Surprise Ava! We're heading north.
In the car on the way to DC.
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We made a random stop to stretch our legs and found Outdoor World. Incidentally, this might have been one of my favorite sites on the trip.
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It's an expansive store with lots of taxidermy, paintings and live exhibits. Something to see every where you look.
This is the indoor bass pond and waterfall. We left the camera in the car. These are all photos I got of the internet.
We arrive in DC. We have a corner room and a great view.
Yummy Thai food for dinner on our first night out. Ava was very popular on this trip when ever we ventured out. The waitresses all wanted to get their smile.
It was in the 20's and windy in DC. Ava did very well bundled up in two snowsuits.
The indoor courtyard of the hotel.
Ava's favorite thing about the trip...the closet mirror in the hotel room.
Kisses for Ava.
Making friends.
We just had breakfast and we are ready to go see the sights.
Out on the National Mall. Washington Monument in the background.
A view of the Capitol Building.
One of the many Smithsonian Institute buildings. They call this one The Castle.
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Checking out the dinosaurs.
The Aquatic exhibit.
A good family portrait.
Ava did great on this trip. Here she is taking a nap on the go waiting for the Metro Station train.
Snooze.
Back in the cozy hotel, playing on the bed with Daddy.
"What am I missing?"
"Oh, pretty buildings."
You can't really tell from this picture, but this is a sculpture of a tree. It's entirely made of metal.
Rex and Ava walking up the steps to the National Gallery.
The architecture was amazing. The main entrance to the Gallery was too big for the camera to truly capture.
Milling about.
A Civil War monument.
George Washington and his family.
Unfortunately, I don't know who painted this or who these little girls are, but it's very cute.
Walking back to the hotel after a full day. Ava is a little puff of pink.
Back home agian, trying to get a picture of Ava with her Winnie the Pooh hat on. I have about a dozen photos of her taking it off and one with it on.
"Get this thing off of me."
We spent New Year's Eve with the Thaynes. At around 5 o'clock, we counted back from 10 at least four times for Emerson's enjoyment.
So cute. Ava is resting up for the new year.
Out on Duke Campus New Year's Day.
This is the Duke Chapel. Built in 1932. It is a United Methodist Chapel.
Rex and Ava walking around campus.
The Duke Chapel is a beautiful building, inside and out.
Walking in.
Sitting for a spell.
Beautiful stained glass windows.
Looking towards the back.
Looking out the front door.
Apostles at the entrance.
The founder of Duke University, James Buchanan Duke.
At the front of the Chapel.
Getting a shoulder ride from Daddy.
Intrepid Ava.
Coming in for a smooch.
Don't forget to floss.
