the museums

Last year when we were out East for Thanksgiving, the hubby and I took the boys downtown for their first trip to the museums. During our bedtime prayers in the following months, Mags almost always asked me to thank God for the astronaut and dinosaur museums, so much so that I got tired of it. :) Because of this, we fit in a quick afternoon visit to both the museum of natural history and the air and space museum, and this time Nana and Pappy came along.

Magnus ran with great enthusiasm to the astronaut museum…

…past the Smithsonian Castle

It’s tough work leading the pack.

Nana & Pappy strolling along.

We’re there!

He was so excited to be there again that he couldn’t even look at the camera.

Staring with mouth agape at the airplanes suspended near the ceiling… it really is a spectacular museum.

Love. the. beard. (Gunnar loved the free Daddy ride until he woke up to see the astronauts.)

I love Gunn’s faces filled with wonderment. So priceless. And delicious.

Mags and his beloved astronauts. I can’t believe he had the self-control to not go hug them.

In front of a bunch of rockets, trying not to pick his nose…

To infinity and beyond!!

I think this was the point Mags got a little glazed over.

I love seeing this. It’s just about my favorite, though we didn’t even get to see the bombers.

Last year, it was Magnus chasing the pigeons. This year, it was Gunnar.

I love this one. So sweet.

Mags knows he’s got it made. Piggybacks are the bestest.

Entering the natural history museum

Magnus observing the ancient, monstrous elephant.

We then rushed into the dinosaur room. ROARRR!!

Gleefully greeting a triceratops…

Counting the number of teeth on the T-Rex…

Checking out the dinosaur models with Nana…

Stopping to see how long the swimming dinosaurs were…

This freaky giant sloth was so freaky deaky I had to take pictures of it again. He’s the stuff of nightmares.

The robotic deep-sea creature exhibit was fascinating for Magnus.

In the mouth of a shark… almost

Did I mention I had poor Gunnar strapped to my back in the Ergo the whole time in this museum? I was too afraid to let him loose in the dinosaurs, lest he pull a Curious George and climb the skeletons. When I finally did let him out in the mammals, he was thrilled.

At one point, he got behind the railing and convinced onlookers he was the worthwhile exhibit. I mean, look at that smile!

“Don’t worry, Gunns. It’s not real!”

Magnus was so convincing, Gunnar wanted a bear hug.

Proof that yes, I was there. No, it’s not a good picture of either of us, but whatever. :)