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.

April

Then there was "THAT" April.....

April

Well, here it is April. April Fool’s Day no less. April has always been a BIG month in the Walker Family. Obviously, some of this joy has been spread around through the years…other times it tag-teamed us in an April of the same year!

April 1

Hal and Kellie decide to give their relationship another try (many years ago).

Kellie thought several times during that phone conversation…is this just an April Fool’s joke?

April 1 (different year)

Becca was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes

***Saddest April Day***

April 5

Kellie dislocates her ankle, breaks her leg, breaks her ankle, and breaks her foot in the process… and she is nine months pregnant!

April 6 (early a.m.)

Kellie has surgery to repair said breakage and gains 9 pins and a plate in her leg. Also gets the privilege of having dinner brought in from her loving ward for nearly 6 months and gets to be pushed around in a wheel chair for same amount of time.

April 13

(tag-team from April 5th same year)
Hannah is born.

April 13

Same day as her birth, Hannah breaks her collar bone during delivery.

She didn't want her Mommy to be the only one broken.

Also, her delivery day shatters record at the local hospital for most babies delivered in one day at that hospital.

April 14

Hannah makes her TV debut on the morning show to discuss the delivery record for the previous day for the hospital.

April 15

Hal and Kellie get engaged at the Lincoln Memorial. (Tag-team with #1)

From hence forth they strive diligently to have their taxes done so they don’t have to celebrate their engagement date in line at the post office! Of course they don't really celebrate this event. But, it never goes without mention. And the way things are going this year we may be celebrating at the post office.

We end the month by celebrating the following birthdays:

Barbara

and then

Hal!

April is eventful and I am always holding my breath when it arrives and breathing a sigh of relief when it goes…..hang on…let’s hope it is NOT a wild ride this year!