12-2, Capitol Tree Lighting

Ok.....I'm REALLY starting to like living near DC. I can't tell you how many times Sven and I have asked ourselves...'where else could you...'. So if you thought I was excited before about getting to see the MT tree up close and personal over the weekend, you can only IMAGINE how psyched I am about yesterday's course of events. Long story short, we got invited into the "inner circle" after the tree-lighting ceremony at the Capitol last night and THEN we got invited to a private reception at the U.S. Botanic Garden afterwards. It was AWESOME! We got to see Senator Max Baucus (again....last time was in 1995 when I was still at the academy) and thank him (again) for my nomination from him to attend the USMMA. (And, yes, Thad, I DID thank him for you as well for your nomination from him to attend USAFA!). We were only feet away from Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi. In attendance also were the Governor of Montana, (Brian Schweitzer), the Lt. Governor (John Bohlinger), Senator Tester and Congressman Rehberg. How's that for hobnobbing in the DC scene? =) And yes, Nikolas did attend it all with us. We tried explaining how this was a 'once in a lifetime' type of event.... yeah, a 6-year old doesn't really get that concept. =) Sven was just thrilled that he got some "Moose Drool" =).....that's beer for you non-Montanans!

Nikolas, me, Senator Baucus and Sven

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a FABULOUS Thanksgiving!! We're very grateful to our friends, Chris and Delisa, for making the trek from Fayetteville, NC, to MD to spend Thanksgiving with us. We are so happy to have such wonderful, long-time friends (we've been friends with Delisa since we were first stationed on Whidbey 10 years ago). It was a complete joy to meet their new baby, Nathan, who is now 5 months old and just about the cutest thing you've ever seen. This child is BUBBLING with personality. It was such a blast to have a baby in the house.....and such a happy one at that!! Nikolas was SO GOOD with him. He obviously adored baby Nathan and it was a sad, quiet house when they left on Sunday!!

Delisa and I discovered a great way to spend Thanksgiving morning....taking a short walk through the neighborhood. The smells wafting from the houses were incredible.....really worked up our appetites for our wonderful Thanksgiving feast! Doesn't Nathan look great wearing the hat that Sven's mom bought for Nikolas during her first trip to Seattle to meet baby Nikolas in 2002? She bought it at the Pike Place Market....who more fitting to pass this hat onto than another Washington baby?!

Sven's Thanksgiving meal was DELICIOUS! Thanks for all of your hard work, honey! =)

We walked off our turkey by going to DC not only Friday but Saturday as well. We enjoyed ourselves so much the first day that we went back for seconds (isn't that what Thanksgiving is all about....going back for more?!).

The highlight of Sunday for ME was getting up close and personal to the infamous Bitterroot tree gracing the Capitol lawn. It was an amazing feeling to look at this beautiful tree that had traveled over 3,000 miles from our old camping grounds in MT to our nation's capitol. HOW COOL IS THAT?! After a little friendly chat with the people "guarding/decorating" the tree, I enjoyed browsing through the boxes of ornaments that had been sent from all across Montana. I even found a photo ornament of a 1st grade class from Corvallis (my alma mater!). It was great, truly great. And of course our budding photographer son took this wonderful photo for us. =)

Visiting the U.S. Supreme Court was on the wishlist for Chris and Delisa-- both lawyers! What an impressive building!

Next stop on our tour was the National Archives.... home of the Constitution, Declaration of Independence, etc, etc. We were NOT the only ones who wanted to see these things!! We had a pretty significant wait in line to see them. It's amazing to think of al the history housed in the Archives!!

It was very late when we got home from DC on Saturday evening (well, late from the kids' perspective!!). Is there anything more precious than seeing your 6-year old (who's just learning how to read) read a story to a baby who's so inspired that he's trying to imitate the bigger child? What great buddies these two are going to be (those military brats have to stick together!!).

Thanks again, guys, for making this such a special holiday for us!!! Let's get together soon!!!