Oma and Grandmike

USMC War Memorial

Netherlands Carillon

We had an amazing time last week with the first of our many scheduled visitors.  Legs's dad Grandmike and stepmother Oma came to DC and we filled their time with as many outings as possible.  We started by showing them around Rosslyn, the area of Arlington in which we live...







The Netherlands Carillon was especially cool to visit with Oma since she is from Holland.  The bell tower was a gift to the United States in gratitude for aid provided during and after WWII.  I never tire of seeing the USMC War Memorial, and I love to see people's amazement at how massive and lifelike the statue is in person.  Everything from the wrinkles in the Marines's uniforms to the expressions on their faces; the statue is a wonderful embodiment of Marine Corps grit and esprit de corps.

Our next destination was the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in the National Mall.  We saw many beautiful exhibits and here are a couple...

One statue from a Chinese Zodiac Calendar sculpture

A random bronze sculpture outside the museum

The next big adventure was when Thumper and I met Oma at the Lincoln Memorial and walked along the Reflecting Pool to the WWII Memorial and then on to the Washington Monument.  The day was absolutely gorgeous and we all had a wonderful time...all of us except Thumper that is.  He's reached a rather independent stage in life where sometimes he knows what he wants and if you tell him, "No" he replies with, "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"  When we got near the Reflecting Pool I had to put him back in the stroller after a couple close calls with him trying to run straight into the water, and needless to say, that was one of those "not what I want to do" moments.  He screamed for the entire length of the reflecting pool, and then around the WWII Memorial.  He finally calmed down as we closed in on the Washington Monument, and he was right back to normal for the Metro trip home.

The Lincoln Memorial

The Washington Monument and Reflecting Pool taken from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial and Reflecting Pool taken from the WWII Memorial

WWII Memorial

The last wonderful excursion of Oma and Grandmike's trip was a dinner cruise along the Potomac River.  It was absolutely amazing out on the water.  The food was delicious, the staff on the boat were extremely friendly, and it was beautiful to see Oma and Grandmike spend time with Thumper.  To be able to relax with family and allow Thumper to enjoy the luxury of grandparents was marvelous.  It was a much appreciated moment that we often miss due to our life in the Foreign Service and living so far from family.

Looking back at DC and the Washington Monument from the boat

A beautiful shot of the American Flag hanging from the back of the boat

Nationals Stadium during a night game

Frederick Douglass Bridge at night

A picture of the Capital Building on the walk back to the Metro

There you have it.  All you need to do to get a blog post dedicated to you is come out and visit us.  Thank you so much to Oma and Grandmike for coming out to see us.  We had a wonderful time, and the experience for Thumper was truly invaluable.  There are many more pictures on the Shutterfly site, with actual people in them, so make sure you check them out if you have the password.  We are excited and anxiously awaiting our next visitors!

Happy Travels!