Washington DC Temple

It was good to chill out and spend some time in the hotel today.  We got up this morning, had breakfast, got ready and packed up and then went for one last swim in the hotel pool before we had to check out.  Then it was back into the hot van to head to our new hotel.  A little construction slowed the progress...which was tough on Tyler since he was already dressed in dress-shirt and pants to be ready for his 1:00 meeting.  Nothing like showing up good and sweaty to a meeting with a bunch of people you don't know!

We got to the new hotel at about 12:55pm and check-in wasn't until 4pm.  Tyler had to leave for his meeting right away which left the kids and I in the lobby with a cart full of luggage and nothing to do and nowhere to go.  The kids were antsy, hungry and hot, which equated to NOT QUIET...and magically a room became available for us.  It's funny how loud kids in the lobby of a posh hotel can do that.  Thanks guys!

We unpacked, headed back downstairs to grab some lunch and then the kids and I hung out in the room for the afternoon.  The kids watched shows on the i-pad while Logan slept and I relaxed for a bit.  It was great.

Tyler came back up to the room around dinner time and we headed out to get a bite to eat (McD's, yuck!) and then went to go and see the Washington DC Temple and Visitor's Center.  We could see the temple from our hotel room, but it's much more exciting in person.

One of the Sister Missionaries at the Visitor's Center gave the kids 'Future Missionary' stickers and let us watch a movie on the family.

Then we headed outside and one of the other senior missionaries took our picture in front of the temple.

Then we walked around the grounds a bit to check things out. 

I actually caught a smile on film!  Only because I told him NOT to smile.  Typical.  

We spotted this little furry friend, and the kids tried to inch as close as possible without scaring him away.

This little garden was behind the temple so we stopped to take a breather and take some pictures.  Here we are, trying to get a picture of the boys and I in our matching stripes.  Max was not picture friendly...again.

The sunset looked beautiful from the temple grounds.  And the drive there was beautiful.  It's like the temple is a true refuge.  In the middle of this busy mega-city there is a beautiful tree-filled park that somehow deadens the sound of all traffic and noise and suddenly you come upon the temple.  It's amazing to walk around and not hear traffic at all.  It was truly peaceful and beautiful.

On our way home we decided to stop by the TLC famous Georgetown Cupcakes.  We went to the Bethesda location, which is not the original.  But it was still cool.  The cupcakes were just ok.

Plus a quick stop at the Apple Store and then it was home for some TV and bed.

Tomorrow Tyler has to get up super early for a meeting (I'm hoping the kids will stay asleep while he gets ready).  We have to check out of the hotel and hang out (who knows where) until he's done his meetings at 2pm.  I'm hoping they'll let me have a late check-out.  Probably something we should have thought of before tonight.  There are a bunch of high-school teams showing up tomorrow though, so I'm not sure if it's going to happen.