7.07.2012

Grandma and Grandpa Visit

Our next visitors were Sam's parents.  They had planned their trip before we knew we would be moving (they arrived twenty-four hours after Sam and I returned from Boise).  Needless to say we had a great, but very busy time with them.
 
 
While Serenity and I were enjoying the sights of New York; Daddy, Grandma, Grandpa and the kids enjoyed looking at the cars at the Sycamore Drive In in Bethel.

 

Summer Cruise Night at Sycamore
 

 Checking out the cars
 
After a day to settle in we returned Serenity to her own kids, picked up a rental car and we were on our way south for a few days.  Our first stop was Philadelphia for cheeseteaks, we tried both  Pat's and Geno's doing our own taste test.  Both were great, but Geno's came out the winner for us.
 
Enjoying his "meat meat" sandwich from Pat's
 

Annabelle's turn
 

Onto Geno's
 

Grandpa digging in
 

We then headed over to the Independence Visitor Center before seeing the Liberty Bell and a tour of Independence Hall.  Side note there were so many pictures from here and D.C. that I "limited" it to those with people in them.

Annabelle and the Phillie Fanatic statue
 

Daddy and Hudson with the bell
 

Mommy and Annabelle and the bell's "good" side
 

Grandma and Grandpa's turn

Does not want her picture standing where Lincoln stood
 
or where JFK stood
 

Sam, Hudson, Annabelle, and George Washington

Relaxing in the lawn before our tour
 

Sitting on the steps of Independence Hall
 

Getting directions
 
Then we were off to Washington D.C. and our hotel to rest up for a day in the capital.  We spent one day walking around the National Mall seeing the sights and a tour of the Capitol Building.  It was one long day, but we got to see a lot.  I look forward to going back when we have more time and kids that don't "need" to be carried.

First stop: Starbucks
 

White House from Pennsylvania Avenue
 

White House from the south
 

Walking around the National Mall
 

Fleetwood Four at the Capitol
 

Grandma and Grandpa with the Capitol Building
 
On the tour of the Capitol Building
(in the Rotunda, painting Landing of Columbus)
 

Hang Loose
Photo op with one of our favorite state's statue
 
Reading a story in the Library of Congress
 
 Back outside for more sights and walking

With Thomas Jefferson
 

At the FDR Memorial
 

With Mr. Lincoln
 
Taking a moment to rest
 

 One of my favorite photos from the day
 
The ducks checking out Grandpa's shoes
at Signer's of the Declaration of Independence Memorial
 

Hudson and Mommy leading the way to World War II Memorial
 

The next day we headed across the river to Arlington National Cemetery and spent a short time there before getting in the air-conditioned car (it was a hot and humid day) and heading back home.

 
 We tried to have a some "down" time, but still found things to do.  Like getting in as many story times as we could and a trip to the local zoo.
 
Story Time
 

Peacocks at Beardsley Zoo
 
 Getting a closer look at the prairie dogs
 
Annabelle and the Alligator
(Sam helped paint this during his works volunteer day)
 
 

Cooling off

Then we were off and running again.  We headed into New York to see the 9/11 Memorial and a bit of Central Park.

City Hall Park
 

Resting in the shade on the Brooklyn Bridge
 

Subway ride toward Central Park
 

Great way to travel and great view

Enjoying NYC hot dogs in Central Park

Nothing like a Dora popsicle on a hot day
 




Taking a ride on the Central Park Carousel
 
 
Alice in Wonderland Statue
a very different scene from our last visit in April
 

Yeah for getting a nap in
 
The rest of the visit we stuck close to home.  Both kids got haircuts; Hudson's first at home, Annabelle's first ever.  We visited the Danbury Railway Museum and spent the Fourth of July in Ridgefield with a trip to Dunkin' Donuts, farmer's market and park thrown in.  Sam and I did get out alone a couple times.  We spent some quality time shopping for a fridge for our new home.
 
Here come the clippers
 

Mommy's turn
 

Muscoot Farm for Farmer's Market
couldn't resist the tractor
 

Fun with Grandma
 

Fun with trains at the Railway Museum



Park time 
with
Grandma and
Grandpa
 

 Coloring
 
Cleaning out the Rice Krispie Treat remains
 

Waiting for the Fireworks
 

Snack time
 

Having fun
Playing Ball
 
 
Break for more snacks

Getting Dark
 
 

First Haircut

Beautiful Girl
 

Then it was time to say good-bye and see you soon.  Leaving us with only three more weeks in Connecticut.
 One last game of "mine"