Our weekend in Alexandria

We finally got to visit Lauren and Kyle, our favorite new Virginia residents.  My mom, the boys, and I drove up Friday at nap time so that the boys would sleep peacefully and Mom and I could drive without any traffic up 95.  Luckily, 95 really was no problem.  Anderson decided he was not interested in a car nap, though.  And in one of his loudest protests, he woke Brady up.  So I think they each slept about 30 minutes of the trip- Brady the first 30 and Anderson finally gave in the last 30.  Normally he really likes car rides and he's usually great about car naps, but that day he was breaking out all of the stops.  He started yelling, "Too tight!" and yanking on his car seat straps.  This reminded me of Brandi talking about Neely's car seat protests.  Must be a 2-year-old thing!  He also tried, "No tank you," but even his sweetest attempts didn't work.

Once we got to Alexandria we went to a park nearby Lauren and Kyle's house.  Kyle was able to meet us over there after finishing up some work.  The weather was PERFECT, and the park was so fun.  I would've been a little overwhelmed by all of the people there if it was just the boys and me, but with Mom and Lauren and eventually Kyle all there the help and play, it was so fun.

Anderson ended up being so brave and wanted to go down the slides all by himself- a first.
He would say, "Go, Anderson, go!"

Brady catching up on some missed ZZZ's.

By the time we checked in to the hotel, there was really only time to order-in pizza, hang out, and get the boys ready for bed.

The next morning Lauren and Kyle met us at the hotel and we all drove to the National Zoo.  

These two were buddies all weekend.

The blondies 

Orangutan

Making Kyle pose next to the pic of Kyle the Orangutan

I was most excited to see the panda.  The last 2 or 3 times I'd been to the National Zoo, the exhibit was closed or we just didn't make it.  2 weeks ago a baby panda was born, which is rare and quite exciting.  Apparently they are 5 oz. (!!) when they are born.  So the baby panda is still just the size of a rat, and it won't be making any appearances for a while.  This panda fellow was outside, though.

This was all of the view we all got- a napping panda- still kinda cool.

It was a good time to stop and feed Brady.  So everyone else went on, and we stayed on a shady bench right by the exhibit... 

And the panda woke up!  At first I couldn't get a great view, with the feeding Brady and all, but once he was all set, he and I stuck around and took a lot of panda pictures.  This is a cute one. :)  Most of the gang made it back to see the panda up and about, too.

We all ate lunch and figured it would be a good time to head out.  The boys were ready for naps, and both fell asleep in their strollers on their way back to the car.  Usually they both wake up as soon as they're moved, but to my delight, we got them both into their car seats still sound asleep. 

Victory!

We got back to the hotel in time for my dad and Ryan to arrive.  (Dad worked Friday and Ryan worked Saturday.)  Yay :)

Brady was excited about his souvenir from Grandma (also the hat pictured previously)

A little kiss.  Cuties.

Kyle had to go into work an overnight shift at the hospital, but the rest of us walked to dinner.  We ate at a restaurant Lauren and Kyle had first been to in South Africa.  Apparently there are only 3 of these in America, and one is right there in Alexandria.

Anderson and Ryan

After dinner, we took the boys to the hotel pool.  They loved it!  Brady is so funny in the water- he just naturally starts kicking and splashing like a little frog.  He loved splashing but then was put-off by all of the water in his face.  He was so funny.  :)  Anderson was having a blast, too, and when I asked him if he wanted to go underwater, he said, "Yes."  So, much to my surprise, he happily let me dunk him several times.  Then he just wanted Ryan to go under water and blow bubbles and be oh-so-entertaining.  I need to start thinking about swim lessons!

Sunday we went to church with Lauren and Kyle.  Anderson was very brave (a theme for the weekend) and happily went to the 2-year-old Sunday School class.  It turns out Lauren's church lasts close to 2 hours, and Brady did not make it through much of the service.  But Anderson seemed to do well.  He hit his head twice- once on a table- and came out of Sunday School with two bumps/ bruises.  When we ask him about church now, he says, "Are you okay?"  Ha.

After church, we got the boys to Lauren and Kyle's house in time for naps (yay):

Lauren cooked for us:

And the guys watched football:

When Anderson woke up, the boys all went out to play for a little:

After dinner, we all piled into our cars to head home, and Lauren caught a train to PA for work.  

It was such a fun weekend, and we are looking forward to many more quick trips like this one to come!