Monticello

 Last week, when we had family in town, we made our way out to Monticello.  You know, Thomas Jefferson's estate.  I think seeing someone's home and their personal belongings helps you get a sense of who they really were and Monticello did not disappoint.  The house has been on my list to visit for years but due to the distance from the city (2 hours) we've never been.

The house had all of these interesting inventions that Jefferson designed like doors that would open at the same time (really revolutionary back then).  My favorite thing was seeing his library.  Like me, he said that he couldn't live without books.  He was a man thinking big ideas.

Beautiful scenery.  The home sits on one of the only hills visible for miles.

Our sweet baby Leo.  Such a trooper.

 We capped off the trip with a visit to see the document he penned: the Declaration of Independence at the National Archives.  You would not believe the hoards of middle school groups we had to go through to see the document but it was so worth it.  These documents brought about the founding of our democracy and are truly an awe inspiring site.