My friends and I were debating all weekend about going to inauguration...I was really needing a day off to clean and do my laundry, and generally regroup after being in Nashville for two weeks. Plus, we weren't that excited about the whole thing since we didn't vote Obama/Biden. But Sunday night we decided that we had standing tickets, so we should probably go for the experience. My parents and I had gone downtown in 2001 for 43's first inaug, and all i remember is that it was absolutely FREEZING and i saw a huge group of people dressed up in polar bear costumes banging drums yelling about the environment. So off we went.
Up at 5:30, taking the metro.
We had to go to Britt's office to pick up our tickets and while we were there, got a picture of our pro- Mitt shirts :) No worries everyone, we kept our jackets on outside so no verbal assaults.
Waiting in line...so much fun.
Even more fun when we got through the first security gate and then came to a dead stop because they had temporarily closed off a throughway due to a crazy man in a tree yelling about abortion. Lets just say we got REALLY close to a LOT of people for half an hour...Here is the man in the tree, and here we are very close together trying to take a picture.
It was an interesting day. We were a little sad being there, but there were some pros...it was not as cold as it could have been, and it was pretty cool being there to witness history. I love America, I love DC, and I love presidential history. A day to remember.
[[Background: the family that I nanny for used to live in Nashville. After they moved to Virginia, Julie continued working for the same company, so she has to travel back to Nashville every so often for work. Usually she takes Jack with her and I have a few days off, but this month she had to go for two full weeks so she brought me with them.]]
I was really excited to go to Nashville because I have never been there before. And I was REALLY looking forward to being home in the South because I have been missing it a LOT lately.
We were staying with Julie's friend/boss who lives in the most BEAUTIFUL home. Seriously...it was GORGEOUS. I was staying in their pool house so I had my own kitchen, bathroom, tv, etc. It was a pretty nice set up. They were so kind to let us stay with them!
And they have a black cat! In love.
Thankfully, they had a huge playroom so Jack had a lot of space to spread out and play. We also rented a car, so we got to get out and go for some drives. He LOVES being out and looking at everything and he was taking fabulously long naps the whole trip, so it was good for me. One day Julie's mom took us to Hermitage, the home of 7th President Andrew Jackson. It's a beautiful place, even in the winter.
And this past Wednesday was Jack's first birthday! So we had a little cake for him and some balloons and a TON of food. He got a little scared when we all screamed after he reached for the candle, but once we put cake in his month he was fine. I can't believe he is ONE!
I had a wonderful time in Nashville. I can't wait to go back some day :)
One of my goals/resolutions/whatever for 2013 is to travel. Since my fam has always been spread out across the country, I am used to traveling but it is always to the same places. Don't get me wrong, I love going to Mesa and Orange County and South Carolina and Virginia Beach, but its always fun to explore new places and I think 2013 is the year for me to do that before who-knows-what happens and then I never have the chance to travel again.
So I have started off 2013 with lots of travels! I have been to New York dozens of times and Philadelphia a couple times also, so they don't really count as "new places", but they were fun trips so I should count them.
New York: I love New York. I love visiting because I can go somewhere new every time I go. This trip was important because it was the first SISTERS ONLY trip our family has had-and it was Rebecca's first time going and Jessica's second time going. We had a blast. We were only there for 24 hours but we had a really nice hotel, ate a delicious meal (thanks Greg!) and got to do a little sightseeing. We also got to see "Newsies", which was STILL amazing, even though the guy playing Jack Kelly was the understudy. Rebecca used to watch the movie alllll the time when she was a teenager because she was in love with Christian Bale-ha. So she was pretty excited :)
I have two pretty amazing sisters. It was fun being able to spend time with them and visit New York together. I hope to go back together some time when we have more time to wander and its not as cold.
I missed Raja though. Little Satan that she is.
Philly: About a month or so ago, a group of my friends found out that a production of "Les Mis" was playing in Philadelphia the second weekend of January and with most in the group being obsessed with the musical, decided we had to go see it. So, per usual, we crammed in the back of Matt's car and headed up 95 to Philly. It wasn't as cold as it could have been, which was a blessing. We wandered around City Hall and Reading Market then had dinner at Max Brenner. The chocolate hazelnut milkshake MAY have changed my life. Such a yummy place.
Now. On to "Les Mis". I had not seen the movie yet, and still haven't, but the stage production blew my mind. It was so well done. It is such an emotional musical and the performers were amazing. One of those performances where there's a couple times you're so stunned and all you can say is "wow". I'm so glad we went-even though the ride back was a little hazardous and we could have used a fog horn. I have some great friends.
I have been really excited about this Christmas season. I
don’t know exactly why, but compared to last year where everything was just
average, this year was wonderful. My fam was coming and the festive atmosphere
really put me in the mood.
My parents and I have a tradition that started when I went
to BYU and returned to VA every Christmas: we go to the Christmas Candlelight
Tour at Mt. Vernon. Usually we have dinner at the Mt Vernon Inn beforehand, but
it was closed so we ate at Founding Farmers, which is equally delicious. It is
always one of my favorite things about the holiday.
Peppermint milkshakes courtesy of Matt, high school gear,
and friends.
The 8th was Britt’s birthday so we went up to
Annapolis to have seafood and watch the boat lights parade. It also happened to
be the night Army/Navy was playing so I got to watch the end of the game in a
restaurant ½ mile from the USNA campus. Go Navy :) The lights were
AMAZING and so fun. A really great evening-I love Annapolis.
Lots of watching Christmas movies. Four of my favorites.
"These mashed potatoes are so creamy!"
"Say yes, you skinny moron!"
"What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and i'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary."
"Mutual, I'm sure!"
Christmas lights at the DC temple. Every year stakes from
around the area each decorate a tree that is displayed in the visitors
center-had to find Woodbridge of course.
The world didn’t end.
Which is good, because later that day my nephews CAME. Poor
little guys fell asleep on the way home.
Grandpa Morgan finally got to meet Gavyn, his youngest great-grandchild,
and see the twins again for the first time in 5 years. We also got to take a
4-generation picture.
Where it all began.
Even though I only live 30 minutes away, it was so nice to
be at home, relaxing with my family and just enjoying each other. The boys
LOVED Raja, who made herself at home. Gavyn was probably the easiest person to
get a gift for-pretty pleased with this $4 purchase. “BA-BALL”
And of course, LRG had its annual gift exchange. Love these
friends of mine.
