1600 Pennsylvania Ave.

Before the sequestration and cut backs, Ethan got a White House tour. It was actually pretty neat! We had to go through a TON of security to get in and then in every room there were at least two security officers (who also served as tour guides). To imagine that at one point anyone could just walk up and knock on the door - crazy!

Did you know that the president has a whole little village below with a bakery, painting shop, carpenter, barber, florist, etc! He also has a private chef on call and the Obama girls have their own movie theater. We got to see the blue room, the green room, the red room, and a whole bunch of others. 

Matt Kearney

I'm not usually a big concert goer but I have to admit that I enjoy a good concert every so often. A group of us found pretty cheap tickets for a guy named Matt Kearney. I had been listening to a lot of his stuff right before so it was fun to actually go and see him live. Turns out that he went to Elyse's high school! 

Amy, Elyse, Catherine, and I and the people right behind us trying not to photo bomb! 

At the very end we ran down to the front and got a better view. As you can tell, everyone else wanted a picture too! 

An Incredible Woman, Mother, Wife, Grandma, Friend, and Example

My grandma, Betty Jean Christensen, passed away February 13, 2013. She had been struggling for quite some time with various health issues so it wasn't completely a surprise; although the news never comes easy. I was never quite sure how I would handle the news of a loved one's passing away because I had never experienced it. It was remarkable.

My parents called and notified me as I was leaving the office and heading to the temple. As I exited the metro stop there was a street performer on the accordion playing How Great Thou Art. It was perfect timing and a testimony builder for me that Heavenly Father knows where we are. I was able to attend an endowment session and although I cried through a majority of it, I received a confirmation and greater testimony of the incredible plan of our Father in Heaven and that this is not the end. My whole mission I testified of eternal families but I received a witness that night that I will truly see my Grandma again. I cannot wait for the day! 

My parents and Grandpa made it possible for me to fly out from DC on very short notice. Because of prices and other things it was easier for me to fly into Las Vegas and then drive up. 

As a bonus, I was able to stop in Provo and surprise the roommates! It was so great to see them and really hard to drive away. 

The Erickson's, Hannah, my parents, and I all stayed with Grandpa. 

Over the past two years, it became a tradition that the girls would go to Grandma's apartment during priesthood session. One of my favorite memories with Grandma Jean was this night. We got to talk for a really long time, Brittany and Mom taught baby lullabies, and we choreographed a dance. It was a blast and Grandma loved seeing the dance while holding Summer.

All of Boyd and Jean's grandchildren. I don't think we've all been together for a really long time. It was so great to see everyone again. 

The Peter and Toby Christensen Clan! 

Random Visits Around DC

One of my favorite things about Washington DC is that there is always something to do; never a dull moment and never a moment to spare. 

Brother Jacoby threw a BBQ for us on Martin Luther King Day. It was so nice to be in an actual home and eat home cooked food. Here is Paris, Amy, Elyse, Catherine, and Luisa. 

Girls Night Out! We all went to BTS (Burger Tap & Shake). 

At the Newseum. I spent almost two whole days there and it had a great view of the capitol. 

One Sunday after church we stopped at the National Cathedral. It was beautiful!