Our Trip Inside the White House

I got to take my boys to Washington DC for a private tour of the White House! Check out the photos.

After undergoing background checks and awaiting a date...I got to take my boys on a wonderful trip to Washington, D.C., including a day at the White House. Although we weren't allowed to take pictures inside most areas, we did manage to get a few good ones.

(Photo by Liz Jeressi)

Getting to see the West Wing Rose Garden (stunning) ,Cabinet Room, Oval Office (incredible!), Situation Room entrance, Vice President's Hallway, Navy Mess, etc. was one of the most powerful history lessons that I could have provided to my children and I am so grateful that we had the opportunity. More than that, to hear stories from a staffer on some of the things that went on in those rooms with various presidents (their likes and dislikes, what kids played under the desk, their preference for the decor) was priceless.

(Photo by Liz Jeressi)

To walk down these hallowed hallways and see historic art work, pieces of furniture that survived even the fire, and to see where certain past presidents stood or sat, their favorite balconies, where they play basketball or where their kids played on the jungle gym that was built just for them...each story was amazing in itself when you are standing RIGHT THERE.

Here are some of the photos we were allowed to take while we were on the property.

(Benjamin and Christopher inside the grounds of the White House, photo by Liz Jeressi)

(Christopher, Liz, and Benjamin in front of the doors we entered, photo courtesy of Liz Jeressi)

(Above the door we entered, photo by Liz Jeressi)

(White House Press Briefing Room, Photo by Liz Jeressi)

(Christopher in Press Briefing Room, photo by Liz Jeressi)

(Photo by Liz Jeressi)

(Christopher, Liz and Benjamin inside the Press Briefing Room, photo courtesy of Liz Jeressi)

We also walked an 8- mile loop between the Lincoln Memorial and the Capitol along the National Mall....and, for the boys, seeing those statues, memorials, and buildings and how giant and larger-than-life they all are was a million times better than any history book or online photo.

This is a highly-recommended trip for when your kids are old enough to know and appreciate history. My boys can't wait to go back for some of the museums and other monuments we didn't get to do this first time out. But they will always remember their very special trip to the White House.

With much thanks and gratitude to Janine and Evan for making this dream a reality. No words are enough for the memories you gave us.