Washington DC Day 4

We started our day off just like any other typical Sunday morning. Maren poured herself a bowl of Mini Wheats and I was about to when my hubby said "I am on vacation I'm not eating that", so Maren immediately poured hers back in the box and we had a good chuckle about it. Then we headed to McDonald's for breakfast. What is it about McDonald's that breakfast always sounds good until you eat it and it sits in your belly like a ton of bricks.  We came back and got ready for our day driving to James Madison's home Montpelier.  It was a beautiful drive.  I love all the rolling hills and beautiful countryside. We stopped in a little town and ate lunch. That is when we headed to to a fantastic property.  These presidents sure do know how to pick land.  How would you like to come home to this everyday?

 

Here we are just being goofy.  James and Dolly are readying some pretty interesting documents. 

This is some pretty countryside. 

These butterflies were everywhere.  I loved it. 

The Madison's had some beautiful gardens.  They had high hedges that reminded me of something you would see in England. 

While at James and Dolly's house we realized if we hurried we could make it over to Monticello if we hurried.  Sure enough we made it just in time for the last tour bus up the mountain.  I am so glad that we made it.  What an amazing home an property.  Thomas Jefferson knew how to live.  When you walk in his front entry it is full of interesting artifacts.  He has Indian art, maps, an awesome calender clock, double doors that open together, mammoth bones, and a lot of other interesting things.  It definitely didn't have the feel of a woman but it was very interesting.   His bed was placed in the wall to save space.  He had his office on one side and his room on the other side of the bed.  His library was a small space that when he had all of his books I am not sure how he would have moved about.  It has been fun to learn about his lifestyle and ways. 

The upper part of this is his slave quarters and some of the landscape. 

Here is Jeron with T.Jefferson.  They are having a serious conversation and then Jefferson told Jeron he looked hot and Jeron got a little uncomfortable. 

Isn't she a sweet mommy.

My feet could get use to living here.

After Monticello we headed over to University of Virginia to see another one of Jefferson's masterpieces.  He is quite the architect.  He loved the structure of Italian design.  Can you see that is his work at his home and here? 

Maren and Ryan were awesome to take us everywhere.  I can't tell them enough how great they were to us.  Jeron and I had a wonderful talking with them and hanging out.  These drives really help you become closer to someone.  Lulu was an angel the whole day.  She was in the car so much and she did great.  What a wonderful baby.  After all this we ended up eating at McDonald's again because it was the only place open.  It was a heart attack waiting to happen day.  Good thing we did a lot of walking.