District 11 Adult Family Reunion in DC

We just finished our adult family reunion in DC organized by Clayton. We had a great time despite the bad rain we endured. My knee was really bad so I was in a wheelchair for the long distance travels. We all stayed in a Marriot Courtyard near Clayton's house, except for Clayton, Lindsay, and Regan who stayed at his house. One of his roommates was out out of town so Lindsay and Regan scored a free bed...which good since they are still students. They went early to help with the grocery shopping. They also did a great job helping with the food since they were staying there.

Clayton has a huge room with couches and with a big flat screen giant TV (with Blue-ray). We hung out in there to play games. The kids wanted me to do charades all by myself where I acted it out and they guessed. They always have fun making fun....but I can take it. He also had a huge kitchen/family room area where we could gather for the meals we ate there.

We started Thursday night when everyone got there at Clayton's hanging out and visiting and having a snack:) which we always do. Denton and Marissa couldn't come up until Friday as Dodge had an ear infection and needed a shot at the doctor.

Friday we went (in the rain) on the metro to see the Capitol. We went on an awesome tour. Many of us had been there but some had not. We got special passes to go upstairs and see the Congress in action. Luckily Clayton got to wheel me into the building because of my wheelchair while everyone else waited in line for our tour time. Afterward, we went for lunch (Clayton's treat) to one of his favorite places, " Matchbox" for mini-burgers and gourmet pizza. We had a lot of fun chatting and getting warm from being outside. The wheelchair worked great except for the scary moment when Jordan almost dumped me in the street. I promise it was an accident. He wasn't really trying to do me in...just something fun to talk about for years.

Clayton had plans for all afternoon but due to the rain we bagged them and went back to his house to hang out and stay dry and warm. We had fun watching movies and playing games until our fun dinner of tacquitos, guacamole, pineapple. etc. This is where kids love to play charades with only me acting things out so they can make fun of me for years to come. I have think skin :)

Saturday was a guided tour to the White house . We trudged through the rain and had to wait for over an hour with umbrellas in tow. We couldn't take the stroller or the wheelchair, purses, cameras or the like in..so the boys ran back to the car and got soaked. But baby Dodge stayed warm in his blanket. The Parks and Recreation people were really rude. I told the while house staff and they made up for it by taking me and a special friend ( I invited Greg) to ride in an elevator upstairs and see the kitchen where they prepare all the meals and meet up with my group......mainly because of my bad knee but also to make-up , I think. It was fun to see as I hadn't seen it before. After that, we went to another great place for lunch. A mexican restaurant called " Surfside"with fresh made mexican food. We had fabulous food and it becoming everyone's favorite. We dropped Jordan and Melissa off in Georgetown as they don't get to shop DC very often. The rest of us went home to dry out and get warm. We cooked, watched a movie, and had a few debates Roman's style. We had plans for dinner but everyone was too full. So we had dessert (homemade apple crisp) instead before we went to the play. Denton and Marissa left early and didn't go to the play. The rest of us went to Ford's theatre to see the Lincoln museum (downstairs) and then to see " Little Shoppe of Horrors". It was great and alot of fun.Afterwards we were hungry again......so we went back to Clayton's for Pizza and TV in his room.

Sunday was daylight savings so we lost an hour. We gathered at Clayton's for a delicious brunch of Migas ( mexican eggs) , homemade cinnamon rolls ( courtesy of Lindsay and Regan) and fresh pineapple. It was delicious and the perfect end to a fun weekend.

Most of us left by noon. Jordan and Melissa flew out later that day and Dana had to fly to Minneapolis for a week.

Greg and I talked on the way home how happy and proud we were of all of our kids and in-law kids and of course grandkids. They are all great kids and we feel so blessed that they are good to each other, live the gospel and are active in the church.

We were sad to have it be over so fast and we miss everyone already. It was a great weekend and fun to all be together. We can't wait until we can all be together again.

Thanks Clayton for all organization and everyone else for helping so much. The District 11 poster was Clayton's creative agenda.

We love you all.