Girls Weekend in DC

Last weekend I got to head off into the big world ALL BY MYSELF! It was wonderful and not something I have done very often since I got married 16 years ago.

Hal and I were actually planning a week away in Washington, DC, when he decided that he would not be able to accompany me over a weekend because of his new bishopric responsibilities. So, I decided that I would go and visit with my friends before he arrived. It was wonderful. My good friend, Allie, wanted a mini vacation also, so we decided to stay at the Gaylord National at National Harbor. It was beautiful. We also indulged in spa treatments and brunch.

Allie works for Genslar, the architectural firm that designed the hotel. The hotel has a beautiful, huge indoor atrium (18 stories). Inside it also has a beautiful fountain with choreographed fountain shows with patriotic music, like a mini Belagio for those of you who have been to Vegas. The hotel sits right on the Potomac river directly across from Old Town Alexandria. The entire area has been built up with a convention center, located at the Gaylord, as well as other hotels, shopping and restaurants. There is even water taxi service to Old Town Alexandria and Georgetown.

It was great to be back in our nation's capital. As many of you know I lived there for six years and miss it dearly! It has been a long time since I have been to DC and a LOT had changed. For example, the existence of National Harbor. What a beautiful development. DC had previously not had a resort hotel so close to the city.

We had a great time and it was really delightful to spend some time with friends. Thanks Allie for driving to Baltimore, in the pouring rain, really late at night, to pick me up and for not being mad when my flight was REALLY late! I had a great time!

The outside of the Gaylord Hotel.

Allie

Carrie, Allie and I ate at Grace's, which not only featured yummy Chinese food, but also this 18 foot high Buddha!

Alice

A beautiful day on the Potomac. The bridge is the Woodrow Wilson Bridge.

Hal joined me on Monday!

I will post the pictures from our week long visit to the Eastern Shore

and Washington, DC on my next post.

Free Burrito - Support JDRF

Hi Everyone!

As you know our family is a huge supporter of JDRF. I just wanted to tell you that today there is a promotion for a free burrito at Mi Amigos here in Arizona if you make a donation of $1 to JDRF.

Hand all your kids a dollar and have each of them buy a sneaker and everyone will get a free burrito. Today only!

Musical Theatre Workshop

Under the Sea. Joshua is the octopus in the center.

Please forgive me as I try to play catch up with our blog from this summer. In early June, Hannah and Joshua participated in the Summer Musical Theatre Workshop. This group meets every day for two weeks to learn an entire musical production. Then there is a performance at the end of the two weeks. It is great fun for all the kids as they each have to audition for certain speaking parts. The directors of the program put together a story line that weaves through several Broadway musical numbers. Each year the story and songs are different. The kids have participated once before and they had a blast. It is even fun for me except for the mad dash midway through, when I have to locate costumes for them according to the parts they get. It always involves a trip to either Goodwill or DI.

Some of the songs this summer were from Hair, Suessical, Godspell, Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and Cinderella to name a few. Each child is required to audition and everyone receives parts in more than one song and at least one speaking part. Josh auditioned to be the Cat in the Hat and was really disappointed that he didn’t make it and then he was furious when he found out that they cast a GIRL in the role! You should have heard the rantings and ravings: “Don’t they know the Cat in the Hat is a boy!” He worked very hard on his lines and really put his heart and soul into it so I was sad for him. He did get a different speaking part and had a lot of fun so the furor dissipated.

This video is from the song "Hair". All the videos are fairly short.

"Hair" video again!

Hair video - another short one.

"We Beseech Thee" video

My Feet

My Feet
by Hannah Walker

Hannah wrote this poem about her feet. She is recited it to us for Family Home Evening last night. Her performance was exuberant . . . and hilarious! Sorry you missed it. But, here is the poem.

(The stench of)My FEET
Look at my feet
they smell so sweet
but to me, they smell like raw meat

oh oh the stench of my feet

I walk in the room
no shadows will loom
for my feet make them swoon
and I feel like a common loon

oh oh the stench of my feet

The beach is near
and also clear
because of my feet so dear
and because they are near

oh oh the stench of my feet

Oh WOW my feet smell freshier
because i've discovered in-shoe freshener
I have new shoes which are quite meshier
And my feet are much less wettier(with sweat)

oh oh the NEW stench of my feet