Great Falls and Iwo Jima

On Easter, while my sister was in town, we went to Great Falls on the Potomac. When we first went here, our west coast background came out and we geared up for a long hike and prepared for some physical exertion. It is a flat trail and is fairly short. But it is beautiful nonetheless. Mark was climbing all over the railing, but he is always good to pose. A good distraction for him and from giving me a heart attack!

The kids climbing on the rocks and enjoying the wind. Anna of course had to get in on the fun too!

Vicki and Ben and the boys hanging out on a bridge over the C&O Canal.

And, a close-up.

Anna stayed on the ground with mom. It isn't that she didn't want to go up with the others, but she is a little more fearless than she should be and is entirely too fond of stairs for someone who doesn't know how to navigate them yet.

My sister, Vicki, really wanted to see the Iwo Jima memorial and I was glad that she did, as we hadn't been yet. It looks much smaller in pictures than it does in real life. I am always amazed at the emotions the memorials evoke in me. I always come away with more respect for the soldiers and for the country that they have fought so valiantly for.

Vicki and Ben below the memorial, but it kind of puts the enormity of the statue in perspective.

Anna mostly loved to walk around. Have I mentioned that she has been walking for about a month now? She would always walk holding on to my hand and seemed to have no desire to let go and try on her own. She hated to fall down and would act as though it were a mean, cruel punishment to even try to have her possibly walk on her own and get hurt. But, upon Vicki's arrival, she decided to show off and really has been walking on her own ever since.