Greetings from D.C.--Day 1

Hello all, thought I would check in with some trip details. I am loving having my laptop along for the ride. If you are here for the artwork, feel free to stop reading here. I'm going to give more details than you probably care for, but hey, how else will I remember everything for my scrapbooks later?!

July 26--waaaayyyyy too early in the morning we began our trip. Our flight left at 5:30 am--yikes! We were running a little late,so we didn't set foot in the airport until 4:40. Still thought it would be plenty of time. However, the security line was slow. We made it through and the boys had to go the the restroom. As they are in there, they announce final boarding call for our flight--still several gates down. We ran for the plane--no easy task with all our bags. Then of course, we were all sitting separately. Luckily, some wonderful people switched with us so we could sit together (at least 2 and 2). Brendan was a little scared on the first leg. The second flight, we all four sat together and the boys did great. They were a little loud toward the end, but that's to be expected.

Then the real adventure began. We decided to just take the Metro to our hotel. I didn't take any photos, so I'll just have to set the scene for you: two adults, a 7 year old, a four year old and 7 bags and two car seats. We had to take a shuttle bus, then two different trains, and a walk to the hotel. Add that to the fact that we hadn't eaten since 3:30 in the morning. To say that I was a little snippy by the end is an understatement! We will definitely be taking the rental car to the airport on the other end of our trip!

Once we checked in and ate, we decided to check out some sights. We walked down to the National Mall. We walked to the Washington Monument and the WWII Memorial. It was a long walk, and dark by the time we headed back. The boys (and Mike and I) were exhausted. We tried to look for a grocery store to stock up, but pooped out and had ice cream for a late dinner/snack instead :)

One more note, or rather a rant. What I saw at the WWII Memorial disgusted me. This is a memorial for those that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. A memorial for those who fought, and those that stayed at home and supported the war. There are signs everywhere saying: out of respect please stay out of the pools. Yet everywhere we looked, there were people with their shoes off and their feet in the water. Ugh! They should be ashamed! Anyway, that in a nutshell, was day 1. More to come.