National Zoo Lights

We did not make it to see the National Zoo durring the day, but we were able to go for an evening of the Zoo Lights event. It was a great night! A few of the buildings and exhibits were open for us to visit along the trail of lights.

These dancing pandas, albeit a bit strange in this more than life size snow globe, they were engaging and playful with the kids.

The light displays were beautiful and the ones set to music were fun for the kids to sing and dance with.

It was a real treat to see the Pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, being active this evening. Raven LOVES Pandas. There was a zoologist available to talk about the research they are doing with them and tell visitors about Panda daily life. Very Cool.

Washington National Cathedral

The Washington National Cathedral was first the idea of L'Enfant's in 1791 as a "great church for national purposes." It was not begun to be built until the early 1900's. It was not considered "completed" until 1990, 83 years of construction. 15 Presidents have had their funerals at the Cathedral, 5 have held their presidential inaugural prayer service, and there is a Darth Vader sculpture near the top of the west tower.

National Ait and Space Museum Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

I don't think that we could have made a better choice for seeing the National Air and Space Museum than we did going out near Dulles to the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. A short drive from DC, the thousands of aviation and space artifacts are well showcased and easily strolled around to take it all in.

The Space Shuttle Enterprise in the McDonnell Space Hanger was amazingly big.

It was not crowded, so we were able to enjoy reading about and looking at aircrafts, prototypes, bombers and airliners and so much more.

Arlington National Cemetery

It was a very cold, brisk morning when we visited Arlington National Cemetery. I was unsure what to expect when we arrived, the sprawling hills of headstones were awe inspiring.
We were able to watch the change of guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Here are the kids at the resting place of JFK. This spot has a great view of the Mall.

U.S. Marine Corps War Memorial

The Marine Corps War Memorial stands as a symbol of honored dead of the U.S. Marine Corps. While the statue depicts one of the most famous incidents of World War II, the memorial is dedicated to all Marines who have given their lives in the defense of the United States since 1775.

The statue is 32 feet tall with a 60-foot flag pole, on which a cloth flag flies 24 hours a day and is replaced regularly.

This was a very meaningful visit for Raven.

National Museum of American History

If the Smithonian Institution is "America's Attic" then the National Museum of American History is the really-cool-you'll-never-see-it-all corner of the attic that you just want to try on the old shoes, clothes and masks and play dress-up.

We saw so much and at times got distracted enjoying the sights we just forgot to take pictures. For those we did take, if you really want to see them, they are all on the web albums.

"It's not easy being green" . . . yes that's what you want to sing when you see Kermit.

These are the real Ruby Slippers, a great find for us Wizard of Oz fans!!

Korean Memorial

Years ago when JB visited DC on business, I remember pictures he brought home of the Korean War Veterans Memorial. It was rainy and foggy and the statues of the soldiers in the field seems to breathe.

When walking upon this memorial on the clean, sunny Sunday that we visited it, I did not feel the same effect as I remember from the pictures before. Nonetheless, it is a moving and meaningful memorial.

Washington Monument - to the top

We were fortunate enough to be able to get tickets to go to the top of the Washington Monument. The tickets are free, you just have to be there early to get them and flexible enough to come back when a time is available. It was a beautiful clear afternoon when we rode to the top.

The view from the top was so cool! It was fun seeing all of the places we had been and planned to go.

Here is Raven taking the picture above:

I like this one of the Capitol:

This is the Smithsonian Castle, the original building that housed artifacts and research. It now has operational offices and a rotating exhibit in a small area, it is also the resting place of James Smithson, the benefactor of the Institution, in his crypt. A picture of this to come later from our visit to the Castle.

You can see the change in color of the marble stone used to build the Washington Monument. If you are interested in the details of why . . . see details.

FDR and Jefferson

The FDR Memorial is one of my favorite National Memorials. It so well represents not only the man, but the era in which President Franklin D Roosevelt served in history. It takes the passage of time to best view the impact of a man or generation and this memorial gives us that experience, not just in a single statue or picture, but a space that you utilize all of your senses from his first term to his last.

In contrast, is the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, which (fun fact) the initiation of the construction of it in 1933 (the cornerstorne was not laid until 1939) was by FRD. The monument is nicknamed "Jefferson's Muffin".

It is a tribute to Jefferson's insipration and many accomplishments.

WWII Memorial and the Little House

It was a beautiful Sunday and we made the most of it; walking all (most all) of the major Memorials around the National Mall.

The World War II Memorial, one of the newer memorials, pays tribute to the legacy of "The Greatest Generation" by honoring veterans, victory on the air, land and sea along with honoring the sacrifice on the homefront.

From a ways away the Lincoln Memoral appeared quite small, which lead Luke to ask if we were going to see the "little house". The nearer we got to the structure, the more he realized that it was not small.

Dinosaurs and Giant Crystals at NMNH

After arriving in DC we ventured out for an evening visit to the Smithonian National Museum of Natural History.

Santa sends the Akins to DC for Christmas 2009

The Christmas Eve snow storm of 2009 not only brought us 14 inches of blowing snow, but also sent Santa with a trip to Washington DC! Although when Santa left the North Pole on his annual journey to bring joy across the world, he was unaware of the havoc that the storm would behold on OKC airport. SW Airlines called us on Christmas Eve and broke Santa's surprise by canceling our outgoing flight Christmas day due to snow & ice. We were able to reschedule for the day following, which worked out to be the best. Here is our wonderful Christmas adventure in DC.

14 incher Christmas Eve

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
Raven & Luke played out after the wind finally died down a bit on Christmas Eve. Church services were canceled, so we were in for the night.
Our little angels love to make snow angels!