DC in Color

So, you are really going to have to hang in there for this post. I know there are A LOT of pictures here, but I swear I just couldn't help myself. I mean, if you knew how many I had to choose from, you would be really, really proud of me for getting it down to these. Anyway, I really hope you enjoy them!
So...the first place we went was to the Department of Engraving and Printing. This is Chris waiting to get into the tour. He was pumped about our trip...and seeing the millions of dollars.

Nick and I at the Bureau of E&P...soaking in all the knowledge

Missy giving Nick a large $5 bill

Nick trying to pretend his body has Lincolns head. Yes, I know we did not do a good job with this, but let me tell you, there were a TON of people around and I kept telling him I could see his head a little and that he needed to get lower, but he just kept saying "TAKE THE PICTURE!!"...so here it is! Next we went to the National Archives. Here is a shot of the constitution...pretty amazing.


The three sisters at the Navy Memorial.

Then we realized we had no pictures of all five of us. Here is an attempt at a self portrait. Not bad, right?

After this, we went to Union Station for dinner and then back to our hotel. We were staying outside the city, so we had the fun (really) experience of using the metro each day. We felt like such locals on our daily commute! As an added bonus, our hotel was super nice. For real...one of the nicest hotels I have ever stayed in. Lucky us!
Day two. Here is Nick and I walking to the trolley station. We decided we were never going to see all the sights if we didn't sign up for some kind of tour. It was a wise decision.

Missy, Nick and I on the trolley

Boo and Chris on the Trolley...so cute.


One of our many stops. here is the Capitol Building. We did not have time to take a tour, but just seeing it was amazing. This tour is on our plans for the next trip!



We jumped off on the next stop on the Trolley. The Air and Space Museum. How cute is my husband?

Inside the air and space museum was an exhibit from the American History Museum because it was currently closed for renovations. Nick was really amazed with the first light bulb!


Boo, equally fascinated about the first Kermit the Frog

...and me, on my cell phone next the the very first phone...awesome
Then of course there were the actual R2D2 and C3P0 from Star Wars. Nick and I were thrilled


Next we made our way over the the Natural History Museum. I was really pumped about the T-Rex...

but Chris thought it was a little scary.
Here is a shot of the Shepherd Diamond... no visible flaws. We loved this.


This blew Nick's mind. There was also the Hope Diamond on display. I have pictures of it too, but thought I needed to control myself...


So, next we jumped back on the trolley and made our way to the National Mall. Nick took this shot of the Washington Monument with the reflecting pool.

Here is another attempt at a self group portrait , but this time with the added challenge of getting the Capitol Building in the background...I cannot tell you why we did not ask for help, but I can tell you that I LOVE Chris in this picture!
The sisters in front of the Capitol.

Honest Abe. Let me tell you, Lincoln is HUGE. Also, I felt very guilty over the fact that we went to see Lincoln (and so did everyone else in DC) but we just drove by Jefferson and Roosevelt on the trolley...how sad for them. It haunts me a little and I MUST go back someday and see them as well. Greedy Lincoln!

The Vietnam Wall was overwhelming. One of the most moving things I have ever seen. I hope I am not taking away from that when I ask you...does anybody else see King Kong holding a candlestick in the picture...odd.

*I must give Boo credit for seeing this first...wish I could take credit for it, but I cannot tell a lie....



Once the sun went down and the entire city closed for the day, we headed to Chinatown for dinner. We ended up watching the UK game, so that was a blast. When we left the bar to head back to the metro, Nick put on his DC hat that I got him for Christmas last year. Seriously...how cute is he?

Kind of jealous of this shot of Boo and Missy with the Washington Monument...

We took some night shots of the monuments on Nick's real film camera, then headed back to the hotel. The first two nights Nick and I had our own room, but the last night we figured we would all bunk together since we were just all waking up and hitting the road. The only problem...poor Missy was sleeping on the trundle. The trundle which was so large, the only place it would fit was in front of the bathroom door. Guess how many of us had to climb over her to pee in the middle of the night. That's right. All of us.

The next morning we woke up and went to Arlington Cemetery. This was also one of the most moving places I have ever been in my life. The eternal flame at JFK's grave, and even more than that, the changing of the guard at the Unknown Solider...it was amazing.

We walked around Arlington for a while, then hit the road. We made it back home around midnight. I very long and full weekend, but we all had such an amazing time. I know I have already told you, but everyone really should go to DC at some point in their lives. This city will move you. It did all five of us.