Thursday, April 3, 2008

Cherry Blossom Bliss!

We have decided that we live too close to too many wonderful things, and that we need to take advantage of all the opportunities around us. Fortunately, Ryan's job allows him to take time off to make things like our trip to Washington D.C. possible. Every year in March/April there is a Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington D.C. where there are thousands of Cherry Blossom trees in bloom. Not only is it gorgeous, it is a lot of fun with various activities and such. Unfortuntately, with two 1 year olds (Aubrey brought her friend Alexys with her), there is only so much time. Here is what we managed in half a day in the nation's capital.
We had to make a visit to the Museum of Natural History. There were lots of exibits, but we only made it to two of them. Here is the mammal exhibit. Aubrey and Alexys were amazed by all the animals in the room!
This one is my favorite. We went into the skeleton exhibit and here are the girls in front of a big fish skeleton making their very own fish faces (they love making fish faces)!
In the insect exhibit there was a tunnel to crawl through and all kinds of live insects. They even brought out live cockroaches and other creepy crawly things for the kids to hold. Needless to say the girls weren't intersted (or maybe it was mommy who wasn't interested, but they didn't know the difference :). They had fun just running around.
They loved looking in all the cases and seeing the different bugs and such. This is the neatest place for kids!
By the end of the day, they were both so tired that they fell asleep on the walk back to the car. There were a few moments, but overall, they were both angels the entire day!

The Jefferson Monument in all it's blossomed glory!
Break time on the mall. This was probably what the girls loved most -- getting to be outside at the mall running around. We had a picnic lunch and just had fun!



We parked and took the free shuttle into the city. It dropped us off at the Jefferson Monument which had this huge blossom tree out front. The girls just playing in all the petals on the ground until we took them away to see some sights. It was absolutely gorgeous everywhere!


Climbing the steps at the Jefferson Monument. That was a hike in and of itself but Aubrey was up for the task.
Our growing family. Aubrey was more interested in the rotunda of the Jeffeson Monument than the camera, but I suppose that's expected from a 1 year old!
We had a GREAT time and highly reccomend it to anyone in town during the season!

10 comments:

us... said...

Oh I love the cherry blossom trees. Those pictures were so pretty. That was si nice of you to let aubrey have a friend! Parents of the year!

Mandy said...

are you sure you are pregnant? heehee! I can't really see your belly in that brown shirt! So cute! I love all the pictures! Now you all know what it will be like with two girls. :P

Jenny said...

wow! those pictures are really pretty! you guys are troopers for taking both the girls. nothing like exploring dc through the eyes of a 1 year old! run, run, run, run...!!

Shantelle said...

your pictures belong on a postcard!

Tia J said...

Love the pics! We need to go see the trees. A fun day trip. Maybe next year unless I want to do it without Matt. Aubrey has the cutest pictures!

Jesse Edwards said...

Shout out to Ryan! Congratulations on your beautiful family from me, Jesse Clarke (Edwards now)! It's been a while! So glad to see how happy your family is!

Irene said...

Your family is wonderful! And the pictures too! I hope I can go one day there!

Melissa said...

that looks gorgeous! what a perfect backdrop for pictures~you got some great ones!

Christina said...

I see you still haven't added our blog to your list. :) It's www.bcmillers.blogspot.com.

Sarah said...

I agree with your friend Mandy...are you prego? You don't look it all. Show us some real pictures!!

In honor of the Olympcs, and in preparation for sept. 25...we bring you Dwight Shrute!