West Virginia State Capitol Building

On Wednesday, March 26th we visited the West Virginia State Capitol Building.  The dome is gilded in 23.5 karat gold.  Shellie's girls call it "Mom's castle."

This is a view of  the capitol building from the freeway.

On the grounds there are several memorials.  One was a memorial to the military.

The Air Force

The Army

The Marines

The Navy

There were monuments for each of the major wars fought with the names of the deceased.

It is sobering to think that so many lost their lives so we can have the freedoms and protection we have today.  There is no greater sacrifice.

This plaque was part of a monument to the women of the Armed Forces.

After looking at some of the monuments and memorials we headed up to the capitol building.

Nathan and Aunt Shellie

This is a tribute to Booker T. Washington.

He accomplished many great things in his life.

Yes, it was still very cold!

A group shot next a replica of the Liberty Bell in front of the capitol building.

Once we got inside we headed to the information desk and got a self guided tour map.

This is looking up at the inside of the dome.

To keep the kids calm while I got our plan of strategy down I asked them to look up at the dome and guess how tall they thought it was.  Nathan laid down and the rest followed suit.  :0)

The West Virginia State display.

Bradley, Angela, Eliza and Daniel

This is the largest quarter we have ever seen!

Kaylee, Daniel, Bradley and Angela doing their best "no way!" looks.

Nathan caught a ride on Dad's shoulders while he was looking at the portraits of the past governors of WV.

The official state bear.

Then we visited the State Senate.

The balcony is open to the public to come watch when the senate is in session.

We found the stairs up to the balcony.  However, the doors were locked at the top and we couldn't go in.  The kids didn't mind the walk up the stairs.  Luckily we noticed the doors were locked before Andy carried Nathan all the way up.  :0)

Headed back down.

Aunt Shellie tried to get Nathan to show her his nose, but he wouldn't.  He pretended he was shy until she started down the stairs.  Then he started pointing to his nose and his Dad's nose.  Silly boy!

Robert C. Byrd was the longest public servant, serving for in one office or another for about 50 years.

West Virginia is his home state.

I asked the kids to do their best "I am an important governor" pose.  This is what I got.

Eliza

Daniel

Angela

Bradley

On to the House of Representatives....

This room actually looked like someone had been working in their recently.

The balcony to this room was also locked.

Nathan trying on Dad's hat.

The kids were pretty tired by the time we got done and were ready to head back to the Seely residence.

As we walked back to the car Andy noticed the reflection of the capitol building in the window of an adjacent building.  It reminded me of a "Tyler" shot, so I had to take it.  :0)

It was a fun day and we are so glad our Seely cousins were able to join us!