Washington DC, Part 3

The day we went to the Jefferson Memorial & the Nat'l Building Museum, we also dropped by the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Museum of American History. They are right next to each other. I asked the kids what they liked best and the girls said the Hope diamond (see photo at left), and Thomas liked the Invention at Play exhibit (more on this below). Wayne and I both were impressed at the sight of the Star Spangled Banner; the American flag that inspired Frances Scott Key to write our national anthem during the war of 1812. The flag on display at the museum is awe inspiring. If you have some time, check out THIS interactive site. You can click on different spots of the flag and learn about how it was made, preserved, etc. The preservation and restoration of the flag is amazing. Check out the preservation project HERE. Picture #15 shows how the Star Spangled Banner is on display today. The national anthem words constantly move like a telepromter against the back wall; a truly beautiful and moving exhibit.

We also enjoyed visiting the exhibit dedicated to one of our favorite chefs, the legendary Julia Child. You can see the kitchen HERE. For all of her fame and talent, it's quite practical and functional, from the magnet covered fridge to the pegboard wall. Part of the exhibit is a constant showing of The French Chef. We stopped and watched her roast a pig (the ENTIRE pig) like it was as common as a baked potato. Here are some of my favorite quotes from Julia....

"The only time to eat diet food is while you're waiting for the steak to cook."

"The measure of achievement is not winning awards. It's doing something that you appreciate, something you believe is worthwhile. I think of my strawberry souffle. I did that at least twenty-eight times before I finally conquered it."

Paleontologist Thomas guided us through the dinosaur exhibit, and a few other exhibits we enjoyed were the Lincoln, geology, and Invention at Play exhibits. At the center of the Invention at Play exhibit the kids and Wayne learned to wind surf...Wesley ended up on his back, but thought the ride was hilarious.

Can you tell our stop at the Gunboat Philadelphia was our last stop and last photo of the day?! Why the saluting? No idea. I'm sure Caroline is still showing her displeasure with us that we failed to lift her onto the dinosaur femur.

We DID cram 3 Smithsonians, and one monument into the day though. Even after a full day, we clearly didn't put a dent into all there is to do and see at the Mall and around DC. We'll just have to come back!

FYI....several of the Smithsonian museums have interactive and/or online tours of their exhibits. I put THIS link on a toolbar bookmark for the kids to go visit at their leisure.

Final thoughts about our family vacation:

Thanks to Mari I am now a confident cake pop baker maker dipper. We had a ball making cake pops Saturday night while Julee slaved away at her RS newsletter. I loved visiting with my SIL's... making party preparations, cake pops, out and about, and just hanging around. I loved time spent with my brothers too. I'm happy to see their lives so full off good things; blessings abound. They are both doting fathers and honestly good husbands. Sunday Dan hollared from the bathroom, "A little help here!" By the time I got over there, Julee & Mari were laughing in the doorway, Julee with her camera in tow, and Dan was standing there with naked Ceseley in his arms. Poor Dan; before he could get Ceseley in the bathtub she pee-ed all down his shirt and all over the floor. Sorry, Dan, but that this happened to you made it all the funnier.

I also love how our families genuinely enjoy being together. I think it was Saturday when the boys were playing the X-Box and baby Ceseley began to cry. Dan got up to pause the game so he could go get his babe. Thomas groaned and said, "Uncle Dan, you can't pause life." So true! So, we make the most of our time together and love our family beyond measure.

Thanks again for everything, Adam & Mari. We loved our visit with our DC & VA family!