Linda B's Visit

 Linda arrived for a short 4 day stay.  She isn't able to walk long distances so we spent a lot of time in the pool, just hanging around visiting and cooking dinners together.  We did head to the waterfront for lunch one day which was nice.  Yummy fish tacos for her and avocado shrimp salad for me!

 She loves design and was very excited about seeing the Pope-Leighey house designed by Frank Lloyd Wright.  She wasn't disappointed!

 No photos allowed inside unfortunately 'cause it was very cool.  The whole minimalist idea is very appealing to me though this place would work best as a cabin....not as a full time living space.  For me anyway!  We headed back by way of Shirlington and stopped there for a bento box at an Asian restaurant we like then did a little window shopping.

 Again, we met Tom at the Twilight Tattoo though the show was cut off before the end because a huge rainstorm came through!

 We took our dinner in the cooler and arrived early enough to stake out a good space.  Lots of fun conversation time.

Luke was working so Tom kind of hung out with him.  Their professional photographer was there and he's the one who got these shots.  I LOVE the one of Tom.  So handsome!  I'm lucky to be married to him!

Tri Training

So we've started our Ready Set Tri 2014 training!  They did the first week while I was still in Utah so I was able to plug in for a bike ride my first week back.  We have lots of new people and are still meeting at Haines Point for training.

 Tom is the official historical photographer so we have a million photos and he's set up a Facebook page as well.  The first week there was an awful crash that didn't include anyone from our group but a cyclist hit a lady who was walking.  Someone from our group was a nurse and she and a few others stayed with those who were hurt until the ambulance came.  Pretty awful but it looked like everyone would be okay.

 Kristen giving instruction....

                                                               Ben showing off.....

Tom being speedy and me being slow and steady as usual....

One day after we finished training we cycled into town and ended up going into Georgetown then back through DC and decided to pedal on to the Anacostia Metro.  I was still feeling this way then.

But then after Tom kept suggesting we go a bit further, and a bit further and up some hills though I couldn't get my gears to cooperate, and further until finally I made a grumpy scene and insisted we take the metro the rest of the way home.  30 miles under our belts and I was POOPED!

Homeless Group Cookouts

Tom's group has gotten together a few times for fellowship and wrap ups of their experience. They had one while I was still in Utah.

 And then they had another one with all three weekend groups to share stories.  Also in attendance were a couple of the homeless people who served as mentors.  Tom always gets recruited to be grill master as none of the young people seem to know how to manage the grill.  He did a great job though and the food was yummy!

National Mall and Twilight Tattoo

 We were running out of time so we had to narrow down what we wanted to see.  Mom had wanted to see Williamsburg but when we discovered it was another 3 and half hour drive (best case) she passed on another road trip.  They had learned that just running errands in the DC area can turn into a road trip!  They had been to DC many years ago and we had done several drive throughs of town so we decided to go to the places they hadn't been.

                                                         World War II Monument

                                                     All those gold stars along the wall........

                                                       Vietnam Memorial

                                  You can't be that close and not stop at the Lincoln!

 Dad making friends with critters........

 That night we met Tom at Fort Myer for the Twilight Tattoo.  We lucked out and got great seats!

                              We brought goodies and were surrounded by darling 4H clubs

 Tom still wants to build a house right here so we can have this view.  The show was good and it was the perfect way to wrap up mom and dad's two week visit in DC.  Took them to BWI the next morning to fly home.  So glad they came to stay.  We had a blast!