washington d.c. day...2.

when jon got home, we decided that we definitely wanted to go to washington d.c. i could not be more thrilled. jon was iffy about it-it doesn't really scream honeymoon. i knew he'd enjoy it though, and i thought it was important for not only him to see it, but for us to see it together, especially so soon after his return from afghanistan. 

it worked out beautifully:

lizzie got a summer job in D.C. we decided to go while she was out there. and hey, while we are there, why not invite the whole fam? my dad went to george washington university, and lived in dc for a few years. he knows all things washington, so we decided to coordinate so that we would all be there at the same time. jon and i were lucky enough to spend 9 whole days there. my dad and mei came out for a weekend we were there, and spent four of those days with us. it was so much fun. but, more on that later. 

our first FULL day there. first impression: SO HOT! coming from hardly humid and always breezy san diego, there was a very apparent climate change.

can i tell you a [not so] secret? i really like humidity. 

here we are at mount vernon. i went to take a photo of jon standing in from of that fence, and that HUGE snake was there instead! ick!!!!!

 the grounds were beautiful. 

i am oh so intrigued by washington. 

his home sits right on the potomac river. 

this is where the first president and his wife are buried.

 it was so awesome seeing jon put the wreath in the tomb. 

it was definitely a good start to the trip.

 purple heart memorial.

"The [purple heart] award was first given by General George Washington at Newburgh, New York on August 7, 1782 during the Revolutionary War to recognize distinction for meritorious action. The Purple Heart is currently awarded in the name of the President of the United States to members of the U.S. military who have been wounded or killed in action. According to the Military Order of the Purple Heart, an organization for combat-wounded veterans, the medal is “the oldest military decoration in the world in present use and the first award made available to a common soldier.”" link.

after seeing washington's home, we went to his distillery and gristmill. 

we met up with lizzie and ate dinner, then explored georgetown. 

 when i'm old and rich, this is where i'll reside. 

even if this idea is based on the font those house letters are in. 
and the color of the door.

 we stood in line for 45 minutes to get these. worth it.

here is jon at the swedish embassy!!! 

one day, he will work for a swedish embassy. 

or an american embassy in sweden. 

it will be done. oh yes. it will be done.