Tara's Visit - Day 8

So sad to see Tara go today. I know her kids and hubby are missing her, or I'd keep her forever! What a fun time we had! Now we'll both need a week to recover from this whirlwind week! Love you Tara!

Tara's Visit - Day 7

Today we visited the Museum of American History AND the Museum of Natural History. It's our last day in DC, so we crammed them both in. Normally, a person could spend a week at each of these museums, so, needless to say, we didn't see everything. Not even close. I've been to both museums, so I was able to show Tara and highlights. We had lunch at The Old Post Office and took the elevator to the top to see the entire city. Tara was able to ALMOST finish her souvenir shopping in the gift shops today. YAY! Back to Chick-fil-A for dinner. I think Tara loves their chocolate milkshakes ;-)

Twinner sweatshirts!

Tara's Visit - Day 6

This morning we took VRE to Union Station, walked to the Capitol, took the tour, then went to the Library of Congress and took the tour there also. We walked back to Union Station and had lunch at Uno Chicago Grill Pizzeria, then walked through the US Botanic Garden. We're getting some serious exercise!
Tara, in front of the US Capitol.
This is our first warm day.
Look mom....NO coat!

Strolling through the US Botanic Garden.

Tara's Visit - Day 5

We drove to Arlington Cemetery today. It was so peaceful and serene.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The Memorial Amphitheater

A walk through beautiful Georgetown.

Such a beautiful town.

Georgetown Bakery - made famous on TLC's "DC Cupcakes."

The line at Georgetown Bakery. Tara's waiting at the VERY end.
We waited for over an hour.

Kodak moment while we wait.

Beautiful cupcakes! Too bad they don't taste as good as Tara's! ;-)

Tara's Visit - Day 4

Kurt got home late last night, so he joined me and Tara this morning. We drove to DC and walked around the Tidal Basin to see the cherry blossoms. The blooms were at peak today - SO beautiful! We stopped at the Jefferson Memorial and the FDR Memorial on our walk and then went to the National Air and Space Museum. Today is Kurt's birthday. We all went to Panda Express (Kurt's request) for dinner then went home and opened presents and had some of Tara's amazing cupcakes. What a fun day!

Jefferson Memorial

Tara, posing in front of the original Wright Brother's Flyer.

Tara, creating her AMAZING lemon cupcakes!

The birthday boy. Notice the new GPS. Now I can use the old one and won't get lost on the beltway again!

The. Best. Cupcakes. EVER!!!
Thank you Tara! Happy Birthday Kurt!

Tara's Visit - Day 3

Tara and I covered a lot of territory today. We got up early and took VRE (should have thought of this yesterday) to DC. We went to the Washington Monument, WW II Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Memorial, Albert Einstein Memorial, White House, Federal Triangle, Old Post Office, and The National Archives. We were exhausted! We did some shopping in Manassas and had dinner at Chick-fil-A.

Lincoln Memorial

White House

Tara's Visit - Day 2

This morning, the parking lot at Vienna/Fairfax Metro was full (darn those Cherry Blossom tourists ;-), so we decided to drive to the West Falls Church station. Kurt has the GPS with him in Florida, so we were winging it. I missed my turn and as we were trying to figure out how to get back on the beltway, we saw the Tyson's Corner Mall. We both looked at each other and smiled. Guess where we spent the day? As it turned out, it was a good choice. It was a miserable, rainy day - the perfect day to be inside....shopping....eating pizza.....shopping.....

Tara's Visit - Day 1

This morning we slept in since Tara's flight came in so late last night. Then we took Metro into DC.

We spent the afternoon at The US Holocaust Memorial Museum. No photography is allowed inside, so we got this photo outside. It was a cold, rainy day. We're having so much fun!

Guess Who's Coming to Visit?

My friend Tara flies in tonight! I'm so excited to be her tour guide and have some girlfriend time! Is it 10:55 pm yet?

- HAPPY BIRTHDAY TARA

I took a couple of days off from work this week to work on Christmas/Wedding stuff. I made a pitstop in Rancho Cordova this morning to see Tara. It's her 29th birthday today. I wanted to give her the Mamma Mia DVD that just came out yesterday.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TARA!

Mia, modeling her new Christmas dress for auntie Tami.

- HALLOWEEN DECORATIONS

Tonight, after work, I drove down to Rancho Cordova and went with Tara to a vinyl workshop. Her friend from church has a vinyl lettering business and teaches a monthly workshop. We made these cute Halloween decorations. It was a fun night. Can't wait to see what she has up her sleeve for next month!

You can check out her website at:
http://christensenvinyl.com/

- BIRTHDAY DINNER

Tara treated me to a fun girl's night tonight. It was fun to spend time with her and catch up.

We started in Old Town Folsom, browsing in all of the shops and being decadent at Snook's Chocolates. She insisted that I pick out 1 lb of chocolates for my birthday. What a treat!

I think this is my new favorite place to hang out. I'll definitely be going back soon.

After doing some shopping at Kohl's, we stopped for dinner at Red Robin's - a first for me. It was DELICIOUS!!!! Thank you Tara. I especially loved my freckled lemonade!

Tara gave me the cutest wall hanging with a quote by President Monson and a set of blocks that spelled HOME. She had made them for me. I love them!!! Thank you again Tara!!!! What a fun night!

- TGIF!!!!

I LOVE Fridays! It's my day off and catch-up-on-stuff day! Today I got up and ran on the treadmill, cleaned my house and did laundry, went to my friend Judy's house and learned how to knit socks. Tyler took me to lunch and we went to see my co-worker, Karen's new house. Later in the afternoon, I drove to Folsom and went shopping with Tara. She and I had dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. What a fun day!