With six you get eggroll: The Capitol

The Library of Congress!

Our fair Capitol. Brought back memories of sitting under the shade trees, waiting to play with the RHS band on the Capitol steps. What did we play? The Olympic Theme by John Williams?

We couldn't take the backpack with drinks in, and their were no lockers, so I said I'd wait outside with Todd and the backpack. When they got in, they called me and said, "Can you go to Jim Cooper's office and get passes to the House gallery?"

Sure.

Todd and I found our way to the Longworth building, 5th floor, (where we hope to visit Jeff Hartline next time) went through security again, and procured passes (and left our backpack). Thankfully we did not run into Jim Cooper, or he might have recognized me from the ugly face I made at him in the Pleasant View parade last Saturday.

Just kidding.

I just smiled and waved my Hartline for Congress sign.

Anyhoo, we flew back to the Capitol with the passes, met John who had Senate passes from Bill Frist's office, and proceeded to stand in line for over an hour. I was able to sing the Toddler to sleep just in time for us to sit in on about 15 minutes of Congress in session. John informed me that the REV rnd JESSe JACK sn's son was filling in for Nancy Pelosi. It's probably a good thing--John might have thrown up in his mouth if she'd been there.

If I suck my thumb, can I ride in the stroller?

We stood in front of a handsome Greek family with two teenagers who enjoyed watching Todd's antics. Couldn't tell a word they were saying to each other, but they were very friendly.

The Rotunda.

It's beautiful.

Our guide says George Washington is the focal point on the ceiling--he wears his military coat, but a drape on his lap, to look like the other beings around him. ?

He's still awesome.

Each state has two statues in the Capitol. Here is Robert Fulton, with his boat.

Grandpapa's name is Robert Fulton.

Tennessee's statues are Andrew Jackson, of course, and I believe Davy Crockett, though I didn't see him this time. You can't tell from the pictures, but the Rotunda was PACKED!! We had on little headsets to hear what the guide was saying, and there were five or six other groups, maybe more, all with 30-40 people in them. Rob took these, and I don't know who they are...

I know who this is...

While the others went to see the Supreme Court building, I picked up our backpack from Coop's office and asked his sweet receptionist where a party of 8 could eat a late lunch (4:00!). She gave me directions to some yummy options, and we landed at this place...

...where we had the best burgers of our lives. And fries sprinkled with rosemary and thyme.

And real milkshakes. SLURP.

I talked everyone into dashing over to Ford's Theatre...

...which closed at 4:30. Drat. The line to get into the Peterson(?) house next door (where Lincoln died, and you can see the bed and the pillow and everything) was pretty long, and we were too late. I was sad.

But they look pretty happy.

Ok, this was the third shot, after I threatened them with their lives if they didn't all smile and act like they were having the time of their lives!!!!!

Then we thought, hey, since we're pooped already, why not swing by the White House?