No Snappy Title Here...

Nothing earth-shattering happening around here. Buick Open just got done here in Grand Blanc. It's cool to have a major golf tournament happening a mile from the house. Unfortunately, Tiger isn't here this year since he's having surgery on his knee.

Anyhoo...last weekend we were in Hanover. Andrew was there on business, so the girls and I drove down there to stay with him for a few days. We got there Thursday (6/19). Friday we hung out at the mall for a while, then Andrew came to meet us at Remomo's
for lunch. Pretty good crab cakes.
Here's a photo of the girls saying good morning to Baltimore. (we saw Hairspray a couple days before)



Saturday we drove to DC. It took us a few minutes to figure out how to get to where we wanted to park, but it wasn't too bad. We decided to walk around instead of taking a tourbus. It was a LOT of walking, but we went slow, so it wasn't so bad. First thing we saw was the Roosevelt Memorial.


It was designed really beautifully. The "feel" of being in DC was really unique. Knowing that we're in a place of such historical significance was really cool.

Next was the WWII Memorial. This was really awesome.









After we got done at the WWII Memorial, we walked over to the Washington Monument. This is just spectacular. We could see it from must about anywhere around there. Very cool to see it up close.



Sarah takes a break in the shade of the Washington Monument.


We really had a blast wandering around the Natural Science Museum. Got to see the Hope Diamond, and it seemed like a really popular item, as it was very hard to get to the case to see it. The whole gem exhibit was really interesting. I used to work in a jewelry store, so seeing all these stones was so much fun for me. I love learning about them.

Here's Andrew in the Air and Space Museum next to something from one of the space projects. He helped design some of the programming on it and was pretty proud to see it on display.



Capital Building



I loved the architecture of most of the building around. Very old and just like they were a hundred years ago. Somehow, that makes me feel good. I love when things stay the same even when things around them change dramatically.

After the capital, we walked to George's House.



The White House, of course, was a very popular stop. They were apparently having some sort of party there this night, as there were people dressed up, and my absolute favorite thing was seeing snipers on the roof.

Check it...

This makes me giggle. Man, I love this photo. America rocks.

From the White House, we walked a LONG way to the Vietnam Memorial. I was blown away by this place. I'm not sure how to describe it. Very humbling to be here. To think of all the names on this wall. All these people gave their lives for their country. Wow.



There were many flags, letters, even a jacket that was left there on the wall. I was moved.

Lastly, we saw the Lincoln Memorial. I was blown away by the size of Lincoln's statue. Pictures I've seen didn't prepare me for how big he was. VERY cool.



Of course, we had to do the obligatory photos that everyone does when at the Lincoln Memorial. Sure, they're not original, but fun nonetheless.




We were SO pooped after this. We walked back to the car and drove back to the hotel. Sleep came pretty fast once we got there.

Sunday was reserved for Arlington National Cemetery. Again, we walked, but I truly think walking through this sacred place is the best way to experience it. What an experience for Andrew and me. The girls enjoyed it, but they didn't experience it the way Andrew and I did. Being former military, we were so proud to be here among soldiers and others who earned the right to be laid to rest in such a place.



Andrew and the girls walking up the amphitheater's steps



A Sentinel 'walking the mat'



The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier



The Changing Of The Guard ceremony was by far the highlight of the day. We saw two changings, and I SO could have stayed there all day. These guys were just so awesome. They are SO bad ass. I was really impressed with how precise they were. Everything was timed perfectly. Sweetness.

Thurgood Marshall's grave:



Audie Murphy, baby!



And of course, Andrew being a very naughty boy:





That's our big weekend in DC. I definitely recommend making a trip if you've never been. I loved every minute of being there. A lot of America's history, right there to see. Granted, some of our history isn't something to be proud of. But most civilizations have that to say about themselves. Our past makes us who we are. Hopefully we're able to learn from our mistakes and make the future better.

Monday we took a last-minute trip to Hershey Park. This was the girls' first trip to an amusement park. I had SO much fun watching them run around having the time of their lives. The 100 buck admission fee was totally worth it.