No Mommy, it's George Washington.

We went on our first family vacation as a family of four in July (I'm a little late in posting this but as someone who doesn't have a JOB it isn't like I'm sitting around with nothing to do all day). We flew to DC to stay with my cousins, Jenna and Justin. Now maybe this wasn't the best idea considering they are just celebrating their first wedding anniversary and haven't yet decided to jump in and start the baby making dance. Ben and I figure why tip toe around it, if they want to know what it will be like we'll just shuttle our kids out there and give them a taste.

First a word about commerical travel. ever since Ben began flying he argues that his small (but beautiful) plane is more convenient then going all the way to Ontario or San Diego to catch a commerical flight. I will finally agree he is right! Don't tell him I said that:) We arrived at San Diego two hours before our flight and low and behold after making it to the ticket counter, going through security and reaching the gate all with 50 minutes to spare (at this point were thinkin' we're pretty good! No problems here) We get the announcement that our flight is delayed indefinitely. we call around give our family the warnings when proceed to rebook, stand in a new line, directed to another line then finally we receive a flight and begin boarding. No problem right, well it happened to us again on our way home... a 6 hour delay. So yes, when we travel again I may just let Ben convince me to go in his little plane...it may go slow but at least we'll be moving...Geez I hate it when he's right...

So our trip went well! Ben had never been to DC so everything was new to him. We stayed at my cousins in Alexandria. They were very close to everything. They had a clean couch until Ally came around (read another post to see about that). They had a swing set, a blow up pool and two playful dogs so things were looking pretty good.

Here are the Gad's...

First we visited Mt. Vernon, for those of you who aren't school teachers that is George Washington's house. They have an awesome kids museum with hands on displays and we had cherry ice cream (Natalie loved the story about the cherry tree). This day was a swell day...we headed back to the Gad's (my cousins) for a BBQ, then a really cool thunder storm rolled in which was a little scary to Natalie...

We also managed two airplane museums, both with moderate success. A trip the Mall, not shopping-come on guys! We also visited with the Miles Family, thanks be to Anna who helped Natalie with her princess dress withdrawals. Natalie has an addition now to all things Anna, we have her Tinkerbell dress, wings, tiara, and wand, also some hand me down sandals. She can't walk passed these sacred items without paying homage to Anna. I included pics of this fun night!

A day spent at Busch Garden's was good old fashioned fun! See pics...

We also had one kid free evening (Jenna's boss babysat- props to Shira and Ben for witnessing Natalie's attempt at a sand angel. They were very confused being the east coasters they are - shouldn't there be snow around for such fun? Not in CA where we are, Natalie digs on the sand angels, what CA kid wouldn't). On this blessed evening we went out to dinner in old town Alexandria where we sat water front and attempted a Ghost tour by lantern light. Only the tour was a mob of about 30 people so we passed and I gave the four of us a walking tour with my tourist guide...

Washington's City Townhouse - a private residence now...

We had a great time and overall would consider traveling again with the girls. Ally still lags behind Natalie in the travel department but she is doing alright...she has seen Arizona, Nevada, Virginia, D.C., and has even been up north to Sacramento...she is scheduled for a trip to Indiana.

The topper was a private tour of the Pentagon...jenna arranged it on a Sunday with her special VIP status...the girls were well behaved and Ben thought he was teh big cheese! Thanx Jenna...sorry no pics - it was the pentagon after all!

Enjoy...