"Not the monuments again"

A is always up for company but not so much up for the sight seeing that goes along with visitors. This title is a direct quote from him when he found out our friends from Houston were coming. He was a pretty good sport but opted to stay home with dad once he was back in town (BTW his trip was to Houston). We did let our friends do the White House tour and most of the monuments without us- wanted them to be able to experience the metro themselves.

The company was my BF from high school, her husband and their twin 10 year old daughters. We had a great time! We have gone to their house the past 3 years because for some reason our last location did not have much appeal to them. But to keep the record straight they did make it to CO and NM and now here so I guess we are even. A and the girls at the National Postal Museum. I never even knew such a place existed. They had cute postcards you could print out and mail but the only address I knew off the top of my head was Grandma's and our own (sorry, next time I'll be better prepared) so Grandma got one and we mailed ourselves one and one to the friends that were with us. We also walked around Union Station (right across the street from the museum) and had lunch a very crowded McD's.
Next we headed to Arlington Cemetery. Saw the main things then headed home. We did the Air and Space museum and National Archives. We again had lunch at McD's- can't get away from that place. Washington Monument behind the girls. Get tickets way in advance if you want to go up. The "free" tickets were sold out for over a week in advance (you can order in advance for a fee ).
Ameila Earhart's plane.
The last day we headed to Mt. Vernon to see where the Washington's lived. The girls with George, Martha, Nelly and Washy (the 2 grand kids they raised).

We also did some pool time and playing in the backyard. They were all excited to catch lighting bugs (my kids don't normally get to stay up late enough to see them and I don't think they live in Houston). I also did my first downtown driving here thanks to my (dried out and working) GPS and my BF's co-pilot skills. Houston crew, thanks for great company and fun days . They have also convinced my kids we need to go on a cruise. If we could only find one without saltwater.

More visitors are welcome as we are up the the challenge! Can't promise that you will see R but the kids and myself are very entertaining. However, you may have to do the monuments on your own.

BRI fact 1. Most of the egg rolls sold in the US are made in Houston.
2. There are 412 doors in the White House.

From Sea to Shining Sea

We did travel from coast to coast. That was the longest flying time for the kids. But what a great time we had in CA! I don't think my friend and I stopped talking for more than a few minutes. The rest of them (kids and husbands) had to squeeze in words when we stopped to breathe. We had some fun adventures and some great times just hanging out with each other. This picture was taken at the Aquarium. What cute kids in a clam shell. The weather is much cooler- we wore jackets daily.
We saw many, many sea lions. Mostly they were sleeping and not too many big ones (it was mating season so the mature ones had all taken off). The biggest shock to me was when one died the leave it there (called a "floater"). We saw several of those including one on the beach that S and the kids went to check out. A excitedly reported that it looked like it had been bitten maybe by a shark. We did see the sea lions jumping and playing in the water. We also saw otters and harbor seals.
A liked climbing on the rocks. He thought he looked like a ghost in his outfit. Notice the new crocs. No t-shirts as souvenirs for my kids, they both got new swirled colored crocs. They will get lots of use and will be able to remember our trip when they wear them.
M enjoying the sand. Our friend S took family pics on the beach. The sun was bright and I couldn't keep my eyes open. After I look thru them and find one of me with my eyes open, I'll post it.

M and her friend M showing off their new haircuts and matching PJ's (also had matching M earrings and pink swirled crocs). They went together and sat side by side smiling the entire time. My M had about 7 inches cut. I was worried but she wanted it cut and has loved it.
Our big adventure on the surrey bikes. Who knew that 4 adults and 4 kids could fit on one bike. C (the man in the pic) had the hard job of steering and braking, the rest of us just had to pedal. The kids wanted to keep going but after an hour the adults were ready to call it quits.
A and L(almost 3 yrs) playing on the beach. The water was way cold. We let them get as wet as they wanted one day but not this one. It is alot of sand to clean from a tub after 4 kids have to be cleaned from a beach trip. We spent 4 days on beach and 2 of them they got wet the other 2 they stayed dry. The water is different each day, 2 of the days it was too rough to go into.
Most inportantly A learned he could do the fish hook. You can try it at home. Reach your arm behind your head then using one finger put inside the side of your mouth and pull. I won't name names but someone in our family can't do this move.

Not pictured: 1. Our trip to Gillroy Gardens- an amusement park. 2. My whale watching trip with S (men and kids stayed home) where we saw 4 kinds of dolphins and some whales and got to go to the top deck with the captain because his wife is S's dental hygenist. 3. The fire pit which the adults sat around (the nights we were not playing Wii) and listened to C play some awesome guitar. 4. The several parks we played at 5. L's birthday party with the HUGE jumpy castle 6. The night R and I went to dinner and a movie ALONE.

Thanks to our friends who were great hosts!!!!!!!!!! You guys ROCK! Maybe it will be our coast next time. 2/101

Bathroom Reader Time: #1 Baby Seals are called Weaners (Hope R never lets A know that one!!!). #2 . The Pacific Ocean is 36,198 feet (about 6.85 mi) at its deepest point.