Every year, Doug has a trip to Washington, DC for a legislative conference. Every year, I go with him. The first two years, it was by ourselves. Two years ago, I dragged a reluctant Matt along with me. Last year, Becky came - and this year.....both the girls and I tagged along!

The flights yesterday went well (well, except for the very bad case of airsickness that Katie had as we were in initial descent into Dallas...I've now joined the very exclusive club of mothers that have caught throw up in their hands...). The girls did great on the planes, and Becky certainly has got her groove going when she flies. I guess two trans pacific trips in as many years gave her good training

As has become our tradition, we had dinner last night at Legal Seafoods - it was great - as always!

Today, we took the metro out to the suburbs (I love the suburbs on the east coast - 15 miles form the city and there are huge lots with lots of trees and great,big gigantic from yards...sigh - yard envy here..) to visit one of our travel families, Ben & Sandi and their kids - all 6 of them that are still at home! Their daughter Leah and son David were adopted when we adopted Katie. Leah especially loved Katie - and it was so wonderful to see them. It's a little hard to explain - but it feels like a safe place to be with our children. We have seen our children at their worst, have held one another up, have rejoiced over a word spoken or a hug given and have generally all walked together down a quiet and private road that is known to few - but blesses all who travel it. It was nice to be back on that road with them for a few hours today.

The little girls just loved the attention from the big girls - Emma's helping Becky learn to steer (not sure she ever really got that concept today) and it looks like Leah and Katie are playing bumper cars!

Burning off some energy before heading back to the hotel

Al the kids (except Ben & Sandi's oldest) - Leah with Katie, Matt holding onto brother David with brother Kevin in front, and Emma with Becky - a fine looking group of kids!!

Someone asked me if we were doing a lot of sight seeing in DC -and we are..but the sights we are seeing are the best ones - people that mean so much to us!