Dragons Are Awesome!: Spring Break! 2012... PIttsburgh and D.C.

As I'm sure all of you know, Gemma is a hard worker. She busies herself around the house most days "organizing" everything in it and doing research on the contents of any drawer, cupboard or purse she can get access to. So, when Casey got a week off work for spring break, we decided to treat Gemma to a little vacation. We first ended up in Pittsburgh to see the cousins, including a brand new one, Giovanni Armando. After a few days there we headed to D.C. to stay with our good friends the Olivers. Jeff and LuAnn have two darling little boys Jack (3) and Simon (5). Gemma became fast friends with them and we had a great time touring our nation's capitol. Here is a synopsis of the trip in pictures.

Giovanni Armando Colaizzi. Beautiful ha? Too bad according to Rocco he smells like bird poop. Ha!

Gemma studying the new cousin

Lunch with Rocco and Celia


In the National Gallery

National Gallery D.C.

Mom and Dad currently like looking at art more than Gemma does. Gemma would prefer to tear around the galleries pushing the limits before getting scolded by security guards.

Gemma loved the fountain and flowers and circled this rotunda many many times.

Tuckered after a lot of art

The ride home

Gemma with her friends Simon on the left and Jack on the right at Iwojima

Loved the Air and Space Museum!!!


With Dad outside the Smithsonian

This about sums up our museum going.

Hanging out with Jack and Simon at the Jefferson Memorial

With Jack at the Jefferson Memorial

Simon in front of the Washington Monument. He rode his bike to every monument like a trooper!

Surveying the City

Our favorite exhibit was in the Natural History Museum. They have an impressive Gem and Mineral collection. Casey and I were both so in love with them that we left feeling affirmed in our decision to name our girl Gem.

Awesome dioramas at the Natural History Museum. They also have a great cafeteria.

Excuse me, I'm just gonna wedge myself in here.

One of the more entertaining moments of our trip was when we ran into a group of Chinese tourists who thought Gemma was an A-lister. They had to take turns getting their picture with her, and were just smitten. So cute. Of course Gemma hammed it up for them and loved every minute of the extra attention.