Washington D.C.

Day 1:
We woke up around 3:00 am and started getting ready for our big day ahead. We had to be to the school commons by 4:00 so we rushed. We hopped on the bus and drove 2 hrs to Fort Lauderdale where we flew out to Washington D.C. We were all in our dress clothes because once we landed the bus took us right to our first event. The law students had to be apart of a special reception where there were different members of the Pro Life something or other {i forget what they were called} who spoke about their love for life. I don't really know a lot. I was out in the foyer with Paisley and Sam for 3 hrs while the boys were in the convention. They fed us cake and chicken wraps and the time there was long and quick at the same time. We were all so tired and just wanted to check in our hotel room and take a nap. When we finally caught a cab to our room we all pretty much hung out and slept. Doug and I ordered pizza, showered and went to bed. It was so nice to just go to sleep. Paisley was so tired and only slept on the bus and a little on the plane. Other than that she was beat like us.

Day 2:
We hit McDonalds for breakfast and took our walk up to the capitol area where the walk would begin. We had to meet there by 10:00 but the walk didn't start for another few hours.

 Our walk up with the Capitol behind us

We saw a squirrel on the sidewalk and everyone was feeding it

It was so cold so Sam and I took Paisley inside the Air Smithsonian to warm up. She loved all the airplanes hanging from the ceiling.

After that we walked over to the West Builing and walked around all the art rooms. It was so neat. This is the West building behind us.

Doug met up with us here and then when they were about to start the walk we went and met up with the Law students and it all began.

We finally reached our destination! The Supreme Court Building.
Officers were standing on the steps and their were people speaking in a microphone trying to keep the peace.

 

 There were about 10 pro choice people picketing against us and it broke my heart. I think they should be ashamed of themselves. I was shocked by some of the things they were holding and the things their signs said. I only find comfort that there is such a thing as heaven and God and that those people will get their reward. It's so sad and it breaks my heart!

 

 I was so sad and heart broken yet happy to see the support of one lady holding this sign, showing her regret of having an abortion!

Paisley finally fell asleep.

A news reporter came up and asked Doug the name of his daughter and said he was from Yahoo news and asked to take a picture of her. Doug got home and googled her name and this is what he found.

Abortion opponents march in Washington

Thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators march through Washington on Jan. 25 to the steps of the U.S. Supreme Court to protest a landmark decision that legalized abortion.

 Paisley Fowles, aged one, of Naples, Florida, sleeps on her father's shoulder amidst the din of the annual March for Life rally at the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, January 25, 2013. The anti-abortion marchers on Friday marked the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court ruling legalizing abortion, and Pope Benedict expressed support for the demonstrators. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst (UNITED STATES - Tags: POLITICS HEALTH CIVIL UNREST TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY)

The back of the capitol building

After the walk we took about a 20 minute cab drive and forked out about $18 so we could be dropped off at what we were told the mall which was clearly not the mall. Just Macy's. We began walking again and found a place to eat.

Brett and Sam

Doug and I

Paisley and I

We caught a cab back home and that was quite the story too. It was so cold and our cab driver gave the windows some washer fluid which immediately froze up. So then he pulls over and wipes his windows all while we sit in the cab and the meter keeps ticking. Meanwhile, a dollar later he gets back in and takes us to our hotel. When he demands payment he started complaining about .04 cents we owed him. We forked up a quarter and tried to explain to him that he actually owed us $1 but he didn't get it. We just left! He was mad and mean and we were not happy. 

We hung out a little bit with Brett and Sam and the boys walked to Starbucks to get us a non coffee treat. A vanilla bean frappuccino which was so yummy. We finally went back to our room and went to bed. We were tuckered out.

Day 3:
 We were finally able to do some touring on our own. We ate some breakfast and found the metro. We headed to the Smithsonian first.

Down in the Tunnel about to get on the metro! 

 

On the metro

Outside the Smithsonian

 

One of the largest diamonds

The Hope Diamond

  In the entryway when you walk in the museum.

I was hoping for the big dinosaur like in the movie "Night at the Museum" but the elephant was pretty cool too!

 Doug and I were interested in seeing the Smithsonian but wanted to see much much more of the city. This was our last day so we left the Smithsonian and headed to the Washington Memorial.

 After passing the Washington Memorial we headed to the WWII memorial! Doug and I both have Grandparents who served in WWII and we are so grateful for them!

 At the WWII memorial with the Washington Memorial behind us

 We weren't able to go see the Jefferson Memorial but I was able to take a picture with it behind me. It's really small....but it's there!

 The veterans of Utah! Grandpa Nick and Grandpa Bill!

  Grandpa Nick was from Lousiana!

 The Lincoln Memorial. I was so excited to see this!

 Paisley and Dad walking up the Memorial

 

 Abraham Lincoln's 1st Inaugural address

 2nd Inaugural address

 And of course another view with the Washington Memorial behind us as we stand in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

 We then walked over to see the Korean War Memorial!

Then on to see the Vietnam Wall Memorial. We looked up my fathers good friend, Rufus Stephenson, and Doug's fathers friend, James D. Mace. Both who served and lost their lives in the war. It was so sad and yet amazing to see how many people who not only served but died serving. The wall was so big and clear full of names.

Rufus Stephenson's name was at the top so it was hard to get a picture.

 Paisley and I by the panel where his name was!

 James D. Mace

 Doug and Paisley by his panel

Part of the Vietnam Wall Memorial

 The 3 Soldiers by the wall

After we headed back towards the WWII memorial and met back up with Brett and Sam. We all walked over to the White House because I couldn't leave Washington D.C. without seeing it. 

Paisley on our walk over. It was actually a miracle when we could get her to sit in the stroller as we walked.

 The White House from a distance as we walked toward it.

 

The White House

 I must admit the following. I always imagined it differently. I thought the White House would be bigger and easier to see. I always thought it was in more of a private area but it's just smack in the middle of the city which was a shock to me. This all would have been much cooler if Mitt Romney were in office as well. :)

We finally walked to China town and grabbed a bite to eat at a sushi place. On our way over we took a picture by the Archives building which we unfortunately did not go in. Hopefully next time.We also stopped at a store and got me my I love D.C. shirt and a little elephant Beenie Baby for Paisley to bribe her to sit in her stroller. We also bought her a cute little shirt that was like the one I had as a little girl my mom got me in Europe.

 Brett and Sam

 Doug and I

Paisley and her $8 elephant. Sheesh!

 Her cute shirt we bought her!

 Back at the Hotel we all get ready for bed! So nice to be able to warm up and relax again. We did hit the vending machines for some candy and pop!

 Paisley who dumped out all of her popcorn!

What a trip!

We all woke up Sunday morning and left the hotel at 6:00 am to hit our flight. When we reached Fort Lauderdale we hoped on our 2 hr bus ride and reached Naples around 1:00. It was nice to get home!