DC-Day 2

We hit the ground running on our second day of travel--
The Smithsonian Museums were calling our name.

Our first stop was the Museum of American History

Here are a few of the highlights!

• Julia Child's Kitchen-I love how her husband drew on the pegboard where to place the pot back in it's spot.
• All the First Ladies of the White House dresses.  I couldn't take pictures because I couldn't stop looking at each one.  There was a film playing in the background interviewing many of the First Ladies and how they felt donating their gowns to the Smithsonian.  It was really something to see.
• The Star Spangle Banner Flag...no pictures allowed of it!  All I could say was WOW!
• Abraham Lincoln's Hat worn the night he was assassinated at the theater.
• And many more...from Michael Jackson's Hat to Kermit the Frog.

This place was full of surprises for me. 
I thought I was going to be bored!
Boy, was I wrong.

Day 2:
Second Smithsonian Museum
Natural History
( I went here in November with just Shane-
we had fun showing it to the kids)

• Hello Dum-dum from the movie "Night at the Museum 2".
• The center of the museum...the elephant
• We happened to be at the museum while the orchids were on display.  I took hundreds of photos and can I just say it, smelled like heaven in there.
• The Hope diamond worn by a dog!  I love it!
• Earrings worn by Marie Antoinette
• The earthquakes as the aftershocks were occurring in Japan.
• The great yarn sea...Little Miss H was in love with it too!

Are you exhausted yet?
One more museum to see today...
Air and Space Museum.

I was just worn out by now--
I am not sure I appreciated how cool this place was because I had seen too much.
My brain was done processing.

If you like planes and rockets then you will love this place.

• I saw the actual Spirit of St. Louis Plane
• Amelia Earhart's plane and goggles.
• The Wright Brother's plane and bicycle.
• Lots of space stuff

You thought you were done...
Ha, now for the 8 block hike to the hotel.

Let's take a little detour.
Do you see why?
Ford's Theatre on the right.
I wanted to see where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated.

A DC Surprise-Day One

So, our adventure started like this...
a letter that the kids opened after school on Friday!


We left at 4:30 AM and they didn't have a clue where our destination was!




Finally, on the second flight we told them that we were going to D.C.




First stop in Washington was the hotel. 
It was on the historical hotels list.




You could say they were tired but very, very happy!




We walked to the White  House. 




A protest was happening there...
It was peaceful!




The backside of the White House!





We walked to the Mall and looked at all the monuments.




D.C. makes you feel pride! 
Just look how beautiful that flag is!




We paid our respects to those who fought for our freedom!




Hayden was trying to hold up the Washington Monument...
aka "the pencil".




As we walked "the Mall"
we noticed how friendly all the squirrels were.
Some where taking food from people's hands.
This one would strike pose for each click of my camera.




We took turns standing where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his speech.




We were in aw of Lincoln and stayed there for quite awhile.




We were tickled
 by this crane trying to fit in with the geese.




We walked silently to pay respects to our veterans.





Then, worn out from all the walking...
we hopped in a cab and headed to
Georgetown!




Just look at this line...
















It goes all the way up the hill and to the stop sign.
I wonder what is going on here!




Cupcakes of course!
DC Cupcakes!!!




We decided to grab dinner first and see if the line got any smaller.




Next to the restaurant was....
ANTHROPOLOGIE!!!
Score--just look how cute their store window was decorated.




I want to make some!

We headed back to Georgetown Cupcakes...
And waited 2 hours in line.
Mr. Ward thought we were nuts!




Look at the girl on the right,
making flowers for the cupcakes.

Does she look like the girl on the poster?
Hmmmm.





I saw Martha punches on their tool wall. 
Everyone needs alittle Martha in their life!




The store was lovely...even the flowers!





This Pict is for you- Gayle.
Wish I could have brought you one!





I must say it was a wonderful cupcake and worth the 2 hour wait!
The store closed at 9:00 PM. 
That is when we placed our order.
The line was still all the way to the stop sign.
The store stayed open--everyone working had a smile on their face.
They could teach Wal-Mart a thing or two.
Don't you think?



Day two in DC...tomorrow!