When Tom & Stacey come to DC...

My Mom and Dad came to DC last weekend for their final White House visit. We had a wonderful time! And, I have to be honest, I LOVED having the them all to myself for a few days. It was great!

First item on the agenda was our visit to the White House. The day can pretty much be summed up by the below picture of Pops. If you want details, give him a call. He'll happily explain why he's wearing two tie bars. Just know that the expression on his face pretty much says it all.

~GETTYSBURG~

Mom and Dad headed to Gettysburg on Friday, while I was at work. They were very excited to visit such an important place in American history. However, I think they were a tad more excited to be in Pennsylvania. For those of you who aren't aware...My little brother, Mason, is currently serving an LDS mission in Pittsburgh, PA. When Mom & Dad crossed the Pennsylvania state line they stopped so my Mom could literally kiss the ground.

Mama sending her baby boy a kiss.

~EASTERN MARKET~

Mom & Dad have been to DC quite a few times since I've lived here. But, I've never taken them to Eastern Market! We woke up early Saturday morning and headed to Capitol Hill for breakfast and to explore.

While we were walking around, we found a lot of great things. But, the best lil' gem was the mother of all book stores, Capitol Hill Books. Just take a look at those windows!

Stace & Tom

Just contemplating life in a reading nook. Yes, I am sitting in front of a window. See all that light streaming through?

~HILLWOOD~

We left Capitol Hill and drove a little further into the District to visit the home of Marjorie Merriweather Post, heir to the Post cereal fortune. Not only was Mrs. Post a savvy business woman, but she was also an experienced art collector who displayed many of her finds in her Washington, DC home called, Hillwood. It is a breathtaking estate and definitely worth the trip. Although, there were some (i.e. Dad) who were a bit apprehensive with the idea of walking around an old house all afternoon. While en route to Hillwood, he asked if I would drop him off at my friend's house. (Dad thought my friend was sure to be watching football and in want of company.) But, don't worry, Dad ended up having a great visit. Mom and I of course loved everything about the place! (We weren't allowed to take pictures inside the house.)

In front of the main house.

With Mom and Dad in the formal garden.

I was IN LOVE with the beautiful fall leaves.

The backyard. Not bad, 'eh?

The Dacha. This is an adaption of a one-room summer Russian home that Mrs. Post had built on the grounds.

The estate even had a pet cemetery where we found the above headstone. It is in memory of Mrs. Post's beloved house dog, Bobo. Mom and I got such a kick out of this because the gradkids call my Dad, Bobo. A photo was absolutely necessary.

In the Japanese garden. If you can't tell...Dad is trying to scare me.

Oh! To be young and in love.

This was his favorite tree.

Mine, too!

My Dad is FABULOUS!!!