Family Visits -- Finally!

I realize that having flight benefits, it makes more sense for us to go visit loved ones who live across the country. But I would totally love it if my family were able to visit more. So when my cousin from Oregon called and asked if he and his 12-year-old son could come stay with us for a week and visit all the historical sites, I was sooo excited!

Chad is a cousin who I saw a lot growing up. He was a little shy and probably overwhelmed by my loud sisters -- yes, I'm not the loudest one. Then when I went to college, I moved in with his family. So for a few years I was the older sister he never had.
Chris' schedule was great the week Chad and his son Josh came to see us, meaning he had a lot of days off to play tour guide -- one of his favorite things and one of his many talents.

The first place we took them to was Annapolis to visit the Naval Academy. Now, I do love a man in uniform, so you'd think I'd be in heaven with all these sailors walking around. But I realized something as I watched them marching by -- they are little boys! I felt like their mother and wanted to give them water and tell them to go sit in the shade because it was too hot to be out doing drills. Yes, it was a little heartbreaking to realize I'm old.

My favorite place to take family when they visit is Fort McHenry. It's such an amazing part of history that we live close to and very emotional as you hear the story of Francis Scott Key seeing our flag flying from the fort and how he was inspired to write The Star Spangled Banner. Then they play our National Anthem and it always gives me goosebumps. My favorite memory of this place is when my parents came to visit back in 2001 and seeing my dad cry as our anthem played and he saw Old Glory flying above the fort. I'm so glad he and my mom were able to experience this amazing place.
We were fortunate enough to be at the fort when they took the huge flag down for the day. There was a troop of Boy Scouts there helping with the flag and they stepped aside and let the girls touch the flag. We, of course, had to take them to downtown Baltimore and let them walk around the pier where people watching is always entertaining. The girls and I were ready to go home after a long day of touring, but Chad and Josh were all excited to see their first Orioles game at Camden Yards. So Chris and Alec shared that experience with them.

Another spot we took them to was Harper's Ferry. I think the kids favorite part of this site were the free popsicles from and ice cream shop. This day we also added another child -- I like to think of Tyler as my second son, since he fits in so well with our family. Plus he can take a punch when my girls attack him.
One site we've been to before and I still get emotional visiting, is Antietam. It's an eerie feeling being in fields where there was such a tremendous loss of life.
The boys at a bridge where a bloody battle took place. Alec and Tyler felt the urge to reenact the battle scene.
Apparently Antietam has very large bugs hanging around -- ewwww! Their trip wouldn't be complete without seeing all the Smithsonians and touring the Capitol.
I wasn't disappointed I missed the day in DC with them when they toured the Air & Space Museum, since they spent nearly all day in there. Alec wasn't happy I deleted the hundreds of pictures he took of airplanes. But honestly, he could go back and see them any time.

Of course they couldn't leave without touring Gettysburg. They did a lot of walking that day, so I was happy to let Chris go without me since I didn't have the day off of work like he did.
Chad and Josh went crabbing on one of their last days with us. We've been here almost ten years and have never done that! Yes, we boiled some water and cooked them for a late night snack. I was freaking out a little, but the girls loved it! They couldn't wait to stick the crabs in the hot pot and then enjoy some crab meat.

That week having Chad and Josh here was great. I loved having family with us and it went by so fast.

So if you're ever wondering where you might go on your next family trip and you love historical sightseeing (and we're related) consider a trip to the east. You're feet will be achy, but you're guaranteed a great tour!