Washington DC - How it Began

Way back in January a generous friend gave me and my friend Marilee Gardner buddy passes to go visit our friend Allyson Fleugel. Allyson had served in Primary with me while she lived here. After the death of her husband she and her cute daughter Emily moved back to Washington DC to be with family. I wasn't able to go in February when Marilee went. Our wonderful home teacher offered us a buddy pass which we gave to Mackenzie for her birthday in March. She was ready to get on the plane and go that day. I work in a tax accountant office so that was not a good time of year for me to go. I told her we would go later when she had some time off of school. Allyson came to visit and said we should wait until after the summer because it is too crowded.

Summer came and went and Mackenzie started school. She asked me when we were going to Washington DC because all her friends were talking about what they had done for summer vacation. It was again tax season so I told her that we would go after October 15, the final day to file all tax returns.

Meanwhile she has met and become friends with a cute girl who has flight benefits. I asked her mom if they would like to go with us and was sort of relieved when they said yes we love that city. She quickly picked a date and I will be forever grateful for that because not only would I have procrastinated it waiting on more money and better timing but it proved to be a very lucky weekend. Just to name a few highlights that I will post more details about at a later date. Two times a year they open up the White House grounds and you don't have to send in all your secure information and we were there one of those times. We just happened upon it while we were "sorta lost" unless you count a highlight of your weekend taking an unexpected tour of the food prep area of the Ronald Reagan International Trade Building. We walked out and down the block and this lady stopped us to give us tickets. We were in the last group and were the last people to leave the White House. We saw the president fly over the 911 Memorial. We saw a old,white,bald squirrel. My cousin Chris decided it must be the President's since we have a bald eagle why not a bald squirrel. We watched a huge motor brigade go by on Sunday morning headed toward the church where the President goes. We attended a Prayer Vigil for the Earth. We were at the Korean War Memorial the same day the Koreans were and they left wreaths at the Memorial. We were at the Supreme Court the day they swore in the new Attorney's. I never knew you could go in while the Supreme Court was in session. Chris says it was his Army Jacket I was wearing, Mackenzie says it was her lucky jacket her dad bought her. Either way I'm so glad our friends picked the right weekend.

One week before we were supposed to go I called our friends to see if they were going with us and they weren't going to be able to go. I was a little nervous because I hadn't made any plans and I was going to a city that I had only been to as a teenager. We would take a bus up all night long, attend the temple, spend one day sightseeing and then drive back on that bus. I think Jen & Harry Schaefer might have gone on one of those trips together. Good thing they hated each other then. I never paid attention to the city while we were there but I knew I would just have to suck it up and go because I couldn't disappoint Mackenzie.

I called Allyson and she could tell from the panic in my voice I was nervous. She immediately said don't worry. We will pick you up at the airport and take good care of you guys. She offered to let us stay at her house but I knew that Mackenzie didn't really like little children. She once asked "Why can't babies be born human?" so I knew we would need to stay in a hotel and not stress anyone out. Me especially. You just never know what that cute spirit might say or do.

Luckily Kelly and Jaime Kartchner, Melissa and Steven's friends okay our friends too, know Washington DC like the back of their hand. They were going to help us get a hotel and tell us what to do so I knew with Allyson and them I would be okay.

Monday before we were to leave I got a call from my Mom and Dad's cell phone but it hung up. I was nervous because they had been traveling to see family in Alabama and I never know what is going on. When I called the number back a strange voice answered and said,"Delores I hear you are going to be in Washington DC this weekend do you want to have dinner?" I am very confused and trying to figure out who has my mom and dad's phone and who is inviting me to dinner. I don't say anything. He replies, "I"m living in DC now and we can have dinner." I finally recognize the voice and it is my cousin Chris. I had asked my mom to take a DVD that I had mailed twice but never made it, to his wife Nancy. When they went by he was there. I was excited to know someone else in Washington DC.

The next morning I received a call asking if we wanted to stay with him since he had a two bedroom apartment and he wouldn't charge us but $5.00 more than a cheap hotel. He has that Robinson sense of humor. I thought about it and said yes. Mainly because it would make the vacation even cheaper and I will feel safe at night. Also, we could see Allyson during the day but Mackenzie could have her time alone. I am so glad I said yes. We had a great time and saw Washington like we never would have seen it without the help of friends and family. Of course Mackenzie now has a new favorite "1st cousin once removed" especially when she found he really did have electricity and water. Funny story about that coming later.

Friday morning we hopped on a plane and took off ready for an adventure. Here we are 2,371 pictures later. I thought I took a lot of pictures but she put me to shame. It may take a while to sort through the pictures and post them.