Birthday Trip: Washington D.C.

My Birthday is today, February 15, but we celebrated it a little last week and some more this week with a trip to D.C.! I was the typical tourist packing my camera around my neck and my bag on my dad's shoulder. (Because he's nice like that...) I dont know about posting favorites, because I have a lot! Enjoy!

Photo credits to my Dad for this one. This is how I broke the news to family/friends about my short adventure!

The Smithsonian Castle: first Smithsonian building

Photo credit: Dad

Everything about the building is gorgeous. I wish I would have taken more photos inside. I was in love! Speaking of love...

No other place in the world honors the United States' heritage as much as this city, and rightfully so.

Y'all, it was cold. I was regretting my decision to leave my earmuffs in the room.

Because I have a sense of humor... THIS THING. I dont know what... but it was funny!

Egaahhh!! #hearteyes

The building right next to the Whitehouse. I think what I love most about D.C. is all the absolutely fantastic architecture.

Disappointing moment 101: missing a snapshot of (I'm 99% sure) Ivanka leaving by about 10 seconds.

Tuesday

I didn't get very many pictures inside the capitol, but it's gorgeous. It makes me 10x more proud to be an American and call this building and all it's gold, columns, and marble floors a symbol of our freedom.

Photo credit: Dad. Pardon me and my awful appearance here, but I'm loving the flags and the capitol in the background. I wish my image of my parents had turned out in this location.

After the Washington Monument, we toured the rest of the memorials. I'm proud of my family that have served our country in three of the wars honored in D.C. Each one holds a special place in my heart.

Honoring my great-grandfather who served

The wall had engraved murals of different scenes pertaining to WWII. This was truly a war fought by all Americans.

Lincoln Memorial

Looking back at the monument from the Lincoln Memorial

Last image credited to my dad, I promise.

Korean War Memorial

Honoring my uncle who was wounded in battle

Vietnam War Memorial: honoring my grandfather who served

The thousands of names of the deceased etched on the walls is overwhelming. This is only a portion of one block.

We crossed over the Potomac bridge into Virginia to visit the Arlington National Cemetary.

Our last stop was the Iwo Jima Memorial.

There is so much to see in D.C., but we fit as much as we could into two days! If you have never visited, do yourself and your nation and favor and visit the landmarks and memorials. You will leave with a deeper appreciation for our forefathers and also our fellow brothers and sisters who are continuing to make our nation great.