Paul and Sharon Visit DC for Thanksgiving

Just a few of the pictures from Paul and Sharon's visit to spend Thanksgiving with us in DC.

Sandy Boulevard from Portland is in the American History Museum.

Crossing the mall, looking at the Capitol Building.

Outside the Smithsonian Castle.

Another view of the Capitol.

Park across from Melany and Ryan's apartment.

At the National Geographic special exibit on the Terra Cotta Warriors from China.

The Washington Memorial at Sunset.

World War II Memorial on the Mall.

World War II Memorial on the Mall, in front of the Washington state column.

World War II Memorial on the Mall, in front of the Oregon state column.

Apartment complex where Melany and Ryan live.

Ryan gives a sermon in the Williamsburg first Anglican church.

Trying to decipher the map outside the Capitol Building in Williamsburg.

The demo in the Blacksmith shop at Williamsburg.

The spinning demo in Williamsburg.

Inside the museum exhibit on quilts and quilted clothing in Williamsburg.

The Bed & Breakfast that we stayed at in Williamsburg.

A well in Williamsburg.

Actual food prepared as a demo in the Williamsburg kitchen for the Governor's Palace.

Rosemary from the Governor's Palace kitchen garden.

Here comes the Governor in the recreation of Colonial Williamsburg.

The cabinet maker's workshop. Five woodworkers are employed here to keep all the woodwork of Williamsburg in working order and make harpsichords.

Silversmith workshop.

The House of Burgesses in the Capitol of Williamsburg.

Parts of DC Downtown was blocked off for the State Dinner.

Inside the Library of Congress.

Capitol Visitor Center.

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.

Smithsonian Air and Space Museum - the moon rover.

Glen Echo Maryland, near the Clara Barton House. Mount Vernon cook pot outside the Colonial chocolate making demo.

Mount Vernon, George Washington's home.

The 16 sided threshing barn at Mount Vernon's pioneer farm.

A rare 18th century breed of pig still at Mount Vernon.

The former White House pastry chef made this giant gingerbread replica of Mount Vernon this week to kick off the Christmas season.

View of the Capitol over the Potomac River from Old Town Alexandria.

Halloween

Last year, Ryan was on travel in Detroit and had the opportunity to spend Halloween with Dominic. So, when Dominic asked if we were coming to visit this year, we agreed. One benefit of being on the East Coast, is the direct flights to lots of cities. So, was just a short flight for use to get from Dulles to Detroit.
This picture is a little hard to see, but it is Dominic lying in a coffin, holding the candy bowl. Someone else runs the fog machine. Dominic's neighbors all gather together with tons of candy and brave the cold for a night full of laughs. One person will fill Dominic in (i.e., a group of five 10-year olds, or one small child with parents.) He'll then use his best judgement on which ones to let take the candy and which ones to scare. For added drawing power - there was a full size candy bar in the basket. We enjoyed the evening!

The same neighborhood group also gathers for a costume party. We went with Renaissance costumes. There were some really creative costumes - the Beatles, Rosie the Riveter, Willie Wonka, Jon & Kate plus 8, OctoMom, the Village People, and the full crew from Scooby Doo. Most people had thought about their costume all year. We enjoyed the long weekend and the experience.