Catching Up: Girl's Weekend Out / Another DC Weekend

I have many wonderful gifts in life.  Among them, I have a fabulous husband that made arrangements in his schedule for me to have another October weekend away in DC.
Lucky me. 

And this time, it was a weekend away with some of the most fabulous women that I know. Women I've known since third grade, but who continue to amaze and inspire me with the kind of wives, mothers, and just good people that they are. Another phenomenal gift.
Lucky, lucky me. 

We spent a few days together touring DC: beautiful weather, a hotel, museums, monuments, shopping, sight-seeing, late night conversations, and eating absolutely fantastic food.  I had such a phenomenal time doing all of it without kids, it was like I'd never been to DC before.  But we decided that could have gone anywhere for a weekend away, because the favorite activity by far was talking.--all we needed was a table to sit at all together and we were good for hours of coversation.  And, when I came home, I was truly rejuvenated.

 Old Town Alexandria (and eating at LaMadeleine)

Our hotel was near the Capitol. 

Anna and I went out for early-morning runs (well, I did more walking than running)

on the Mall  for our fitness challenge requirements. 

 Visiting the National Gallery and getting a serious case of the giggles--while today's vogue is to have your family portrait taken in a fruit orchard, please observe the family portrait with the Virgin Mary.
 

 Julia Child's kitchen in the Museum of American History

Michelle Obama's inagural gown

The original Star Spangled Banner

Cupcakes at Georgetown Cupcake.  Divine!

 Cute Poppy

 Touring the monuments

Thanks dear friends!  I hope that it's not two years before we can do this again.