Our D.C. Trip: July 4th Weekend!

*HAPPY JULY 4TH 2009* July 4th News from Glen Beck: Hello America, Here it is, another Fourth of July. Traditionally, this is a day to gather with friends, maybe fire up the barbeque and play with kids until the sun sets and the fireworks start. But in thinking back on the meaning behind this day, we must never forget that our nation was baptized in the blaze of a very different kind of "fireworks." Yes, this is a day of rest and relaxation, as well it should be, but this year…I'd like to ask you a favor. At some point during the day, I hope you'll take time to think and reflect on what it is we're truly celebrating on the 4th of July -- our Independence Day. Of course the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776 but it's so much more than that. On this day, 233 short years ago, a small group of men dedicated themselves to a higher purpose, an ideal they believed in so greatly, they signed their name to its expression and in doing so put their very lives at risk. Never has a simple act of signing one's name carried such weight, such a profound commitment. By signing the Declaration of Independence, 56 men stood in direct defiance of the British government. They became marked men, and willingly so. As I was doing some research on the significance of July 4th, I came across some interesting facts about these men. Today as we all enjoy the freedom our forefathers guaranteed us, join me in honoring the extraordinary sacrifice of 56 extraordinary Americans. Of the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence: Five were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes burned to the ground. Two lost sons serving in the Revolutionary Army, and two more had sons captured. Nine fought and died in the Revolutionary War.

If you ever feel like your lone voice can never be heard, that the political system isn't set up for "regular" Americans to change the course of history, remember: The signers were flesh and blood, mortal men with a divinely-inspired aim. Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists, eleven were merchants, and nine were farmers and large plantation owners. They were well educated, smart enough to know that by signing the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their own death warrants. They did it anyway, and God bless them for it. As we enjoy our liberty on this 4th of July, or any day of any month, we must never take that liberty for granted. Too many have given too much. In the words of the Signers themselves, "For the support of this declaration, with firm reliance on the protection of the divine providence, we mutually pledge to each other, our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." Their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor -- I think that's a price paid worth a few minutes of reflection, don't you? But let's not be solemn in that reflection. I say rejoice and share this information with your friends and family, especially your kids. The Signers asked for nothing in return for their pledge, but I say that we show our thanks with a pledge of our own: To remember, to be grateful, and to carry on in their spirit. America is the greatest country this world has ever and will ever know, and it will stay that way so long as "we the people" remember that just like in 1776. It's US that surrounds them, and we'll never back down. Happy Independence Day, and God bless America. news@glennbeck.com Day 1 D.C. Trip We walked all around Downtown where Uncle Andy lives, went to Cosi for lunch, took a walk to see the new town where Uncle Andy wants to move, but unfortunately we just got the news that the apartment building he liked is too noisy(poor noise control) in the building. So hopefully, something better will come along for him that will be just perfect. We went to the diner for dinner(which isn't just a normal diner), the food was fantastic and the kids had so much fun. Connor put all the straws on the table together to make a straw tower and was just laughing and singing songs, all the people in the restaurant were getting a kick out of him. By the end of the night we walked miles and miles and were all beat so I think the four of us were in bed before 9pm. Saturday, July 4th Day Two: My day started with a great run all around D.C. Chandler and I headed out about 6:50am and tried to find the white house,but found every street but the white house. We did about 40 minutes of running and then found a sign on our way back "White House" this way so we both looked at each other and said "what the heck, lets go for it". What an amazing site to see in person and on the 4th of July. So we ran a total of about 6 miles give or take all the pausing for intersections and lights about every 300 feet. We walked the infamous 6 blocks to the zoo(according to Andy everything is about 6 city blocks away, really 4 miles away) and we all got to see Panda's for the first time in real life. The zoo was great and the kids had tons of fun eating ice cream, watching animals and splashing in the water sprayers. I really wanted to go to the mall to see the parade and concerts, but when we discussed going, I wasn't even thinking that the mass chaios was going to be too much for the kids. The concert was Barry Manilow and didn't start until 8:oo pm anyway so the kids would never have made the all day wait to hear the music. Uncle Andy suggested that we go to the zoo and stay around town. We were always planning on watching the fireworks from his roof top so this was a great idea. We had our own great music from some people that were on the roof top too. Mara and Connor were dancing all around and every direction you looked you saw fireworks. It was just INCREDIBLE! We are really going to miss Uncle Andy's rooftop next year, but I'm sure the view from the new condo will be just as great! ZOO PICTURES

Sunday, July 5 Day Three: Final Day and boy or boy are the kids exhausted. We attempted to go see the Museum of History, but only got through the Star Spangled Exhibit and then Mara bailed. I had to take her outside to get her to take a nap. Connor went through the transportation exhibit, but didn't understand that he couldn't go on the buses, motorcycles, and trains so he wasn't too happy. We decided to go to the store and buy a few things and then head over to eat lunch. We got back to the hotel around three and packed up for our 3 1/2 hour journey home that should have only been 2 hrs. I think next year we will stay an extra day to avoid all the traffic. The kids were so tired of being buckled in the stroller and car seats, Can you blame them?

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