I've had so many people asking me to post this, so here it is!
Ten glorious days spent back East in Williamsburg, Virginia and Washington D.C. - glorious because we saw and learned and did so many wonderful things. Even more glorious because we left Adam at home! (Yes, on purpose.) We will be eternally grateful to Tom and
Julie and their family for graciously volunteering to have Adam stay with them so that we could actually
enjoy our vacation rather than have it be the nightmare that it would have been had Adam been with us. It's the sad truth. They truly saved our vacation. Thank you, thank you , THANK YOU Tom and Julie!!!!!
We flew into Norfolk, Virginia and had about a one hour drive to the Marriott in Williamsburg. On our way we got, well, lost......
somewhere in Virginia. (I'll just say we were having a bit of trouble figuring out our new GPS.) While we were trying to find our way back to the highway, we came across this hole-in-the-wall restaurant called
DOUMARS. We were all starving so decided to stop for a BBQ sandwich, which apparently is their specialty. Come to find out, Mr. Doumar was the inventor of the ice cream cone! Who knew?! They still have the first machine that made the cones, and they use it daily to make fresh cones for their customers.
Matthew and Haylie and the first ever ice cream cone maker.
Inside Doumars with our BBQ sandwiches and shakes.
The
Marriott at Ford's Colony. This was our building that our condo was in. I loved how everything was colonial style! It is so beautiful there.
Matthew just outside of our condo. The grounds were beautiful with squirrels and bunnies running around everywhere!
COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG....
Our first day in Williamsburg we spent in Colonial Williamsburg, a Colonial town that is full of original (and some reproduction) homes and shops from the 18th century. It was like stepping back in time. It was also like stepping into a furnace! Little did we know that a freak heat wave was to plague the east coast while we were there! I can't even describe it. There are no words, other than just thinking about it makes me want to cry. Right now. It gives a whole new meaning to the word "unbearable". The temp the day we arrived was 107. Add the intense humidity to that and, well, it was simply unbearable. We endured 3 days of just really, really, really hot temps. Everyone kept appologizing to us for it. There were signs out warning people to "stay indoors, drink lots and lots of water". Luckily on our 4th day, it broke. The rest of the trip was in the mid-90's, which after going through what we did, it felt like winter.
Haylie fell in love with these Colonial ladies hats.
I felt so sorry for these guys, having to march through the streets in their long sleeves and tights in that kind of heat. I hope they were getting paid 10 times their norm! It was so fun to listen to them! Things like this really made it fun. We were able to join the march and follow them to the courthouse (where needless to say, I started into heat stroke. Luckily I didn't go all the way down!).
Matthew and Thomas (Jefferson, that is).
There is this maze there in Colonial Williamsburg made of tall hedges. It was Matthew's favorite thing! He liked it because he pretended it was the maze in Harry Potter.
Oh the heat! Taking a break in the shade. We bought these mugs that have unlimited refills of juice and lemonade. We sure took advantage of that! I couldn't even guess how many of these we went through. I don't think we've ever consumed so much apple juice in our lives! They were a life saver. It was amazing how we could drink what seemed like gallons of it in a day, yet we rarely had to go, um, well...... pee (sorry, it's true). We sweat it all out!
Locked up and dying of heat exhaustion.
Colonial Williamsburg has several taverns. We ate dinner at this one - Sheild's Tavern. Can I just say the food was divine?! Totally yummy.
They sat us in the basement of the tavern for dinner. The ambiance was fabulous.
Raegan has this.....thing where she makes creations out of left-over food.
Her creation with our leftover tavern food. A snowman with chicken bones for arms? Oh kids! Sigh.....
In Colonial Williamsburg is the church that Thomas Jefferson attended. We went to a concert there one of the nights. In the gardens of the church is a graveyard with many very old graves. This one in particular I thought was so touching.
"Here sleeps in Jesus united to Him
by faith and the graces of a christian life,
all that was mortal of Mrs. Ann Burges
once the tender and affectionate wife
of the Rev Henry John Burges
of the Isle of Wight. She died 25th
December 1771 in giving birth to an
infant daughter who rests in her arms.
She here waits for the transporting moment
when the trump of God shall call her
forth to glory, honour, and immortality.
Oh death where is thy sting?
Oh grave where is thy victory?"
JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT....
These are the photos that make me want to cry. I have never in my life felt heat like the day we were at
Jamestown Settlement. Normally they have many volunteers and employees working outside dressed in period clothing doing demonstrations and such. Not this day! There were only a few out. Two men on the boats (both of whom I thought were going to die right in front of us!), a musketeer and a woman weaving. It was just too miserable and dangerous to be outside. (Oh ya, this is the day that I had the melted chocolate disaster inside my purse. Not to be confused with the TWO mugs of apple juice that dumped out entirely in my purse - that was a
different day.)
With the musketeer.
Do these pictures even give you an idea of the sweltering conditions?! Here is John with the sweat just dripping off of him.
And poor Matthew!
The kids in armor - each about to slip into a heat coma (Haylie was already there!).
The art of glass blowing. This was so cool! Let's just say I made a pretty nice dent in John's wallet at the gift shop here. Love my hand blown glass!!
MT. VERNON....
This tree was AMAZING! It is a pecan tree which stands right next to the two-story Mansion at
Mt. Vernon.
George and Martha Washington's tombs (George on the right).
BERKELEY PLANTATION....
Berkeley Plantation, (on the James River) was the estate home of Benjamin Harrison - a signer of The Declaration of Independence. His son William Henry was the 9th President of the United States, and his grandson Benjamin was the 23rd President. Berkeley was also the sight of the FIRST THANKSGIVING!
Raegan in front of the house. The plantation was like stepping into Pride and Predjudice!
The James River.
GETTYSBURG....
John desperately wanted to go to
Gettysburg. I was a little uninterested, to say the least. Boy, am I glad he talked me into it! What an amazing experience! It was so much more than I expected. The new museum is top notch - one of the best I've been to, and the battle fields.....what an experience to be there and feel that feeling of standing on hallowed ground.
The kids on a cannon used at the battle of Gettysburg.
Looking down the barrel of one of the cannons.
Little Round Top was one of the pivitol areas where the Union defended the Confederacy. Many, many men died at this sight.
Brooke and me at the top of Little Round top looking into the battle fields. It really was surreal to stand there knowing what had taken place there. You could picture in your mind the battle and the many casualties lying all around on this hill and in these fields.
Well, tragedy has hit. This is the ONLY picture that I have found from our time in Washington D.C.! Where are they?! All my photos of the capitol, The White House, the monuments and memorials, Arlington, the temple?! I am losing sleep over this one. I won't give up until I've searched every file on my computer. They have to be somewhere! I'll post them if.....NO, I mean
when, I find them.
This is Lynette. Lynette is a little in love with Jason Castro. This was Lynette's reaction when Jason Castro came walking towards us. Lynette needs to get a grip. Lynette's reaction is just a little much for someone of Lynette's age.
Jason does have great teeth!
...the hair. Oh, the hair!! Lynette, did you SEE IT? I mean did you REALLY see it? If you didn't, then just click on the above photo for a close-up. Just be prepared if you do. Ewww.
Signing Raegan's shirt (while her heart is melting).
Haylie's turn for his autograph.
Several fans gave him presents. I wonder what was in them. Hmmm, perhaps a toaster, crock pot, or even a blender. You know, something for his future wedding to my daughter. Like a pre-pre-wedding gift.
David's dad - Jeff Archuleta. He was SO nice! He hung out with us after the "stars" all went back in and just chatted with us. He told us lots of inside scoop on his son ;) My girls asked for his autograph which he thought was really funny. He gave it to them though!
When Brooke White came out, the crowd went wild (almost as wild as when Archie came out!). She was trying to quiet everyone down so that she could tell us that she was on "vocal rest" so she wouldn't be able to talk a lot (see how she's pointing to her throat?). However she ended up talking to us A LOT!
Brooke signing Raegan's shirt.
Haylie gets Brooke's autograph.
Haylie, Raegan, me, and Chad with Michael Johns.
And.....Michael signing Raegan's shirt.
Here comes Kristy Lee!
David Cook - cookin' at the concert.
After Monday night's concert. 
Girl's Night Out (plus one boy - sorry Chad, you're a good sport!)
Haylie, Syesha, and Raegan.
Awww. Isn't he cute?!
Screaming Archie fanatics!
David Cook signing my poster!
