Day 5 in DC

With my conference done, we hit both the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the Smithsonian Museum of American History. They are HUGE and absolutely fantastic. Josie is still going strong (no nap today) and we are about to hit the pool. I can't believe how much there is to do and see in DC. It's fantastic. Enjoy today's pictures!


Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat


Isn't this dollhouse HUGE?



Reproduction subway


Oscar the Grouch


Making an Official Speech


Easter Island Head


Hanging with T.Rex



We felt like we were in the movie "Night at the Museum"

Day 4 in DC

While I was at the conference, Chris took the girls to Aquarium, The Holocaust Museum and the front of the White House. As soon as I was done at 5pm, we headed right back downtown so that I could enjoy the sights. I've been so envious of their daytime adventures and I'm glad the girls were willing to take another taxi back to the same places they had been earlier in the week. Enjoy today's pictures.

















PS. Josie's potty training is still going very well despite being in all kinds of new settings and using all kinds of strange restrooms. For everyone that knows my husband's love for Harry Potter, it's killing him to have missed opening night of the latest movie. I've promised him that as soon as we're back to MI, he can escape to the movies. He's been awesome Mr. Mom while I've been working this week. Also, the band-aids on Josie's knees are real. She's managed to skin her knees everyday on some form of cement during their outings. I'm glad I stocked up on Hello Kitty band-aids before the trip.

Day 3 in DC

While I headed off to my conference, Chris took the girls to Arlington National Cemetery, Washington Monument, Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, John F. Kennedy's grave, Vietnam War Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial. The pictures are impressive to say the least.















When my day ended, we dined at a fabulous Chinese restaurant across from our hotel. They even had a 30 foot statue inside the restaurant. Josie enjoyed spearing her sesame chicken with chopsticks.





Tomorrow, Chris is taking the girls to the the National Aquarium while I attend more conference sessions. I can't wait to see more pictures.

Day 2 in DC

We traveled by various modes of transportation today...taxi, metrorail and water taxi. It was quite the day of adventures.

We started our day at the National Zoo.



The panda exhibit didn't disappoint. It was wonderful.







It was HOT. VERY HOT. And we walked a long long time in the zoo admiring the animals.





Josie took turns riding in her stroller and riding on top of Chris's shoulders. The water mist sprays were very popular at the zoo with the girls.



We then took the metrorail to Chinatown and attempted to view the "friendship arch" but it was under renovation. Josie fell alseep during our metrorail ride and didn't wake up until we were inside the Center for American Art and Portraiture. We were so desperate for air conditioning that we were pleasantly surprised to enjoy the displays in this museum.









We then ventured via metrorail again to Alexandria and walked our way up King Street to our water taxi. We dined in a fine seafood restaurant on the harbor and enjoyed the air conditioning before heading back to our hotel. Two nights in a row, Chris and I have enjoyed blue crab appetizers.

The water taxi ride was very peaceful.





Another busy and fun day.



Tomorrow, I'm going to my conference and Chris/girls are heading to the Arlington National Cementery, Vietnam Memorial, and the National Aquarium.

Stay tuned for more pictures.

We're here!

Getting up at 4:30am wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. For the most part, both girls woke up happy and excited about our trip. Keeping Josie QUIET and CONTAINED on our two airplanes was another story. It wasn't nearly as bad as our return flight from China, but it wasn't easy either. This is a child who needs to be in constant motion and the idea of wearing a seat belt and sitting still wasn't something she was the least bit interested in. Our first flight was barely 30 minutes in the air and thank heavens the flight from Chicago to DC was only 1 hour and 22 minutes. The taxi ride from the airport to our hotel/conference center was another 45 minutes and she was ready to be ALL DONE and announced it loudly several times to our taxi driver!

After a very expensive brunch/lunch at our hotel, we explored the marina and the local shopping areas.















Josie passed out in her stroller while we were touring the marina and shops (thank goodness) and now that she has her second wind, both girls are anxious to explore the pool. My work conference starts on Tuesday, so we're hoping to hit the National Zoo tomorrow.

Enjoy today's pictures!