Our Weekend Trip

Back in 2009 Bill took an 18 month temporary duty for his job in northern Virginia.  The kids and I joined him in the midst of his time there from June 2009 to June 2010.*  That move could be it's own blog post, full of ups and downs for sure.  I will save that for another time. 

This past weekend we headed back to the same area, where Bill again has been spending a lot of his time with work related goings-on.  The kids and I packed up the car and headed for Alexandria, VA for the weekend to visit him.

On Friday, after a very calm, non-eventful ride, complete with trail mix and Coolatas, the kids were thrilled to see where Dad spends his time away from home.  Very cool digs, indeed!

Saturday's first stop was at the "coolest playground ever" that the kids insisted on visiting again.  The only problem was now that they are a full 3 years older, it's not as exciting as they remembered.  Matt enjoyed it though since he doesn't remember it from before when he was only a one year old.

Clemyjontri is the name of the park in McLean, VA.  It is an all access playground for children with all different kinds of abilities.  It is really nice and boy is it ever big!

 

 

 

 

After that, we stopped in the neighborhood we used to live in.*  This is the house we rented.

 

We stalked our neighbors a bit before they saw us lurking and came outside and gave us the warmest welcome.  I am kicking myself for not getting a picture with them!!

We had packed lunch and found a cool picnic spot right near the river and the runway for Reagan National Airport.  The planes flew right above our heads before landing.  Loud, but totally cool.

We went back to the apartment and went for a swim before heading out to dinner at my favorite restaurant.

 

 

We walked around Alexandria a bit and then headed to D.C.

 

 

 

Sunday morning we went to mass here.

 

I dare you to sit in this church, listen to the pipe organ, take in the beauty, and NOT cry.

 

Breathtaking and powerful.

After lunch it was impossible to convince the kids to do the D.C. museums, so we got an early start on our drive home.  (and that's the nicest way I can put it)

Just like Forrest Gump says:

I'm glad we were here together in our nation's capital.