We went on our first 'real' family vacation other than to the dells or MN! We went to Virginia Beach first, then to Chantilly, VA to visit friends- Beth and Jason, then to Ohio to the Creation Museum. We were gone just a little less than 2 wks. It was a lot of driving, a lot of first experiences, and a lot of fun :) I can't wait for our next vacation :)
The kids did amazing on the long drive! I was impressed! They read a lot of books, listened to a lot of music, played some games, watch a couple movies, and did a lot of sleeping and snacking!
Cracker Barrel for dinner.
Hanging out in one of the many hotels we stayed at.
Nap time. We drove about 7 hours the first day, 6 hours the 2nd day, and 4 hours the 3rd day.
We got to see a lot of God's beautiful creation that we don't get to see everyday
Heading under a mountain in a tunnel!
We did a lot swimming in the hotels
This is a tunnel driving under the ocean! A very creepy yet exciting experience!
We were very happy to see the light at the end of this tunnel!!!!
On the way out, traffic was so bad and so slow... it took forever to get off the ocean bridges and out of this tunnel. I'm pretty sure I didn't breath the entire time we were on our way out of VA beach!
Many bridges over the ocean after being under the ocean!
And finally after all the driving we finally get to walk in the sand barefoot... although Eli wasn't not too excited about this idea at first!
He would not move after Andy put him down as his legs kept sliding apart!
Our first walk along the ocean! And we got to see a dolphin :)
Grady loved to stand in the water! The waves were so strong so he had to hang onto Andy.
Once Eli got used to the sand, he loved it!
Family bike ride :)
Family bike ride along the board walk
I got to spend my birthday in VA beach :) The kids locked me in the bathroom and decorated the room for me :)
We did a lot of playing in the sand :)
And a lot of walking in the water :)
A long day at the beach and Grady didn't really want his picture taken ;)
And Eli was too tired for dinner ;)
Fun times with balloons :)
We visited the aquarium along the ocean.
If you said, "say cheese," this is what Eli did!
You know he's exhausted if he's falling asleep eating his ice scream!
Our time at Va beach has come to an end, now it's time to visit friends in Chantilly VA.
While visiting our friends, we took a day trip to Washington DC
On the metro
True loves kiss in front of the magical giant metal rose
Visiting the monuments might have been a little long and boring for the kids UNTIL the side next to the stairs of the Abraham Lincoln monument became a giant slide!
Beth and Hadley
The white house
As we were looking at the white house we got pushed out and directed to leave along with the many other tourists. Something was going on... As we were walking out, they started to block off streets and directing traffic so we decided to wait around and watch. Then many police in there SUV's came through and went to the white house. Most of them had their windows down with guns hanging out of the windows. It was a little creepy yet exciting. We are pretty sure the president was in one of those vehicles!!!
Waiting for the metro to come.
Eli snuggling Jason :)
Hanging out at Beth and Jason's house with bubbles!!!!
The kids playing with Tucker
The boys were somewhat matching today.... I told Eli to say "cheese" again ;)
Hanging out at the pool at Beth and Jason's
Pool races
Grady jumping off of Jason :)
Baby pool fun
Playing at the park
Racing became an everyday activity while visiting Beth and Jason
Dancing... can you guess to what song?
YMCA
Visiting an aviation museum
The boys
Last night hanging out with the Johnsons
And off we go to Ohio
Driving in the mountains was a little scary this time. We headed up the mountain on a 2 lane road with crazy drop offs, steep hills, and sharp curves. Then on top of that, it decided to down pour a lot of the drive! We got up to the top and had to find our way back to the main highway to make driving down the mountain a little easier. Though we got to experience true mountain driving(that I used to do when I lived in NC), we were happy to just be back on normal safer roads!
Fog in the mountains
WOOHOO...Ohio! This was a long drive...
Back in the pool!
Hanging out in our last hotel
The Creation Museum
This museum is the best museum we've ever experienced and we want to experience it again :)
The garden of Eden
The results of sin
Noah's Ark questionnaire
Asking Noah questions about the ark
The truth about dinosaurs as the children were about to be eaten by one!
Botanical gardens at the Creation Museum
It was very hot so the mist became a fun place to hang out :)
The petting zoo at the Creation Museum
Camel rides at the Creation Museum.... I told you this museum was amazing!
Last night of vacation means late night ice scream!
Has anybody seen Eli??? This game never gets old!
