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 : )

Obsessed with Edward

I have been counting down the days until I could go see Twilight, and last night I finally got my chance. Mike's sister, Rina, is here for Thanksgiving, so we happily told Mike we were going for a Girls' Night. Mike rolled his eyes and told us to have a good time. We did! I loved the movie!!! I thought they did a pretty good job following the storyline in the book, and the actors began to take the characters shape in my mind. Some were a little different than I imagined them, but overall I thought they depicted the story very well. I was especially worried how they could create an Edward that could possibly live up to the perfection in my imagination, but he was mostly what I pictured. He grew on me during the movie and by the end, I was "in love" with Edward as much as Bella and began to think trading my soul for immortality with him wasn't such a bad idea after all. : ) I liked his intensity and how he stared at Bella longingly all the time. Perfect love story (anyone who knows me knows I am a sucker for a good love story!) I am now rereading Twilight and can't wait for the next movie. Anyone else want to reread the series with me??!

I Love Fall!

I love . . . the changing leaves and
fall colors.
Autumn at Guadalupe River State Park.

Pumpkin patches and playing in

straw mazes.

Scary faces and cute faces too!

One of my favorite things to do during the fall is make Caramel Apples. Making them with my girls was even better.

I love that Savannah had to find the tiniest pumpkin in the whole pumpkin patch for her special pumpkin.

Most of all, I love spending time with my family. We had fun carving pumpkins together. Logan was grossed out by the guts and had to wear a baggie to protect himself from the yucky stringy things. Makayla also donned a baggie but was somewhat braver. She carved her own pumpkin this year. I can't believe how big she is getting . . . how big each of my kids are getting. We have so much fun now that they are little people.

Howl-O-Scream at Sea World

One of our favorite things to do in October is spend the weekends at Sea World for their Howl-O-Scream festivities. This year, we spent three different weekends there. They have lots of spooky fun for the kids (and the adults--if you haven't guessed, I love Halloween).


We had a great time with our good friends, the Barlows! Since I forgot my camera once again, thank you Susie for part of these pictures. : )

Logan and Cameron have the best time together.

While Mike was in Denver last month, I took the kids to Sea World to play while daddy was away. We had a blast! For some reason, no one was there and we had the park all to ourselves. We spent a long time watching and petting the dolphins. When I asked the kids what their favorite part was, they said the dolphins and not the scary part.

When it got dark, we headed over to the Shamu show and made our way through the scary Werewolf walkway. The kids were scared to death with all the creepy monsters milling around through the fog. I admit I was a little freaked out without Mike there. When a Werewolf jumped out at us around that last corner, Makayla and I both screamed our lungs out. Then I started laughing as all my kids started crying, and I hurriedly assured them that it "was fun!" and we shouldn't be scared. Right? . . .

The kids rockin' at Shamu's Rockin' Creep Show

A day at Sea World wouldn't be complete without hitting the Shamu roller coaster.

I'm dizzy just looking at this picture. Capturing the moment with Savannah on the spinning cup ride

Do These Two Look Familiar?

Our very own Special Agent Scully and Special Agent Mulder (plus one cute little alien : )
This is what happens at the Manwaring household after a very long Sunday afternoon. Too funny!