A DC visit from Breanne

My friend, Breanne, is one of the most consistent friends in making time to visit. Since Brad and I were married, we've only missed one year of in-person visiting. So, getting to have her stay with us in DC was really fun! We met in 2008 and had actually gone to DC together then (sort of together...), but this time was a much better opportunity to enjoy the sights. Brad stayed home with the girls the Sunday afternoon that she was in town, and she and I walked the Mall and chatted (uninterrupted!) for a few hours, which was a real treat.

We almost never remember to get a picture together, but we got one this time! A good one!

The next few days, we had the girls with us full-time, as Brad was working up at Dumbarton (doing his actual work). So, she joined us for school work and play time, as well as some DC fun. Of course we went to the zoo (basically, if you visited us in DC, you went to the zoo):

Breanne has spent a good bit of time in the UK, enjoying their gardens and grounds, so I knew I wanted to take her to Dumbarton. We wandered pretty thoroughly through the gardens and really enjoyed the quiet that can be found, even in the middle of the District/Georgetown. Minus the noise of the children. They always bring noise.

Doesn't this look so Beatrix Potter? Mr. McGregor's garen?

Before her visit, I asked Breanne to think about what she might want to do or see during her time, and she mentioned wanting to visit the Botanic Gardens. We hadn't been before, so we were up for a new adventure.

We had a gorgeous day and an easy metro ride/walk to the gardens.

We started in the outdoor gardens before moving inside the greenhouse gardens.

The First Ladies' fountain

The Botanic Gardens became one of my favorite kid-friendly locales in the District. They have scavenger hunts, coloring books, mini-lessons, and several gardens that are very exciting and interesting for children.

Indoor desert

There's an entire section that is the Children's Garden, with life-size tree house/fairy house play areas, as well as misters.

Rainforest

One of the girls' *actual* favorite activities: metro riding

Breanne got married in December, and I already knew that I wasn't going to be able to go to her wedding because of a scheduled family trip. I also wasn't going to be able to attend any of her showers, so we went to the bakery, got lots of treats to try, and had a little bridal "tea" in the District.

 A pretty good group shot! Mostly...

I rode the metro with Breanne to the airport for a last little visit, and on the way back to our house, I snapped a few pictures of the "normal" sights along the way just for fun.

This is yet another shot of the sky coming out of our metro stop. I have tons of pictures of this view because it was beautiful to me every time.

Thank you so much, Breanne, for always making time for our friendship. Especially when it's always so loud...