9/11

On Tuesday, September 11, 2012, Ryan and I flew out of MKE airport to Washington DC. We didn't realize when we booked our tickets that it was 9/11. Actually it was a very uneventful trip, and everything was smooth on the way there. The only thing that happened was a brief moment of silence.

Our trip was very last minute, and we only were able to go for a couple days -- Short, but sweet!

Ryan was asked to speak at a conference being held on Wednesday for non-profit organization collaboration. We had most of the day Tuesday to sight-see, and the afternoon on Wednesday. We flew back home on Thursday.

On Tuesday, my sister-in-law Tracy picked us up from the airport. God Bless her, she had agreed to give us a tour of DC. First we had to swing by and pick up my nephew from Pre-school. He was very confused to see me and Uncle Ryan at his school! After meeting his friends, and checking out his classroom, we hopped back in the car and headed to the Metro station. I am such a nerd, but this was the first time I ever rode a Metro!!

 

Once we got there, we grabbed lunch down in the business district. It was the craziest thing, but the streets were lined with trucks selling all different kinds of foods. First we tried Empanadas (again my first time!). Then Ryan and Silas had to get hot dogs because they were still hungry, and the Empanadas just didn't do it for them. Then we shared a fish taco. After filling up on lunch from the weird truck vendors we headed towards the museums. First stop: Hirshhorn Museum of Art.

 

Giant sculpture of brush strokes.

 

Goofy picture in the water fountain.

 

 

 

Getting ready to go inside!

 

Warhol

 

Waiting for Uncle Ryan and Mom

 

Still

 

 This was a sculpture of a really big man (naked) sitting on the floor. Check out the detail in the feet!!

 

Next, we headed over to the National Museum of Natural History. We purchased tickets to the Live Butterfly Pavilion. We were lucky enough to have them land on us. Silas thought that was the coolest part!

 

 

Swordtail Butterfly

 

He caught the swordtail on a paintbrush!

Uncle Ryan thought it would be fun to go down the stairs, extreme-style!

We continued our journey through The Mall and saw:

The White House

 

WWII Memorial

WWII Memorial

Reflecting Pool

Lincoln Memorial

 

 

         Washington Monument & Capital from

the Lincoln Memorial

Wednesday morning we headed back into DC for Ryan's conference. After the meeting we had lunch at Old Ebbit's with Ryan's brother Shannon. And because this is a historic oyster bar, we of course had to start off with a dozen oysters. Lunch was fantastic! While Shannon went back to work, Ryan and I walked around The Mall. We decided to go into the National Museum of American History. However, I do have to say that I was not very impressed. I much preferred the art museum and Natural History Museum.

Ryan and I ended our day in DC with a run along The Mall. It was so cool! We were able to run behind the White House, down to the WWII Memorial, and along the Reflecting Pool, down and behind the Lincoln Memorial, up the path to the Washington Monument and back. It was so amazing!! While it's about a 4 mile run, it was very easy because there is so much distraction.

Wednesday night we were able to have dinner with Shannon, Tracy and our nephews at Asian Bistro. It was a great end to our mini-vacay!! We are so thankful to them for making our short trip super awesome!!!  Thank you Shannon, Tracy, Aidan & Silas!!!