Quick trip to D.C.

The grand finale of all of our summer trips was to D.C. just two short days before we had to say goodbye to Josh forever (not really forever, I'm just being dramatic).  Just goodbye for 2-3 years is all.  More on Josh's crazy choice of job later.

First stop was the D.C. zoo which was kind of impressive for a free zoo.  I couldn't believe how many different kinds of animals they had and was really impressed what they had done (with taxpayer dollars, of course).  Then we left and had to pay for parking.  That was where we realized that it's not really a free zoo after all.

Then we headed to the mall to check out the museums.  We were planning on just going to the Natural History museum until both kids fell asleep in the double stroller at the same time.  We sneaked into the American History museum so Josh and I could get our NERD on.  BONUS!

In all seriousness, some of the stuff in there was amazing.  Just standing in front of George Washington's jacket alone was enough to almost make me emotional.  Very, very cool.

Rex loved the natural history museum, especially the stuffed animals.  After seeing the zoo, I think this was all a little confusing for him.  He had just seen the live ones, now we're seeing the stuffed, dead ones?!  He thought that was pretty weird.

And now for the real reason we went to D.C.

See that little "Short Pump, VA" sign at the bottom?! Yep, we are getting a Cafe Rio in our neighborhood in Richmond next year.  Now I KNOW we picked the right place to move!

Busch Gardens

After our beach trip, we had about 3 weeks before Josh was going to start work.  We wanted to make the most of them so we found a few fun things to do in and around Richmond.  One thing we did was drive out to Williamsburg, VA (about 45 minutes) to go to Busch Gardens.  Since going twice in one year was more expensive than a season pass...well, we bought ourselves some season passes!  We had a lot of fun and now we have a reason to go again soon.

The first thing we did once we were in the park was head over to the Sesame Street section where they had a roller coaster for kids over 38".  Rex just made the cut and he was thrilled!

I wish we could have captured his face during the ride because he was scared out of his mind.  It went much faster than he (and I) had expected.  Afterward, he got off and jumped up and down exclaiming how awesome it was.  Guess he kind of liked the thrill factor.

Josh and I were able to ride 2 adult rides while taking turns.  Here Rex is eating an entire bag of cotton candy while he waits for Mom to finish riding.

And the best ride of the day award goes to this roller coaster.  You can see Josh in the front row in the white shirt.  If you want a serious thrill...this is your ride.  It was an absolute blast! Definitely worth every minute of wait time and having to ride without my significant other.

The Alger Family Beach Trip

Because you guys haven't seen enough pictures of our family at the beach in recent months, I thought I'd add a few more.  We took a third...yes, a THIRD trip to the beach in June to spend a week with my family (the Algers).  It was a much anticipated trip since we did it two years ago and it was one of the best vacations of our lives.  We had so much fun this time!  I really think the combination of my favorite place on earth (Outer Banks, NC) with my favorite people (family) was just what I needed!  

The first couple days we had great weather and we spent them entirely at the beach and at our pool.

 

And then we had some not-so-great weather days and we spent them

At the aquarium

Playing rock band

Playing inside the house

And eating, eating, eating.  Did I mention we ate a ton?

On our night to cook, Josh and I made sand pudding for dessert.  Thanks Pinterest!

And we picked the windiest evening possible to take family pictures.  About 99% turned out horrible, here is one that will have to do.  Still, there's hair flying EVERYWHERE.  Never wished I was a boy with short hair more than I did that night.

We all (yes, all 24 of us) went out to dinner together to a pretty fun seafood restaurant.  They had a tank outside with different kinds of fish and animals you could pick up.  I would love to know what Rex was saying to this puffer fish.

And that about wraps up our trip.  Josh and I had fun, Evelyn had fun (we know this because she NEVER complains) and Rex has probably never had more fun than he did this week with his cousins.  He can't wait to see them all again.  

It was such a fun trip and we look forward to the next time we're all together at the beach!