A Washington Weekend with the New York family

Aunt Loren, James, Anna, Aunt Mary & Joe
Aunt Loren, Aunt Mary, and James made a quick trip to Washington for the weekend. There is always some adventure involved any time they leave Long Island, and this trip was no exception.  First, it took Aunt Loren & Aunt Mary 4 hours just to get off of Long Island.  Then, they got lost trying to pick James up from work in New Jersey....at Whoopie's house.  Apparently the GPS failed on this address, which required Aunt Mary to Facetime James and turn the phone around so he could see the road and direct them in.  While directing his Mom to turn the phone around so he could see the road, Aunt Loren thought he was telling her to turn the car around....which she did.  Eventually, they found James (and Aunt Loren got to meet Whoopie after using her bathroom).  Aunt Loren and Aunt Mary left Long Island at 2 PM.  The arrived in Virginia after midnight.

After the arduous journey the day before, everyone awoke relieved to not be on the road.  They made it to Anna's soccer game and then headed out for some tourist activities.  Fortunately they arrived for a special Washington treat....the Embassy Tours.  The first Saturday in May, all of the non-European Union embassies throw open
their
Joe enjoying Brazilian hospitality
doors for a free open house. There is lots of food, music, tourist brochures, tours.....definitely an only in Washington event.  The family made it in time to visit three embassies....South Africa, Bolivia, and Brazil.  Everyone decided that Bolivia was by far the most fun with tons of music and food.  Joe might have preferred Brazil....for obvious reasons.  Following the tour, the group headed over to the National Portrait Gallery to check out the new Obama paintings.  Aunt Loren is already planning a trip back so she can spend more time enjoying the entire gallery.

Sunday morning, Aunt Loren and Aunt Mary got to see Anna play piano at church (no to mention experience doughnut Sunday).  Following a little tour around Vienna, they hit the road and headed back to New York.  Fortunately the trip back was much less eventful. 

A big thanks to Aunt Loren, Aunt Mary & James for making the trip down!  We will think of you when we are at the European Union embassies this weekend. 

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