We are here in DC for Casey’s conference, which is Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. So Sunday was his only real day to explore and get out in the city – we wanted to squeeze in as much as we could.
Our day started off bright and early in Old Town. I had forgotten that my favorite time here was the early morning. The streets that are usually crowded and bustling are so empty and still.
Even though Seattle is a mecca for coffee lovers, I love the little coffee shops here in Old Town. We spent so much time working in them, and they became a second home during the day. Misha’s is our favorite!
After breakfast in Old Town, we jumped on the Metro to take a trip into the city.
Cullen’s first Metro ride! He was totally confused and not sure why he was allowed to sit in our laps instead of the car seat, but he was definitely happy about it.
My good friend, Blake (from college!), came with us and practiced his uncle skills. His first niece arrives in December!
I forgot how much I LOVE the Metro. I know people that use it daily for commutes have a (justifiably) totally different perspective, but I only used it here and there, and found it so refreshing to not deal with car traffic. If we still lived here, it would be so nice to not have to load Cullen into a car seat all the time!
After a short ride and a walk across the Memorial Bridge, we made it!
Cullen’s first trip into our nation’s capital!
Definitely won’t be his last trip either. This is such a great place to bring kids to learn about the history and cultures of our country.
It was so nice to be back on the National Mall and walking around with Cullen. It’s such a beautiful and historical space, and I just feel this amazing energy up there.
Cullen loved all the grass and the trees, and staring at the big buildings. He was in a great mood the whole time, and we probably walked at least 5 or 6 miles.
When we left, the Reflecting Pool was still under construction. It looks beautiful all filled up with water again!
We checked out the World War II Memorial and found Indiana and Ohio right next to each other.
We walked over to the new MLK Memorial since none of us had seen it yet.
It was right on the water across from the Jefferson Memorial – a beautiful space!
I guess this memorial has been somewhat controversial (although I don’t know the backstory there), but I thought it was really moving. This sculpture coming out of the rock was incredible!
It was in the high 70’s and sunny on Sunday – the perfect weather for walking around in the sunshine. I hear it is incredibly gloomy back home, so I’m happy to get a few more extra days of sun.
Cullen had been a good sport in the stroller for many miles, so we sought out a shady grassy space for him to run around in before we headed back. He stretched his legs at the base of the Washington Monument – something everyone should do at least once.
I know I’m a sap and I’ve probably already said this ten times, but it just feels so special to share the place and things that I love with Cullen. I love seeing my pre-parenting world come together with my new little family of three – it somehow feels like it has all come full circle.
As I watched him run around and find sticks and leaves (to eat), I was remembering the picnic that Casey and I shared in that very same spot two years ago. Our lives were so different then. Time flies!
Sunday night kicked off Casey’s work dinners and meetings, and I was luck enough to get to spend the evening with friends Lindsay and Lisa! Lisa and I were pregnant at the same time when I lived here, but our babies had never met!
They had fun running around the playroom together and wrestling for toys. This was the first time Cullen has met his match! He’s usually the most wild baby of the bunch. . But Caroline definitely held her own, and even tackled him a few times to get a toy back. Hilarious.
Thanks to Lisa and Lindsay for a delicious dinner and great company!
We are here until tomorrow afternoon!
37 Comments so far
Leave a comment
I have yet to go to D.C. but it is definitely on the top of my list. It looks gorgeous there! Cullen looks friggin’ adorable as always :)
[Reply]
Love that picture of the two walking!
[Reply]
Looks like y’all had some gorgeous weather; perfect for sightseeing!*
[Reply]
Wow–what an amazing trip!
[Reply]
Looks like you are having a blast in your homecoming. My husband I were there this time last year and had an amazing time. We also found some great coffee shops in Old Town.
The reflecting pool looks beautiful – it was a pile of dirt when we were there. : ( We will definitely be going back with Molly!
[Reply]
I love taking the kids back to our old stumpin’ grounds. t feels so different and makes those old memories and new ones more important.
[Reply]
Cullen is so friggin cute!
I love DC, haven’t been in years though. I’m a museum freak, so it’s like paradise for me, haha.
[Reply]
Last time I was in DC was in January 2005! It was COLD! Brrr.. I lost one of my gloves on Capital hill… lol Weather sounds lovely- the rains have made a return here in the Seattle area. Love the photos. Definitely seeing both of you in Cullen now. Safe travels to you.
[Reply]
It’s so fun seeing your pictures of Old Town and DC. I lived just south of Old Town for a few years, and even worked at Misha’s for a while. I wonder if I ever served you a coffee?!
We only moved to the other side of the beltway, but I can’t remember the last time I went down to Alexandria. I miss it!
[Reply]
:) I love that you are back to this side of the country! I am sure you will be back for many more trips!
[Reply]
I love your pictures of this whole area. I haven’t been to DC in ten years- my grandparents used to live in Maryland – and I miss it tremendously! there is so much to do and see in that whole area and it’s so nice just to walk around and explore.
[Reply]
HAHA! So funny about the babies playing. That would be a fun afternoon :)
[Reply]
What a fun trip! Definitely keep enjoying the sunny days you are having there. It IS extremely gloomy here in seattle…very depressing, and hard to get out with a little one!
[Reply]
Gorgeous pics as usual! I love showing my kids my old places. It’s funny when you think back to all your favorite spots pre-kids. Oh how lives can change so quickly! Enjoy the rest of your trip!
[Reply]
I actually grew up in Alexandria and love going back to visit Old Town. It’s such a great place! I’m glad that your son go to experience it and DC during your trip.
[Reply]
The reflecting pool just got filled back up- it had all these green algae in with the water the first time so they had to drain it again. Gross.
C and C are so cute together! I get to meet Lisa THIS WEEKEND!!!
[Reply]
Lisa @ The Splattered Apron Reply:
October 16th, 2012 at 4:54 pm
Wooo hoo, Katie!!! So excited :-)
[Reply]
DC is one of the most beautiful places in the fall, I’m so glad you’re getting to reflect back and make new memories on this trip!
[Reply]
The picture of Cullen and Casey is too cute for words. Don’t mind me while my heart completely melts all over the place.
[Reply]
Who is that gorgeous little boy with that head full of hair?! It looks like y’all are having a really nice trip!
[Reply]
The picture of him without his shoes makes me laugh every time. My daughter will turn four the same day he turns one, and to this day, I CANNOT keep a pair of shoes on her! In the car? Kicks them off. At home? Kicks them off. In church? Kicks them off. Out to eat? Kicks them off. No matter what we say or do to her, she always kicks her shoes off, so we’ve quit lecturing and just started looking for them LOL
[Reply]
What a gorgeous day! I have a sudden desire to take a trip to DC. I love that city.
[Reply]
Ahh I love DC! Looks like you all got some lovely weather :) Great pictures as always! Cullen looks like he’s lovin’ it!
[Reply]
I LOVE DC! It’s definitely my favorite place to visit (been there about 6 times on vacation) and I’d love to live there some day :)
[Reply]
What a perfect day you had! So glad you’re having such a wonderful time! :)
[Reply]
DC is my second home (I moved there when I was 22, and DH and I met and married there). We moved from Alexandria to FL eight years ago, and just had our annual trip back a few weeks ago. We stayed in Old Town and I loved being back and wandering around, hitting all my fav spots while DH had business meetings. Enjoy the rest of your stay.
[Reply]
Boy, you’re right, it does feel like just yesterday when you posted the pictures of your picnic lunch there. Holy cow – time flies and what a lot of stuff has happened since then. Glad you are absorbing all the fun memories and making new ones on your trip. Should be fun to go back when Cullen is a bit older too so he can really take it all in.
[Reply]
It’s kind of neat seeing the city I live quite next to (I’m in NoVa) but rarely visit through your eyes — makes me want to venture in more often. Cullen is truly adorable in these pictures – so happy!
Btw, I made your recipe for quinoa-stuffed acorn squash last night, and it was fabulous. I’m a hesitant cook, but your recipes are accessible and interesting, so thanks for inspiring me to have the courage to cook!
[Reply]
So sweet-LOVE your pictures of Cullen-he looks so amazed! DC is beautiful and I absolutely love it there-I keep saying I will get an apartment there for a month during the summer (I am a teacher) and just play tourist. Looks like you are having a great time!!!
[Reply]
your pictures are so gorgeous!
[Reply]
Oh, the pictures of Cullen and Caroline together are adorable! I love Caroline’s little socked feet.
And Cullen does look truly confused about the Metro, haha!
Looks like you all had a fun time.
[Reply]
I love this post! We live in DC and just love living in this area – and we love to go to Old Town whenever possible. It has so much history and charm. I’m so happy you were able to get back for a few days.
I LOVE your photographs. How do you get the background of the pictures to blur? I love the photos of Cullen – he is crisp and the background is blurry. I have an 8 month old and I’d like to take better pictures of him. I do my best, but I’d love to learn how to do that.
Thanks!
[Reply]
We moved here just as you left – I so wish we would have overlapped! I’m pretty sure we would have been friends! As it is, we’ll have to settle for reading about your adventures and FOOD (or maybe we’ll move to Seattle, which is high on our list.)
[Reply]
Thanks for singing praise about La Pain Quotidian! Tried it out today and it is terrific!
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
October 22nd, 2012 at 7:11 pm
So glad you liked it!
[Reply]
Emily, you are like super mom! I love how involved you are with Cullen, and making sure that he is a happy boy;) This trip looks wonderful. Great photos, and restaurant reviews. I love the logo on Misha’s coffee;)
[Reply]
Emily Malone Reply:
October 22nd, 2012 at 7:06 pm
Thank you so much! :)
[Reply]
Leave a comment