Bike the Sites!
I cannot say enough good things about this experience. If you ever plan on visiting the DC area and want to tour the sites and memorials this is the way to go! I had taken a mistep earlier in the week and suspected (and later confirmed) that I had broken my foot. I have walked the national mall a couple of times. It takes hours and my feet hurt for days after. With the Bike the Sites tour we were able to cover all of the memorials, saw some new places like the Einstein monument and had a great time doing it, all in one evening. Only baby Wyatt had a hard time and I think that was due to the heat. Even though Ken and I had seen most of the places we went we loved experiencing it again with our family. This one was a keeper!

 
What fabulous families!

 
Luray caverns and maze are just a short 90 minute drive from our house and located in the Shanandoa Valley. We started the day with a tour of the caverns where beautiful formations and fantastic views were around every corner. It was nice and cool underground and it was amazing to see firsthand the natural beauty of the world we live in. After the caverns we had a quick pic-nic lunch, then waited out a thunderstorm in the Classic Car museum. After the storm had passed we ventured into the maze. It was so fun to get lost, turned around and loop the same grounds over and over. Thanks to BJ's good sense we were all able to escape before heat stroke had settled in. This experience just affirmed that although we live in a crazy world where it is easy to loose your way, if you are with those you love and pool your resources the experience can be joyous and detours can be learning opportunities.

Summer Fun!

We were very excited to have my mom, Briana, BJ, Jami and their family come out to Virginia to visit this year. We were on the go almost every day and were able to see a lot of neat stuff. I really enjoyed the time they spent out here and it really brought home the cost of being a military family. I would love to live closer to our families, share more time and build more memories with those we love. It will be a while before Ken retires but I cherish the time that we are able to carve out and spend together.

Mount Vernon

 

Mount Vernon was the home of George Washington and has been kept in great condition by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, who bought and restored the property in the 1800's. The mansion itself is beautiful and the museum is full of interesting facts and films about George Washington and his family. We went early in the day and did not have to wait too long to tour the main house. The kids enjoyed the 4-D movie and when everyone was thoroughly exhausted we ended our day with a picnic by the Potomac river.