Road Trip to DC

We set out from Nebraska on a Monday and rolled into DC on Tuesday. Day one, we stopped for lunch with Granny and Papa in IN then pressed on to somewhere south of Toledo. Note to self for next time, the Country Inn and Suites were really nice. Day two, we stopped in Pittsburgh, PA for lunch at, you guessed it The Hard Rock Cafe.

One of the quietest cafes we have been to, and really understated. But, as usual, good food and good service. We were across one of the three rivers from the two sports stadiums, and had a pretty view.

The historic iron works were neat and the little area we were in was pretty, but getting out of Pittsburgh was an adventure. The GPS on my phone took us over the river, through the woods, and along the Mason-Dixon line to get out of PA. I guess it avoided the PA toll roads, but I am not sure that was better. There were times we were the only car for miles in them mountain passes. But we eventually made it through PA, WV, and MD to VA and Stacey's house. I absolutely loved being near one of my closest friends again, and the kids played like they had never been apart. More to come...

Family Vacation 09

Yes, I know - finally. So we took the kids to Walt Disney world for the first time. We figured we might as well while they are offering the military specials. What an awesome time we had. We went in the middle of July-the hottest and busiest days they have-but it wasn't bad at all. Hot, but not humid, and not nearly as busy as I expected. We didn't wait more than 20 minutes for any ride in any park with the exception of Peter Pan's flight in the Magic Kingdom at 12:30AM during their 'extra magic hours'. Staying on the property was worth the money, their transportation system was awesome, the dining plan did save us a lot and we were over-fed, and our resort was just fun. We even got to hang with some friends who happened to be their at the same time. The days were long and we were exhausted when we got home, but it was totally worth it.

Day 1 pics-Arriving

Riding on Disney's Magical Express

Disney has their own section of terminal to pick up it's guests and transport them to the property-they even collect the luggage for you and deliver it to your rooms-awesome. You watch a neat little video on the way.

Welcome to Walt Disney World

This was the most fun part. We stayed at the Carribbean Beach resort, in a pirate room. Yes, a pirate room. It rocked.

The pirate ship beds

Captain Jack Sparrow

(This painting is of Jack at the end of the Pirates ride here)

The curtain separating the vanity area

Inside the barrel of rum was our fridge

These 'crates' were drawers

There was also a trunk, another barrel without the front as a nightstand, a table with a map on it, and an awesome carving of the Flying Dutchman on the wall in the shower (I fogot to get a picture). But I had already unpacked and had stuff on those items by the time I took pictures. Oh well.

I was tagged...

...and I wouldn't normally, but for Holly's friend Melanie, who wants to see someone who's fourth picture isn't of adorable kids, here you go.


This was the fourth picture taken on our brand new, 2.3 megapixel digital camera, 5 1/2 years ago. It was fourth of July weekend and we had driven to Normandy, France (we were stationed in England at the time). Le Mont St Michel is a big rock that houses a monestary and tiny village. When the tide rolls in, the road and parking lot are covered over and it becomes an island. It was beautiful. I know my picture doesn't do it justice so click on the link and have a gander at some professional shots.

And I am sorry Melanie, but I had to include this shot.

Jake, 2 1/2 and Elle, 6 1/2

This pictue was my favorite from this trip. I can't believe how little they were! It was taken in the Monestary, in the inner courtyard, and it brought back such vivid memories. That summer was the beginning of our countdown to PCS'ing from England. We had one year left and, even though we had done a lot of traveling, we felt a panic, like we hadn't done anything. This was the first of many amazing things we saw that year. By far and away, the beaches of Normandy was our favorite trip in that four years. And finding Le Mont was a bonus, we found it by chance during our wanderings, looking for the WWII cemetaries that dot the countryside.

I am so ready to go back overseas.

Day 2, Part 3

Okay, part 3, are you ready for it? Ready, set, go!

After the cave, baby and I headed for the hotel to rest (haha). Ben took the kids horseback riding. After that we met with G&G and headed to the edge of town to the little 'mall'. There is an alpine slide that sounded like fun so Ben took the kids on that (it was expensive then totally lame, not recomended). After that, Grandpa decided that they really needed to take the helicopter tour of Mt. Rushmore so off they went. Then we got dinner at the cash only pizza place (? Isn't this the 21st century?) and ice cream at Dairy Queen. Whew! Deep breath.

I took 158 pictures this day. Here are the fav's.

My beautiful girl
My crazy boy
Enough said
Self-portrait
After all the, "please daddy, please, can we ride horses", we get this face. And a lot of, "we're scared, we changed our minds", after they were on the horses.

Settled in


They survived (Someone else got thrown off on the trail, that didn't really ease their fears)

And for those who care, my damaged foot. Some of these are the original bruises, some were left by my walking brace over these two days.

The ski lift up - with no restraints

Coming down


Getting briefed about the flight

Off goes my family on a helicopter, yikes!
The view on takeoff

Mt Rushmore Keystone, SD

Ben has declared he wants to fly these next

This really was a looong day