A Week in Washington D.C. (part 3)

Mike and I loved our week together in Washington D.C. I enjoyed spending afternoons in the art museums and Smithsonians, but I also loved being surrounded by history and the leaders of our nation. The White House

Statue honoring William Sherman facing the Treasury Department

The Washington Monument

The United States Capitol

As we were walking past the Capitol, we noticed a mob forming in front of the building with a continual stream of people carrying signs marching towards the capital to join them. Police cars and policemen on bikes and horseback began showing up, and we stopped to listen as the mob began to chant about equal rights protesting proposition 8. It looked like a lot of college students looking for some excitement, but there were also many people wearing their rainbow colors proudly. We decided to depart before one of them asked us if we supported prop 8, at which point I would have to proclaim that I did soon to follow a beating of some sort.

Mike and I weren't prepared for the cold weather and practically froze to death walking from the Capitol to dinner.

I loved the Library of Congress. The ceiling and walls were beautifully designed. I was sad when our week ended and it was time to go home. I was excited to see my kids, but I have definitely missed the alone time! I hope Mike and I get away for another week before another 9 years pass.

Date Nights in D.C.

Mike escaped his conference a little early one night so we could tour some of the Memorials, hit the Shops at Georgetown Park for a little shopping, and stop for a yummy dinner.

The Lincoln. Seems appropriate for touring D.C.. although somewhat embarrassing and humongous to park.

The Lincoln Memorial

Looking at the Washington Monument across the reflecting pool from the Lincoln Memorial.

Korean War Memorial. Mike liked to read about all the soldiers at the War Memorials.
I liked shopping.

Desserts were another guilty pleasure on our trip. I ordered the Chocolate Truffle Torte and Mike ordered Flan with Caramel sauce. His friend, Braden, who was also at the conference ate dinner with us some nights and ordered the strawberries and cream.

We spent several evenings in Chinatown for dinner. We loved eating at Zengo. It was fun to eat at places we would never take our kids.

My Ahi Tuna Salad

Mike was all about the Sushi and Peking Rolls

My favorite date night began in Chinatown at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and Portrait Gallery. We had never been to this museum before, and I really enjoyed the art as well as all the portraits of the presidents and women through history.

Woman Eating. This exhibit freaked us out. When we walked upstairs to the Lincoln Gallery, this was the first thing we saw. We weren't sure if it was a cafe and this woman was real until we looked around and realized she was sitting at the only table and not moving. :)

Mike loved the Electronic Superhighway.

The neat part about the Lincoln Gallery was its history. This was where President Lincoln's inaugural ball was held.

Waterfall II Georgia O'Keeffe. I loved the Georgia O'Keeffe exhibit paralleled with Ansel Adams photography. I would have taken more photos but cameras were not allowed in the special exhibits. Mike yelled at me for taking this one on the sly. : )

The Great Hall was once the largest room in America. Guests at President Lincoln's second Inaugural Ball passed through this room to join the receiving line in what is now the Lincoln Gallery.

Mike and Bill.

An actual reward poster for Lincoln's assassination.

We were surprised to find Joseph Smith's portrait here.

After touring the gallery we headed to Clyde's for a yummy dinner. Then we went to the late movie to watch James Bond. (Another novelty because who can afford the babysitter for both dinner and a movie?) I miss our nights on vacation already!

Smithsonian Museums at Washington D.C.

Smithsonian Castle
This month, Mike and I spent the week in Washington, D.C. for a Neuroscience conference while his Mom and sister came to watch the kids. (Thanks, Eileen and Rina!) We had such a wonderful week filled with sightseeing, strolling though museums, grown-up dinners, and together time. We realized we haven't been alone on a vacation together since Makayla was 1 year old when we went to Hawaii for another conference. (Maybe we need to plan a few more vacations now that the kids are a little older and easier to leave. : )

I especially enjoyed my week of ALONE time each day while Mike attended his meetings at the conference. I slept in, took long showers and spent each afternoon exploring downtown DC walking around the ellipse, walking to the National Mall, walking to the Smithsonian and walking some more. Our hotel was a block away from the White House, in perfect walking distance to everything. It took me about 20-30 minutes to walk to the museums. I loved walking along listening to my music and not having to worry about pushing the stroller or holding hands to cross the street. Don't get me wrong, I missed Makayla, Logan and Savannah and was homesick for them by the end of the week, but it was so good for me to have this week of ME time so I can be a happier Mommy. Each of us need that time once in a while. It was so nice to do grown up things that I enjoy. I loved every minute of it.

My walking route to the Smithsonian's.

I spent several afternoons in the National Gallery of Art just taking in all the beauty and marveling in the original masterpieces that I love. This is definitely my favorite museum in Washington! (If you take a closer look, you can see a bunch of protesters walking to the capital to protest Proposition 8. That was an experience I will cover later. To be continued . . . )

Edgar Degas Four Dancers

My absolute favorite work of art this trip.

One of my favorite Monet's, Japanese Footbridge

Roses Vincent Van Gogh

Adoration of the Magi Sandro Botticelli

Young Girl Reading Jean-Honore Fragonard

Little Dancer Degas

The Thinker Auguste Rodin

On Saturday, Mike's meetings didn't start until the afternoon, so we spent the morning at the Smithsonian's. He ended up "delaying" going to his conference that day and spent the day with me instead. We had fun touring the Art Gallery and ate lunch there at the Garden Cafe while it poured rain outside. We also strolled through the castle, the Hirshhorn Sculpture Garden, and ended at the Air and Space Museum.

I loved this sculpture. I liked the lines and how it reflected the light. I wish I had remembered to take a picture of its name. I thought the fact that you could be inside the art and look at yourself reflecting through the glass was very clever.

Mike's favorite museum to visit is the Air and Space Museum. He could spend hours in here reading about all the different airplanes, World Wars, and Space crafts.

I loved the fact that while Mike was busy at his conference, I had the days to myself to enjoy the quiet solitude exploring all the different National Museums. I spent several hours exploring the National Museum of Natural History. I especially loved looking at the National Gem collection and all the precious stones and reading about the different kinds of rocks.

The Hope Diamond 45.52 carats.

One of the world's most famous gems for its flawless clarity, rare deep blue color and eventful history. It is surrounded by 16 white diamonds and suspended from a platinum chain with 46 more diamonds.

Napoleon's wife's crown, Empress Marie Louise

French queen, Marie Antoinette's earrings

Mackay Emerald 168 carats and the Logan Sapphire 423 carats. Among the worlds largest-known blue sapphires. (I thought Logan might especially like this one : )