Prior to the performance, we took lots of pictures. One with mom, one with me, and one with his accompanist, Felicity.
We arrived in DC on Wednesday night and stayed at the Marriott on Pennsylvania Ave...just down the road from The White House. We had a late dinner reservation at Old Ebbitt Grill, recommended by our friends, the Duncans, who used to frequent it when they lived in DC. Old Ebbitt Grill was established in 1856 and boasts that it was a favorite of Presidents Grant, Cleveland, Harding and Theodore Roosevelt and is still a popular meeting spot for political insiders, journalists, celebrities and theater-goers. The booths were green velvet, and it was quiet enough to have a private conversation. The food was wonderful and really not that expensive.
Thursday morning was the first time I was able to see the view from our hotel room. Jealous?
LJ got up bright and early to begin warming up for a day of competition. Here he is with the Washington Monument in the background.
We spent most of the day on Thursday at the Air Force Base, until around 2:30pm. Fortunately, we had a driver who picked us up and chauffeured us around. On a side note, if you are ever in DC for a short period of time and want to see as much as possible, get a driver named Jorge. We grabbed a quick bite to eat at a little sandwich shop.
The we began our whirlwind trip around the City. First stop, the Capital building. The tours for the day were finished, but we were able to go inside the Visitor's Center and the Exhibition Hall that had information on the Capital through the years.
Then we went to the National Archives building, celebrating its 75th anniversary. My first (and only) trip to DC was in 2003, my college graduation trip. The National Archives was under renovations at the time, and we were not able to visit. This was one place I was really hoping we could visit on our short trip. The best part of the National Archives, in my humble opinion, is that it houses the originals of The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, The Bill of Rights, and one of four remaining originals of the Magna Carta. I was a history major, and the opportunity to see living history is something I pounce on! It's a wonder I didn't end up as a museum curator. It was amazing to see these old documents. I was most surprised that most of the writing on The Declaration of Independence is so faded you can barely read it. Apparently this is because it was hung in a picture frame for 150 years or so with no other protection. There is no flash photography allowed, but I did get some pretty decent pictures. I will post them separately. Here is proof that we were there:
By the time we finished at the National Archives gift shop, it was dark, so we headed to the Lincoln Memorial. It was beautiful at night. The reflecting pool was icy, so it was interesting to see the reflection of the Washington Monument in the water.
Then we headed the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. 
From the roof, you can see the eternal flame on the grave of JFK. It is not the best picture, but you can get the general idea. The eternal flame is the orange blur beneath the two red blurs.
You can also see the National Cathedral and the rest of the city. It was spectacular at night, and I am sure the views are just as wondrous in the daylight.
Then we headed back to our hotel to watch the BCS National Championship football game. This is where we watched it, in our own cozy area with a personal TV.
This picture was taken when we scored our last touchdown to come within 3 points of Alabama, before total mayhem ensued.
Friday morning, we woke up to a blanket of snow. It was beautiful, but bitter cold. Thankfully, there were no weather related flight delays and everyone made it back to Austin safely. Nicholas said that the next time I go to DC I have to take him. I can't wait to plan that trip!
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