Fun with Family

My brother, Brian, and his wife, Jocelyn, and 2 kids, Madelyn & Camden, came to visit D.C. since Brian has just started working for the FDIC and had a week of training. It was hot but really fun to spend time together and see some sights. We ate out way too much, but the kids absolutely had a blast playing together and it was really fun for Ben and I to talk to Brian and Jocelyn (especially since it was the FIRST time Ben and Jocelyn have met and she's been in the family for over 4 years). Too bad we don't live closer so the cousins could play more often. Here are some pictures of our adventures with the big highlights being Chesapeake Beach where the water is warm and shallow and Metro Richmond Zoo where you get to feed and pet some of the animals like the giraffes (plus we got in free because Brian and Jocelyn know the owners' son and wife from BYU).

Madelyn and Natalie holding hands in a parking garage on the way to dinner on the first night. They were fast friends.

Camden, Madelyn, and Natalie showing us their giraffe tongues.

Ben holding Camden and Lincoln in the Natural History Museum. Camden really liked Uncle Ben and Lincoln felt left out if he had to ride in the stroller while the other kids got to walk.
Mom, Natalie, and Lincoln riding the National Mall Carousel, which Ben always wanted to do growing up (Jocelyn, Maddy, and Camden are riding too, but not seen).
Natalie flying the plane at the Air and Space Museum.
Lincoln flying the plane. He didn't want to be left out of anything.
Camden and Natalie at the panda bear exhibit at the National Zoo. This statue is a favorite to pose with.
Everyone in the water at the beach except me and Lincoln. (Notice Ben's lean and trim physique--he's looking really good since he started working out--he's losing weight and gaining muscle!)
My kids and me playing in the sand.
We found a really warm stream flowing into the bay and the kids loved it. They kept laying down and played for a long time.
Doesn't the water just look inviting? The cousins are loving it!
Anne & Ben, a great looking couple!
Natalie relaxing in the water. She kept doing this and telling us she was washing her hair, too bad she doesn't look that relaxed in the bathtub when we are actually washing her hair.
Madelyn being a mermaid.
One of my favorite pictures--Natalie couldn't wait to get to the car to take her swimsuit off, so she just walked up the trail bare naked.
Here's what you get when you put 4 adults and 4 car seats in a 7 passenger minivan.
Lincoln, our little one year old who doesn't walk yet, climbing the fence like older cousin Camden. (He's been known to use Natalie's stool to climb up on top of the toilet seat and stand up to reach my lotions and body sprays on a shelf.)
Me feeding the giraffe by hand.
Natalie and Maddy up close and personal with the giraffes.
How cute are these boys? They both went their separate ways to get ready for bed and both came back with the same cute dinosaur pajamas, plus they both suck their thumb. What handsome little guys!
Lincoln wants to be "big" like Madelyn and Natalie and sit on the radiator.
Lincoln, Camden, Madelyn, and Natalie on their last day together.