marias mayhem: Washington DC

Last weekend we spent a couple of nights in DC and it was a blast. Mick and I love going to DC, there is always something to do and see. There is so much history in the area and he and I LOVE history. This is our second time in DC and I did not feel as much pressure to squeeze everything in as I did the last time we came. It's kind of funny but we felt like pros, it only took a couple of minutes to remember how to get our passes for the Metro and we knew how to get around a little bit better. We spent the first day at the American History Museum, it's my favorite and we still didn't see it all because the pop-culture exhibit is always packed. I don't see what the big deal is about seeing "Dorothy's slippers" but there is always a least a 45 minute wait to see the pop-culture exhibit. Then we had a good time just walking around the National Mall but it was freezing and of course we forgot our jackets so we got back on the Metro towards our hotel. This time we stayed at the Radisson in Crystal City the best part was that the Metro was about a block from our hotel and it was located in an underground shopping center. So we squeezed in a little shopping and ate a delicious dinner at a Mexican restaurant. Sydney and I bought some cheesy souvenir sweatshirts for the next day because it was supposed to be cold in the morning. The next morning we headed to the annual Cherry Blossom Parade and it was no Mardi Gras but it was still a lot of fun. Afterwards, the crowds were terrible there were about 60 food tents but we wanted to get away from the crowds so we headed for the Ronald Reagan building because they have a nice food court. Afterwards we must have walked10 miles around the city looking at buildings and enjoying the day. In the afternoon we went to the Holocaust museum, Sydney has been asking to go there for long time. We stored our things in the museum lockers and then headed for the ticket desk because the main exhibit required a ticket. At first I was worried because it seems you have to call ahead an get on list to hold your ticket because they run out quickly but it turns out that if your active-duty military they have tickets for you and your guest. It always helps to ask for discounts anywhere you can. This museum was amazing there was so much to look at and I am sure you could spend a whole day there and still not see everything. We were in there for 2 hours that was just one exhibit it was so interesting and recommend it to anyone. Security is really tight since the shooting last year. Afterwards we went to Washington Monument and took a little break before we headed back to the hotel. I am already making plans to go back to do more, it's such a beautiful city.

Walking in front of the Washington Monument

Standing in line for the American History Museum

This is just outside the pop culture exhibit it's the outfit worn on the "Carol Burnett Show" for the "Gone With the Wind" episode.

I thought about sending this to my former boss.

The back of the parade everyone getting ready for it to start.

Veggie tales, Brody was not interested at all.

He is warming up to the idea.

These girls were so pretty, those costumes were gorgeous

CLOWNS-- Run

This guy was so good I have a video clip.

These guys were really good too.

Brody is finally enjoying himself

former American Idol -- or aka first looser.

These were elementary kids had a little routine, that was so cute and the band behind them was also elementary kids some of them needed help holding there instruments because they were bigger than them.