We had a wonderful summer vacation! This was our last vacation as a family of three and we made some great memories. We left early on Sunday morning and made good time until we were just about 20 miles from Jon & Julie's house in Derwood, Maryland. We hit a bit of a traffic jam due to an accident and construction. Liam was such a good traveler. Thank goodness for the DVD player!
Liam was very excited to see his cousins! We made ourselves right at home at Jon & Julie's house.
On Monday morning we took a day trip to Washington DC. Jon & Julie's house is located near a Metro station. It was so nice to ride the Metro into the city instead of driving. We ate a picnic lunch and then walked up the Mall. We had the kids with us, so it was quite a hike for them, but they were troopers. Ava and Andrew helped push the stroller.
In front of the Washington Monument
Andrew seemed happy to have Uncle Dave along
Ava was such a big helper with Liam
World War 2 Memorial
Indiana Section of World War 2 Memorial
Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial
Vietnam War Memorial Wall
On Tuesday Julie was kind enough to watch Liam for us so we could have a day out. Julie took Liam to the park with Ava and Andrew. They had a great time.
While Liam had fun at the park, Dave and I did some more sight seeing in Washington DC. We also had a lunch date at an American Tavern. It was so nice to have some time for just the two of us.
Arlington National Cemetery
President John F Kennedy's grave sight
Arlington House
view from the top of the hill
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Arlington National Cemetery with the Washington Monument in the background
Department of the Treasury
White House
Washington Monument
National Archives
Capital Building
On Wednesday we went with Julie and the kids to the beach in Ocean City, Maryland. It was a prefect two days. We stayed overnight in a hotel, since it was a three hour drive. We wanted the most beach time possible. Liam absolutely loved the beach. This was his first time seeing the ocean. He was very brave on Wednesday and went right in with Dad. On Thursday, he preferred to play in the sand most of the time, but still enjoyed some time in the waves.
Bridge to Ocean City
Our little monkey - climbing the rock wall at the park
Of all the things to play with, Liam wanted to play with the cones - go figure
beautiful sunset to end the day
Liam's footprint
On Friday it was time to head home. We decided to stop in Gettysburg on the way. While there, we bought a CD from the gift shop that gave a tour. We stayed in the van for most of the tour, since it was so HOT and muggy. The weather helped us appreciate what the soldiers endured on those hot July days during the battle. It turned out to be a great thing that we stopped on the way home. It re-directed our route home, which helped us miss all the severe weather that passed through Indiana and Ohio. We only drove through a little rain and some lightning. Our guardian angels kept us safe through our whole trip.
Liam wasn't too excited to try on Abraham Lincoln's hat
Little Round Top
For supper we ate at Skyline Chili in Ohio, which was new to all of us. Liam at four hot dogs, and enjoyed an oreo afterwards (I thought it was kind of an odd kids meal - I would have preferred some fruit and veggies in there, but at least he drank milk). It was a good thing we stopped when we did, because all the towns after that were out of power.
traveling in comfort - what a life
Next summer we will have to forego our family vacation, since we will be flying to China to get our daughter. We are so glad we have time now to devote all of our attention and energy on our little Liam. We have enjoyed making great memories and being a family of three. We are very blessed!
