My dear friend Becca, after having 4 boys - finally got her darling girl! I felt that this was cause for celebration! And since my other dear friends live in the area - we turned it into a girls' get-away.
Becca and I had a day and a half to ourselves and although we spent most of the time talking and catching up - we did take the time to visit Gunston Hall. Just down the river from Mt. Vernon, this plantation (originally 5500 acres) belonged to George Mason who was one of Founding Fathers. He wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights which was the basis for the Bill of Rights in the Constitution.
View of the Potomac. The photo does not do justice to the amazing fall colors!
The lane to the Mason family cemetery
We eventually joined up with Jennette and Anna and spent an afternoon in Old Town Alexandria. (Actually we spent the afternoon talking and eating at the delicious La Madeleine - but we walked around a little to see the charming architecture.)
We spent the next couple of days seeing the sites of Washington D.C.
We strolled through the National Gallery of Art and the sculpture garden
We went to the American History Museum and saw Julia Child's kitchen
And the gowns of the First Ladies. Below is Michelle Obama's gown.
And the ruby slippers...and Kermit the Frog...among other things
We walked around Georgetown and waited in this line for the famous Georgetown Cupcake
We each got two and were able to sample eight different flavors!
The moon rising over Georgetown
We went to the National Portrait Gallery to see a Norman Rockwell exhibit (which I loved!!!) and walked through the folk art museum. This is an alter that a man made out of aluminum foil. He thought he was called of God.
License plates from every state - look closely to read what it says...
Ford's Theater was closed for the day but Anna had been on the tour and gave us the highlights. The house where Lincoln was kept overnight until he died in the morning still exists across the street.
This picture is for Wes and probably only his parents, brother and a certain past young men's leader know why
The White House
The protesters weren't really making any sense
And this person claims they have been there 24 hours a day since 1981!
We visited the memorials
This city is rich with culture and history and I can't wait to return with my family!
As much as I loved sightseeing - the true highlights were the hours and hours spent talking about anything and everything with my friends. I came home rejuvenated and inspired to be a better mom, wife and person. Thanks ladies!
Many thanks to Meredith for watching my kids for a day and I am especially grateful to Wes for being such a great "mom" while I was gone. From what I heard - it was a party!
6 comments:
Fabulous pictures and post! It was so great to see you and it was a super fantastic weekend. I can't wait for the next reunion! Thanks!
What a fantastic trip! So glad you got to go. I had asked Mer where you went. . . but she couldn't remember. She had a great time with your kids!
It was so satisfying to talk for hours and hours and hours. And eat cupcakes. Let's do it again!
Sounds like a wonderful time! Do you really feel rejuvenated? I never do, I almost go into depression. Maybe I need your friends to inspire me.
WOW! Your Washington Monument picture with the fall leaves should be entered in a contest!!!
I LOVE that city...one of my favorites. How fun that you got to sightsee with Jennette, Anna & Becca. You all look fabulous, too, I might add! And Becca's new baby is a doll!
Post a Comment