Washington, D.C. - Part III

I'm almost done with this trip...I swear.

I met up with the other people in the hotel lobby (they never knew I was missing) and the excitement was building. All week we knew we were going to the White House, but we didn't know if we would meet the President or the VP or anyone. We were told the night before that we would indeed be meeting the President and that we could take our cameras with us. We set out on the 5 minute walk and the 30 minute security checks.

Vicki (Utah - Science winner) and Linda from Oregon

My friend Amy from Wyoming. She stayed with me in the White House and we took pictures for each other.
We had to get through three different security checkpoints. At the airport on the way out I discovered that my license had expired. I was really worried about getting into the White House so I had my passport FedEx-ed to me at the hotel. Turns out they didn't even look at it. Maybe that's how people get into the White House when they aren't supposed to... The security guard called me "sweetie." I think that may have had something to do with it. :)
We walked up to the East Wing of the house.
This is the view from inside to the front lawn. I wanted to go out there - not in the agenda. Look how perfect it looks in January!
The hallway we wandered around in for 20 minutes. There are dividers at the end of the hall with no shortage of people stopping you from getting to the other side.
This is china from several of the different presidents
The rooms off to the side of the hall appeared to be a library and a first ladies' room of some sort.
This was the bathroom off the library. My bathroom at home has its own foyer before you reach the toilet as well.
First ladies' room.
Me and Jackie-o
They said it was time to go upstairs and this is what there was as we rounded the corner. A ballroom with a man in uniform playing the piano. Very fancy.

And very official.
To the right of the ballroom is the State Room. This is where we met Mr. President. I have since seen press releases where he is standing at his podium in front of this picture. These girls are the four BYU graduates from our group. Somehow we always find each other...Nola, Vickie, and Michele.

We went into the State Room and they had risers all set up for us and our picture. Apparently Obama is notoriously late and today was no different. They got us all positioned (shorties like me in the front - can you see me??) and we stood shoulder to shoulder like this for at least 20-30 minutes.

A woman who was in charge of the week's events brought in a surprise to keep us company while we waited - her son, the White House chef. You may have seen him on the Biggest Loser. Sam - one in the same. He was nice and told us about the garden and his and Michelle's plan to make school food healthier.

After standing there for so long, the women were starting to get a little crazy. I say them, because it wasn't me. They were getting all giggly and loud. Every time someone would come in the door, they would gasp. It was a little silly. I wish they would have prepped us before Obama came in, because it was verging on disrespect. He came in and the ladies were SCREAMING. I'm not kidding. Don't get me wrong - it was a very exciting moment - but screaming?? It was like a Brad Pitt (or someone like that) had walked in the room.

President Obama is tall and looks, well, just like I thought he would. But he was RIGHT THERE. It was pretty exciting to me to be standing in the White House with the President of the United States. Let me just say here that several people have commented to me, "Ugh - I wouldn't want to meet him." or "Bummer!" or "Oh, don't you wish you could meet a different president?" And my answer is no. It was pretty neat. I'm not a super political person. I probably don't know or research a lot of things that people have to not like him so much. Call me uninformed. But it was still cool to meet the President. He is a piece of history - and it's fun for me to be able to say that I was there.

He spoke with us for about 3 minutes (in which time some ladies were still calling out "Amen!" in the middle of his sentences - totally inappropriate) about how we were doing a good job and how what we do matters to him. He told us about his girls and their favorite subjects and how he doesn't understand math homework now-a-days. Don't you worry - other people chimed in to tell Mr. Pres. how to help his kids with their homework. "Let them explain it to you!" He kind of chuckled, like he was taking our advice, and moved on. The thing I thought while he was talking was that this guy is a human. He really is a person just like us. He's got grey hair, makes fun of himself, and has flaws.

He jumped right into the middle of the picture and hugged these ladies like they were best friends. Apparently something funny is happening here - I certainly don't remember. But at least I made it in the picture!

Right after our picture, he excused himself through a little hallway from the State Room to the East Room, where a press conference was going to be held. We had been invited as his guests as he made his second announcement in his "Educate to Innovate" campaign. Since I was close to the front, I grabbed my friend and we hurried across the hallway to get good seats. We walked in to a room full of cameras and media lining the back and side walls. I got a seat in the 3rd row - right on the aisle. The teachers are here on the right side of the picture (me on the far left) and the dignitaries and such are on the left. I sat two seats behind Joe Biden. And for my favorite dentist, I DID see his veneers up close.

The press release lasted 15 minutes and he talked about pushing Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) research and teaching. In the next 10 years he wants the US to move up from 21st and 24th in math and science scores to the top of the pack in the world. I think that's a great idea. It felt very West Wing-ish (have you seen it?) to see him standing there at his Presidential podium with teleprompters and cameras clicking away the entire time.
It was a super exciting day and still seems so surreal to me that a little 'ole teacher like me got to not only go to DC, but to be feet away from our President because I teach math. Crazy. Certainly an experience I will never forget.

Washington, D.C. - Part II

I may have mentioned that I had been sitting for awhile. By Wednesday morning when my alarm went off at 5:50 am, I knew that I wasn't going to be able to hack it. I made the decision to keep sleeping and instead go with Brian for his one-on-one tour of the Capitol. That turned out to be a good decision for me. We went to the Arizona Conressman Jeff Flake's office and met up with one of his assistants. He took Brian and I on the underground tunnel from the office building to the Capitol. Who knew that existed? Not me!

A view of the rotunda from the underground visitors center
They say this is the most accurate depiction of what Lincoln looked like
The is the exact center of the Capitol - and also the point at which Washington, D.C. directions are based from. (NE, NW, SE, SW)
The Rotunda
The old Senate room
Each state gets to donate two statues of important figures from their state. Here we are with our very own Brigham Young. Philo T. Farnsworth is the other Utah statue. A prophet and the guy who invented television. :)
Freedom - the exact replica of the statue on top of the Capitol
I headed back to the hotel refreshed and ready for our next activity...the best one was yet to come!

Washington, D.C. - Part I

January 4-8

We left NYC on Sunday night and got to DC around 7:00pm. We took the Amtrak train. Let's talk about Amtrak for just one moment. Besides the large seats and luggage that you don't have to check, it makes me a little worried. Anyone could be on that train. Absolutely ZERO security checks for us to board that baby. Scary. I just think it's an accident waiting to happen. But what do I know?

Our hotel was literally a building away from the White House. The Willard Hotel is the nicest thing we have ever stayed in. I am certain we will not top that. After they have opened up your cab door for you, there are bellmen/baggage guys who take your luggage when you walk in the door (or, in our case, go to the back room and find Brian's missing bag that's been from HI to GA to UT to JFK to BWI and finally ended up safely at our hotel) and deliver it to your room about 5 minutes after you have checked in. Without a doubt the most comfortable bed I've slept in. Ever. Two white robes hanging in the bathroom. Super snazzy. I looked it up on line and I think it's like $400 or $500 a night. So you can see why we will never experience anything like that ever again...

We dropped our bags and were excited to go and see something. With the White House a 5 minute walk away, we bundled up and walked over to take this picture. It was so cold. My excitement quickly faded and we headed back to our comfy hotel.
The reason we were in DC was for my prize. A very big prize. Teacher friends, pay attention here - because you could be next. You should try it!

In May of 2008 (my last year of teaching - one month before Gavin was born) I turned in an application to the PAEMST - Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching. Basically I had to video tape myself teaching a math lesson, do a 20-page write-up about why I did what I did and how it benefitted student learning, turn in a resume and some letters of recommendation. Each state is allowed to choose 3 finalist in each area, science and math. Some friends of mine had told me I should try it, one of them nominated me to do it, so I did - after lots and lots of procrastinating. I guess I figured it would help my teaching and, if I won, would help me pay a few bills so I could stay home with the kiddos faster.

Low and behold, March 2009 I found out that I was one of the 3 finalist for math in the state of Utah. I got a little award money then and I figured that would be the last of it. Once the finalists are selected, they send those 3 (and 3 others for science) on to be judged at the national level. In July 2009 I found out that they had chosen me to represent Utah this year for math teaching. I was shocked. I really, really was. And very flattered. More prize money and a trip to DC for a week of events were the result.

I got to choose one guest. Brian had to be really nice to me for me to pick him - he was on his best behavior. I knew that I would be in meetings all week and that Brian would pretty much be roaming the city. I didn't know how much time I would have to hang out with him. Turns out it wasn't much at all.

Monday morning I registered for the conference and had two hours before the meetings started We hurried over to Ford's Theatre. It was an awesome museum. If only I still taught 5th grade! I loved it.

This is the house across the street where Lincoln died the next morning.
After this quick visit, I had to get back to the hotel to start the meetings. Let's just say when they mean meetings, they mean MEETINGS. It was like Professional Development on steroids. Good stuff - just LOTS of it. We talked and talked and talked. They would talk to us on breaks. We had working lunches. We loaded buses at 7:00am and got back to the hotel at 9:00pm. It made me tired. But there were surely highlights.

In all, my favorite part of the DC meetings that I attended was rubbing shoulders with some really great teachers from all across the country. Teachers who believe the same things I do about teaching and learning. There were 87 of us total. It turned into a beauty pageant just because we couldn't remember everyone's name, but the states seemed to stick. I've always wanted to be Miss Utah. I only wish I had a sash to match.

While I was off being "professional," Brian went to the National Archives Museum, the top of the Washington Monument, White House, Arlington, more monuments and museums. Can you believe he did all of this without me?

Declaration of Independence. We have since come home and watched both National Treasure movies and Brian reported that the document in that movie cannot possibly be the original. He said you couldn't hardly make out any words because it was so faded.
Lincoln Monument (with frozen pool water) from the top of the Washington Monument
I had an hour on the first day before dinner to RUN to a few of the monuments on the National Mall with Brian.

Brian on the backside of the White House
What Brian does when no one is there to take his picture for him. Albert Einstein monument.
Arlington
On Tuesday night our guests were invited to come to an IMAX movie at the Smithsonian. We saw Sea Monsters: Creatures of the Deep. It was totally cool. They gave me my own copy should you need to see it. A scientist and another woman who were both involved in making the movie did a question and answer session with us in the theater to tell us how the movie came about and how they know what they know about pre-historic sea animals. It was super cool. The entire week they were having all of these incredible people talk to us. They really treated us well.

Dinner was pathetic so Brian took me to this Italian place and we bought a $20 plate of gluten-free spaghetti. It tasted so good. Then I'm pretty sure we sat around in our robes and ate M&Ms.

NYC

December 30-January 3

I won a prize (we'll get there later) and Brian and I were flown out to Washington DC. We figured since we were already across the country, we might as well take a few days and see New York while we were at it. We headed out on the morning of December 30 and got to my brother's apartment on the upper east side of Manhattan around 3:00am on the 31st.

Besides the airline losing our bags, missing our connecting train, and adding another $200 of unnecessary expenses, it all went pretty smoothly.

My brother, Britton, was not home so we woke up and started the day on our own until he met up with us later that night. With a map in hand, we hopped on one of those blue tour buses and joined a bazillion other people camera-checking the entire city.

We got off the bus at Chinatown. The bus was closing early to prepare Times Square for the New Year's Eve festivities. We walked and walked and walked and walked. I don't remember the last time I walked that much - certainly nothing close these past seven months or so...

Brian had Chinese dumplings and I got to try Babycakes, a gluten-free bakery. Holy yum.
We walked down the the World Trade Center site and down to Battery Park. The statue of liberty was off in the distance - but at least I could see it with my very own eyes. Brian was thinking, "It's not that big..."
On the subway ride home, we jumped off at Times Square. It was 5 or so by this time - we wanted to see how New Year's Eve was coming. Britton told us not to go - I can see why. Barricades were going up, cops all over the streets, and people were EVERYWHERE. We walked a few blocks and tried to locate the ball. Five minutes was good for us. We were there. We went, we saw, we conquered, and we were happy.

We were back at Britton's by 6:00 and watched the ball drop from the comfort of his couch with an accompanying footrub from my honey. I could hear the people counting down from his kitchen window at midnight. It's hard not to hear 1,000,000 people. I can't say I'm sad we weren't standing next to them.
Britton got back that night and we woke up and got ready for another day of sight-seeing. My legs felt like they had been run over by a train - I wasn't totally sure I was up for it. But, as Brian reminded me, we would rest when we got back home.

Brit was the best tour guide. He knows everything - all the places to eat, the pictures to take, the history behind it all. One of my very favorite parts of our entire trip was the fact that we could hang out with him.

We saw:

Seinfeld's Restaurant
Flatiron Building
Empire State Building
Will Smith's house - I Am Legend
Ate NY pizza
Rockafeller Center
Ferry ride for an up close view of the Statue
Brooklyn (or is it the Manhattan?) Bridge
Times Square at night
You've Got Mail - Cafe Lalo
Brian hanging out with the Jimmy Hendrix look alike rocker dude in the subway
Eating a NY hotdog, also in You've Got Mail

We had such a great time. It was a packed four days, all of them without Brian's luggage. Don't think Delta and I aren't having words...

A few things I learned while in New York:

1. Utah is not the most diverse state in the Union

2. Subways are the best place to people watch

3. There really are rats in the subway. We saw one the first 2 seconds we were down there

4. I like living in a city that's not a CITY

5. January is NOT the best month to visit the east coast. But still totally fun to trek through the not-so-great weather to see things you've never seen before with people you like.

6. There are a lot of places in this country that deserve a visit from us. NYC is a totally fun place to be. Next time we go, we'll have to go in the spring or fall. Better weather and a trip to Central Park.

7. It really is as busy as people say it is. Don't get used to your personal space.

8. It really isn't as scary as people say it is. I rode the subway all by myself to meet Britton and Brian and felt totally safe.

I'll try to think of a 9, 10 just to round it out. But that's all I've got for now.

Christmas 09

It's been a great month. Gavin has loved looking at trees and lights and has learned all sorts of new words that go with December. He is now 18 months and SO MUCH FUN. (And a little sassy.)

This picture is just cute. Loves putting on dad's hats. And they fit.
Robinson Family Christmas Party. Gavin was a rebel when it came to singing - wouldn't sit still. But he's got an awesome belly.
Enter Santa.

His new found love...Elmo.
Robinson Family Christmas Eve. Gavin loves his cousins. He loves hugs. Put the two together and you've got a great combination
Cute picture taken before dinner and red jello ruined everything.

Gavin loved looking at everyone else's presents. He was wondering what was going on, but he started to figure it out. New stuff = fun.
Christmas Eve. This is the first year in my entire life that we've been alone with nothing to do (family parties) or anyone to be with. It was nice to have just the three of us do Christmas jammies and watch a movie. Simple and cozy. After Gavin went to bed, I challenged Brian to a game of Trivial Pursuit. Family version for ages 12 and up. Turns out we are not super smart. In an hour we got 3 chips TOTAL.

I just want to eat this kid.
He was bouncing off the walls. (Has been every night since.) He knew something good was coming...
Watching the Christmas classics. He's been begging for Santa and Rudolph all month. I put them away, happy to not see them again until next year.
Christmas morning. Gavin slept and slept. I was so excited for him to get up. Brian had the video camera out as he walked down the hallway. This 18-month-old boy slowly walked down the hall and said, "Wow."
He got a popper (my dad says I'll live to regret that decision), a train, a microphone, and a book. The bike is from G&G Robinson. We put it together and pretended that it was Santa. Cheating? Maybe. But he loved it.

Luggage from G&G Woolf.
My new scriptures. My first pair that says "Robinson" on them. I've been waiting awhile for these.
Brian's tickets to the Jazz/Laker game in February.
Gavin learned the word 'bow' and thought it was a hat. He wore this for at least an hour.
Playing a little Guitar Hero with dad.
A fun, fun Christmas. So glad to spend it together with our little family. It was fun to see how involved Gavin was this Christmas. He was so content all day. Can't wait to see his face next year.

Bedhead

You, too, can get this look if you take a bath late and go to bed with wet hair.

An Arizona Thanksgiving

We headed down on Sunday, stayed the night in St. George to break it up, and ended up in Mesa late Monday afternoon. The drive down left us a little frazzled. Gavin kicked up his feet and had some Doritos. That seemed to help - for a bit. Eighteen month olds are not meant to be strapped in a car for 11 hours.

My grandpa's funeral on Tuesday was probably one of the best services I've been too. I'm glad we could be there for that.

We stayed at Lynsey and Matt's and the boys played and played.





Wednesday night before Thanksgiving we headed up to the desert to have dinner, roast marshmallows, and have a story from Grandma. Gavin was content on Brian's shoulders for most of the time. He was interested in the fire and in all of the cousins. I haven't ever done that with my family - it really was fun.
Noah, Cade, Ben, and Ashley.


Rachelle - the 7 1/2 month broken foot woman. She's still smiling!


Gavin was mesmerized by Elmo. I've already found him a little Elmo doll for Christmas.
The weather was delightful. 75-80 degrees! We headed to the park more than once and as always, Gavin loved that too.
Thanksgiving was at my aunt Trudy's house. Brian is still getting used to eating Thanksgiving outside. I guess I've never thought about it.

Gavin LOVED Thanksgiving. He was so quiet and just ate and ate - everything but the turkey he put over there on the side of the table.

My parents, uncle, sis-in-law and some nieces and nephews.

Gavin played at the park next door and wanted to be around the big kids. He didn't know what to do with them, so mostly he ran around - just happy to be free.
The last day we were there five of the girls, my mom, and the coordinating children went to Freestone park. We rode the train and played on the horses and then headed to the park again. It was fun to be with my sisters. We caused a little bit of a commotion with that many kids, but that's just normal for us, I guess.


We're glad that we were able to go down to see my family. It's a long drive, but always worth it. It's important to me that Gavin is not a stranger to his Arizona cousins. We'll probably head down again with the new baby this summer.