Bits: Stowaways

Blurry travel journal makin'

The first time I crashed one of Joe's business trips was awesome.  As a non-profit attorney such experiences are not the norm, but occasionally a training or unique opportunity turns up and we're all over it.  I was pregnant with Hope when we got a practically all expense paid trip to the Ritz Resort in Laguna Niguel, CA. Something we would pretty much never do on our own.   No better place to have weathered some intense morning sickness, to be sure.  After the work part, we extended the trip and explored from Santa Barbara to touristy Hollywood and all the while I tested many a barf bag.  Still... so much fun.

Another time an eleven month-old Hope and the tiniest dream of a Maddie made our way out to Arizona for another fancy-schmancy stay.  Again with the awful morning sickness, but I braved it so that after the business stuff we could stay in the Grand Canyon.  A majestic snowstorm was my reward, and just like that-- one off the bucket list. 


More recently, with Alysse quite ready to make her entrance to the world, we busted up on a work trip to Atlanta.  Oh boy, that time was a mix of fun and seriously crazy but again it was practically free.  And we go to go to Ikea.

I love Memory Lane.

That brings me to this past week when we found ourselves at another happening hotel smack dab in the middle of downtown Washington, D.C.  It's amazing to me as the girls grow, even just by a year or two, how much more they are capable.  I was really proud of my little city slickers 'cause we trucked it all over those h-o-t streets  while Joe attended conference sessions.  I'm sure I looked quite un-citified with sometimes both the double stroller and the baby backpack, but it didn't stop us.  We read our maps, we toured this and that, we had us some adventures in an element so totally unlike our usual.  With very little crazy or cash out of pocket, our memory banks are pretty wonderfully full.

Bits of the latest stowing away.
****
 :: Day One-- Road trip!!! Traveling artists firing off loads of questions; Jubilant hotel arrival and bed jumping; Big city subs before bubble baths, a movie in bed, and lights out-- all of us in a row across two double beds and a baby crib.



:: Day Two-- Sought after smoothies before the sweltering heat cut short the morning exploring; A big rest before our memorable trek to the White House; Fro Yo and more long, cool baths as our rewards for the sweaty endeavors. 

 
 Thanks Boy Scout troupe, who watched our big 'ol stroller so we could go get our frozen treats. Hope you earned some sort of badges for that one.

 :: Day Three-- Oatmeal and apples over morning cartoons; Braving city traffic for a fun day at the National Zoo with Auntie Ellen and Cousin Julia; Incredible Italian dinner.
:: Day Four-- Breakfast overlooking city streets; Huge trip highlight, of all things, feeding fountain ducks; Enormous animals and wonders at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum; Lots of miles on stroller wheels and legs made for a necessary ice-cream truck pit stop; Worn out babies those last blocks back as we passed the Washington Monument and other landmarks. 


 :: Days Four and a Half and Five-- Family time!  Christmas, yes Christmas, finally at cousins' house; Trampolining and basement shenanigans; Sundae bar at 10:45 pm; Lots of funny fun and catching up.

Who knows what will happen the next time we stowaway?  A mix of family and adventure made this one rank right up there with the best of the best.
~Katrina