Season of Flowers

 This year's cherry blossoms peak coincided with a beautiful day in the District

We braved the crowds and joined in on the fun

But even after the fleeting blossoms fell, the city had more blooms in store

We spent an evening walking from Georgetown to the planet art at the Kennedy Center (minus Mars, which apparently rolled away before we arrived)

Then we greeted visiting family from India

and visited even more family gathered from all over the world in New Jersey!

Mother's Day lunch back in Arlington

In other news, we have concluded many weekends of visiting open houses and hiding in small spaces and will be building a new home!

Until the house is built, we will stay put in our current neighborhood.  Bonus:  money-making opportunities of 3D prints at the local lemonade stand

International Holidays

 We made a getaway to the Dominican Republic during a cold spell in January and were rewarded by beautiful views, warm weather...

...water parks...

...beautiful beaches...

...and ziplining!

In May, I traveled to beautiful Copenhagen where I gave a talk at the university, wandered around the city, and enjoyed delicious food

'Tis the Season.. for Snow

 We mostly staycationed this holiday season, but enjoyed a holiday gathering at the EEOB,

Kirin's winter concert and a Christmas walk to the National Mall,

 

special visitors from New Jersey

and holiday lights in the DMV

Kirin's plans to stay up until midnight on New Year's Eve were temporarily threatened, but he woke up to rally and watch the ball drop

But the real celebrations began when what was supposed to be the first day of school after winter break turned into 3 snow days (parents were less excited about this development)

Makeshift sleds (out of cardboard boxes) and ice skating!

Fall on the East Coast

 We spent the last days of summer and the fall settling into our new home in Arlington, VA

Here's the big playground near our place

I attended my first work gala

Kirin has been learning about Virginia history, so we went on a hike at Great Falls to see the fall line

Kirin found his dream breakfast of muesli and yogurt at Tatte

It was 80 degrees on Halloween!

We spent Diwali with family in New Haven

Some of our favorite destinations so far:  Top Golf, Cub Scouts hike at Great Falls, Veteran's Day at the zoo, Planet Word, and the ClimbZone