Last week was our mid-winter break.

I had a shoot on Saturday and Matt had to be back to work on Thursday.

We needed someplace closer to be able to make it there and back in a reasonable amount of time. I suggested DC. Done.

We drove on Saturday and arrived on Saturday. Perfect!

The day we left was the coldest February day on record... ever... here.

Unfortunately DC wasn't as nice as it typically is this time of year, but hey, we are coming from the B-lo, it was still better than what we had!

We had a great time. The kids were troopers despite all the walking, and the cold.

On the way home from our trip, I asked the kids to tell me their top 10 favorite things from the trip.

So, here it is our top 10 favorites from our DC trip.

#1 Feeding The Birds

Before we went into the Museum of Natural History we stopped off for some popcorn, to help those tired legs of course!

We soon found that the DC birds have a thing for popcorn, and after a series of tests, they prefer the butter flavor.

It was all of our favorite moment, so memorable.

These birds ate right out of our hands, they were doing tricks as we threw popcorn up and they'd catch it mid-air, a whole flock of them were at our feet just chillin' with us!

As people walked by they would watch us feed the birds.

It was amazing! I got some cool shots.

#2 Washington Monument

As we drove into DC O said, "Wooooa, DC is so cool, I love it here."

We had view of the Washington Monument very first, and it is an impressive sight.

The wind was particularly cold and cruel right when we were there, but it was still cool!

We couldn't go to the top, tickets were gone, maybe another time.

#3 The White House

We started in the visitor center, which is really cool. I'm glad they have it.

We got to 'see' the house w/o going in.

They have screens that are interactive and show you the layout of the White House, the rooms photographed through history. The kids really enjoyed that.

We saw a video where past and current Presidents talk about the experience of living there.

It gave me chills I loved it!

This quote from President John Adams in 1800 was in the film,

"I pray Heaven to bestow the best of Blessings on this House, and all that shall hereafter inhabit it.

May none but honest and wise men ever rule under this roof."

I don't know that all people of integrity have ruled under this roof, but I do appreciate the other thought that is prominent if the film that this is a House of 'the people'. No one lives there permanently and 'we the people' get to choose who lives there.

#4 Lincoln Memorial

We had to walk and walk to get to the Lincoln Memorial, it was a pretty fun walk. The kids were happy, jumping on each other's shadow, Matt and I visited, and we even got a few good laughs in there as we tried to get away from the conversation going on behind us.

The Memorial itself is inspiring, as well as the view to the Washington Monument, as well as the historic events that have taken place there.

Let me interject that traveling with Matt is optimal and ideal. He is a walking encyclopedia... with a sense of humor and whit. We learn so much and laugh along the way.

#5 The Capital

Matt had set up our tour in advance. We went through our Congressman - Chis Collins and one of his employees took us on a tour.

We got to see his office and they gave us cool collectible coins.

We got an inside look at things, and our tour was quite personal, in contrast to the public tours that are given by the 'red coats'.

#6 I Have A Dream

One of E's favorite things was seeing where Martin Luther King stood to give his 'I Have A Dream Speech'.

I think it was helpful that they recently learned about this in school.

I thought it was cool this stuck for him.

#7 Smithsonian American History Museum

This made G and O's top lists.

We had lunch here, got to touch and experiment here.

We also saw the 'Star Spangled Banner' US flag.

This goofball kept wanting me to take pictures with him and the mannequins!

#8 Smithsonian Natural History Museum

Many of us liked this museum, but Q and I particularly liked the geology area.

They have such a cool display of so many cool rocks. Q said it makes her want to be a geologist. That was something I wanted to peruse in college too, but didn't of course!

And, as we were walking out we saw the display of all the birds. Very cool. Matt loves birds and we got quizzed on the birds in our area.

#9 Taking the Metro

The ride in was more fun than the ride out. Fewer people and more to actually see.

It was a cool experience, and I'm so thankful to the man at our terminal who helped me figure how in the world to buy an all day pass for all 6 of us!

#10 toss up between Air and Space Museum and Art Museum

The kids weren't overly impressed with either. E liked the space museum, most of us like the art better. Although they weren't as exciting, I was happy to educate my kids on some culture in the art museum and learn more about space travel.

Other various favorites include being together as a family, swimming at the hotel and using the fitness room, eating out and getting ice cream!

We also went to see Kung Fu Panda 3, got some retro candy and shopped a little. Glad those didn't make the list, but we still had a great time doing them!

DC Trip... The Family Top 10.