This is part two of our Washington D.C. area family adventure, if you missed part one, you can check it out here.
On Sunday, we went to Mass at the very impressive Basilica National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, where we got to meet a fella I like to call “Bring It” Jesus.
Apparently the locals call him Angry Jesus, but either way, he is NOT messing around. You will knock it off this second or he will turn this basilica around. (Molly.)
Frankie’s a big fan.
Every time I look at this I wish I had taken Frankie’s shirt halfway off.
The whole place is very beautiful, and very manly. And the mosaics are right in my wheelhouse of church aesthetics preference.
The kids loved this many-headed serpent mosaic. You don’t see that every day.
In kinder, gentler news, Lulu liked the side chapel of her patroness.
Then we went to Mt. Vernon, to visit with ol’ George and the fam.
I could use a yard like this.
They had some cool activities for the kids that had them running all over trying to solve puzzles.
Then, we were lucky enough to get to meet up with Rosie of A Blog for my Mom (here’s her recap), and Mary of Passionate Perseverance (she brought this, it was super yummy) for a barbecue at Rosie’s house.
Complete with Ascension crafts.
Yay for IRL meetups with bloggy friends.
Monday was the craziest day of the whole trip, schedule-wise. And, the hottest.
Along with Saturday’s tour of the White House, our congressman’s office set up a few other free tours for us. We visited the Bureau of Printing and Engraving. Our tour guide was great, and made the process of printing paper money very interesting for kids and grownups alike.
Then we hustled over to the Library of Congress, which Great Googley Moogley is THE most beautiful building I have ever been in in the entire United States.
Every inch of it is both visually appealing AND infused with meaning. Like the best of the old churches in Europe, EVERYTHING means something.
And SO MANY BOOKS. I loved it.
But we had to run off in a hurry to make it to the Capitol Tour.
THEN, we walked all over the National Mall to see the monuments and memorials and there was ice cream but IT WAS REALLY HOT.
Lincoln Monument . . .
Nice hair, Bob.
And if you’re wondering why Lulu isn’t wearing any pants . . . I don’t
want to talk about it. Let’s just say it was a diaper the U.S.
Capitol won’t soon forget.
The Vietnam War Memorial . . .
The Korean War memorial . . .
A sweaty break in the shade for the cousins. Then RIGHT BACK TO HAVING FUN.
The relatively new and (amazingly) traditionally beautiful World War II Memorial . . .
And the Washington Monument . . .
It looks really big here . . .
But it’s actually only half a Gus high.
Annnnnd . . . there’s more. But that’s probably enough for today. Stay tuned for BIG NEWS of a throwback nature on Sunday, and the end of the trip recaps sometime next week. Have a lovely weekend!
Kendra, I'm a relatively new reader and first time commenter. I'm loving the DC posts because we are looking into taking our crew next spring. These are super helpful in determining what sites we'll want to see. Thanks!
No, no, no, that is CLEARLY Touchdown Jesus!
I love DC. When I was in 8th grade I went to DC for the National Convention of Children of the American Revolution. While I was there, we went to the Library of Congress for me to do research there. so amazing!
So glad you got to Mount Vernon! I wish I could have experienced as a kid (and I love it as an adult!).
I recently stumbled upon the Library of Congress when my parents were visiting – it was one of the few days a year that the entire library was open to the public for tours and IT WAS EPIC! I never knew it was so beautiful in there!
WWII Memorial is hands down my favorite. I love all the cast iron sculptures and finding all the states! We always get a picture next to the state of my visitors when they are around.
"Nice hair Bob". So funny! He reminds me of the drawings of Christopher Robin by A.A. Milne
What a great trip! Thanks for sharing these pictures; I love seeing vacation pics.
You're giving me a serious case of DC nostalgia over here! We moved away 3.5 years ago, and while I LOVE being back in Arkansas, I really miss a lot of things about DC — especially the churches. Between our parish at the Cathedral of St. Matthew (did you make it there?) and our "second home" at the Basilica, we had it pretty good. I spent many a Sunday staring into the gaze of "bring it" Jesus. (Ha! I wish I had thought of that name back then!) … sigh… It's hard going from a place like that (and work/school surrounded almost entirely by Catholics) to being seriously in the minority down here in the south….Looks like such a wonderful trip!
In all of my many times in DC I had never been to the Congressional Library and I would really have missed something if I hadn't visited this trip. The guide took us into one of the reading rooms usually closed. It was Jewish and Arabic history and some way interesting books. Probably even one on "Insult Comedians".
Love the Bring It Jesus!!! You are right – he is NOT messing around!
I CAN NOT believe you did all that in one day! I'm exhausted just thinking of it! You people must be incredibly hardy. 🙂
I am cracking up at the bit about Lulu's pants. Love that you just rolled with it!
Where is the altar with the lights strung over it? In all the times I have been the Basilica, I have never seen it! So beautiful.
It's the Blessed Sacrament chapel. It really is beautiful.
Thank you! I know my little adventure for a weekend soon…
Love and miss angry jesus. Can't wait to move back home. A thousand times better than happy go lucky "you do you" Jesus lol.
Everything about DC is symbolic (and mostly free) and THAT is why I love it! It's been way too long for me and these posts are just making me miss it something fierce!