Easter in Washington...

Who would go to D.C. over Spring Break? Apparently TONS of people. Especially when it occurs over Easter weekend and peak Cherry Blossom season. Initially the whole purpose of our trip was based on the hope that we would have tickets to the White House Easter Egg Roll, but that didn't happen (thanks a lot, Congressman Austria). But, we had wonderful weather and a terrific time! Right after school on Thursday, the girls, Nana, and I hit the road. We arrived at our hotel in Washington just after 10PM. Daddy took the metro over from work and had already checked us in. Then he took our car over to the long-term lot at the base so we didn't have to pay for parking downtown. Friday morning we slept in a little and enjoyed breakfast at the hotel in our p.j.'s, before heading out for the day. We walked over to the Tidal Basin (hoping for smaller crowds on Friday--no such luck). The Cherry Blossoms were in full bloom, and gorgeous as ever. There were so many people everywhere. The wait for a paddle boat was over three hours...we did not wait in line. But, the girls were such a big hit that a photographer for Reuters even asked to photograph them. After checking out the Tulip Library, we hopped on the metro to the National Zoo. More huge crowds, coupled with escalator outages, made for a very long trip. But, the girls always love the zoo--especially this one. So, we had fun. We even got to see the Pandas this time (from a distance, but still). That night we made dinner at our hotel. Once the girls were ready for bed mommy and daddy took the metro up to the Verizon Center to catch a Wizards game. They lost--big shocker. Go Bulls!

Logan, lost in the Cherry Blossoms...

Carsyn loved them...

Maren insisted that they smelled "lovely" (but they don't really smell at all)...

Look at all those Cherry Blossoms...

The Tulip Library...

Carsyn's favorite color: pink...

At the National Zoo...

Maren looking for the Giant Pandas...

At the game...

Saturday we walked over to the White House. It was pretty depressing watching them set up the South lawn, knowing that we were not going to get to participate in the Easter Egg Roll on Monday : (. Maybe next year. Then we went to the Museum of American History because the girls wanted to see the new addition to the First Ladies exhibit. It was awesome for them to see Michelle Obama's Inaugural gown...of course mommy and daddy had already seen it in person. Then we got the girls some ice cream and walked around the National Mall. The girls were ready to go back to the hotel and relax a bit; we'd done quite a lot of walking. They also couldn't wait to go swimming.

The girls on the Mall...

At the White House...

Maren and Mrs. Obama's dress...

Logan and the First couple...

Taking a break...

Logan...

Carsyn...

Maren...

The girls...

Our family...

Swim time...

On Easter morning we went downstairs to breakfast. The hotel staff had their own little egg hunt for the kids. The girls looked so cute in their matching Easter dresses. Daddy, on-the-other-hand, was less than thrilled when he found out what I'd packed for him to wear. Ha ; ). Maybe next time he won't ask me to pack his suitcase. Then we walked down the street a couple of blocks to attend mass. Afterward the girls were super-excited to go look for their own Easter Eggs. We took them out to the National Mall and had our "hunt" there. They really enjoyed that (even if it wasn't at the White House). Next we took the metro over to the Kennedy Center for Easter Brunch at the Roof Terrace. The food was amazing. It was well worth waiting all of Lent for those desserts. YUM! That evening we went over to friends' house. It had been almost a year since we'd seen them. The girls had such a great time playing, and the adults had a nice time catching up. (Thanks, you guys--we sure miss you!)

Carsyn all fancy for mass...

Our (matching) family on Easter...

Carsyn and Logan at St. Dominic's...

On the Mall, waiting to find their eggs...

Carsyn found some...

Maren found something else...

There she goes...

Check out Logan's Demi Lovato-look (she did not got to church like this)...

Carsyn...

Logan at the Kennedy Center...

They're stuffed...

Carsyn...

Charlie, Logan, Maren, Sydney, and Carsyn

(I have no idea what was going on here ; )...

Monday morning we had a Capitol tour scheduled, because we couldn't get a White House tour (thanks again, Rep. Austria). But, at least this time we were able to get Gallery passes and see where the President gives the State of the Union. Afterward we took the girls to the Botanic Garden. They've always loved it there. Before we knew it, it was time to get up to BWI and catch our plane to Florida. Time sure flies on vacation...too bad D.C. traffic doesn't. We barely made our flight. But, we did (thank God) and now we're ready for Spring Break part 2...

The girls inside the Capitol...

At the United States Botanic Garden...

The First Ladies' Water Garden...

Daddy and Logan and some beautiful orchids...

Maren...

Easter Egg Hunt...

The PTO at the girls' school sponsored a breakfast with the Easter bunny and Easter egg hunt this morning. They had a great time hunting for eggs with their friends, decorating Easter pails, and eating doughnuts.

The girls with the Easter Bunny...

Maren found some...

Carsyn did too...

Logan was too busy socializing ; )

Father Daughter Dance...

Tonight Logan and Carsyn had a Girl Scout father/daughter dance at their school. They were so-looking forward to this. They thought this was about the coolest thing ever, and they couldn't wait to spend a night out with their dad--they wanted me no where near the dance ; (. When daddy called around noon (already en route from Washington), he had been stuck it terrible traffic. So, not wanting to let his girls down, he called the airline and booked a plane ticket home instead. What a great dad! Before I went to pick him up from the airport, the girls had a hair appointment. They needed a trim badly, but it worked out that the hairdresser "did" their hair for their big night as well! The girls loved getting all dressed up for the dance too. Maren didn't even care that she wasn't going, she just wanted to put on her "fluffy" skirt! What a fun night...for all!

Logan and Carsyn before their hair cut...

Logan trying on her skirt...

Maren too...

Having fun...

So sweet...

Maren loved it...

Logan thought she was so cool...

Carsyn feeling very fancy...

Ready to go...

Daddy (thanks to Nana) giving the girls corsages for the dance...