Our next stop was to Washington DC.  We always wanted to bring the kids and with this trip it will be a culmination of two separate trips.  This first one knocked off a number of the must see outdoor memorials.  They each struck their best official pose in front of the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building.

Our first real stop was to visit the White House.  Although Heath looks unimpressed he really did enjoy the sights of the day.

Across the street to the Washington Monument where they were getting their spidey senses raised because they weren't expecting it to be so tall.

Then over to the World War II memorial.  They have two Great Grandfathers who fought in the war and a Great Cousin who did as well.  

They learned that when the war was won festivities across the world were had and many people took to celebrating in fountains and reflecting pools.  This memorial is built to be able to sit along the edge and dangle your feet in the fountain in memory of those moments.  It was a little chilly to dip our toes in but they still got to sit along the edge.

A wall of gold stars with a placard explaining that each gold star represents 1,000 souls who went to war from the US.

The beginning of the Vietnam Memorial.

And Korean War.

Walked up the many stairs to the Lincoln Memorial to visit with Abe himself.  We took a rest at the top of the steps to enjoy the view then got some lunch to re energize for the walk across the Potomac River to Arlington National Cemetery.

We took advantage of the hop on hop off tour bus and glad we did because we learned so much about the cemetery.  We visited JFK's flame, RBG's final resting place, the tomb of the unknown soldier, learned the history behind the significance of the poppy, went by the only, non-service, civilian resting place and why, and so much more.  One day we'll go back to the museums and indoor sites but this was truly a perfect day to be outside to visit.