In DC Again

I'm excited to be back in our nation's capitol again for a visit to the Hill and a tax policy conference.



I went to the National Gallerry of Art yesterday. It was simply amazing.



I also got to see an Occupy Encampment first-hand, which was super-cool.

Every day, I'm so grateful for the opportunities I have in this life.

My Beautiful Niece

I took some photos of my niece Jane this weekend while they were visiting for Thanksgiving. Isn't she gorgeous? We both had so much fun with this shoot, I hope she'll be able to use these if she wishes, and I definitely have some great material to add to my portfolio. So proud of this girl, how kind and generous she is, how sweet, how fun-loving. Believe it or not, her inner beauty exceeds her outer beauty.

Could Not Have Been More Thankful

My Thanksgiving this year was at once hectic and peaceful. We had a full house and very full hearts. There was lots of good food of course, a movie night watching a classic and an epic Wii evening that gave my brother a wee hangover. So. Much. Fun. I could not have been more thankful.

Thankful

Going into this week, I'm so very thankful. Especially for these girls. And their daddy.

My parents and my brother and his family will be here soon to celebrate with us. It will be so nice to have them in our home.

I wish you all the best this Thanksgiving week!

Autumn Has Truly Arrived

The season has arrived in my yard. Beautiful, bright, chilly. A good time to go inside and start a fire in the fireplace. Soaking up the season.

Grateful

The last three weeks were a blur for me! A trip to BBar Ranch for work. A trip to DC for work. A looooong drive to Portland for a niece's wedding. A much shorter drive to the Hiawatha Trail (above). We biked the trail with friends. What a great weekend.

Anyway, it was a busy season, but filled with so many good things that I hardly complained about being tired or overwhelmed. I tried to soak up each moment of these fun events and move gracefully to the next. Amazing progress for me. I'm proud and I'm grateful.

Breathtaking

There were so many moments here in DC that took my breath away.


Coming face-to-face (kind of) with President Lincoln. These were my first moments in DC. *major lump in throat*


Seeing, in person, such an ugly part of our history. Understanding the arbitrary nature of "race" on a deeper level.


Finding my beloved state in the World War II Memorial.


The President's helicopter landing on the South Lawn. I just HAPPENED to be walking by. Feeling incredibly blessed.


The same grand house from the other side at night.


The Capitol lit up in the evening.


The Marine Memorial. Learning this was only Day 5 of the Battle for Iwo Jima. Finding out that one of the Marines was a Native American man who later died of alcoholism by falling in a creek and drowning. Tragedy on so many levels.


And The Wall. The Vietnam War Memorial. Stark. Stoic. Simple. Breathtaking.