Last week Jared, Brody, and I took a little trip out to Washington D.C. Jared had an install in Maryland, but because of Labor Day weekend, he got several days in a row off. I decided to join him and we had so much fun. Jared served his mission in the Washington D.C. North Spanish speaking mission. He hadn't been back there since he'd been home, so it was really exciting for him. He said he felt like he was going home in a lot of ways. We were able to find two of the apartments that he had lived in while he was there. One of his favorite places while he was on his mission was the D.C. Temple. He had the opportunity of bringing a lot of people to the visitors center and so he spent a lot of time there. It really is a beautiful place. It's also where my parents were sealed, so it has special meaning to both of us.
When the missionaries who are going to the D.C. mission get off the airplane, they are taken out of the way to go down this stretch of freeway before going to the mission home. It is a stretch of the 495 that actually has quite a few accidents on it as people try to figure out what that beautiful white building is that appears over the trees. It's really spectacular in person, so this picture doesn't really do it justice, but I tried :)
Inside the Visitor's Center is a Christus that is just like the one in the Salt Lake Visitors Center. Brody was very cute as he stared at it for quite some time.
I just like this picture. Brody is trying to figure out what the speaker is above their heads and Jared looks handsome :) This was also in the Visitors Center.
Brody and I in front of the temple. Brody was ready for a nap, so this was about the best we could do :)
A view from the front
The next day we went downtown to explore the sights. We went on Labor Day and surprisingly it wasn't very busy. As you can see from the pictures it was a beautiful day and we thoroughly enjoyed it (even with tons of walking!). Brody also got to ride on the subway for the first time.
The White House
Jared and Brody in front of the Washington Monument
The Washington Monument
There's also a new World War II Memorial. It was very pretty and had lots of quotes engraved in the walls that were quite moving.
This is just a pathway that I thought was pretty. I love tree lined streets and walkways. This was in between the Washington Monument and Lincoln Memorial. The field to the left of me is where Jared and some of the other missionaries played soccer sometimes on P-day.
Being in D.C. you really get a sense of patriotism. Quick story: On our plane ride home there was a young man who was in the Army sitting behind us. When he got on the flight, the pilot introduced this young man and had everybody applaud him for his service for our country. He's being deployed back to Iraq next week. Well, we just so happened to be sitting in the row in front of him. As my cousin's husband described Brody, he's a "guy's guy" and always tends to gravitate towards the guys. So, Brody was laughing at this guy and trying to climb over my shoulder to get to him. He played with Brody for quite a while. About half way through our trip, the soldier got up into his bag and got out a patch of a flag that had been on his uniform the last time he was in Iraq. He gave it to Brody and said that he was good kid and told him to grow up big and strong. I thought it was a really special thing to get.
The Lincoln Memorial
We didn't spend a whole lot of time in the Museums, but this was in the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum.
The family in front of the Capital Building
Brody and I in front of the Capital
While we were there we also got to spend some time with our friends and family. Jared has two former roommates and very good friends that live in the D.C. area. So, one night we got together with Lake & Elysa Dishman and Todd & Heather Woodruff. It was so fun seeing them and we all had a great time together. I think Lake took a picture of the three guys together, so hopefully I can get a copy of it to post here.
We also got to spend a lot of time with my cousins Christy & Greg and their kids since we stayed with them. My cousin Kurt & Erica and their kids also live there. We got to spend some time with them also, which was awesome. My cousin Kevin lives there also, and we had lots of fun playing XBox with him.
Brody had lots of fun playing with Christy's daughter Katelyn. They've played together before, but it had been several months since we've seen them. They had tons of fun together though. They're just a month apart and we got people asking if they were twins a lot. It was really cute :) I've posted some pictures of Christy's other kiddos also.
This is Sabrina who's grown up so much in the last few months. I can't believe it!
Brody and Katelyn playing the drums on the piano bench
Playing a duet
Finally looking at Mommy....not an easy task!
Brody getting loves from Sophia
Also getting loves from Kelton
We went out to lunch right before I left. They finally both looked at me, but Brody decided to pick his nose right at the exact time I was taking a picture!
They both loved watching the dog outside. Brody would laugh and laugh everytime the dog licked his finger! It was too funny :)
One last one :)
Sorry that's so many pictures again. I have a hard time cutting them down :) Hope you enjoyed it! If you ever have the chance to go to D.C. it really is a beautiful place. Though I don't recommend going in August. It was very hot and humid most of the time. It was quite shocking to come home to Denver where the high was 59 degrees yesterday!
Truthfully I'm not sure how I feel about this picture. Ashley thought it would be funny to dress Cheyenne, Kaylee, Brody, and herself in Hannah Montana gear one day. (Kaylee loves Hannah Montana and thought this was very funny) So, somehow Ashley talked me into making Brody a shirt to go along with their theme. I'm seeing a trend here with my Dad and I....
Brody and Katelyn playing the drums on the piano bench
Playing a duet
Finally looking at Mommy....not an easy task!
Brody getting loves from Sophia
Also getting loves from Kelton
We went out to lunch right before I left. They finally both looked at me, but Brody decided to pick his nose right at the exact time I was taking a picture!
They both loved watching the dog outside. Brody would laugh and laugh everytime the dog licked his finger! It was too funny :)
One last one :)
Sorry that's so many pictures again. I have a hard time cutting them down :) Hope you enjoyed it! If you ever have the chance to go to D.C. it really is a beautiful place. Though I don't recommend going in August. It was very hot and humid most of the time. It was quite shocking to come home to Denver where the high was 59 degrees yesterday! 
