DC in photos.

I love being in DC. The history in and of itself is enough to put me over the edge. It is a powerful place - so much so that it is impossible to wrap my mind around just what an impact the decisions made in those few blocks have around the globe.

This year I Ashlie and Marirosa signed us up to go on the White House tour. And yes, when I was let through the gate after showing ID that I was really on "the list" to get in that day, I let out a big woo-hoo and skipped just a bit up to the ramp into the security room. My emotions come out in so many different ways. (Even standing in line I could not stand still - besides the fact that it was SO SO SO COLD - but I was so very excited to have the chance to go inside).

Inside what I loved seeing most were the portraits of past Presidents. Especially this one of JFK. I came home with prints of that one, this one of Washington, and this one of Lincoln to frame for Chris' office.

It was really cool to walk through the White House - many of the rooms are still used for meetings and dinners today. Awesome.

This trip also included visits to three monuments that I missed last year: Jefferson, Lincoln, and the Vietnam Memorial (need to leave some others for the next time I visit).

Here's some of my favorite photos:

Vietnam Memorial:

Jefferson:

Lincoln:

And here is an example of just how cold it really was:

And something else we all were touched by - this was at the gift shop where I picked up the portrait prints. It was a little photo show of people who have worked in the White House. It showed their position and the length of time they had been in that position. I wish I would have written down the photographers name - the images were amazing.

We finally escaped the cold with lunch at Sequoia. Beautiful restaurant right on the river with a view of the Kennedy Center and Watergate. Awesome lunch. Awesome time.