That's a Wrap (on Labor Day weekend)

 Our last day in DC was a great one!  I have to admit though, if it hadn't been our last day I'm not sure Mark and I would have survived another.  We were exhausted!!

 

 We spent the longest amount of time in the Natural History Museum.  I think we could have spent an entire day there, but we moved on so we didn't miss all the other great treasures just around the block.

 

The second museum on our path was the American History Museum.  Sophie and Haleigh were elated to see so many things they recognized from our US history cycle we studied last year.  Mackenzie didn't see too much of this museum since she literally fell asleep on Mark's head as she rode on his shoulders through the Presidential exhibit.  She spent the next few hours completely out on a chair in the middle of the museum.  (I was a little jealous of the rest Mark was getting while stationed with her.)

  Our favorite museum by far was the Air and Space Museum!  What a way to wrap up the day.  We almost missed this great museum but due to Labor Day extended hours we squeaked it out.  The girls had a blast in the simulators.  Sophie and Haleigh took a "spin" in the 360* combat simulator while Mackenzie and I were jostled around as we "traveled through time" seeing the stages of aircraft development.  The girls were excited to further explore the Wright Brothers exhibit and Amelia Earhart exhibit.

That night once we finally made it back to the hotel we ordered Chinese delivery and crashed, sure to have taken our last touring steps possible. 

The next day would bring our travels to WV for the big Benson Family Annual Reunion.

 This is a large section of our family tree...

 this is my dad's branch.

We didn't bring home the cow trophy this year, however

we sure did have fun trying!!

  

Of Coarse We Went to the National Zoo!!

From the most active otters we have ever seen...

to the fun statues...

the zoo guides with loads of info...

to the "O lines" far above our heads...

the snacking lionesses...

to the roaring lions...

dino skulls...

a monkey holding a monkey...

a cool iguana (just like the one in Tangled)...

more monkeying around...

amazing tanks...

to awe over the octopus...

to every smile

 

From the first minute of the day to the last it was a fantastic day.  Even as our exhausted legs made the trip back to the hotel the girls' excitement shifted from the animals to the Metro.   You would have thought it was a roller coaster as much fun as it provided.

Monument Tour

Wednesday afternoon we met up with Mark, settled into our hotel and then headed out for our first mission... dinner.  

Using what would be one of our greatest tools of the week, the Urban Spoon app, Mark found a Mexican restaurant that served local organic food with vegan options.  It was super yummy and the girls got to start us off by helping stir up the table side guacamole.

Our meal was fantastic, our route was planned, and we were ready to tour the monuments of DC.

 As we were making our way to our first monument we came upon the Sculpture Gardens.  We had just enough time to take a quick lap around the outer circle before the whistles sounded to signal the closing of the gardens.

The Washington Monument

 Making our way to the Lincoln Memorial.

 The girls' favorite by far, the Lincoln Memorial.

 Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Long after the sun had set we made it back to our hotel.  We were all exhausted after walking at least 4 miles to and from our hotel and throughout downtown.  

Aching feet aside, we had a great evening with many memorable moments.  Each monument brought great excitement bringing more reality to simple facts we learned over the last year as we studied US history.  There was a beautiful carousel that we couldn't pass up. On the last leg of our tour we had passed the White House and started back on the trek when we began to hear sirens and see many flashing lights.  Before we knew it we were front line as the Presidential Motorcade passed within 10 feet of us, pretty exciting!! 

What A Way To Start Our Trip!!

 Last Tuesday my girls and I set out to meet Mark in DC.  He had been there for a review course for several days.  The plan was to pick him up Wednesday at 3:00 as he finished his coarse and begin a great DC family adventure.  We pulled out a day early so we could fit in perhaps one of the most exciting parts of our trip...

 catching up with the older ones in this crew.

and meeting the younger two!! 

We had so much fun!! After a huge pillow fight we put the kids down for the night and Terri and I talked till we couldn't keep our eyes open.

 The next day before we had to head out Terri took us out to their zip line.  The girls screamed with delight.  It would have only been better if their oldest could have been with us instead at picture day at school ;)

 Thanks for a GREAT visit and the girls' precious chef hats, 

they will be worn often I'm sure!!

 Love you my friend!! Can't wait till our next visit!