Cole points out our Memorial Day morning destination — the Smithsonian National Zoological Park.

Our day off for Memorial Day coincided with the Malmberg family vacation, so we started the day off at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park (or the zoo, for short). This place has everything, including giant pandas. Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, the two pandas, bring flocks of visitors. I had never seen the rare, endangered animal until that day. We watched them munch and strip down bamboo. When you consider they spend 10 to 16 hours eating and foraging, consuming 20 to 40 pounds a day to sustain themselves, it was no surprise that is what we witnessed them doing. They also look pretty cute while doing it.

The female giant panda lounges on the hillside eating bamboo.

Enveloped in bamboo, the male giant panda gets his fill thanks to zookeepers.

Cole found a new panda friend.

Beyond the pandas, the zoo had sunbathing seals, hyper monkeys and sleepy cats. I think we might just have to go check them out again.

Zooin' it up.

After a bite to eat, we walked over to the Washington National Cathedral. Since it was started in 1907, tons of prominent people, such as presidents and Martin Luther King Jr., have passed under its stone roof. The Indiana limestone and stained glass are beautifully crafted.

Washington National Cathedral

The long walk to the cathedral was worth it.

Kady snaps a picture of the beautiful place.

The Indiana limestone is beautifully carved.

It's a long way down.

Us at the top.

Maggie trying to get Kady to take a typical silly buddy shot, but it looks like it just turned out as an awkward selfie.

Pretty big front doors.

The cathedral is full of lots of cavings.

Down in the basement, the wall had a glimmering mosaic.

Next to the cathedral is a pretty garden.

Kady sniffs some roses in the cathedral garden.

Michele and Bud rest in the garden.

Kady snaps a parent shot.

Cole enjoys his garden photo.

Then he didn't enjoy photos as much.

Michele looks at her photos of Maggie.

Pretty purple flower.

Bud takes a break in the garden gazebo.

Than Maggie decided Kady needed some "senior photos."

It's okay; she had her own photo shoot. Don't hate me. :)

Our next destination was Georgetown. We enjoyed the sights and then enjoy some cupcakes. Check out our tasty treats in my Photo Friday blog.

Georgetown boat.

The night ended in Chinatown with some tasty food in our bellies.

Chinatown

See more Memorial Day photos in my Memorial Day Celebrations 2013 album.