I Cannot Live Without Books!

This is a quote from Thomas Jefferson. While Pops may not agree ideologically 100% with Thomas Jefferson, he definitely can respect a man with a collection of 1000s of great books. 

And architectural prowess.

We first came here together 13 years ago and fell in love with the house...

and gardens!

I just couldn't pass through Virginia on the great Arkansas Road Trip of 2006 without stopping at Monticello. Sandy and the kids were big fans too.

I'll never forget Abz the little butterball crawling on the lawns while Sandy and I took turns touring the mansion and watching the kiddos...

Another glorious Spring day

We applied some of the lessons learned on that last trip. The littlest got a pass on the tour while the rest of us went through in shifts. We didn't want to risk ejection because of tantrum or defacement of a national treasure! Everyone was happy and Superkid even said, "It was cooler than I thought it would be." Win.

I enjoyed spending time with one of my favorite cousins!

A big treat, we sampled 3 spears of Monticello asparagus. The gardeners awarded them to us after badgering them with questions. Abz and her cousin ran to the fountain, rinsed them off and polished them off immediately! Delicious!

Little Chief sported the period appropriate barefoot option...

This will not be the last pic you see of a Toad hamming it up at Monticello!

Crabby Paddy Anybody?

I just can't stand it. 

He is just so yummy I'm going to stuff him in between two pieces  of bread and munch him up. 

Those are Pops' words, but I want a bite too!

Watch Out Redcoats, The Toads are Coming, The Toads are Coming!

Next stop, Yorktown!

Just in case you didn't get a 5 on your AP history exam (or even if you did and just stink as an American) Yorktown was where the Revolutionary War was decided. The Red Coats surrendered to General George Washington and the rest is history baby.

Let's be honest, up to this point we had spent considerable time tethered like *this*

and *this*

We were all happily driving along listening to the audio tour of the great moments and sites of Yorktown when the kids politely asked if they could get out and explore some of the earthenworks of the inner and outer defense lines. We let them out on time previously served and "good behavior".

This was some serious fun.

We spent a good amount of time spying on the Redcoats...

Charming the soldiers...

Holding our re-doubts...

And scrambling for our cannons...

But the best part for me was General Washington himself. This guy took his job *SERIOUSLY*. It is a good thing too. If it weren't for him, we would be bowing to a king. You have to admit, Tad makes a fabulous George Washington. Especially when he barks orders in that little 3 corner hat. Although, I am not sure if George Washington displayed such concern for Cornwallis' soul. Tad was very concerned. He asked more than once, "Dad, did Co-w-nwallis (Cornwallis) go to heaven?"

Watch Out Confederacy, Here Come the Toads!

This is the Confederate White House.
It is nestled tightly against the hospital and skyscrapers of Richmond, Virginia

Some of us are more familiar with the exterior than the interior.

These 2 are double trouble!

Next up on the list, the Governor's Mansion

And the Virginia Capitol

It hasn't changed too much in 13 years. 

But *WE* have. 

Last time Pops and I were here we were packing considerably lighter!

About 5 kids lighter. 

While we didn't get to enjoy the itty bitty details like we did on our last trip, and didn't exactly get to re-create our memorable trip, it was fun to create some new memories in Richmond...

Like our Southern Belles fanning themselves on the Capitol steps.

And then there were a few moments that we will selectively edit from our memories as well 

(stinkin' GPS has no respect for the great John Marshall) .

Paradise is Mine

We are *loving* Springtime! 

...and the gorgeous bulbs Holly sent from Holland.

It has even inspired Abz to prepare a perfectly pleasant picnic for her brothers beneath the magnolia trees.

Giggly Jaws

We interrupt this regularly scheduled April Vacation update to report that Jaws (yes, I have settled on Jaws) has now added giggling to his bag of tricks. It is really a survival skill around here. You gotta make yourself known and he's found that that a belly laugh really pulls in the crowds.

We Love This Maryland Life!

We miss the Landrith's every day. 

But mostly on Sunday. 

Church just isn't any fun if you can't talk about the seedy underbelly of the church's past. We miss our outlet, right Pops?

After seeing their beautiful Maryland lifestyle I can't say I blame them for bailing.

It was actually H who came up with the Maryland state motto (or at least it should be). Shortly after moving, she was riding along in the family car when she piped up and cheerfully said to her mom, "I like this Maryland life!"

It was Tadpole who not only has a way with mixing words, but also has a way with mixing drinks, who came up with the "Cokenade". LC and KJ were big fans.

We can't stand that they're gone. 

But we sure love that they at least moved to our favorite fun place. We will see them again soon and often.

To Infinity and Beyond!

The kids would have been thrilled to play in the hotel all day. 

I'm not sure why we try so hard.

But with cousins cued up and the Air and Space Annex to explore, they didn't put up too much of a fight!

This is easily Superkid's happy place.

The girls could care less where they were as long as they could be together!

The littles were just happy to be un-tethered with wide expanses to roam (run).

And Tadpole will put up with anything that involves a gift shop.

But we had important things to see. Like the Enola Gay. 

You know, the HUGE plane that dropped the atomic bombs on Japan.

AND Space Shuttle Discovery. Amazing. Seriously amazing.

And SOOOO big. 

Can you imagine how much energy it took to thrust that bad boy into outer space? 

I wish I could have seen that.

The SR-71Blackbird that brought the boys (even the biggest boy) to their knees. 

It's a spy plane you know. It goes 3Xs faster than the speed of sound. Think of that. Go U.S.A.

And what about the F-4? This is the plane that Uncle Dave flew in the Vietnam War. Only his was cooler because he was a Navy man and flew this sucker off of an aircraft carrier. Can you imagine?

I had an amazing time. The whole museum was spectacular. But Pops, who you may know as a history and legal buff, is also an airplane guy. He knows them all. I would have guessed he studied for years in preparation for our visit. Turns out he pretty much did, only it was about 25 years ago. 

Having my own personal (hotty) expert made the museum the best ever.

Another fun day.