National Harbor and ICE!

The new ICE! exhibit opened up at The Gaylord Convention Center at National Harbor so we headed over, bundled up in our provided blue parkas and went in to enjoy the nine degree air!  The theme this year was obviously Frosty the Snowman.  Again, it was all pretty cool.  Yep, cool.  Hilarious, right?

 Tom bravely took his parka off for this one.

 I was the only one brave enough to do the slides.  THAT WAS AWESOME!

 The clear ice nativity is beautiful.

 The whole lobby is decorated beautifully.

 Caught the tree going through a purple stage.....

Capitol and Library of Congress, or as the locals call it.. LOC

So it's highly probable (certain, really) that I've already posted photos of this heavenly building but I don't care.  It's my blog and I could stare at this place forever and will re-photograph it every time I go there.  I mean, really.  How stinkin' stunning is this place?!!!

It was cool to revisit Mr. Jefferson's library after going to Monticello.  Amazing.

 So the capitol is covered in scaffolding until 2016 while they give her a facelift.  Not so pretty.


I had originally scheduled a tour through Senator Hatch's office for a Monday when I wouldn't have the baby, but then I remembered Jen Deci (Staffer to AL senator) saying to call her anytime for a tour so I did just that.  She met Nic and I, along with our little buddy on a Friday afternoon for a super private tour.

 Little underground shuttle that took us from Senate offices to capitol.  Very cool indeed.

 Still mesmerized by the gorgeous painting in this building.

 She took us up to the balcony and they just happened to be unloading the Capitol Christmas tree out front.

 Most amazing view.  Except when there's a crane in the middle of it.

The plastic on this ceiling is related to the work on the dome.

Pretty sure I was meant to be a tour guide in these buildings, I do love them so.  Except I would probably just ignore my group and stare into the beauty all around me.  

Handy that the Supreme Court is right there as well so you can grab a little bonus photo!

Tom's Farewell Luncheon

 So Nic and I bundled up the little one and drove into Fort McNair where Tom's co-workers were throwing him a little luncheon.  Of course, we had originally thought our time here was going to up sooner than later so this little get together was jumping the gun a bit.

 I'll have to have Tom come in and put in names because I'll surely mess it up.  Had some wonderful food though!