Keenan Reunion 2015

The Keenan reunion was in Washington DC this year and we decided to make the 15 hour drive. Day 1 the kids did great and we drove about 11 hours (about 14 hours of total time). The kids were excited to sleep in a hotel and I was excited to be out of the car. Day 2 was more difficult. We thought it would only be about 4 hours of driving, but with a lot of rain and traffic it took awhile longer and the kids were ready to burn off some energy when we arrived.

On day 1 of vacation we went to Arlington National Cemetery. It was more walking than I remember, but we did make it to the tomb of the unknown soldier and were able to see the changing of the guard. After that we went to church and relaxed the rest of the day.

On day 2 we took a day trip to Annapolis, MD to see the Naval Academy. I really enjoyed walking around the campus and having Dad as our tour guide. The chapel was beautiful and it was lots of fun taking cannon pictures.

Naval Academy Chapel

John Paul Jones

Fun on the cannons

Keenan Grand kids

On day 3 we were able to go up to the top of the Washington Monument. I got tickets months in advance for our group because it was something that I really wanted to do. I think the kids enjoyed it. After that we walked down to the Lincoln Memorial. Henry was very excited while we were walking because he wanted to see it. Once we arrived and he saw it, he was ready to go back. He wasn't interested in hanging around while Pete and I were reading everything. After that we called it a day.

Henry was very excited to see Lincoln- ignore the other tourists

Anne and Lincoln

View from the Lincoln Memorial

Riding the bus is so much fun

Watching World Cup Soccer

Anne with Uncle Eli (who was nice enough to haul Anne around DC)

On day 4 we took the kids to the Air and Space Museum. I thought they would enjoy it, especially Henry, but I think they were too tired out. We spent a couple hours there, but it was a tough day. We called it a day and spent some time hanging out at the house waiting for the others to finish their museum tours.

Henry's picture from the air and space museum

Anne's picture from the air and space museum

Worn out

On day 5, we spent a lot of time relaxing at the house preparing for our return trip. Henry and I did make a quick trip to the zoo with some others and he had a great time with his cousins. Anne spent some time having tea parties with Grandma. Hosting tea parties was Anne's favorite activity of the week and would have been happy to have them all day long. Grandma was a great sport.

On day 6, we started our trip back home. We drove by the Washington DC temple just to be able to show it to the kids, but we were too vacationed out to look around the visitors center. The return drive was sunny, but the kids were far more challenging. As always, the hotel was a huge excitement and the stay is always too short (for the kids). We were able to get to Pete's brothers house in the afternoon the following day and the kids always have fun playing with cousins. We had a cookout for the 4th of July and were able to see our newest nephew blessed at church. After church we drove the rest of the way home. It was good to finally be back home.

It is always so good to be with family and we have so much fun, but it can also be hard being away from home with our kids. Overall, it was a great trip, but the driving in DC is horrible!