Happy 4th of July!

CELEBRATING OUR INDEPENDENCE...ONLY IN WASHINGTON,D.C..

We had a great weekend visiting Uncle Andy and seeing Gramma and Grampa too. The kids were really good, but definitely showing their over tiredness by today. Lets hope for a quick recovery and some much needed sleep tonight. We got to Andy's on Saturday around lunch time and went to Cosi for a quick bite to eat and then headed around town for a little bit before we checked in to our hotel. We stayed at the Renaissance Marriott Hotel in Downtown, DC. It was a great hotel and very comfortable and the best part was that it was only about 3 blocks from Andy's house. Connor went with Daddy and Uncle Andy to the airport to pick up Gramma and Grampa and I finally had to take Mara for a walk to get her down for a nap. After she finally fell asleep I got things organized for our swim/BBQ on the rooftop at Andy's house. Everyone had such a fun time and we stayed out way too late. 

  After our BBQ we went back inside for strawberries, whip cream and pound cake and then got the kids in to their jammies and Gramma and Grampa read them a story which turned out to be very funny for Connor because as Gramma was reading towards the end she realized that the cat in the story died and then decided that the book was too old for the kids and we all started laughing because Connor kept saying he wanted to read the funny part again. Of course he didn't really catch on that the book was not a happily ever after. They still had fun bonding with Gramma and Grampa. I know the kids really miss them since they don't get to see them that often. Mara loves Grampa and Uncle Andy to the point where she doesn't want them out of her site.

 A great 4th....trip to the Zoo...swimming on the roof deck....

and AWESOME FIREWORKS!

Connor set the tone for the day we gave him the option of what he wanted to do for the day and he said go to the zoo to see the Cheetah's. So we literally went to the zoo saw the one Cheetah that was hiding against the wall, caught a glimpse of the Zebra's, the Panda, and explored the bird exhibit and then were all super hot and ready to head back to Andy's for a cool down. We got back to the hotel, relaxed for 20 mins and then went swimming for 3 hours. Mara fell asleep on the way back so Don stayed in the condo with him while Andy, Connor, Gramma and me went swimming. Connor just kept swimming laps up and down the pool. I can't believe he actually made it till fireworks. Mara got up and came to the pool but she has been a little afraid of the big pools and only likes the baby pool now. Andy invited his friend Layla over for the fun and she just loves the kids. She thinks Mara is a total handful and we all know that, don't know what it's going to be like when the baby comes.  We ordered pizza for dinner and then headed back to the roof for the festivities. They had all kinds of festive 4th of July desserts and we got a great spot on the roof. 

ZOO PICS

 Connor had a lot of fun in the bird exhibit looking at all the different birds and was so excited at the end because he saw the wishing well and was able to throw some money in there and we explained to him that when you toss the money in you are to make a wish and Don explained to him what wishes were so he leaned over and said, "I want to be the best hockey player ever, better than Bobby Clarke and Mike Richards" it was really cute. He was so serious about his wishing. 

 Fireworks Video

 

 Here is the Grand Finale of our Fireworks display with a view of the Washington Monument to the left. What an amazing Fireworks show and the best part is that you are still far enough away that the boomers don't scare the kids.They were both totally mesmerized by all the sounds and lights. 

 As you can see Mara is totally exhausted at this point and she just might not make it, but her blankie, nukie and sweet Unkie just make it all okay....

 All tired out...and ready to go home!

We went out to breakfast, walked down to the mall for a quick ride on the carousel(a must do when you visit Andy), explored the fountains and then packed up and headed for the traffic... wasn't all that bad, but took us 3hrs to get home and a crazy lady to battle with at the gas station because she took our spot at the pump. Just had to vent, it was super frustrating that we were backing up in to the spot and she pulled in and said well, got here first. Don't think she knew she was messing with a pregnant Momma because I was mad and let her know it. 

Mommy, Daddy, Look what we found, can we go in....Why not...Life is too short to not have a little fun. They had a blast and so did everyone watching them.

 

 Connor is letting all the water go up his shorts and he thinks he is just the funniest guy.

 Me and Don in front of the castle watching the kids get their pants wet...literally.

Two Tired Pumpkins!

 But what a great 4th of July weekend and we owe it all to Uncle Andy because without him living in DC and having the coolest house ever we would not have had all this fun. The kids were crying as Andy pulled away because they didn't want to leave him and then Connor said and Gramma and Grampa too, when are we going to see them again.... They love you all so much and are so glad we all got to be together and have so much fun.