Washington D.C.

In early summer McKay was assigned to do some work at the Pentagon again, so of course I insisted I must go with him.  Especially considering they put McKay up in a super nice hotel right across from the Pentagon.  A perk I ended up being extremely grateful for when my morning sickness came into full swing that week.  And can I just say that it should not be called morning sickness, because mine was most definitely not confined to the mornings.  Although in retrospect, morning sickness is such a small price to pay for the marvelous miracle of pregnancy.  McKay and I would enjoy the hotel's awesome continental breakfasts in the mornings and then he would walk off to the Pentagon...

...while I enjoyed the incredible museums of D.C.

Had to get my picture with the harpist paintings!

When McKay got off work we would always meet up somewhere and continue to see the sites of D.C.

McKay's favorite museum was the spy museum.

And my personal favorites: the poop transmitter

And lipstick pistol.

James Bond Car

Hidden guns

McKay in front of the FBI Building

McKay and I both loved visiting Arlington Cemetery and feeling the peace and solemnity of this holy place.  I am so grateful for the great sacrifice of these men and women buried in this cemetery.  

Below is the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

In Old Alexandria we visited a little place called Gadsby's Tavern.  The Tavern was opened in the late 1700's and has welcomed the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, James Madison and James Monroe through their doors.

In the upstairs of the building was a hotel and the town's old cultural hall.  Below is a picture of us dancing where George and Martha Washington danced.

The last place we saw in D.C. was the home of George Washington in Mount Vernon.  We were lucky to run into Uncle Dave and Aunt Leticia's Family on their tour of the east while here!

And of course I would be remiss to not include my first baby bump picture in front of the Capitol at 7 weeks.

Dining In

To make up for my absence on our real anniversary, (although I was able to squeeze in a Big Anniversary Surprise), McKay and I agreed to celebrate our anniversary the following weekend.  I told McKay that I would get the morning to schedule a surprise for him and that he could have the evening to plan something.  So, for my surprise I went ahead and booked us two Thai massages, since we haven't had one since our honeymoon in Thailand.  After the massage I felt 20 pounds lighter and like I could leap over the moon.  They were absolutely heavenly and it definitely made McKay one happy and relaxed husband.  

McKay was very sneaky with his surprise.  Leading up to our Anniversary weekend he continued to tease me with little bits of information about what he had planned, but eventually the only thing I could get out of him was that I needed to dress up.  That was all I needed to hear to make me the most excited lady ever!  (I love getting dressed up!)

Following our massages we came home and I took way too long getting all dolled up.  Then, shortly before we had to leave, McKay came out in his mess dress (formal military uniform), which made me go a little weak in the knees.  I love my man in his uniform!  My interest was piqued!  "McKay, what are we doing, what are we doing!?!" I repeatedly begged to know.  He would just smile and answer, "You'll see!"  McKay drove me in the car, for what was about an hour, as we talked about our past two years of married life.  It was very sweet!  

Then we arrived at this very large parking lot next to the ocean.  I thought, "What the heck are we doing here?  Did McKay get lost"  As we drove further into the parking lot a very large ship appeared.  I squealed, "Are we going on that!"  An answer finally came out of McKay's mouth as he said, "Welcome to the Queen Mary!"

The Queen Mary is a luxury ocean liner that was retired in 2012 and is currently docked in Long Beach, California.  To picture it, just think Titanic, but bigger!  McKay was invited to attend a Dining In ceremony on the Queen Mary that lined up perfectly with our anniversary celebration.    

There are a lot of traditions and ceremonial things that take place at the Dining In, including this setting of an empty table, which is supposed to represent those that are away on service or have given their lives that couldn't be with us for the occasion.  

The food was gourmet and my newly pregnant body definitely approved of it!

Following dinner McKay and I explored the beautiful ship, imagining what it would have been like in its glory days.  We really felt like we were on the Titanic, and there were definitely some Jack and Rose lines quoted.

This map shows the passengers where they were in their voyage.

Here is McKay drooling over the exotic woods in this art piece.  I will be blogging about this soon, but in case you didn't know, McKay is obsessed with wood and wood carving.  He's really cute!

Thank you for the awesome anniversary surprise sweetie!  I loved it and you are just my favorite McKay!