Breaking for Spring

Day One

One of my very favorite things about living on the East coast is the ability to jump into our car and, just a few hours later, be at some of the most amazing spots in the country. So on Friday, with a whole week blocked off on everyone's calendars, we headed south. Our first stop was New York City. Matt and Ruth, the best host and hostess around, let all seven and a half of us stay yet another night with them. As always, Jonathan's favorite pillow in the world was set out for him and Clayton, a stuffed bunny, was waiting for the girls to sleep with. The bathroom was stocked full with luxurious soaps and lotions and and we awoke to waffles with strawberries, cream and buttermilk syrup. They definitely set the example of how to best comfort travel weary, child bearing guests!
Our next phase of Spring break took us to Washington, D.C. We came here two years ago for our break and just had to come back for more! I don't know if it is the red, white and blue nationalism, the impressive monuments and historical buildings, or the ability to walk up to the ticket counter and be given FREE tickets to some of the best museums in the world, but we love this city!
We arrived Saturday afternoon and picnicked on the lawn in front of the Washington Monument, under an umbrella of cherry blossoms, with a tulip garden not far off and kites being flown in the spring breeze.

We then walked around the tidal basin visiting all the monuments. Thomas Jefferson was Emilie's favorite. The most recently built FDR monument was Steve's favorite.

Stops at the Korean War Memorial and Vietnam Memorial were most impressionable.

We all enjoyed the Lincoln Memorial in the sunset.

And the WWII monument proved our true colors: We just had to look for both the Massachuttes granite slab as well as the Utah slab. As soon as we climbed in our car, we all fell asleep, leaving Steve, the eternal good sport, to navigate his way to our hotel.