must have been how Abe Lincoln liked to learn too...

Here's my littlest sweetie heading off to school ...but it wasn't her first day as usual school photos depict. It was her last day of school for the year! The big girl was all ready to go, and gave hugs and kisses before heading off. (This is as close as I'll probably ever get to "sending her off." It was kind of a funny feeling, and I was thinking how thankful I am that I don't have to send my kids off every day for 9 months a year to be herded through a system, but we get to learn and live and love together every day!)

Here she is skipping and running to catch the school b..ranch!

Studying hard...

please allow me to brag (on myself :)

After almost 14 years and 2 babies... I'm back in my wedding dress! AND it is zipped up (proof below!)! That nasty Pilates (and eating right!) is paying off. Now the trick is to keep it this way! Craig and I went clothes shopping after taking these pictures and we BOTH bought sizes we haven't worn since high school!

catching up

I've been feverishly working on teaching myself a new language. Code actually. Top secret code. Well, it FEELS secretive and it has been crazy trying to crack it, but I'm almost in! I'm building a website for Kimberly's newest exciting endeavor. I guess the thrill of selling baby paintings has worn off when almost every one of them sells within minutes of posting them, so we're expanding Joie de Vivre. Can't wait to show you all the new "line." This extra work had just about stolen my after-vacation glow until I just pulled my pictures back up. Ahh, yes. DC. I really, REALLY love DC. Here are a few more pictures.

National Archives and the Declaration of Independence.

National Air and Space Museum and Ford's Theatre and box where Abraham Lincoln was assassinated .

Washington Monument and Sophia crashing on the Mall in front of the Capitol after a long day's walk.

The Capitol and Statutory room. (each state has 2 statues of political figures from that state)

We were able to go into the galley and watch the action on the House Floor (where the president gives the State of the Union every year). They were voting on some bills, one of which was about Mexican trucks (it passed).

The Capitol Rotunda where dead former presidents lie in state. The Rotunda is 30 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty.

our White House tour, 7:15 AM! (up at 5:30!)

1600 Pennsylvania Ave.


See the Secret Service on the roof looking at ME?


The East Gate entrance.
We entered on the East side and saw these rooms downstairs:


China Room



Vermeil Room



Map Room



Library

Then we went upstairs (to the main floor) and saw these rooms:

East Room



Blue Room



Red Room



Green Room



State Dining Room



Cross Hall and Front Door Entrance to the left.

We actually left through the front doors! (see top 2 pictures) That far glowing room is the East Room. To the right are the Blue, Green, and Red rooms. The State Dining Room is directly behind this photo.