Another great day in DC!

I could not update the blog last night. I was so tired. Every inch of my body hurt. I had to go to bed. Jody and I have decided that we will no longer call these trips we take "vacations". That term gives some false sense of relaxation that we definitely have not experienced. I suggest that we call them "intensives". So from now on, this trip will be referred to as the Washington, DC Intensive.


Yesterday began early for Jody as he left the hotel before 7:30 to get tickets for the Bureau of Engraving. He wants me to add that it was freezing cold. After his solo voyage on the metro, he came back as the metro pro. He now knows the best way to get anywhere. The boys and I got dressed and ate breakfast. It was 9:30 before he got back. He changed clothes and we were off.



We started by going to Bobby Bright's office (which was full of BAMA and Nick Saban stuff :-) in the Longworth Office Building to get our White House Easter Egg Roll tickets. We then walked to the Air and Space Museum. We stayed there until about 1:00. We then walked through the Mall to the Old Post Office Pavilion to eat lunch. After lunch we made our way to the White House. We were told to be there one hour before our time. I now know why. We stood in line on the Ellipse with the other several thousand people in our group. We all had to go through a security check. Snipers atop the White House were watching out every move. Everyone behaved very well. No fights, no pushing or shoving. All in all it was not that bad. The sun came out and the temps rose. It was probably 3:30 before we actually got inside the White House gate.



The White House is just so grand. Looking back now, it is almost surreal that we were even there. The lawn is so beautiful. The tulips there as well in other places in the city are georgeous. We took lots of pictures. The kids participated in the Easter Egg Roll. They had a camera set up with live feed to the internet. My mom, dad and Brandace all saw the boys in the Roll. I though that was pretty cool. They also dyed eggs, jumped rope, played basketball, and just ran around. It was very neat to be that close to the White House. I must say, the President has a very nice view of the city. Jody and I were snapping photos and the boys were wanting to run and play. Everyone had a nice time. As we left, we got our souvenir wooden eggs. It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience. Thompsons: Barack, Michelle, and the girls said "hello".


Then we were on our way to the Bureau of Engraving. Our tour was at 5:45. We had to be there about 10 minutes early and it was 5:15 When we left the White House. We ran (and I mean we ran) from the White House, across the Washington Monument, and down the street. When we arrived, we were on the wrong side of the building so we ran some more. That tour was very short and not too exciting, but was neat to see. A man in line behind us said he had been to DC 6 times and never got in. We can say we did it.


After that tour, we walked the nearest metro stop and headed back to Crystal City. We came back to the hotel, changed clothes (because we were dressed up for our trip to the WH) and went to eat at Chipotle mexican restaurant. Whit finally got his ride in a cab because we absolutely could not walk any further. (However, we did walk back bacause the cabi charged us almost $7 to ride 3 blocks. Jody said we could suck it up and walk.)



We all agree that the Easter Egg Roll was our favorite thing on Monday. However, Jody said seeing all of that money was a very close second. He bought $16 worth of uncut $2 for $32. He said that really wasn't as bad as most of his other investments right now.

On a side note: At the White House, Whit was jumping rope with a another little boy. Whit said something to him and the little boy said "You sound like a cowboy!" Also, when we were getting our picture made, the lady said "you all look so nice!" She asked where we were from. When we told her Alabama, she said all of the people from the south were dressed up and looked very nice. (Believe me we saw all kinds - Lots of Barack Obama gear!!)

By the way, as he does with most areas, Jody is now giving me suggestions on what to write to make this blog better. Thank God I have such a helpful spouse!!! I ( I mean We) hope you enjoy this new and improved update!!