Well, we just got back from our AWESOME trip! It was so much fun and well worth the time and money. The kids got along great and there was little bickering...that means from all of us! LOL We all handled the long car rides and long walks in the cities very well. The weather was quite favorable the whole time.
****Warning...this is the l-o-n-g-e-s-t post in history, so I'll try to keep the comments minimal******
We made a quick, unscheduled trip to Notre Dame...BEAUTIFUL campus!
Touchdown Jesus
The kids thought Buttzville sounded like a nice place to live...
Look, I can sympathize with the larger woman having been one once, but can someone tell me WTF is THAT?!? This was one of the first views we saw from our NJ hotel room, and we are completely baffled (not to mention nauseated). If anyone knows what on earth you're looking at, please inform me, cuz I haven't a clue!
Off to visit Lady Liberty
Pictures really do not do her justice. She is quite a spectacular view in person, I highly recommend taking a visit to see her.
The old torch.
Actual size of her face.
...and toes...can you imagine the cost of THAT pedicure???
I wonder if Jack's ears were this big, would he listen better? Hmmmm...
A view of the inside of the Statue of Liberty.
Up on the observation deck.
A VISIT TO OUR FRIENDS JEFF, JENN, CHARLES AND JACE
These little guys are so super cute and friendly in person. They were ready for any one of us to pick them up and play with them... not your typical shy one-year-olds. We had such a great time with you all. Thanks for the great eats and better yet, the great company. It's always such a joy to visit with you.
Jace thought it was so much fun pushing Jack down over and over again.
Charles getting tickle-tortured by his Mama... and loving every minute of it!!!
Charles Jace
Jace and the kids.
Charles showing of his super swollen gums...poor guy is teething like crazy!
Ferry ride into NYC!!!
First cab ride for the kids...I don't think it scared them since they're used to my driving...
The kids were excited to see the statues from Enchanted.
I think we need to have a talk with Jack...
The kids thought Central Park was one of the best things about NY.
We let Jack and Kate romp around in the water even though we weren't prepared for it.
What a cool site. To see this really cool playground tucked into a major city like NY. Notice how close the buildings are behind it.
We had a carriage ride through Central Park. Our horse's name was Molly and she was super sweet and friendly. I don't know how she stays so calm with all the traffic and honking horns.
A scene from Enchanted
Another scene from Enchanted
NY wouldn't be complete without a Michael Jackson impersonator. He was actually quite good too.
The kids were feeling pretty tired and hungry right about now. This was all of our first times on a subway, but after the short ride, the kids were ready for a lot more walking to get to our restaurant of choice: Lombardi's (GREAT pizza). It was well worth the wait (and walk).
On top of "The Rock" with the kids.
Kids are always so determined to use these stupid things...I don't know why they don't make them shorter because kids are the only ones who want to use them in the first place. Once they're big enough, they really don't care anymore!
The view of central park from above.
A huge globe in the NBC store.
A walk in Times Square. We stayed one night there...we figured the kids would think that was pretty cool...and they did! We found it extremely convenient.
The boys after a long day of fun in the sun and pool!
(Notice their crazy hairdos!)
Jace was having a blast with Josh and Josh was having a blast with Jace!
Charles is trying to figure out what Jack is up to and why he is so interested in his blocks...
Char-loots (as Jeff calls him)
Both boys wanted to attack Kate. Jace started it...
...and Charles finished it!
WASHINGTON DC
We went to Arlington Cemetary first thing. We watched the Changing of the Guard and then right after they changed, the new guard stepped into this little booth and made a phone call. Everyone was really confused as to what was going on. Then another soldier appeared with a type of water bottle and I believe there was powder to fix his slippery hands?
Washington Monument
WWII Memorial
Don't worry...they weren't playing in the water...just getting a better look!
If ever I go to DC again (which I suspect I will), I really want to visit Ford's Theater and the home where he died (directly across the street). There is just so much to do in DC that we really couldn't get it ALL done in 2 1/2 days. We snapped these from our tour bus.
We visited three of the Smithsonian museums (plus the zoo). We saw the Air and Space (pictured), the Natural History and American History. We thought the Natural History was by far the best, then American and lastly the Air and Space.
We saw and IMAX film about ocean life. It was super cool in 3-D...and we were so cool in our shades...
The kids got to hold a couple of creepy-crawlies at the Museum of Natural History. I think Jack gave the scientist a heart-attack when he ran off with this little guy to show Kate!
Jack was only allowed to hold this little guy when he promised not to run away again!
The actual top-hat that President Lincoln was wearing when he was shot.
NATIONAL ZOO
My darn camera ran out of batteries, but I was able to get two great shots of the panda eating his icy treat. This zoo is really great...and FREE! Most things in DC are. A lot of the animals put on a really great show. I'm not sure if it has to do with the way they time their feedings or what. We watched a woman come out and stratigically place this oversized popsicle in the perfect place for all the visitors to watch. Then she left the pen and immediately, this panda came out, plopped down and started in on the popsicle. He was scratching at it, licking it and biting it. It was a lot of fun to watch and pandas are just so darn cute!
I have a few more pictures I'll add to my next post. I had to use my phone to take those pictures since I forgot the charger for our camera...oops!
A SHORT VIDEO OF THE KIDS
