Ian and I traveled home to Lakeland to spend Mother’s Day with my family (we celebrated with his family last weekend). While at home, we traveled to a local co-op to see some adorable turkey poults. 10/10 would go again.
LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM: Mom shows me a baby turkey as Dad watches on May 8, 2016 in Lakeland, FL.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM: Three varieties of turkeys can be found at a small co-op in Lakeland, FL.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM: Mom shows me around the co-op on Mother’s Day 2016.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM: Caterpillars at a local Lakeland co-op on Sunday, May 8, 2016.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM: Chicken coop at local Lakeland co-op on Sunday, May 8, 2016.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM: Spending Mother’s Day with these sassy chicken moms.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM: Mom talks with the chickens in the coop, Arrested-Development style.
I think I could definitely raise some turkeys. Think of the benefits: turkey eggs, feathers, conversation?! And I would be following the family tradition. How did you spend your Mother’s Day?
Sara and I recently traveled to DC to visit Plaza (our corporate headquarters) and sightsee. Sara is probably the best person to travel with because she is incredibly organized, patient, and willing to sacrifice personal-comfort to see as many things as possible.
I had a GREAT time, here are some photos from our trip.
DAY 1: Friday, March 4, 2016
LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 4, 2016 | Washington, DC | Sara and I flew into Ronald Reagan early Friday morning to maximize our trip and immediately headed for the metro.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 4, 2016 | Washington, DC | We woke up around 3AM to make sure we made our flight, after watching the Republican debate the night before.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 4, 2016 | Washington, DC | The metro was one of my favorite experiences. Each ride was unique and memorable.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 4, 2016 | Washington, DC | When we were first exploring Chevy Chase and Bethesda there was still snow on the ground! Meanwhile, back in ATL, temperatures were in the 60s.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 4, 2016 | Washington, DC | I don’t remember what this memorial was for, but I do remember that it was right next the White House and Sara and I didn’t even notice the White House until the next day.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 4, 2016 | Washington, DC | Here’s a view of the Washington Monument from the Lincoln Memorial. It was very, very large.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 4, 2016 | Washington, DC | This was one of the best crafted memorials that we saw. Everything is so moving, their faces are screaming in agony.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 4, 2016 | Washington, DC | Good old honest Abe. I think I was in tears the entire time I was in DC (at the time, I blamed the cold). It was shocking to see some of the same messages being displayed at the beginning of the civil rights movement that are still relevant and still problematic today.
DAY 2: Saturday, March 5, 2016
LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 5, 2016 | Washington, DC | The view from inside the White House. Sara scored us tickets for a great tour.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 5, 2016 | Washington, DC | This was my favorite part of the building. So opulent and beautiful.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 5, 2016 | Washington, DC | I almost cried when I saw this portrait— I am a huge history buff and to see this painting in person… it was moving.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 5, 2016 | Washington, DC | The outside of Union Station was just as beautiful as the inside.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 5, 2016 | Washington, DC | Our tour of the capitol was definitely a surprise. Apparently previous contractors used a lot of lead paint which is now becoming a danger.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 5, 2016 | Washington, DC | While Sara and I metro-ed and walked everywhere, biking was a really popular alternative, especially around the Capitol.
DAY 3: Sunday, March 6, 2016
LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 6, 2016 | Washington, DC | Our last day in DC, we started off the morning by touring some of the Smithsonian Museums.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 6, 2016 | Washington, DC | Obviously the Natural History Museum was my favorite. Loved these beautiful gems and minerals.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 6, 2016 | Washington, DC | Look how gorgeous the colors were in this stone.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 6, 2016 | Washington, DC | Quartz is also a favorite of mine.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 6, 2016 | Washington, DC | Elephants are definitely one of my favorite animals. This life-sized depiction was amazing.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 6, 2016 | Washington, DC | I love dinosaurs. Look at the tiny arms on this T-Rex!LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 6, 2016 | Washington, DC | Riding the metro for one of the last times.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 6, 2016 | Washington, DC | The last museum we visited was the Holocaust Museum. Cried the whole time. Dragging my 20+ lb backpack through the museum. So, so very heavy.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 6, 2016 | Washington, DC | Literally cried the whole time.LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM | March 6, 2016 | Washington, DC | Grabbed some diet-coke and a salad at this retro-fuel themed pizza joint.
Selfie-Saga:
This is a selfie with the Washington Monument.
This is a selfie with the White House.
This is a selfie with the Florida section of the WW2 memorial.
LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM Lakeland, FL 11/25/2015: Emergency services were called Wednesday, November 25th, 2015 to the home of Donna McCarthy after her mother suffered an injuring fall. 2.5 million elderly are treated for falls each year, diverting emergency vehicles from other potential emergencies.
LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM Macon, GA 11/19/2015: Becki Sandifer, video coordinator for Mercer University, interviews students donating blood for the American Red Cross on November 19, 2015. The American Red Cross received 93 units of blood during this drive sponsored by SNMA-Maps, Alpha Epsilon Delta, Tri-Beta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, and MerPMed.
LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM Macon, GA 11/21/2015: Connor Toomey, Macon Mayhem, and Nick Lazorko, Fayetteville Fireantz, square off to drive the puck across the ice on November 21, 2015. The Macon Mayhem won 4-3 in this home match-up.
LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM Charleston, SC 10/31/2015: Jack Lightsey and Wilson Heres pause from game prep at the Citadel on Saturday, October 31st to spend time with young football enthusiasts.
LESLIE ANNE GRAHAM Lakeland, FL 11/28/2015: Visitors to Munn Park in Lakeland, FL enjoy a temporary art installation during a lull in their Small Business Saturday shopping on November 28, 2015.
Leslie Anne Brooks 