The 4th.......D.C. Style!

So this officially my first 4th of July away from home. Kinda weird, but I did get to spend it in D.C.!!! The weekend started off amazingly! My friend, Viola, came up from her post to spend her 96 with me! I haven't seen her since New Year's so it was pretty awesome! We toured around D.C. on Saturday and did a little shopping!

Katie was enamored by the Stradivarius in the American History Museum

Such a beautiful lady!

Sunday started off with a lazy morning, then in the afternoon we went to my cousin's co-ed, pool party, bridal shower. After getting lost and paying a ridiculous toll TWICE!! We made it! It was a fun afternoon and I managed to back the Yaris out of a thin spot without breaking anything! Picture evidence below!

AMAZING outdoor kitchen!

AMAZING pool!

So the Yaris was parked behind the black car........

Viola is there for scale!

So Monday brought my lovely weekend with Viola to a close! We went back to D.C. and did Arlington and some more shopping. I set Viola off back to her post and then headed off to meet more friends on the Mall for fireworks. Note that it's only noon at this point....fireworks started at 9:10PM.

Waiting......

The Mall slowly filled up

It's getting full!

My view!

Yeah, there's totally a bagpiper on that bike!!

FIREWORKS!!!

So after a long day it was AMAZING to sit on the Mall and enjoy the holiday celebrating the declaration of independence. It was an amazing experience, but brought back so many memories of previous 4th of Julys! I have such fond memories of hosting 4th parties for all the ex-pats in the area! Going to the local American base for fireworks and getting root beer and American candies like Tootsie Pops! To all of you out there who
celebrated the 4th away from the States, here's to you! I wish you a very happy 4th and know I watched the fireworks and thought of you!!