Friday, June 20, 2008

WASHINGTON DC

Me, Stone, and my Mom have been in Washington DC this last week. Jenicee is out there going to Georgetown University, {yes, I said "Georgetown"} so we took advantage of that, and went to visit her. Me or Stone have never been {even though everyone else in my family has} being the baby in the family I somehow always got left at home.

Well, we couldn't ask for a better tour guide. Jenicee knows it all, and has a story and the facts behind it. {I guess she is the high school History teacher.} But we really couldn't have done it without her.

Jenicee and Stone at Mt. Vernon {that's George Washington's House in the background}. And Stone waiting for the Metro.

Me and Stone in front of the Washington Monument.

This was at the World War II Memorial. It really was so cool. The old man is a Veteran that Stone started to talk to. His name was Bob and he was 90 years old, with a incredible memory. He sat with us for about 30 minutes talking about his time in the Army. It meant so much to Stone {and all of us}, and made it all seem so real.

The other picture is me and Stone in front of the Field of Stars below them are the words, "Here we Mark the Price of Freedom." {there are 4,000 stars each on represents 100 soldiers killed}. It was amazing to sit and look at all those stars, and think about the sacrifice's made for all of our freedom.



This was the Vietnam Memorial, Thomas Jefferson Monument, and the Lincoln Monument.



These are at the Archives. And it was so worth the long line that we waited in to see those important documents. {Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights}. They stand for so much that we as Americans believe in. It was so sad to see them faded and to think those are words and signatures we will never get back. The pictures are a little grainy because no flash photography can be used in order to preserve them.

Arlington Cemetery and Tomb of the Unknown Solider, I have to say was my favorite. I never pictured Arlington this way. It was is so big, hill after rolling hill of 2 foot high head stones, in perfect rows no matter which way you looked, just like soldiers standing at attention. I don't know how anyone can make it through without crying. It is breath taking to say the least. All those men died for us...

Would you believe me if I said that we also went to 2 Air and Space Museums. It was a totally crazy trip, but Stone loved these. Lots of cool Space things and way cool Airplanes. We even saw Enola Gay {which is the World War II plane that dropped the bomb on Hiroshima}.




Well, it really was such a great trip. From getting to see family that we haven't been able to see in awhile {aka Vicki, Jessica, Aaron, Alison, and Lucas}. To eating great food, seeing the Hope Diamond, and Stone making new friends wherever we went no matter age or race. To walking and walking for miles or laughing at Stone making farting noises with moon sand {inside joke}. To riding the metro, and late nights eating chocolate waffles and whip cream. It was all AWESOME something Stone or I will never forget. Thanks Jen for being such a great tour guide, we hope everything is going good, and we love and miss you already!! And please bring home some chocolate waffles, because I'm really craving them.

21 comments:

Unknown said...

What a fun opportunity for you guys. And how lucky for Stone to have that memory of just the two of you!~

Julie said...

Stone will remember that trip forever! How fun to be able to spend that much quality time with one of your kids! I loved all the pictures!

Cori Simmons said...

and why am I crying? I guess maybe because I'm happy for you guys to be able to do that as mother & son. . .and maybe because that trip may have been a life changing moment for Stoney. . .and maybe because those memorials are so special and heart breaking.

I didn't realize, until looking at that picture in front of the White House, how much you and Jen look alike!!!

Tiff said...

You know what is so crazy before I read Cori's comment I was thinking the exact same thing that you two do look alot alike - crazy! How fun that just you and Stone were able to do that I am sure he will always remember that! I think that would be really cool to see all that stuff! How exciting!!!

Jamie Johnson said...

Hayley, it looks like you two had such a great trip. When stone was over he couldn't stop taking, about all the neat stuff you guys got to see. And I couldn't believe all he new, about all the different monuments. He's such a smart kid!

gillman said...

hayley, what an awesome experience!! it looks so amazing! i am glad you took so many pix., it was cool to see all those things. hopefully someday i can see them in person. i bet you and stone had the best time together! every mother should be able to do something like that with her kids!!
meg.

THE PRINCE FAMILY said...

How fun!! That would be an amazing place to travel and visit. How fun to go with STone and have that one on one time.

Lid said...

Hay, that looks like so much fun. What a fun experience and fun memories for you and Stone. Glad you were able to go and have so much fun.

Tai Christensen said...

How fun! Stone will always remember that trip and how awesome that you got to share such special memories with him. Did you know the DC Temple is the closest temple to my house in New Jersey and its about 2 1/2 hours away! I love that temple, I think it is so beautiful. I'm so glad you had a wonderful trip :-)

Ellery said...

that got me all teary! So neat to go on a trip just you and him, not to mention what you were able to see and learn about. the end picture is sooo sweet, i love it. it was the perfect ending to your post. Glad you were able to have such a wonderful experience.

Kallas Family said...

It's called an elevator!! There is no way I would hike those stairs with a stroller. It looks like you had a great time. Since living here I have now been there twice and I could go a lot more and see new things. There is just so much to see.

Ellery said...

YEP! We missed out!

Jenicee said...

Uh, Hay, don't worry too much about the comments that say we look alike. It's just the nose...and maybe smile. Love the pictures (hint, hint). The last picture is idyllic and remember how Stone wouldn't get out of the car for it. I was trying everything to convince him and said, "Come on. What if you go on a mission here someday..." Then he interrupted, "You can go on a mission here! Sweet!" Then he graciously posed. He kills me. Glad you guys came. I love seeing DC through a new person's eyes. There is more to see you know :).

Heather J said...

Looks like so much fun. We really want to go back there someday.

Shannon said...

That is so AWESOME that you took Stone with you! What a Great Educational trip to all of us too, Thanks!
I ABSOLUTLEY LOVE that picture of you and Stone With the Temple!
Could you be any Hotter??!!

Cami said...

What a fun trip, and how fun just you and Stone. He is such a nice kid I can totally see him making friends with random people.

Oakley said...

hey hayley I just started my own blog so check it out!

Unknown said...

It looked like you guys had so much fun. That is so neat that you and Stone just went. He will always remember that.
You look way to young to have a son that old. You look like you could be his older sister. You are a babe.
Love all the pictures.

Molly said...

You look too young to be Stone's mom! How fun that you got to do that together!

Whitney said...

Hayley thanks so much I love all of those names! Keep them coming.

Anonymous said...

Keep up the good work.