Visit from Mom, Cherry Blossoms, Marin's Birthday and meeting Hayden

My mom came to visit us this weekend. The official reason for her trip was to celebrate Marin's 5th birthday, but she had not been to Maryland since the wedding, and her visit was long overdue. We had a really nice time, had (mostly) gorgeous weather, saw cherry blossoms and good friends and ate some yummy food! Mom arrived Friday night and we mostly just relaxed.

She enjoyed looking at our new stuff and hearing our plans for the Kitchen Beautification Project. She was very impressed with David's handywork.

On Saturday we went for a walk around the neighborhood and worked up an appetite for brunch at Tower Oaks Clydes- or SuperClydes as David calls it.




They have some seriously good Bloody Mary's at Clydes.



Then it was off for a ladies afternoon of getting our nails done, shoe shopping and another stroll through the neighborhood to look at the spring flowers -and be a little artsy.




Mom loves the cherry blossoms by our place- it was perfect timing because they are in peak bloom this week. So we took some pics of the flowers and enjoyed the rest of the warm afternoon together.


Jerry getting some sun on our balcony



For dinner on Saturday night, David picked up a fabulous bottle of Champagne as well as a 1982 Château Branaire Ducru- discounted nearly $100 simply because the label was dirty. The cork looked a little questionable, but it was fine.

It was absolutely delicious showing classic mature Bordeaux notes of cedar, cigar box, graphite and sandalwood. As time wore on, it improved showing more of it's fruit including black cherries and plums. The tannins were completely gone and the wine was pure silk. The wine showed terrific balance and length.


This is what the label is supposed to look like

We got all prettied up and went into DC for a fantastic dinner at the Capitol Grille. David was a brave and kind person- on the way there, he drive through the downtown/ tidal basin area so mom could see more cherry blossoms. There were SO many people walking around!!


Mom and me


View of the Lincoln Memorial as you come into DC over the Memorial Bridge- and my penny.


David braving the mean streets of the tidal basin during tourist season. My hero.




The cherry blossoms really are pretty.


At dinner on Saturday night.

On Sunday we went to Marin’s 5th birthday party at Xtreme Acro and Cheer. It was fun to see Fara, Hunter, Lander and Heather. The kids had a lot of fun and Riley really enjoyed her piece of cake.


The Birthday Girl!


Riley enjoying a balloon


Blowing out the candles on her princess cake


mmmm, cake!

Then we went to Houston’s to meet up with Freya, Jason and Hayden. It was so good to catch up and meet their adorable daughter.




Mom and Hayden



After an action-packed morning, we finished up the day with some house-hunting in Potomac before taking mom to the airport and watching John Adams.

What a weekend! What a long post! (I need a nap)