Ode to the Owens: June 2010

Who says you can't see DC in a day?

No sooner did we step off the plane and into the humid and green surroundings, did my husband say, "No wonder you hate the desert. You grew up with this!"

When Steve found out his next business trip was going to be in Virginia, he immediately insisted I come along. I lived there for 5 years as a kid (age 10-15), and he was pretty excited to see my old house, neighborhood, and stomping grounds. And, I haven't been back in 17 years so I was just as excited. So, our very first stop straight from the airport was this lovely little place on Parson Lane:

Then to my first high school (I say "first" because I also went to one year in WVa. and two in CA.) where I gave my best former cheerleader pose:

Then, we headed over to dinner with the Atkinson family. They were a family in our ward and I was great friends with Mary and Julie growing up. My little bro and I also lived with them for most of my freshman year while my dad commuted for work. Lots of good food and catching up:

Now, for the DC tour. Here were some of the sights on our looooong and wonderful day in the city:

La Casa de Blanca

National Museum of American History

Bonafide Ruby Slippers

Random hydrangeas? No.

There just happened to be a garden in the middle of the National Museum of Art--a museum that unexpectedly took my breath away. So amazing to see originals that I had only seen in my Humanities and Art books.

Napoleon (I made him do this)

Young Girl Reading

Monet, anyone?

We were within 12 inches of the real thing! {The museum "guards" sternly reminded us of the rules of proximity to the art when we got too close.}

Degas' Dancing Girl and Steve's Posing Girl

(eeks, and Bad Lighting)

Washington Monument

Waaaaay in front of the Lincoln Monument. And, trust me, it is a looooong walk from the W. Monument, past the WWII Memorial and reflecting pond to the L. Monument. But such a lovely long walk.

We saw this guy and several of his friends along our walk.

Made it to the other side--the steps of the Lincoln Monument.

Breathtaking.

And Lincoln's okay, too.

I really like my camera.

A lot.

Vietnam Memorial...oh, so many names.

We also went to the Smithsonian, Air and Space Museum, National Archives, and let Steve take his picture in front of the IRS building. Too many pictures. It was a full and inspiring day, and one in which I spent every moment with my favorite person.

Washington DC Temple

If you are not prepared (and we were not), this sight can cause a vehicular swerve as you round the 495 and behold this view:

I remember coming to the temple a few times while we lived here, but it was so long ago that I truly did not appreciate how beautiful it was. The following is a result of my camera, taking me hostage and demanding that I snap away, or else. It could not be helped for perfection deserves some devotion.

Oh, yes. Then there was this rose.

Abandoned from Saturday's wedding, I'm sure. But, it was gorgeous and accompanyed by that single drop of dew. Do you see it? And, this is straight out of the camera, no editing.

{sigh}

I love to see the temple, yes. But I loved seeing this particular one on this day.

Art and my real life

When we were at the museum, I couldn't stop staring at her:

...and I thought, Hmm, I have one of those.

And, sometimes, I can't stop staring.

when hitting an kicking is okay.

At first, I thought this was just a fun class to take up a few weeks in the summer.

Now, the prospect of a yellow belt is on the horizon.

I think we'll be back in the fall:

crisp white gis, bare feet and unparalleled attention spans in tow.

from switzerland with love

Steve's parents went to Europe.

They brought us back some Swiss Chocolate.

And, I may or may not have eaten it for breakfast the next morning.

Souvenirs

Tres magnifique!

tongue in cheek

Mom:

Paige, why don't you sit with Preston and read him a couple of books then you can both count it toward your summer reading...you know, kill two birds with one stone.

Paige:

Except, I don't really like killing birds.

{ba-dum-bum}

Aaannd, thank you, Junie B. Jones.

{Photo caption: What my daughter wore to school one day}