The Ward Family: 2011

Post Date: 2011-12-27

Ryan and I have had a wonderful Christmas this year. Christmas Eve we spent in Perry with the Ward family. Everyone was able to make it!! Christmas day we spent the day with the Reinschmiedt family. In addition to the Reinschmiedt's, Horace and Jan were able to make it too!

I have the week of the 26th off from work (kind of). I will be in and out of the office all week taking care of things... but on my own schedule. Hopefully this week will provide me some relaxation and time to get some other projects done before I head back to work and school.

Below is the last portion of our vacation... AND some pictures of the kiddos!!! Get ready for this marathon of a post.

The first portion below is from the Smithsonian National Zoological Park. I love the zoo!! Seeing all of the different animals is so much fun. Ryan, Megan, and I spent several hours there. Check out more information about the zoo at http://nationalzoo.si.edu/.

Below: Just blending in and being one with the animals.

Below: Elephants... as big as they are, are really graceful creatures.

Below: They look so playful. Remarkable animals.

Below: I think this is an ostrich. It kept peeking around the tree... cute!

Below: Ryan with the flamingos!!

Below: Flamingos are odd creatures.

Below: I would be golden if I could sleep like this. I could take a power nap anywhere!

Below: This panda looks like he fell off the rock and passed out!

Below: So sleepy. I just love their big paws.

Below: This is an odd little monkey. He was very fast and ornery.

Below: Cutest thing I saw all day!

Below: The gorillas were very interesting to watch. They were all very playful... except the male who was sleeping in his tree house.

Below: The baby gorilla. He was an ornery lil thing.

Below: This is a Komodo dragon. Creepy if you ask me.

Below: The orangutans have a really neat set-up at the zoo. They have two different houses at each end of the zoo. They can travel on land or by these cables to either of the houses. They have the option of going where they want to go.

Below: If you know me, you know I love cats. I love the lions big heads and massive paws. Such powerful animals.

Below: Tigers are such beautiful animals.

Below: White with black stripe,s or black with white stripes?

Below: We then headed to the Washington National Cathedral. If you are ever in DC you must visit the Cathedral. We were there about a week before the earthquake so we were able to tour. This place is amazing. I don't know how else to describe it. Pictures will not do this place justice.

Below: The pulpit is at the far end of this picture. Amazing craftsmanship.

Below: The stain glassed windows here were amazing. We have a booklet that tells us what each of them mean, or the story behind each one.

Below: The detail of the pulpit is amazing. I know I keep using the word "amazing" but I don't know how else to describe this place.

Below: This stain glass window is located at the end of the sanctuary.

Below: I thought this was neat.

Below: There were also woven tapestries that depicted stories in the Bible. The one below is of the story David and Goliath.

Below: While we were in DC, we also caught a Nationals vs. Reds. The Nationals won! There was about a 30 - 45 minute rain delay. Still fun though!

Below: The race at the 7th inning stretch was a group of President's. Apparently one of the President's never win. It was hilarious!

Below: Ry and I after the game.

Below: We went and saw the Iwo Jima monument. I think I circled this monument three or four times.

Below: Then we headed to the Arlington National Cemetery. This is John F. Kennedy's grave site. You can find out more information at: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/VisitorInformation/MonumentMemorials/JFK.aspx

Below: We came across this memorial walking through the park.

Below: This cemetery is amazing. The stones all perfectly line up every direction you look at them.

Below: We visited the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I could sit and watch the guard methodically marching and guarding the tombs for hours. What a commitment and honor they take in guarding those tombs.

Below: You can see the the worn places on the cement and walking path where the guards have walked for hours, days, and years.

Below: The changing of the guards.

Below: The new guard receives a thorough inspection before being allowed to guard the tombs.

Below: For more information on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier go to: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/VisitorInformation/TombofUnknowns.aspx

Below: Throughout the cemetery we kept seeing headstones with rocks placed on them. I looked up online what this could mean and came across this information: http://www.ehow.com/about_6457920_do-stones-placed-grave-mean_.html. I don't know whether this information is accurate or not.