Washington DC

At the 10th Annual Christmas Day-Night Hot Cocoa Party-  Zach and Rebecca Hipps casually invited Hunter and me to come visit them in Washington DC.  As they were walking out the door and reaffirming their invitation- I said "yes! we will seriously come."  And we did.

And the Hipps gave us the most amazing time!  Every time we go visit friends abroad, we feel so incredibly blessed and loved.  Zach and Becca truly truly truly gave 100% of themselves and their home and their time.  Thank you, guys!

^^ Got off the plane and figured the system out. ^^

^^ Trekking to the Hipp's home ^^

^^ First meal in DC.  The Hipps KNOW their food!  We ate sooo good.  Including this neighborhood Italian gem. ^^

^^ Did a session in the DC temple which was minutes away from Zach and Becca's house^^

^^Our gracious hosts.  Check out the blue skies!^^

^^ Friday morning we got up and took the metro downtown.  We walked the National Mall all day and saw what we came to see!  Including Our Nation's Capitol ^^

^^Cherry Blossom season.  The Festival was also going on although we didn't participate much.^^

^^Hunter Poo^^

^^ Library of Congress  ^^

^^ National Archives Museum^^

^^THE Smithsonian^^

^^The gardens to the South of the Smithsonian that I can't remember their names. But I do remember Hunter and I sat and had a break in the midst of these gorgeous trees.  It got HOT and every chill moment was needed. ^^

^^ Washington Monument.  We got lucky because the scaffolding just came off! And the weather!  Hot but gorgeous! ^^

^^ The White House ^^

^^ At this point Becca and Zach had got out of work and school and rescued us from the heat!  Thank you! So they drove us by the Lincoln Monument and we had about 10 minutes total.  Which was plenty for us to go snap some photos.  We are facing the monument above.  This shot just reminds me of Forrest Gump. ^^

^^ Us and Abe. ^^

^^ "Forrest!" ^^

^^We spent the evening in Georgetown.  Cupcakes first.  Then the town.  Beeaaaaaauuuutiful!!!!!  

Had one of my most favorite dinners at a darling restaurant on the Potomac. ^^

^^Saturday the Hipps got to join us, or rather we got to be their guests.  We started at the Eastern Market.  The one place I wish we had more time.  ^^

^^Then took a drive to Annapolis, MD.^^

^^Charming little harbor town.  How are we so lucky with weather?^^

^^ Becca and I eating ice cream in these red chairs watching people go by.  A street performer to our left.  We were literally discussing how it couldn't get any better.  ^^

^^And then it did.^^

^^Becca and Zach had commitments to sing in an Easter choir at the Temple visitor's center so we went solo again- with their car.  We jolted over to the National Cathedral and charmed the front desk girl to get in free (it should be free).  Photos are not allowed inside.  ^^

Then we argued with each other and google maps until we got to Arlington Cemetery.  Driving in this city was NUTS.  But we were all smiles by the time we parked and entered this ever so reverent place. 

^^ A Sea of Graves.  Me being bossy in a selfie.  This was one of my favorite parts of our trip (although Zach kept telling me I was saying that about everything we did.)  But I really remember the serenity and Spirit that was on these grounds.  And we were there at sunset with the most beautiful breeze.  And everything smelled good. ^^

^^The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  We stayed to watch the changing of the guards, twice.  I felt so honored to be an American. ^^

^^ On our way home my tummy decided we needed more Georgetown cupcakes.  We remembered the parking nightmare in Georgetown and the long line outside the shop.  So we found another shop in Bethesda- which we thought would be more accessible.  Nope. Still bad parking and long lines- But I am so glad we took the time to go to Bethesda.  Another place I wish I had more time in.  And more pictures of.  ^^

^^Sunday morning we woke up early to a knock at the door.  TODD!!! My spontaneous brother had been driving to the East coast all week and surprised us!  Ha!  He only stayed a few minutes as he was on his way to NYC- but we loved the surprise nonetheless.  ^^ 

^^Beautiful Sunday morning after an uplifting Sacrament meeting.^^ 

^^The Temple was next door to the church building so we spent Sunday School at the visitor's center.  BLUE SKIES!!!^^ 

^^ Becca took us to this neighborhood on our way out and it blew us away!  Kensington?  I think that's it.  Wow.  Houses, cherry blossoms, fanciness.  So worth it. ^^

^^We were only planning a Sunday picnic at Great Falls National Park when we found out there was a free bicycle rental program.  Yes, please.  ^^ 

^^We biked and hiked next to the Potomac River and the C&O Canal.  THIS WAS FOR SURE MY FAVORITE PART OF OUR WHOLE TRIP.^^ 

^^Afterwards we took the stroll out to see the Falls. ^^ I kept reciting this scripture in my head: 

3 His ^aeyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his ^bcountenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his ^cvoice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of ^dJehovah, saying:

 4 I am the ^afirst and the last; I am he who ^bliveth, I am he who was slain; I am your ^cadvocate with the Father.

All things truly testify of HIM. 

^^Taking the windy drive up to Shenandoah Valley.  Gorgeous, Virginia.  Good job. ^^

^^ Hunter dying. ^^

^^ Monday!  Mt. Vernon.  It was so convenient that Becca started Spring break on this day. 

 So she got to play and help us along.  ^^

^^Georgie's original tomb.  (Nic Cage was also here in National Treasure 2) ^^

^^ George and Martha Washington's Tombs ^^

ALSO let it be known that as we were leaving Mt. Vernon through the gift shop we met President and Sister Uctdorf shopping for post cards!  We shook their hands and told them we were from Gilbert, AZ where he knew we had just had our temple dedicated.  They were so kind.  We felt it would have been disrespectful to ask for a picture.  They were on a free day/ vacation.  They were also in normal clothes.  Ha! 

^^ Then we drove to nearby Alexandria and had seafood and looked around at their beautiful history.  Why is seafood so good?  ^^

^^ And our last stop was the George Washington Masonic Temple Monument.  This place blew my mind.  Hunter and I are so fascinated with Masons and their practices and morals.  And this branch in Alexandria really respected George Washington as a national leader AND as a Free-Mason himself.  ^^

That evening we were invited to a barbecue with some of the Hipp's friends.  We ate the best homemade steak I've ever had and met some really interesting people and had some funny conversations.