A Day in DC

Well, here are some of the pictures we took in DC. There are too many to post. :0) This view seems like it's everywhere in "The Mall". It was a beautiful day and we felt very safe and comfortable here. Loads of people were playing, picnicking, and resting on the grassy areas. It was very nice.

Josh and JoDee in front of US Capital Building.

View from the US Capital...

(below) This is the "Thomas Jefferson Building" where the "Library of Congress" is included. The Library of Congress was Josh's main request! We went here first since it is behind the US Capital. We were not able to take many pictures inside, but we learned all about some of the most important documents for our country, Bill of Rights, Constitution, Declaration of Independence. There were also copies of documents about Women's Rights and Segregation. It was truly amazing.

The Library also had a very special section on Abe Lincoln in celebration of 200 years. This display was AMAZING. There were many great artifacts from his life beginning to end. Mostly journal entries and letters, but also included papers from his campaign, presidency, and funeral. Some of the most awesome artifacts were the ones in his pocket at the time of death. The things I can remember are: a couple of pairs of spectacles, wallet, handkerchief, other things. He even had a $5 bill. It was incredible to see a bill for the US with out his face. VERY eye opening.
We also went to a great gift shop here. I wanted to get Josh a copy of the Declaration of Independence (like in National Treasure), but he didn't want to carry it. I wanted lots of things, but we got out of there with a few pencils. :)


Next we prepared for the long journey down the hill. We went to the Smithsonian Information Center, and decided to walk through the American History Building. There are sooooo many buildings, we didn't even have time to see all of this one. By the time we got down there, the people were out and about and the lines for the exhibits were LONG!!!

The very first thing we saw was the "Star Spangled Banner"....The American flag that was flown through the night when the British invaded here. The flag is no longer hanging, it is very fragile and over 200 years old!! It is displayed in a brilliant glass casing and around the casing are some things that talk about the white house burning, and the bombing in MD for 25 hours strait. Also as you walk around the flag you learn about the National Anthem and how it came to be. You walk around the casing, but can only view it from one side. Next there is a huge touch screen computer that talks about different parts of the flag itself. It was pretty emotional for me to see this flag and remember things that happened. Pictures were not allowed here either, but it was awesome.

So here are a few pictures that I did snap here.

The RUBY Slippers

Kermit the Frog

Oscar the Grouch
(also this is Jerry Seinfield's shirt and
well I do remember watching this Ventriloquist doll as a kid.)

So here is what we saw of the White House. It isn't much, but we did snap a few photos. At least they had water!!

Cheese?



Next we made the incredible journey to the Lincoln Memorial. One of Jaxon's heroes is Lincoln, and he really wants to visit here. JoDee even made the journey up all the steps. We took the elevator down. (I was afraid I was top heavy in the front, and those stairs are steep.)

A View from the Lincoln Memorial. No there is not any water in the reflective pool or the WWII Memorial. The WWII Memorial was pretty incredible! There are many things to read about on the walls and of course the memorials to our great fore fathers are blessed with and inspiring presence.
We went to the Washington Monument last and got there just in time for it to close. It is very big, and we did get to touch it. :) Everything starts shutting down around the same time, and by then we were tuckered out!!! I was determined to push on, but Josh was tired too, and we had an early flight in the morning, AND the time change was the day of our early flight. So thus the end of our trip this time. :)

I love this picture with the MOON....we actually saw it!