Jessica in DC/Christmas at the Washers

For Christmas, Andrew and I didn't go home so he didn't have to take leave and we didn't have to spend ridiculous amounts of money for 3 days of "vacay" Anyway, we had Andrew's sister Jessica (it's the best name ever, right?!?!?) come up to DC to hang with us.  Woot woot! Andrew affectionately says that Jessica "saved our Christmas" because otherwise we would have been bored out of our mind staring at each other for 2 weeks.

Anyway, so Andrew was happy because he grew a beard... See below.

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I was happy cause I had tons of fun showing Jessica around.  We went to Arlington Cemetery  all the monuments and memorials (on the mall at least), the American History Smithsonian, the Smithsonian of Natural History, the American Indian Smithsonian, and the Holocaust Museum.  We had a busy couple of days.  We also saw Old Town in Alexandria and hung out at the house.  Good times.




Jessica really enjoyed the American Indian Museum's collection, if not it's politics.  She is an artist by profession and especially enjoys sculpting horses.  The museum had an entire collection about horses and how they influenced Native Americans as well as Native American decorations featuring horses, including saddles, harnesses, paintings, sculpture work, etc. She took pictures of almost every piece and sign and loved seeing all the artwork.














We went to the Holocaust museum, which was awesome as always.  That being said, I feel it fair to warn all of you... if you come to DC and want to go to the Holocaust museum, I am gracefully bowing out of attending again. You guys can go with Andrew or by yourselves.  That museum covers an important part of history which by no means should ever be forgotten.  It beautifully addresses a somber topic.  Because of this, the museum is kind of a downer.  I've now been 3 times very slowly and feel that I've seen every sign and video.  Not going again in the next year and a half.  Please visit, please go to that museum... but I'll bring a book and chill in the American History cafe or something.

At the American History Museum we got to see Julia Child's kitchen, Dorothy's shoes, Kermit the Frog, the Nauvoo temple square, and all sorts of other uber exciting artifacts of coolness.  That's my favorite museum and I love to go see all the crazy stuff they have in there.

We went to all the memorials, but it was freezing cold so we viewed everybody quickly.  They're all still there, Jefferson, Lincoln, Washington, King, Roosevelt, the whole gang.  My favorite is still the Korean memorial.  I think it's the most moving how the men just rise up the hill like ghosts from the war, the sign saying "Freedom is not free" and the beautiful reflecting wall, which like the Vietnam memorial, makes you see yourself in the names of those who died for you.

At Arlington we got to see some very cool stuff.  First of all, all of the Christian graves had wreaths laid against their headstones to celebrate the Christmas season.  I think that was one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen.  Also, in what we assume was General Schwarzkopf's funeral, we saw a fighter missing-man formation fly-by, heard a 21 gun salute, and saw a beautiful caisson.  We saw the changing of the guard and generally had a wonderful visit to the cemetery and Arlington house.











For Christmas we got some cool gifts, Andrew got food storage and some games and some awesome stuff from our respective families.  I got a lot of clothes, books, and other awesomeness.  Jessica gave us cute BYU pillows that Mace (her son who's 9) and her made for us. Basically, we had a great Christmas.  It was totally awesome, thanks in big part to Jessica coming out and hanging out with us. Thanks Jessica!