Washington DC trip cont...

Kids on the metro!  We were on our way to the National Air and Space Museum and unfortunately  part of the metro was under construction.  We had to get off and ride the bus for the majority of the time.  It made the day a little uncomfortable and long.

Here we are on the Washington Mall.

The Washington DC temple is stunning!

While exploring the temple grounds, Jayce was continually reminded by his Dad to stay 

close... Despite all the warnings, Jayce and Avery ran up ahead and around the corner. 

Aaron was the first to round the corner, and as he did, he jumped way back! Then Brian 

came up quickly from behind to see what had caused Aaron to flinch, and there it was -

the kids were both on their hands and knees staring right into the eyes of a thick, 3-foot 

jet-black snake. It got scared away quickly, thank goodness! 

 Jayce showing us how long the snake was...

 and how thick it was.

What a memorable temple visit!

On our way to see the White House, we got word that the President's helicopter was on it's 

way (approaching behind Brian and Jayce).  I think the two dad's were the most excited - 

but it quickly rubbed off on the rest of us!

It flew right over us...

Can you see the snipers on the roof?

Our final stop of the day was the Lincoln Memorial.

On the last day of our visit, we all went swimming!

Some of the most enjoyable moments of our trip were spent just playing or reading or 
watching the kids interact...what fun cousins!

Caleb brought his Superman costume and Jayce was in heaven all weekend!  In fact, before 
we left, Caleb decided to surprise Jayce and give it to him (it was getting a little small for 
him anyway). 

The smile says it all!

Cousins and DC!

At the end of May we braved a 5 hour drive to Washington DC to see Brian, Alisha, Jayce and Halli. We not only had an enjoyable time in the car, we had such a good time when we got there! I'm sooooo grateful to Alisha because she took amazing pictures of the entire weekend and shared them with me. She also put together some blog posts and then gave them to me too. So, these posts are here because of her - Thanks so much Alisha!

We had fun playing around the house, going to Six Flags, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, visiting the Washington DC Temple, the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, and swimming!

Avery, Jayce, Caleb and Presley (Halli was sleeping). We attempted this fun looking sleepover... It didn't work out so well the first night. The kids were distraught when Jayce had to go into another room, and it wasn't until after 10:30 pm that everyone finally fell asleep. I guess that's pretty good considering the Syrett's had never really had any kind of sleepover at all!

The girls reading books together. Halli snuggling with me - so fun!

Having a blast jumping from mattress to mattress!

Presley was a little sad, Jayce went to see what was wrong...

He convinced her to come play, they had so much fun dancing together. Jayce thought she was so cute. He would say, "You're pretty!" She would reply "I know..." :)

Watching shows, reading books...

Caleb reading to Jayce in the back seat of the car.

Six Flags! We all had a great time. It was pretty hot and sticky - there were a few water rides that proved to be favorites.

Avery and Halli.

Rollercoaster thrills - pretty intense kid ride if you ask me!

Bugs Bunny!

(Caleb's on the second row behind Aaron and Presley)

Soaked!

Yosemite Sam and Porky Pig!

Dad's foot got run over on this one :)

Kindergarten graduate

I just put Caleb to bed. He had a t-ball game at a field pretty far away tonight and so it was past his bedtime. I guess that explains his singing. He never sings. I ask and ask and ask him to give me an idea of what he's practicing at school and he always says he can't remember. Last week we went to a kindergarten graduation program at school and during one of the periods between songs Presley (who is the singer in the family) asked in a not so quiet voice, "mom, why isn't Caleb singing?" Anyway, here he is singing one of the songs from his program. I still can't believe it. I can't stop smiling and playing it over and over and over again.

He's finished kindergarten. Wow! Tonight I'm just as full of emotion as I was when I walked out of his classroom that first day. My heart feels like it'll burst. I'm happy and sad and most of all grateful that he loved it.

Two wheel VICTORY!

After only a few backbreaking sessions for Aaron and I, Caleb was victorious at riding his bike! The first time he kept his balance on his own, he was having a conversation with Aaron and did not realize what he was doing. I think he surprised himself at how fast he was riding on his own. As you can see, he is VERY proud of himself. We're all thrilled for him too!

Dance Party!

Avery and Presley had their first dance recital! They were so excited to dance for dad and Caleb. I LOVE their little waves and smiles out to the audience at the same time. Although it seems like three year old chaos, those girls really did have their itsy bitsy spider moves down pretty well (at least during dance class!) It's very entertaining to watch the video back and notice all the unique little things going on. Presley studies the balloons very carefully off to the side at one point, and did you notice the little girl on the other end standing there the WHOLE TIME? Priceless. I think if I remember my dad telling me about my first dance concert, that girl was me. At least Avery and Presley got into it and enjoyed being on the stage. They loved the big "DANCE PARTY" sign and wanted their picture taken next to it!