What a great trip!

Thursday evening was very bumpy here in our house. I thought I might have to kill the child, so I didn't have great expectations for the trip, unfortunately. Regardless, we were going.

We had a pretty good flight on Friday, got settled quite easily and found our hotel. All pretty simple, except for my throat hurting and my sinuses starting to throb.
Picture of Austen on the plane:


Saturday pretty much sucked. I was sick and it rained. and rained. and rained. Hannah was not nice to us, but much nicer than to all of my southern friends. So, we did get out a bit and do some driving around. We stumbled upon the Iwo Jima Memorial. It's so big. I guess I never realized. We also happened upon Ft. Myer. We drove around there a bit. It's so neat to see the old bases (posts) because they are so vastly different than good ole Camp Pendleton.
The Memorial in the Rain:


Sunday we got out and saw a lot, well after we drove around looking for a parking spot. Austen actually found one, he's got a good eye. We went to several Smithsonian Museums, the Capitol, Washington Monument and the WWII memorial. All of it quite gorgeous, as most of you know:
The Smithsonian Castle:


Austen at the Air & Space Museum:


The Capitol:


Austen at the Natural History Museum:


A photo to make you go, "Awwwwwweeeeeeee!":


Me at the Washington Monument:



So Monday I got all dressed up and stood next to the Treasury in the hot sun for several hours, then went to the front (South) lawn of the White House and listened to the Shrub babble. I was thoroughly underwhelmed, but I can claim to have been on the White House grounds, I suppose. His remarks can be found here, if you're interested.
Here's my self portrait at the White House:


I had someone else take a picture of me, too. I like the one above better, though:



After the White House, Austen and I went and found some grub, then hit some more sites. We went to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. I did not think that would have any affect on me, however, I bawled. A. Lot.



On to the Lincoln Memorial (Wow):


When we were leaving the Lincoln Memorial, we ran across this little squirrel. Notice how he's flat on his belly. He scooted around like that. He ran, too. So, he wasn't injured, just fat and funny:


And Arlington, I cried a lot more. It is so amazing. I'd never been there before. I've always said that I wanted to be cremated, but if the hubster wanted us to be buried there, I would be good with that. It would be an amazing place to be ad infinitum.:


The Tomb of the Unknowns:


Next we visited was the Thomas Jefferson Memorial, which was gorgeous. We were there around sunset and able to see the sunset over the Tidal Basin...


On Tuesday, we got up early and drove down to Quantico to see the Marine Corps Museum. Wow, simply wow. How very cool. Then we met my dear friend Khris for lunch and talk. It was *so* good to reconnect with her. I've missed her so much. I forget how easy conversation is with Khris. We won't let the communication slide like that again, ok?

So, sorry for the massive update, but it is what it is....

lots of love,
binks