley and Alexis are on their way to Maryland to visit us for the weekend, and we have some fun activities planned.

Caleb has been my good  little helper cleaning up the house, especially with the vacuum. Child labor laws, what?

No Hands

Look what I can do!

Happy Wednesday:)

For you. For me.

For you.

 For me.

Summer sandals for me!

 

Bunny Hunt

This afternoon, a trip to the park turned into a bunny hunt around the neighborhood. When we are at the park closest to our home, Caleb loves to run down the sidewalk to watch the kids play. He gets really shy and stands back, but he does get excited about the bunny statue in someone's yard. Today on our way to the park, that bunny popped into his head...

The bunny hunt was a little sidetracked by sticks and dirt, but Caleb regained focus. If you need a translator, bop bop is his sound for bunnies. If you listen closely, he even tells his sticks bye bye when he puts them down. I love this funny boy! I apologize in advance about the camera angle...

We found the bunny, and a hoppy boy!