ANNIVERSARY IN DC

This year - Josh and I spent our 4-year Wedding Anniversary celebrating in DC. We had a wonderful time. It was so great to get away for a few days, visit the capital, learn a little, eat a lot :) and spend some much needed time together - we have been back for almost a month now, but before we go on our next big trip (details to come later!!) at the end of this week - I thought I should post an update on how this trip went...

Day 1 - We flew out of Huntsville (very nice airport actually) and into BWI (Baltimore) EARLY Friday morning. We caught an Amtrak train from BWI that took us straight to Union Station in DC. This was Josh's first time on a train and it was a very pleasant, quick trip! Once we got into the city, we caught a cab and checked into our hotel - The Liason. We really enjoyed staying here - it was nice, reasonably priced and EXTREMELY convenient to Union Station and the Capital.

In the afternoon we headed over to the National Mall, toured the outside of most of the Smithsonian Museums, visited the National History Museum (to see T-rex and the Hope Diamond, of course) and then headed straight over to the Halocaust Museum. I am not sure if I can truly describe this experience - I would say that it was probably our favorite thing that we did in DC... but it was certainly not a "fun" experience. To say that it was "sad" or "informative" does not really describe it either.... certainly, we are extremely glad that we went, learned more than I ever thought was possible in a 3 hour period, would definitely go back again - but would never (obviously) bring small children. Although I don't think we can begin to understand the horror that the victims of the Halocaust experienced - The United States Halocaust Memorial Museum certainly makes a good effort of showing you that experience.

Day 2 - On Saturday morning, we were up and out pretty early. We signed up for an early public tour of The Capital. We had both been to DC a few times before - but neither of us had done this particular tour. We started out in the visitor center, toured the Capital history museum (awesome scale models of the Capital throughout its several construction phases and expansions - I know, I am a nerd), and then got a general tour of the Rotunda and the public spaces for the Senate and the House. Getting a refresher of the history of our government and specifically Congress is always a plus. I forgot how truly beautiful the Capital is. Our tour guide said that the Capital is the most recognizable building in the world - (Not that he's biased or anything...)

After our tour of the Capital, we headed through the underground and over to the Library of Congress. After all of the scenes shot in this building after the National Treasure movies... I was excited to check out the hidden door at the information desk that led to the Presidents' private reading room... I was sad to discover that the Main Reading Room is actually closed to the public. You have to be completely official research to gain access to this area... very sad. But, we were able to view the room from behind glass upstairs... just no pictures.

Here are some pictures that we were able to get of the Library of Congress in the public spaces - I think this was my favorite government building that we visited. So beautiful. Love all of the marble and granite flooring patterns and the intricate ceiling designs... Again, nerd, I know. I can't help it.

After the Library of Congress, we spent the afternoon on a self-guided walking tour... trying to hit some of the highlights...

The Supreme Court

J Edgar Hoover FBI Building (So excited about the new movie coming out!!)

The new WWII Memorial

And Back to Union Station - our home away from our hotel for the weekend

Later that evening, we decided to venture back out to the National Mall and tour the monuments at night. This was a lot of fun... not quite as crowded and we really enjoyed testing and playing with all of the different settings on our new camera.

The Washington Monument

The WWII Memorial with the Lincoln Memorial in the background

WWII Memorial - probably one of my favorites!!

We took these pictures standing on the side of the Lincoln Memorial and looking back towards the Washington Monument and the Capital. DC is so pretty :)

View of our hotel at night - Capital in the Background

Day 3 - We woke up early Sunday morning and rode the Metro out to meet our friends in Anapolis. Jeff and Rachel were in town visiting family and friends and were gracious enough to pick us up and take us on a tour of the Naval Academy (where Jeff graduated) and Anapolis. Is was wonderful to get out of the busy city for the day and catch up with great friends - we even got to meet their adorable daughter, Naomi for the first time. She is certainly a cutie.

Naval Academy Chapel - Absolutely stunning. We received a private tour from Rachel's mom who is in charge of religious education for the Academy.

Group shot - in front of the residence hall - Best looking dorm I have ever seen!!

Banquet Hall inside their Residence Hall - very impressive.

Me with sweet Naomi - she loved my necklace :)

Thank you Rachel and Jeff - we had such a great time touring Anapolis with you guys :).

Day 4 - Final day in DC. On Monday we woke up and decided to attend the International Spy Museum. I am sad to say that it was slightly disappointing... maybe we set our sights too high by expecting to learn some critical national spy secrets... or maybe it was because it was the only museum that we had to pay for... but it definitely was not our favorite. I did learn a lot more about the Cuban Missile Crisis that I did not know... but other than that, it was kind of uneventful. I think all of the Bond and Bourne movies have ruined that for me (us).

After the museum, we headed back over to the White House to get some good (not so crowded) pics since it was a Monday. We did a little bit of shopping and then eventualy headed back to Union Station to catch another Amtrak back to BWI.

After 4 days, we were sad to leave, but again, so thankful for this time together. We had a wonderful 4 year anniversary vacation. Can't wait to go again :).

Now for our next trip... Josh and I are actually headed on another weekend vaca at the end of this week!! Josh has a conference for the hospital that he is attending in SAN DIEGO and I am coming with him!! We are both so stoked - we have never been to San Diego and absolutely loved California (San Francisco) on our honeymoon. We are excited to get away again - celebrate our birthdays and visit one of the world's largest zoos. (We love zoos...)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

What are you going to BEE this year??

4 YEARS AGO TODAY...

Happy Anniversary to my my wonderful husband, Josh. I can't believe it has been 4 years!! Time is definitely flying. We are excited about our trip this week - DC here we come!!

UF vs. UAB w/ THE ADAMS

Last month we got to make a trip with our friends Ryan and Laura down to Gainesville for the Florida/UAB game. We thought it would be a great time to show our friends around Jax and Gaines-vegas and a fun game to go to since it was both of Josh's alma-maters :). We drove in late Friday night (as usual) stayed with my Mom Friday night. Saturday consisted of a full tour of Jacksonville and Gainesville, the game Saturday night and then staying with Josh's parents Saturday night.

During our tour of downton Jax - we remembered that Laura Street crossed Adams Street near the main library - we promptly headed that way, parked and had Laura Adams and Ryan Adams pose for these pictures - how cute!

Do you think there is a "Hewiett" street anywhere? If we find it... you better believe we will be posing for a picture like this one.

For lunch on Saturday, we got to eat at one of our favorite places in Jax - Mojo's BBQ. We met up with Ben, Jess and their sweet baby Charlotte. It was so good to hang out with the Whitworth's. Apparantly it is an extremely small world - Ben and Jess also grew up in Bham (like Ryan and Laura). Ben's family went to the same private school that Ryan and Laura went to - his sister was in their class and they were really good friends.

So glad we got to see the Whitworths - I miss them :(.

Outside Ben Hill Griffen Stadium - I don't think Josh and I have a picture like this one :)

In the swamp - do you spy two Auburn fans trying to blend in with their subtle tones of blue?

We had a lot of fun trying out our new camera on this trip - Josh and I just got a nice DSLR Canon camera and are still learning how to use it. This trip to Florida was the first time we have used it.

Needless to say, this game was a blowout (39-0). Poor UAB. This was before we lost our first and second string quarterbacks to injuries... our games lately have not been so pretty.

We were so excited about this trip and so glad that we got to spend time with good friends, see some great football and once again see our wonderful family.

FALL (AND PINTEREST)

Fall is FINALLY here. Enough said. Also - (and I know I am slightly behind the times - I blame this summer) I have discovered PINTEREST. It is amazing. Below I have for you some FALL inspiration for home decoration I have gathered on pinterest. Enjoy.

If you are not on pinterest - get on it!! It could change your life. Also - it is supposed to get back up to 85 degrees here tomorrow. Boo. However, we must press on - fall is here and hopefully will show its face again soon.

JACKIE'S SHOWER

Two weekends ago I made a quick trip back to Jax (cashing in some Southwest points - yeah!) for Jackie's baby shower. I was so glad to be able to go home and spend the day with my sweet friends. To the left is a picture of Jackie, Paula and I after the shower - Jackie looks amazing!! She is due in the middle of November and we have all taken bets on when her sweet baby boy will come - I am hoping for November 10 (my birthday, of course.)

It is hard to believe that only last year... Jackie and Billy were getting married!! I am so excited for them and can't wait to meet this sweet addition to their family. The next time we are home in Jax may not be until Christmas and we will hopefully get to meet the little guy then.

Trips like this are so sweet, but definitely too short!! Makes me miss being in Florida and close to my family and friends...

Speaking of trips - I (thankfully) do not currently have any work travel planned... the next big trip will be Josh and I's anniversary trip to DC!! We actually leave in a week and 2 days!! We are stoked, to say the least. We are excited to get away (together) and see the sites.