Carmel apples

Here are the carmel apples that we made for Family Home evening. Daniel, of course, loved it and luckily Isaac was asleep. I'm not sure how messy it would've been if he had joined in the fun. In our church we have a youth mentoring program - we lucked-out and were assigned Lorajean. I was her primary teacher for three years so our family already knew her well. She is great with the kids and we love her to visit anytime!
Daniel digging in.

Philadelphia: Historic district

The last day we visited the historic disctrict where Marc met us for lunch. Marc with the boys - facing the liberty bell with Independence hall behind them.

Where the Declaration on Independence was signed. Daniel actually looks interested.
Isaac crawling outside the National Constitution Center.
Daniel trying to test the waters of the Delaware river at Penn's Landing.
Our visit to South Street was interesting.

The double stroller was not the best option for the small sidewalks but the boys didn't mind. I treated them with an ice cream cone from Dairy Queen and it was soon all over. Many people chuckled at the ice cream-filled faces so they weren't too angry when I cut them off with my monster stroller.

Behind the boys is a huge house covered with mosaic (a must-see on South street).

The last stop on the way home was at Pat's Cheese Steaks. Marc followed the strict directions for ordering a steak and of course we had to have it "wit cheese" - which means onions with cheese-wiz. When in Rome . . .

Philadelphia: Schuylkill River & Rittenhouse Square

After the museums, we headed back to the hotel along the Schuykill River. The view of the boat houses from the back of the Philadelphia Museum of Art
We walked on running trail along the river and we all got tired of hearing "on your left"
Daniel loves to throw rocks in any body of water so he was happy here. The biulding across the river is the train station.
They both loved this even though they look indifferent in the photo. An added bonus of seeing the train so close was that the men honked and waved for the boys.
Our hotel was located in the Rittenhouse square area.

Here are the boys in the park trying to get a closer look of the lion.
Isaac trying to give the frog a little kiss.

Philadelphia: Art Museums

After visiting the Franklin Institute and the Children's museum, we wanted to visit some of the museums with the Philadelphia Museum of Art. There are three museum and we saw two of them. The first stop was the Rodin Museum. Daniel thrilled to be photographed with the thinker.
Isaac admiring the physique of one of The Shades or of Adam - Can't remember which.
The catherdral - Me Gusta!!
A park-stop between the museums.

The boys LOVED these swings. We played there longer than any museum visit.
Rocky with the jogging stroller.
A view of Philadelphia from the museum's steps - you know, where Rocky trained.

The museum put the boys to sleep - or maybe it was just the peaceful Japanese Teahouse.

Philadelphia: Children museums

Last week we joined Marc on a business trip to Philadelphia. While Marc attended a conference at Wharton, the boys and I toured the city. Here's Daniel at the Franklin Institute. And of course those rope wouldn't stop him.
Isaac learning about electricity.
Isaac crawling through an artery.
Daniel passing through the pulmonary valve. In the Franklin Institute they had a huge heart where you can travel through all the chambers & valves. Daniel kept trying to go backwards which cause a small back-up.
We then visited a Children's museum across the street. Daniel didn't keep that apron on too long- and yes, he tried to strip down then his cloths got a little wet.
Boys and Trains.
The boys eating plastic croissants at the miniature grocery store. I wonder how many germs they picked up from that.
Daniel on the slide

Daniel Loved the Where the Wild Things are exhibit. He had a hard time sharing the boat with other visitors.

All in one Day

I thought Isaac wouldn't be such as terror like his brother Daniel . . . I was wrong. Hot Chocolate anyone? How about a Quesadilla?

I wonder what plain flour tastes like -Ask Isaac he knows.

And I thought my kitchen was baby-proofed.

Alexandria

On Saturday we visited Old Town Alexandria The boys warm in the stroller while they viewed the boats and the landing airplanes.
Isaac HATES wearing mittens and hats. He usually wins with the mittens by just holding them. But we win with the hat - the hood can't be pulled off. Oh, the battles we choose to fight. Later that evening we had a dinner party with former employees of the BYU International studies program (ISP) office. My kids are the ones without the pants.

How we got the kids to sit there - Thank you Baby Einstein.

Renwick Gallery

On Nov. 6th we visited the Renwick Gallery with the Smithsoniam Art museums. It was dark inside so many of our photos didn't turn out without the flash.
Isaac loving the carpet.

Daniel, once again, took his shoes off and ran around the carpeted hall.The gallery is across the street from the White House. These protesters were out that day (the day before the elections) trying to be heard - believe me they were with their microphones.
With the loud shouting the boys didn't seem interested in the White house.
A man in Lafayette square fed these squirrel with peanuts. He must do it often because they were waiting for him to get the food out.

They kept running up to us thinking we had some peanuts - the boys loved it!

Air Force Memorial

The boys, Madison and I all visited the new Airforce Memorial. It was the day after Halloween, so that may have accounted for Daniel's endless energy (current research shows no association between energy levels and sugar intake but I beg to differ).

Notice how Daniel is always running away
The glass etching, that is now smudged by 6 littles hands, depects a missing man formation, where four planes are flying together and one flys up out of formation. When we were at the memorial four jet flew over us and did just that.
Don't you love their bodies against the glass.
The view of DC and Arlington cemetery.

A view of the Pentagon. Daniel was less than thrilled to stay seated for the photograph. Above Isaac's head is the side of the pentagon that the plane hit on 9/11.