DC

Jim and I made a pretty impromptu and BIG decision the first part of March.  We decided to go on our grandest family vacation yet and booked a trip to Washington D.C. !!!!!!!  There were a few reasons we decided to go but here are the biggest A) Our children are at ages that traveling is much easier than when they were younger B) We were celebrating Jim selling a clinic that has caused him much stress C) Bucket list item of mine for over 20 years C) We only have 3 more years as a family of six before our kids start spreading their wings with missions, college, wedding, etc. I plan to pack in as many family vacations as I can between now and then.    We took tons of pictures knowing we would probably never get back there again as our little family.  So here we go with major picture overload :)

DAY 1- March 30th/31st

We took a really late flight.  Our flight was supposed to leave at 10:59 PM but got delayed until 12:15 A.M.  We got into D.C. about 6:30 in the morning D.C. time/ 4:30 Utah time.  None of us got very much sleep on the flight.  It was Afton and Lilly's first time on a plane so that was exciting.

We warned the kids that this would be a fun vacation but not a relaxing vacation.

  We tried to get in as much as we could in our 4 and a half days.

Our first time fliers :)

Our row of the plane

Our very tired kids fell asleep while Jim and I were trying to get our rental car :)

I love this picture!

  Our suitcases are in our car ready for us to start our adventure! 

Union Station

Gorgeous building and busy!

Supreme Court

Amazing building. 

We got to go inside and see where the Supreme Court sits which is pretty awesome.

Library of Congress

This was one of my favorite buildings.  It was so amazing inside!!!!  The only bad thing was we had umbrellas with handles that kinda looked like brass knuckles so Jim had to stay outside with them.  We will have to get him in on another trip to see it in person because they pictures just don't do it justice.

U.S. Capitol

I can't say enough about all the buildings here.  They are so gorgeous.  The dome of the Capitol is breath taking.  I had arranged a private tour through our state representative (Jason Chaffetz) so we got a smaller more intimate tour which even took us in some of the underground tunnels.

Botanical Gardens

This was originally not on our agenda but as we passed it on the way to the Museum of Natural History,   Lizzie insisted we go in.    We went in and it did not disappoint. Lizzie was especially excited about the cactus gardens.

Museum of Natural History

We ended our day with a trip to this museum.  Busy but amazing day.

Day 2- April 1st

National Archives

So amazing to see The Declaration of Independence and The Constitution in person.

Museum of American History

So many amazing things here. 

I was most excited to see the ruby red slippers from The Wizard of Oz.

A family that wears Converse together stays together :)

Me, Liz, Afton and Lilly know how to match.

Watch out world!

Food Trucks

The kids ate at their very first food truck.  Here is Ethan by his.

Washington Monument

I don't think you can get a bad picture or angle of this amazing monument.

You can just barely see it right behind Lilly :)

Reflecting Pool

It was so cool to walk along the Reflecting Pool on our way to the Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial

I loved being able to see this in person.  It is huge and just as amazing as you would think!

Vietnam Veterans Memorial

No words to explain the sacredness and extreme gratitude felt as you walked along this memorial.

  It brought tears to my eyes. It felt weird to take pictures of us there and/or smiling for any pictures. So I didn't.  I think this picture sums it up perfectly. 

Day 3- April 2nd

International Spy Museum

So interesting to see spy tactics, people and that there are spies all around us.

 The only pictures I took there :)  Afton working on some spy code

Ford's Theater

So interesting to be here and too see all that happened on that tragic historic day

Hop On Hop Off Bus

We got to ride a double decker bus and sit up top and enjoy a little of DC landmarks

by bus instead of walking.

Air and Space Museum

HUGE museum!!!

Day 4- April 3rd

National Zoo

 DC Cupcakes

We for sure had to go here.  We watched the show a year or two ago.

  I was very doubtful how they would taste especially since they were $3 each.

  I was proven wrong and they were so delicious and worth every penny!

Waiting in line.  We had to wait in line about 40 minutes

Inside the store

Our selections

Vanilla Birthday- Afton

Peanut Butter Fudge- Ethan

Red Velvet- Lizzie

Yellow Tulip- Lilly

Cherry Cheesecake-Alisha

Gluten Free Lava Fudge- Jim

Lizzie approved!

Arlington Cemetery

What a sacred place.  We walked around for a little bit, saw the eternal flame for John F. Kennedy, made our way to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and we were able to see the changing of the guard.  Hard to describe the gratitude and sacredness felt while there. Yet another place where it just didn't seem right to take pictures of us.

Jefferson Memorial

Just like the Washington Monument you just can't get a bad angle.  We got there right at dusk so we were able to see it in the light and dark.  Pretty awesome both ways.  Also the cherry blossoms were still out as an extra bonus!

Day 4-

Mount Vernon

This place was pretty cool and I wish we would have had more

time there before we had to leave for the airport.

View from the back porch of the Mount Vernon mansion

knowing that once we walk away we had to head to the airport :(

It really was such a wonderful vacation and I already miss DC and want to go back!