A DC Tradition.

I haven't been to see the Cherry Blossoms in a few years.  Last year conflicted with vacation, and I guess the year before conflicted with something, because my last photographic evidence of the blooms is from right around Ellie's first birthday.

Ellie first went to the Cherry Blossom festival the weekend she was released from the NICU.  This year, I kept marveling at the change from that tiny baby to my energetic preschooler.  Ellie, Matt, and some other Daddy/Daughter friends from church had been camping Saturday night, but Sunday afternoon, Ellie and I joined about 468 billion of our closest friends downtown.  I'd considered going alone before Matt and Ellie returned, but I didn't want to fight race traffic.

You'll notice all of these pictures were taken in full sun, not at sunrise.

But whatever, we had a fantastic time and even got a few miles of walking in.  Ellie alternated between the stroller and walking, and had no problem with the crowds.

We parked all the way up past the Sculpture Garden, so we decided to take a detour there on our way back to the car.

Ellie loved seeing the flowers all around the mall.

Note the watermark.  She insisted on helping with this one.

On our way home, we stopped for a late lunch/early dinner with Matt (who had been getting some rest after the camping adventure) and then played with bubbles in the front yard.  Spring is officially here.

You've come a long way, baby.

March 2011.