Cherry Blossom Festival

We took advantage of a deal on "Travel Zoo" and scheduled a weekend in Washington, D.C., at the Virginian Suites. Without realizing it, we were in D.C. for the opening day of the Cherry Blossom Festival and the Kite Festival. Saturday was a gorgeous, bright, clear, sunny day. It was nice to get away for a brief time and just relax and enjoy.

Looking out of our hotel room window upon our arrival Friday evening.

Early Saturday morning we headed for the outdoor farmers market in Old Town Alexandria. Rich found fresh made pasta, a jar of home made tomato sauce with pancetta and leeks, a baguette, and some fruit from which to create our evening meal. The hotel suite was a bedroom, living room, and kitchen - perfect!

We returned our car to the hotel and then walked to the Metro to get to the National Mall. Once there we walked around the entire tidal basin, visiting memorials, watching people of all ages fly their kites, and taking in the beautiful cherry blossoms. We ate lunch at the Smithsonian Café and even spent a brief time in the National Museum of Art.

Along the walk to the Jefferson Memorial

Kites on the Mall

Inside the Jefferson Memorial

Rich at the World War II Memorial

Kites everywhere - and so pretty!

Before leaving for home on Sunday we stopped at the Iwo Jima Memorial
just around the corner from our hotel.

Birthday Weekend

Kat and Jason spent the weekend with us as we celebrated Kat's birthday. While Kat and Jason went out Saturday evening we enjoyed some fun time with Daniel. He's such a happy boy - and quite the little charmer!

Daniel has his own cupboard at Grandma's house. He was having fun getting things out until he saw the camera!

Saturday Project

Sharon gave us a picture collage frame for Christmas and I finally spent some time filling it - with each grandchild's picture, meaning of the name, and prayer for each one. A good Saturday project on a cold winter day. The text of the names, scripture verses, and prayers can be seen at http://richnsusan.blogspot.com/2009/12/whats-in-name.html.

Be Mine!

Saturday Rich made us a romantic dinner of Filet Mignon on a bed of thinly sliced potatoes and smothered in a creamy exotic mushroom sauce. Then he made a favorite dessert - chocolate soufflé with raspberry sauce. We spent part of the evening looking at slides from Germany - our first year of marriage. We are in the process of digitizing many of our slides.

We spent Valentine's Day with Kat, Jason and Daniel. Daniel has a ton of personality and is a lot of fun to be with.

Done with Snow

We had a total of about 38 inches of snow. We were both home from work again today, although we ventured out this afternoon to buy a new microwave oven - with no complications to the drive. We cleared the driveway, deck, and in front of the mailbox where the snow had drifted across the road and against the box. Now the sun is out and it is very pretty again.