Guns Up!

Well Matt & I finally had a weekend at home, and we couldn't have asked for anything more perfect! Friday afternoon we went to a really cool place over in Georgetown called Dumbarton Oaks. We had to take this walking path through Rock Creek Park to get to this "park" and beautiful garden and the leaves, even though they peaked probably a week and a half ago, are absolutely beautiful. Of course coming from TX where we have very little color, our expectations aren't very high! We were pleasantly surprised at how great these gardens were. Not only were the grounds just awesome, but there was also a museum attached and sadly enough, it was way better than one of the Art museum's Matt & I just visited downtown!

Self portrait at Dumbarton Oaks

Saturday was the perfect lazy day just relaxing and watching a little Ohio State football. We also made a trip to Lowe's & bought a fire pit and a flag pole for my Texas Tech flag, and of course...geared up for the Texas Tech / OSU football game! I found a watching party that the DC Alumni Group puts on over in DC, so that's where we were going to watch the game. Matt, in usual fashion, figured there would be 5 of us there, but when we walked in, we were BOTH pleasantly surprised at how many Red Raider fans were there. My question was, how do all these people from Lubbock, TX end up in DC?? Anyway, it was obviously a great game, and they had the fight songs and all for each time we scored. So afterwards, Matt & I decided to hit up a new bar he's found that's really cool, called the Tattoo Bar. Well the problem was when we got there was there was a line to get in (the place in REALLY small) and it was obvious no one was getting in. However, where there's a will, there's a way, and Matt found that, and it was called bottle service. Now, I ask you, is bottle service, between 2 people, really all that smart? Especially after we'd already had 4 pitchers of beer while watching the Red Raiders? My friends, I tell you NOT! While we actually managed to finish off half the bottle, it did not make for a pretty Sunday. I felt absolutely horrible all day long. Like, really horrible. So I had my first McDonald's since we've been up here, but that didn't help. To make matters worse, one of the things we wanted to do this weekend was go to Arlington Cemetery to see it during the fall, so we ventured out. You have to understand, this is one of my favorite sites in DC, and it was the most miserable trip ever. First the metro ride was BAD, then the walk all over the cemetery, up and down hills, ugh! Anyway, boy am I glad it's Monday! It's a much better today!

I almost forgot - GO JIMMIE JOHNSON! See you in Miami for a 3-peat!

What a Whirlwind Last Few Days!

Wow! So much has happened over the last 7 days! I was back in Dallas yet again (even joined 24 Hour Fitness in TX) for the weekend, as I found great airfare and it was NASCAR weekend! Since I was home I got to enjoy Trick-or-Treating on Main Street with Renee and Lauren. It's hard to believe Lauren is 8, she seems all grown up! Of course I can be one of those friends who will always say, "I've known you since you were a month old"! And of course the night took a drastic change when Amanda and I went to Eric's Halloween party. The costumes were quite unique (Clinton & Rod took my prize for best costume) and it was a great way to celebrate one of my favorite holidays!

Clinton as the BEE

Lauren as the Candy Corn witch...

Saturday started off like most normal fall weekends. I must say you couldn't have asked for more perfect fall weather! As much as I like the temperatures here in DC, the gloomy skies are getting old, so a beautiful blue sky was a great welcome! Matt and I played a little baseball at the park and enjoyed the playground, and even found a race car for Trent to get his picture taken with...all leading up to...the Texas Tech / UT Football game. We went to Liz & Dave's and watched the game with Amanda & Gary as well. And OH MY GOSH! Could we have asked for a better game!!?? I am just now getting my voice back today after all the yelling with the Crabtree touchdown that gave us the win. I LOVE MY RED RAIDERS!!! ALL THE WAY BABY!!!!

Trent with Elliott Sadler's Best Buy car...

But I had to rest up for Sunday! NASCAR!! Renee picked me up bright and early (7:00am) so we could get out to the track and to Mike's in time to beat the raceday traffic and try and find a parking spot by the camper. Of course Bloody Mary's were the roadie of choice and our "coffee" of the morning, and they were quite yummy! Needless to say, they went down quite easy and the morning started well. Not only did we get to hang out with Mike, but Kirby (Mike's brother) was in town for the race as well. He used to come to the races each year, but he's in the military and was overseas for the last year - so it's GREAT to have you home Kirby! Beyond that, at times during the race I was asking myself "I flew home for this"? Not only was it one of the most boring races ever (lots of green flag racing) but Jimmie went a lap down early, and with Carl winning the race, our lead for the cup has been cut in half. Considering Matt and I are going to Homestead for the final race in two weeks, he better BRING IT!
Kirby, me & Mike

Renee & I after the race

So back to DC, a Steelers win during Monday night football...

And then, there was the election. Even though Matt made us special "red" martini's to enjoy as we watched the returns come in, they obviously didn't bring us the results we needed. That being said, what an exciting time to be in Washington, DC. Even with the rain we had last night, as I went to bed (which was after Obama's speech) I could still hear cars honking and yelling in the streets over his victory. Ahhh...to live in America....

xoxo