Daddy's band marched in the Memorial Day parade in Washington, DC so mommy, the busters, Jennifer and grandma and grandpa Driver took a road trip to DC. This was the first of three legs of the trip for the kids. We had a great time and the kids were amazing travelers. Our trip included a 15 hour car ride there, a night in the hotel with just mommy and the three kids, seeing daddy for breakfast with all the band kids, hanging out with Nama and Papa, riding the metro, walking around DC in 90 degree heat, a trip to the Smithsonian to see the dinosaur exhibit (a favorite moment for the boys) and of course seeing the parade - which of course the highlight was watching daddy and the Pennfield Marching Band march down Constitution Ave. We had a fabulous time in DC and hope to take the kids back when they are a little older and can appreciate some of the history behind this amazing city.
Car Ride to DC (15 L-O-N-G hours)
David enjoying a movie with the headphones
(which the boys thought were super cool, even though
they were so big they came down to their cheeks!).
Jennifer was a great baby in the car!
She chose to sleep most of the car trip away!
Thomas loved his headphones and movies!
Pa driving with the moving playing at the top! Almost to DC!
Can't have a car trip without a little Starbucks
for mommy...of course I shared my buna with my boys!
Happy car rider!
Finally to DC and in the Hotel Room!
When we finally made it to DC we found out there were no adjoining hotel rooms for mommy and nama and pa since there were four bands staying at the hotel. So..mommy was on her own for the first night with the kids. but first we played with the goodie bag from the concierge, had some dinner in the room and then were off to bed (but it was 10:30pm before we were all getting settled!). Thankfully Nama got Jennifer to sleep while I got the boys settled. It was a long night with one child or another getting up every 45 minutes or so! But we all survived and were off the next morning to figure out the metro system and do some sightseeing.
Getting ready to head out for a day of fun!
Riding the metro. The boys weren't sure at first but
soon realized it was fun to ride a train!
Bro, bros
I was thankful for the stroller that held four tired
feet and kept them close.
Jennifer loved her view from the stroller.
David, Thomas and Nama at one of the memorials.
David, the ham.
Mommy and the Busters
Can you find mommy and Thomas?
Thomas helping Pa figure out where to go next.
After a long day of sightseeing we headed back to the hotel to let the boys play. Daddy had told us we could use his room - then we found out he was in a one bedroom suite! He was living the life while the kids and I were crammed into one room. Well, I guess that isn't really true...he was in charge of 70 students and had a lot of responsibility...guess he deserved to have his own room on the floor with all the band students and their noise! However, we did take advantage and let the boys play in there. The first thing they found were the drum sticks! It made for some good entertainment.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day brought out all of our patriotism. We dressed in our stars and stripes and red, white and blue to head out for the parade. The parade started at two so we headed down about 12:30 and secured a spot in the shade - thank goodness since it was over 90 degrees outside. The poor band kids in the wool uniforms. The boys were good and patient, but it was a long parade. Daddy's band marched in the Vietnam section of the parade and at 3:15 we were only in the war of 1812. We finally saw the band about 4:30 and then headed back to the hotel because we had a drive ahead of us. The kids and mommy were leaving nama and pa to enjoy a few days in DC while we headed for fun at the Hollandsworth's in Virginia.
Pa and his grandkids.
Patriotic Jennifer
Riding the metro
David and Thomas decided to share shoes and each one of their brothers. It was a funny sight to see them walking around (all day) with two different shoes on.
Thomas watching over Jennifer on the metro.
Nama and David
Pa and his buddy Thomas
Jennifer, Pa, Thomas and Mommy
Pa checking the map...almost downtown for the parade!
Waiting for the parade to start...thankfully we found a shady spot to sit.
Thomas
David
Mommy and the busters waiting for the parade to start.
We got down there about an hour early...by the time
the parade started the streets were full!
While we waited the boys played in a puddle on the edge of the street.
David
Thomas
Nama, David, Jennifer and Thomas watching the parade
Thomas loved watching all the bands in the parade.
Cool shoes, cool sharing!
Mommy watching the parade with the kids.
Nama, Thomas, Mommy, Jennifer and David
Nama and David during the parade and the loud noises!
The did a fly over in the middle of the parade...the boys thought is was so cool!
The Crew!
Jennifer anxiously awaiting the Pennfield band!
Where is daddy's band? About two hours into the parade I could no longer hype up daddy's band coming. David said "He's never coming!" Thankfully we finally saw the band about 2.5 hours into the parade.
Here comes...Pennfield Bands!
Daddy hugging Thomas quickly as he walked by.
What a hot day to march in long sleeves!
Thomas walked right out into the street to meet daddy and give him a hug - after all that was HIS daddy walking in the parade. David was tired and playing shy so he didn't step into the street for a hug. Then he proceeded to cry because daddy didn't give him a hug! Even now when he watches the video (two weeks later) he says "Daddy didn't give me a hug" - silly boy. Good thing daddy gave him lots of extra hugs since then and even sent David a video message after the parade to tell him he loved him.
After the parade we headed back to the hotel and into the car - it was off to see the Hollandsworth Family...but not without a four hour drive with mommy and the kids (Nama and Pa stayed to enjoy a little bit of DC - kid free).
Very cool, Julie! Glad you all survived the trip! :)
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