Off to D.C.

My parents came into town on Tuesday April 13th, to fly out to see my brother, Jeff, in D.C., the next day. They suggested that I come, I ended up booking a ticket on Friday and flew out, with Paige, on Sunday morning. Paige did really well on the plane, thanks to a really nice lady who entertained her and held even held her for the landing.

Sunday night we had dinner with the missionaries and a friend of Jeff's.

Monday morning we headed into downtown. Paige had her first bus ride. Then it was on to the Metro. Our first stop was the U.S. Capitol

Paige loved all the statues.

The weather was beautiful.

Next stop: Library of Congress, which was gorgeous. We saw Thomas Jefferson's phenomal library. We also toured the Supreme Court. Paige and I got kicked out, not sure if it was her acting up or the cell phone ringing simultaeously!

We went home early that night and had dinner at Jeff's apartment.

Tuesday: We stopped at the National Zoo. Paige loved all the animals. The weather was even better.

Paige was great about sitting in her stroller and taking naps in there. Luckily she loves to be out and about. Even after being out all day, she would cry when we'd take her inside.

Next Stop: White House Visitor Center. Paige cleaned the floors for them. Anything to keep her entertained. I enjoyed looking a pictures of the First families and ladies.

We stopped for dinner at the Reagan Center in the Federal Triangle. Paige got soaking wet in the fountain, but she didn't mind.

Jeff met up with us to tour the Portrait Gallery with art of/by people who was influenced America.

This was one of my favorite pieces. Also, a portrait of Joseph Smith. There happened to be a Jazz group performing that evening so we stayed and listened. It was relaxing and a nice atmosphere.

Before going home we had ice cream and walked through Chinatown. Wouldn't want to miss seeing a kitchen full of dangling chickens with their heads still on.

Wednesday: We took a break from DC and went up to Fredrick, MD. It was raining, but they had a great downtown area with shops and some beautiful bridges.

We met Rick's Mom and Barry for lunch at the Olive Garden. My parents and Paige had never met Barry. It was nice to have everyone together-Rick was there via cell phone.

Paige also got to meet their dogs, Cocoa and Java. She LOVED them.

We met Jeff at the National Naval Medical Center, where he works. He made impressions of my Mom for whitening trays. It was fun to watch Dr. Hoyle in action. I played assistant.

We went back to Jeff's and made cinnamonless cinnamon rolls bachelor pad style (the water bottle was the rolling pin). Paige and Grandpa had a early night; Mom, Jeff and I went shopping at Macys.

Thursday: We walked the National Mall, there was a big Earth Day celebration going on including a 'Save the Whale' demonstration. Collected freebie souveniers!

It was Smithsonian day. We went to the Hirshol Art Smithsonian and then took a snack break in the Smithsonian Gardens.

We spent a little while in the Air and Space Museam. It was very overcrowded, but I enjoyed the Wright Brothers display.

Paige was a trooper, but she did have her moments. This was her throwing a fit for an entire train full of people on the Metro. Video would have given better justice. It was quite a show.

There is a new Smithsonian called Native American. It was beautiful. They had exhibits for all the Indian tribes, including the Yakama Nation of Washington State. I loved the special exibit that featured art made of sports gear. Next, we met up with Jeff and toured the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It's were all of our bills are printed (there and another plant in Dallas). It was probably my favorite thing to see. The day before the new $100 bill had been unveiled. It will come into circulation early 2011.

We got to watch people printing, inspecting, and packing real bills and a stack of a million dollars in $10 bills. I think I'll start stating my height in $100 bills, it sounds pretty high!

As the sun was setting we walked along the Mall some more.

I had never been to the WWII Memorial, and what a great evening for it.

Friday morning we drove through the Shenandoah Valley to Charlottsville, VA, were Monticello is (Thomas Jefferson's estate). There's a picture of it on the back of one of our coins... (check a nickel). Overlooking the estate was a phenomenal view.

Paige and I also got kicked off this tour, but we spied at Miss Virginia who was walking around and enjoyed the gardens. We had dinner at a cafe in downtown Charlottsville. Wow, what a nightlife, which wasn't too surprising since the University of Virginia is located there.

Saturday morning Paige and I packed up and then we all headed to Great Falls, in Virginia. It was a gorgeous cascading waterfall in a wonderful park. We enjoyed driving through the amazing neighborhood getting there.

We watched kayakers brave the trip down the rapids, crazy.

It was a perfect ending to a great trip. Paige was amazing on the flight home (mostly because she had her own seat, and she was exhausted from a long week).

A special THANKS to Rick, who took care of Tyson, Bradley and Kate all week.