Washington DC

This year we got we went to Washington D.C. with my family partly for vacation and the other part for a family funeral. It was such a nice time with family. We got there New Year's Eve and stayed until January 5th. Here's the run down....

New Year's Eve, Wednesday

We flew in and then immediately went to the Air and Space museum that was within walking distance from our hotel...as was mostly everything. That night, we paid a taxi driver to take us around to all the sights of DC at night. Its amazing how they make things light up when its dark outside. We saw the Christmas tree, the Lincoln memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, drove by the Capitol building and the White house. Oh, but did I mention that it was about 25 degrees outside with the very cold wind. It made things exciting.

Thursday

This was the day we walked the entire city. We took the subway out to Union Station to catch this tour bus. Turns out the tour bus wasn't going to leave for about 30 minutes so we decide to walk to the mall (where all the monuments are) and catch the bus there. Well, we ended up really just walking the entire city and paid for a tour bus we hardly used. When we needed it, we couldn't find it and when it was there, we wanted to go somewhere it couldn't take us. Alas, I recommend just walk the mall, don't pay for a tour bus. We had a blast though.

Friday

More museums and sight seeing, The Spy Museum, the Portrait Gallery, and more. Such fun!

Saturday

Operation Spy - This was an event at the Spy Museum where you got to act like you were a Spy. We were given a mission to find a nuclear trigger taken from this made up country called Quandar. It was fun and totally Ben's type of thing. He did great and was integral in solving the mystery with the group. Then we ended the day with none other than ESPN Zone. It was like a Dave and Busters meets Sports Bar - 3 levels, games, and tvs everywhere. Our table had its own tv right in front of it so we watched some play off game and I have no clue who won but I do know that I got a delicious cookie and ice cream dessert!

Sunday

We went to the National Cathedral for church. It is an amazing church and it was a unique church service. It was very different from what I'm used to but I liked getting to experience a different type of service.

Monday

This was the day for the funeral for the person in our family. He was honored to be able to buried in Arlington National Cemetery. The ceremony was so respectful and honoring and such a privilege to get to see and be a part of. Then we flew back home, just in time for work the next day!

Here's some of my favorite pics from the trip...

Keith (brother), Dad, Ben, and I at Arlington Cemetery

The White House up close at night


The Capitol building from down the street from our Hotel

A store that sold only Cupcakes!! So so yummy. I got a peanut butter cup cupcake. Wow.

Arlington National Cemetery with donated wreaths. This is only a fraction of the amount of graves. It was incredible.

Me at the tip of the National Mall (not for shopping)

Andrew (my nephew) and I at the Liberty Bell. For some reason, I'm only wearing one glove.

First ride on the Metro

Andrew, Anne (sister), and I at the hotel about to brave the cold