That was a fabulous weekend!

A spur of the moment trip up to D.C. was just what January needed!  It was not as cold as it could have been.  And we had vivid memories of how terribly hot it was in August, such that we could temper our reactions to the need for jackets and gloves!  We all voted we'd take the jackets and gloves over the oppressive heat.  Another perk to January sight seeing, you mostly have the place to yourself!  Even on a holiday weekend. 

When we went in August, we didn't have the energy to endure the wait and the heat of the Washington Monument.  With Rachel F. being willing to get downtown first thing Saturday morning, she secured us tickets for a 4pm tour.  Perfect timing to see the city lights at night.  GORGEOUS!

We recruited the whole gang (sans Ken who was working) to join us in the early afternoon at the down town Air and Space.  It's never very hard to convince the SAZband to join us on an Air and Space outing.  Their dad has a soft spot for all things that fly.  We enjoyed a 3D IMAX movie this time too. 

The trip up the Washington Monument was monumental as we had a whole bunch of us who had never actually done that yet! 

My kids now have an obsession with going to the top of all the most famous monuments.  They think the Statue of Liberty should happen this year too.  And Henry is convinced that he needs a re-do on the Eifel Towel since he can't remember it.  I hope all of his dreams can come true! 

By the time we all made it back down, the day was getting long, and the night was setting in.  Rachel and Steve's families decided it was best to call it a night, but encouraged me to trek my kids all the way over to the Lincoln Memorial, promising that the night viewing was even more spectacular than a day-time visit.  Darin went to get the car and circle it around to be the paddy wagon should we need a rescue vehicle.  As it turns out, my Earnest children are hardy winter-time walkers.  We made it all the way to Lincoln with energy to spare:

It was spectacular, as promised!

It's hard for me to put into words just how meaningful it is that we are close enough to spend a weekend in D.C.  Staying at my brother's house.  Having Sunday dinner at my sister's house, and all the while in between having worthwhile and meaningful activities for the kids to do.  It's truly amazing.  At the end of the day on Saturday, I heard the boys saying to each other, "This was the best day ever". 

Times like that make it all so worthwhile.  Best of all, we are now in the zone of making memories that aren't going to be forgotten.  These are the times and the days that count in their childhood memory receptacles.  These days will be remembered.  That means a lot to me.   

More to come...