Without going into too much detail, let’s just say that Bryan has been blessed with success in his career. He is the last one to take any credit for it but I must say how proud I am of him. We were lucky enough to go to DC this month, courtesy of his employer. We had just been there in January (took the kids before another work trip for Bryan) but the last trip had been so fast and so darn cold that we very much looked forward to going again. Our friend Anna stayed with the kids for a few days until Grandma could make her way over. This gave us time together for a few days before the work festivities began.
We knew we wanted to go back to the Holocaust Museum since we didn’t see the whole thing with the kids when we went in January. I felt like I owed it to humanity to see it-and I knew it would be sobering and heartbreaking- but I was astounded at how heavy we felt afterward. Utterly and completely devastating. I certainly don’t have a burning desire to return but I am glad that we spent 3 hours there.
We did a lot of walking! After the Holocaust Museum we continued around the National Mall area, taking in a few new sights and enjoying some new ones as well. It was 70 degrees outside- 70! Much better than the 15 degrees we experienced earlier in the year.
In January the Washington Monument was under scaffolding, being repaired from an earthquake. The Monument was up and running again and although we didn’t get to go up inside, we definitely loved seeing it in all it’s distinguished glory.
Took a little detour through the Sculpture Park. Loved this silver tree statue but ultimately Bryan and I decided we are not the best appreciators of this form of art.
Kept on walking to the Capitol Building. Now this time it was up in scaffolding- apparently they were doing routine cleaning.
And since we had time, we went inside for a little tour of the Rotunda (with many other people). Breathtakingly beautiful! Oh my phone pics do not do it near enough justice!
It was such a nice night that we just kept walking……This time over to the other side of the Mall to the Reflecting Pool and then to the Lincoln Memorial.
Then we went to the Korean War Memorial as we missed it earlier in the year.
Before returning to our hotel via the metro, we found a little Brazilian restaurant. I think Bryan was in heaven! The food was delicious! His eyes are closed but it was the only pic we took of the occasion and it was definitely worth noting.
The next day we had some time to kill in the morning so we decided to walk to the nearby Woodley Park Zoo. Seemed a little strange to go to the zoo without the kids but it was close, a nice walk, and free in DC so we figured what the heck!
Natalie was so mad at us for seeing a panda without her! Sorry sweetheart!
Probably the highlight of the trip was being able to meet our dear friend, Clara. Clara is from France and somehow stumbled upon Mara’s blog a few years ago. We have kept in touch over the years with Clara sending us a package and us sending her a Mara’s team shirt. She’s been so kind and loving to us and it’s been so fun to get to know her. When she reached out the week before our trip and told me she’s living in the DC area as an au pair, I simply couldn’t believe it. What’s more is that the day we met- October 18- is Mara’s diagnosis day. I truly believe that Mara had a hand in our being able to meet Clara. She was gracious enough to meet us at the visitor’s center next to the DC temple, which is consequently only 10 minutes from where she was living and she expressed interest in seeing it.
There were amazingly people at the visitor’s center willing to speak in French with Clara. French speaking missionaries, some young French tourists also checking things out, we even were able to watch one of the LDS church’s videos on the family in French. One might say that this string of events was just a series of coincidences but I just cannot believe it- it was Mara. Such a wonderful time that we will never forget. So incredible to meet you, Clara!
After being so excited about meeting Clara we were equally as excited to be able to also see some dear friends that we have not seen in many years. Samuel lived with Bryan’s family years ago when Bryan was in HS and lives in the DC area. Bryan’s family helped support Sam while he served his mission. In many ways Bryan and Sam are like brothers. We met him and his wife, Sonia, and did a session inside the temple- which was beautiful and so, so peaceful.
After these session we were able to grab a bite to eat with them and then go meet their 3 boys and check out the area they live, albeit in the dark. Such great kids!
We were dumbfounded when Sam showed up and surprised us all at Mara’s funeral. Brings me to tears to think of this act of kindness! Thanks so much for making time for us Hernandez family!
After church the next day, we decided to hit a few things we’d missed at the Mall again. There is so much to see there that I swear you could do a different thing every day for a month and still not see it all.
We went to the National Art Museum.
It was wonderful to see so many original works of art. There were a few pieces that I documented because they reminded me of my girls.
This little girl in the Cassatt (I think) painting just looks like she could be one of my girls.
And I knew my girls would love the works of Degas featuring so many ballerinas.
This sculpture entitled “Little Dancer” was a joy to see:
The remainder of our trip was filled with KPMG related activities. We were able to meet people from all over the world- there were literally 800 of us attending meetings and other festivities. We were very well taken care of and enjoyed our time very much. I was astounded at all of the English speakers who were there. I assumed most of the KMPG employees would have to speak English but every single spouse that I talked to also spoke English and in most cases spoke it completely fluently. We Americans have a lot to learn!
Fuzzy but here’s a pic of us at the Air and Space Museum at a welcome reception.
And one more awkward selfie of us before the Gala we attended. As we arrived at the Mellon Building we were greeted by an amazing marching band from Howard University. At first I didn’t think the hoopla was for us, that we were simply passing through. Nope, it was for us (us as in the 800 collective “us”)and it was AWESOME!
Bryan attended work related meetings the last day we were there and so I was able to pick from a variety of excursions. KPMG has a literacy program in which volunteers go to local schools, read to the kids there, and then leave them with a new book of their very own. Here are the darling little kids I was able to read with:
They were fine until the stuffed kangaroo mascot came in. They clung to me completely scared to death. They kept asking if the kangaroo would come back. Who knew that would backfire?
My last excursion was to the Hillwood Garden Mansion. Formerly owned by the woman who inherited the fortune for the Post Cereal company and now owned by a Foundation she set up. My camera died right after I took this initial picture but trust me when I say it was opulent and unbelievable. Very worth a visit! She had the largest collection of Russian Art outside of Russia- mostly acquired when Stalin was cleansing Russia of such pieces. Picked this tour because I knew it was something Bryan would not necessarily want to do 🙂
We missed our kids very much but had such a great time! Can’t wait to see DC again- such a beautiful city!