SEPTEMBER 2009: Lessons of Liberty!

OUR FIRST, HISTORICAL Adventure: Thomas Jefferson's, Monticello. This was his favorite place in the world. He grew up here as a boy then eventually decided to study architecture a bit so he could build his own house. This more well-known view is the back where guests would roam the lawns and gardens.


After a short video, we chose to walk 0.5 miles up to Monticello. The trees were so dense, old, and felt full of history! An enchanting walk.
Thomas Jefferson's head stone--I love how it was the brightest one in the sunlight! He is surrounded by family members and friends

This man studied much more than I knew. The thirst for learning is inspiring. Jefferson had gardens galore! Here's an attempted photo. This garden was wide and about 1/4 mile long at least.
Ah, how lovely and romantic is a LONG trelace of beautiful flowers and sweet peas?

An overlook built along the edge of the garden into the valley below.
A better view of where Weston was sitting
The back porch of Monticello
A favorite. Weston and Monticello reflected in the fish pond (catch a bunch of fish, stick them in a pond close to the house, then get the one you want for dinner! Brilliant! Now-a-days that's a 4-star restaurant)
AT LAST, our first trip into our Nation's capital: WASHINGTON, D.C.! We took the opportunity to extend our temple trip and train it into the city the following day. It was so amazing and we can't wait to go back! It would take weeks to really see the "ins and outs" of this inspiring place.

The Washington Monument pictured behind the beautiful WWII Memorial
Hmm, until the kids are grown or people are close by, most our pictures will look like this. Weston's really good at getting the object behind our hugemangous noggins.
Learning from Amelia Earhart
The Spirit of St. Louis! This tiny thing flew non-stop across the Atlantic--without cruise control.

Wow, how things have grown!
One of my favorites. The Lincoln Memorial was a reverent and inspiring place. It was easy to feel and see the Lord's hand in instituting this Nation for His eternal purposes.
View Lincoln Memorial from the Washington Monument
At last! The White House! There was some kind of even going on it seems, so of course the tent was bam, right there :) We could see the bee hives and garden that Michelle Obama put in. Pretty amazing to be there!
The World War II Memorial was another very inspiring place to be. Some veterans of that war were visiting the same day. Very touching.


The Sculpture Gardens. This serious bunny-thinker was my particular favorite there. Ah, it makes me happy!
WOW oh WOW!! We had no idea the Art Museum at the National Mall was so HUGE and contained so many incredible works of art. Weston, the painter, was in art history heaven. We could spend hours there, so we just stayed in the French art section. MONET--"I've seen paintings of that painting"--here it is!
One of my favorite Monet's. A cottage in early morning. Beautiful flowers. Country. A pregnant wife saying goodbye to her husband for the day. Beautiful!