Another Trip to DC

It's crazy to think we can easily get in the car and drive to our Nation's capital for a walk around the Mall! We actually went to DC to hear George Weigel speak at George Washington University. Weigal is the author of JPII's biography, Witness to Hope, and of the recently released, The End and the Beginning: Pope John Paul II -- The Victory of Freedom, the Last Years, the Legacy. We decided to go to DC early to walk around and to visit the Holocaust museum. We were blessed to stay with Nathan's friend & one of our mission partner overnight. Then on Sunday morning we went to Mass at the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception! It was a great weekend!

 The Capitol

 Washington Memorial 

(we didn't mean for it to come out of my head!)

 The Smithsonian Castle 

(aka Visitors' Center)

 The World War II Memorial. Just behind this is the Lincoln Memorial, but we did not see that this trip!

The National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception

Celebrating Andy's Birthday

What is so great about living in the Northeast is that we get to see family that lives here more often than we did in the past!! Here are a few pictures from our trip to NJ to celebrate Lauren's cousin's birthday!

Linus and Margie!

 Nathan and Lauren

Amy (Margie's sister) and John

Kim and Tom come to visit Philadelphia!

We were blessed to have Lauren's mom and stepdad come to visit us! It was a quick weekend but filled with many great things. On Saturday we took them to Center City to see a litany of things like the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall where George Washington sat, the Art Museum better known as the Rocky steps, and Reading Terminal (think Monopoly!). Then Saturday night we attended a Valentine's dinner at Lauren's school. There Kim and Tom were able to meet some of the faculty and parents of Lauren's school. On Sunday we went to Mass and had brunch. Then we had a leisurely afternoon at home and evening. Lauren's parents left on Monday, but not before they went to visit Valley Forge with Nathan, and then spent the afternoon at Lauren's school for lunch and a Valentine's party! We had a great weekend! We are always sad to see our family leave us, but we are happy they had the chance to see us in Philly!!!

Mom has all of our pictures from the weekend, so I will update this when I receive them! But the one above is a picture of a Liberty Bell Hologram! Can you see mom and I on the left???

George WashingTOM???