Our Journey for the summer did not end in Mexico, upon returning we headed of to Washington D.C. for Mark's company sales conference. We stayed in the world famous Willard Hotel which is located two blocks from the White House. I am so proud of mark who worked hard to earn such a remarkable trip. It was especially nice because Mark's parents, Val & Benda were also there. It is fun to be able to travel with them often.

Our first night there we were able to hear from on our our Senators, Orrin Hatch. Later that night we were able to go to the top of the Washington Monument and see the view of the city at night. Tuesday afternoon we did some sight seeing and later that night we headed off to the Nationals-Phillies baseball game. It was a lot of fun to see the new stadium and as always relaxing to be at the ball park.

Above myself, Val & Benda.

Mark, Val & Benda enjoying a beautiful night out at the ball game.

Mark loves baseball and usually makes one of his trips around seeing a baseball game and on this trip to Washington he was able to see the Nationals/Phillies game and the weekend before I flew out he was able to go with his brother Paul and John to the Orioles game. He had another conference in DC and had to go to DC four days earlier than me.

The next day we had the opportunity to tour our nations capital. It is a hard ticket to get unless you make arrangements prior to coming. Thanks to Mark's work we were all able to enjoy the beauty of the capital. We also were able to see the Supreme Court building and the Library of Congress. After our tour on the Capital Mark and I went to the Smithsonian Institute of Native Americans then to a great

restaurant for some yummy Italian food.

The next day we went to some of the monuments around the town. We went to Franklin Roosevelt's, the Korean, Vietnam and World War II war memorials and then walked by the White House on our way back to the hotel. That night they had the closing banquet at the Smithsonian's Air and Space Museum where we got to spend the evening enjoying all the museum had to offer. I even was able to fly and F-16 in the simulator - it was awesome. On the final day Mark and I went to Arlington Cemetery to see the changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldiers. It is my most favorite monument of all. It is such a quiet and surreal place and reminds me of the great sacrifice that our service men and women make so that I can have so many wonderful freedoms. It is such an honor to be a citizen of the United States of America and I thank all those who are willing to lay their lives on the line for me.

We had such a great time spending time together and being able to enjoy the wonderful sights of our nations capital.