Kirk and I had a great time while we were in Washington D.C. for Kirk's Sheriffs Convention. Of course, the best part was being with Mike & Bri and Kenny & Christan's families. We also got in some sight-seeing: the National Cathedral, National Archives, Natural History Museum (Madagascar hissing cockroaches were a hit), Mt. Vernon, and the Newseum, a news museum where the visiting exhibit was on the FBI's first 100 years (since we have our own family G-Man, that was extra interesting). We also tended kids while Mike and Bri went to the Holocaust Museum. It was fun to see Mike coach and Trent' play basketball. I had fun sliding on the ice and searching for critters along the frozen stream with Trent and Garret, and we all got to enjoy a rare D.C. snow/ice storm and go sledding with all the kids on Bailey and Corbin's backyard hill. We played innumerable games of Marco Polo, Alien Brain Sucking Game, and Jolly Jolly Butcher Boy (one of the games I played as a kid). Of course, hugging Drew and Zachary was wonderful. Could it get more fun than that? We loved every minute!
I celebrated a great birthday while Kirk and I were in Washington, D.C. I was treated like a "Queen for the Day" (does anyone remember that TV show? Or am I really dating myself?). I was baked 2 cakes - and given a third while I was treated to dinner at Macaroni Grill. It was great being with Mike and Kenny's families, and the homemade cards and poem by the grandkids were great! Bailey spent at least 4 hours making me a calendar - I'm using it at work now. Christan outdid herself in picking out my card since she wanted to one-up Kenny. When he was on his mission in Argentina, Kenny went to get a birthday card for Brian - but the only thing he could find was a pink card that said, "Happy Birthday Little Sister." So he sent it anyway and started the "not so sure this fits the occasion" birthday card tradition. I've received sympathy cards, baptism cards, and even bar mitzva cards on my birthday. Christan always apologizes for Kenny's choices - but when it was her turn to pick one out for me, she went for the shock value (hers is the last one on the right). It worked!
