The crud hit our house hard this week. And it wasn’t the kids. Thank goodness Monday was a holiday and Handsome was able to man the homefront while I slept off a stomach bug. ALL. DAY. Then, he was mostly out of commission Tuesday. So yeah, good times.

My parents are visiting locally for the month. Last weekend they graciously offered to take the kids and we enthusiastically accepted. Pre-planned vacations and Handsome’s work schedule don’t jive often. But the stars aligned and just Handsome and I jetted to DC for some quality alone time.

The last time I was in Washington DC, I was a fifth grader. Bonus points to whoever can find me!

The absolute grandeur of DC never escaped my memory and it didn’t disappoint, even as an adult.

So much to see, so little time. We started at the Natural History Museum.

The iconic Fenykovi’s African elephant in the rotunda was originally unveiled in 1959. He is the largest elephant ever killed by man; 24,000 lbs, 13ft high and 27 ft long.

Trying my hand at pre-historic art.

Those hands were free to hold his, walking slowly through the snow… stuff we rarely do when chasing kids through vacations.

Handsome won the coin toss between Air and Space and the Art Museums.

Funny story… John Glenn actually lives in the same high rise condo building as my parents. I’ve never met him, but he must be short ’cause this suit was tiny.

I call this “Selfie with Bi-Plane.”

Mars or Arizona? You decide.

I’m ordering moon rock for my next house. Granite, pssh…. these counters are Olivine Basalt, aka: moon rock.

I think my favorite museum we visited was the Newseum on Pennsylvania Ave. It’s the history of the news and newsworthy events and if you’re ever in DC, I highly recommend it. (View from the balcony)

So many neat things in there, but a couple emotionally moving pieces include a section of the Berlin Wall with Checkpoint Charlie tower…

…and the spire from the North Tower of the World Trade Center with international front pages from Sept 11th in the background.

It was cold our last day, but we bundled up and briskly walked the war memorials on the National Mall. I teared up a couple times. It hits close to home.

Abe in all his white marble glory. Handsome and I had fun finding the one mis-spelling in his inauguration speech.

We love our kids. But children need to know that you value your marriage enough to occasionally put it first. Small overnights or long weekends away can infuse so much new life into your relationship.

We belly laughed and really listened to each other. It was the most wonderful Valentines I’ve ever had.

Did my impeccable taste for geometric fashion help you find me?!