Washington DC

This last week, Sean and I were able to go to Washington D.C. for 5 fabulous days!  That would not have been possible without the wonderful family that watched our kiddos.  I know it was no easy feat, but they agreed to do it and selflessly gave there time to do so.  I am grateful from the bottom of my heart for each one of them.  Asking someone to watch your 4 little kids is a lot to ask, but they all did it without hesitation.  THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!  We love you all so very much!  Sean's mom and dad came up Tuesday morning and stayed until Friday when my mom and sister, Julie came.  The kids had a wonderful time and didn't seem to miss a beat.  I am so glad that everything went smoothly (at least they aren't telling me if it didn't). 

Sean and I left at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday morning and arrived at 4:30 in D.C.  We almost missed our flight!  We thought the flight didn't leave until 10:30 (per email Sean received), but when we printed our boarding passes Sean noticed that it said 10:00 and they were actually boarding as we were checking in.  Security was super busy.  We were getting a little nervous, but made it with 55 seconds to spare. Yep. Close call.

When we landed it was so warm.  This was awesome since we had just left a full on blizzard hours before.  We took a cab to our hotel and checked in.  It was an awesome hotel, the Sofitel.  That evening we had a reception for all the Brokers/IHC/SelectHealth employees.  That night we went and walked around D.C.  Our hotel was only a block and a half away from the White House.

Every day the guys had meetings from 8-12 so the spouses were able to do whatever we wanted.  It was nice. 

DAY 2:
Wednesday they had arranged for the spouses to take a tour of the State Department. It was a secured building so you couldn't take any pictures outside. We toured the rooms that host foreign Dignitaries. The rooms have been remodeled to certain time periods and they were truly amazing! So many antiques of every kind. These pictures really don't do it justice.

We arrived back at the hotel just in time to meet the boys for lunch and then had a free afternoon. Sean and I decided to go walk around the White House and then headed to the Holocaust Museum.

It is amazing how long each Museum takes to get through.  You could literally spend a whole day in each one. The Holocaust Museum was a sobering experience.  I had to choke back the tears several times as we walked through.  I ached for those people that experienced that awfulness. When I saw the pictures of the little children I really had a hard time.  Especially since I was missing my own kids. 

DAY 3:

Thursday we left to Mt. Vernon as soon as the meeting were over. They had chartered 2 buses to take us there.  The drive was beautiful. The day had been rainy and a little cooler that morning, but then the afternoon was perfect.  It was fun to walk around the estate of President George Washington.  There is so much history at every corner in D.C.  We toured the mansion and then walked around the grounds. We also watched several films about Washington's life.  Fascinating.

I could get use to a view like that off my back porch!

 I thought these were the funniest little rides.  One chair. 

 This was President Washington's coach

 Tomb of George and Martha

The estate was incredible!  He sure picked a great piece of land to live on.  They wouldn't let us take any picutres inside the mansion.  We ate dinner at the quaint little restaurant there.  It was great home cookin.

DAY 4:

This was our last day in D.C. so we went to Fords Theatre, The Museum of Natural History, and the Air and Space Museum.  We tried to go to the National Archives museum but the line was SO long! Maybe next time.

This was the gun John Wilkes Booth used to kill President Lincoln

We went to the Museum of Natural History to take pictures of dinosaurs for Jayson and the Air and Space Museum to take pictures for the girls.  Their school is modeled around the planets.  It was neat to walk around both museums. My kids would have loved these 2 as well!  It was a fun afternoon to walk around and see more history.  I loved every part of D.C. It was a fun city to visit.  I can't wait to go back some day. I really think you could spend a month there and still not see everything.  That night we split into smaller groups for dinner.  We took the metro to a Mexican Restaurant that was the best I have ever had. 

DAY 5:

We woke up early to head to the airport.  Our flight left at 8:30 with one layover in Minneapolis.  We arrived home a little after 2.  I was so excited to see my kids.  They had made all sorts of fun things for us.  They were all doing great.  Tayler and Rylee both had their soccer games that morning and everyone froze! Dang weather.  Since Julie had come in from Denver we hang out with her and mom for the afternoon. 

Sunday was our Stake Conference and Sean had to leave on another business trip!  We took him to the airport at 1:30 and then went to Chruch to take Julie to the aiport.  Love them!

After church.. Julie with my kids.  Thanks Jayson for once again looking away. Seriously!

 We made Reese's bars and put 6 candles on one side and 2 on the other.  Can you believe she is 62? She looks amazing!

Happy May everyone!  I think we may be getting some Spring weather finally!  Keep your fingers crossed :)

xoxox