Government 101

Just in case you do not live in a swing state and are not reminded at every commercial break, this is an election year. Mom thought it would be a good opportunity to take a trip to Washington DC. So Drew and Brandon and I took her up on her offer and visited the popular sites of our nation's capital.  I seem to move up the comfort ladder on every flight. First I got my own seat, and this trip I got to look at something other than the back of a seat. Mom was going to make me sit rear facing as usual but I argued that in the event of a plane crash, whiplash wouldn't be as big of a concern as quickly getting out of my seat to make use of the seat cushion flotation device. It worked. I could really get used to this.

After we landed, Drew drove the train to the terminal

The trip was great and very informative. The time change was a little painful but we did it. I have never been so happy to be a non walker because I was carried around for several miles every day. Can you imagine how many steps that would be on 10" legs? Here are a few of the highlights from the trip.

Eternal flame at Arlington Cemetary

Changing of the guard at the tomb of unknown soldier. Can you believe they have been doing this 24 hours a day since 1937

my hotel set up

Too bad Brandon didn't have his top hat on for the picture. Its pretty cool

Getting ready to talk to the media at the Pentagon

Trying to spot the president. I'm sure he was watching me from in his house

I really wanted to swing on Sasha and Malia's playset but mom said uncle Mike's co workers may not like it

Honoring soldiers at the WWII memorial

And no trip to the city is complete without a hot dog from a street cart

We also toured the capitol building. No wonder nothing much gets done there. It is a very boring building. Congress is probably all asleep when they should be discussing legislation.

The air and space museum

Abe Lincoln, wearing an Italy shirt, standing in front of the Chinese lady's food truck...odd

The police line up at the crime museum. Can you tell which one is me?

We flew back to Colorado Monday at 3:15 but our government lesson wasn't over yet. Vice presidential candidate, Paul Ryan, was speaking in Grand Junction at 5 and we had the opportunity to see him up close in the VIP section thanks to a very nice secret service agent. The funny part was that of all the people Mitt Romney would have liked to see there front and center (literally), its a woman (whose name did not appear in a binder), a hispanic baby, and a first time voter. We fit the bill quite well. 

Our seats in front of the podium

Paul Ryan talking to me

Paul Ryan shaking my hand after the speech. Good thing he didn't know about the Ron Paul sign that mom refuses to take down or he may not have been so nice

So that's why I am late getting this post up. Now I need to get to bed and try to shake this jet lag.

Cheers!

alexa