Fantastic Fun

What an incredible weekend! On Thursday, Mike arrived in DC shortly after Mal and I returned to the apartment with our weekend groceries. Since it was already late, the evening was spent catching up and making weekend plans.

Since we had both taken off on Friday, Mike and I had an extra day to play while everyone else was working. We began our day by going by the CCCU (yeah... I go into the office on my day off, I'm one of those people) and I introduced Mike to Rich. The two of them seemed to hit it off and I learned today that Rich "approves."

After visiting a little bit, Mike and I left and went to the National Museum of the American Indian. I'd heard from a credible "Washingtonian" (aka someone who has lived in DC all his life) that it has the best "museum" food in town and should be tried by everyone who visits. Since Mike and I both appreciate culinary experimentation, I figured it'd be a great place to go. A museum + yummy food = good times. The museum itself wasn't my favorite by any stretch. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but it was a little flat. The food, however, was excellent! We both got a cup of soup- Mike a peanut based and I a corn chowder. We each got a tamale (he black bean and I chicken) with peanut sauce on top. We split our three sides: a cold, black rice salad (his selection), grilled zucchini and tomato combo (my selection), and something else that was corn-like (a joint selection, but given all to him after I thought it was completely unexciting, but he enjoyed it). We later decided that on a scale of one to ten, the museum was a seven. If it didn't have the food, it would have only scored a six.

After the museum, we swung by the Sculpture Garden and checked out the times for the skating rink. The second picture below is of us at the rink during the day. We made a mental note to return that night with Mal and Dave (who was able to come and visit!) before heading to Chinatown and doing a little shopping. After C-town, we met Mal and Dave at Bistro. Since Mike had never been, it was fun to FINALLY take him to the restaurant that I had been boasting about for months. After polishing off our plates, the four of us went to the skating rink and skated for almost two hours! Phew. When we arrived home, it was shortly after 11:00 PM. We watched a movie (You, Me, & Dupree) and then we all crashed.

Saturday morning came early for me. I had my pregnancy counseling training from 8:30-12. It was really hard at first to wake up! I thought I'd get to sneak a quick nap in when I arrived home, but was informed by Mal that we had all been invited to brunch with our friend Dom, whom we know from church/ Alpha, and his girlfriend, Christiana. So, Mal, Drew, Mike, and I joined the two of them at a new-to-me-and-my-roomies restaurant called Saint X. Mike and I visited with them until the food they'd ordered arrived and then we slipped out to pursue some of our own plans.

We headed to Woodley Park, a neighborhood that's a few stops away and features a Vietnamese restaurant that I wanted to try and the zoo! Mike had been talking about a Vietnamese soup, called pho, that he'd recently discovered and wanted me to try. Since I'll try anything once that he suggests (he suggests fabulous foods), I was anxious to taste it. I wasn't disappointed- it really is delicious soup! After my first pho encounter, we went to the zoo.

Unfortunately, most of the animals were hidden away or their exhibits were closed. None of the super cool animals (think: pandas, lions, bears, or elephants) were out playing. We saw a cheetah, an emu, and some horse-type animals. Also, some zoo "extras" were some wild deer that had creeped into the zoo from the neighboring trees. A herd (?) of eight deer attracted as many onlookers as the emu and they let us get pretty close to them. Pretty random, right? So, the zoo exhibits were a little disappointing, but I still really enjoyed my time spent with Michael.

After the zoo, I had a salsa class to attend! Mike watched as Dave Winfield and I salsa danced for an hour. He was even our photographer (see a couple pics below)!

After salsa, Mike and I returned to the house, helped prepare a delicious meal of scalloped potatoes (Mike's doing), meatloaf (Drew's creation), and salad (guess who). After the three of us and Mal devoured dinner, Mal and I whooped the boys in cards. The night ended with the threat of a snow storm on the weather channel and a documentary about Al-Jazeera.

Sunday came fast and we began the day with church. It was a great message about Mary, Christ's mother, and the ways in which she is a Biblical example of femininity and what it means to be a woman of God. It was a great message, but one more applicable to us females in the audience than the guys. When we went into church, about two inches of snow had already fallen. When we exited, close to four were on the ground. By the time we made it back to the house, parked, and relaxed inside for about an hour, over five inches could be seen. Mike decided to stay another day and let the weather (and roads) clear before driving home. YAY!!

We spent the evening relaxing from our busy weekend and really just enjoying one another's company.

I've discovered that I'm capable of loving him more everytime I see and spend time with him. God is so amazing and I am so blessed. How is this not a dream?

Friday; On our way to the Native American Museum; US Capitol in background












Friday; Scoping out ice skating rink times













Friday; Back at the rink that night with Mal and Dave












Friday; Mal and Dave ice skating












Saturday; Brunch at Saint X; Pictured left to right: Mike, Drew, Mal, Christiana, Dom (Domenic)













Saturday; Zoo time- Mike pointing out the only panda that we saw











Saturday; Me looking into the panda pen. No luck and no panda there.

Saturday; Cheetah







Saturday; Salsa!! Me (pink sweater) and Dave W. (black t-shirt facing me) watching as our instructor (black tank) tells us another confusing step. At least that's what I'm thinking in this picture anyway.

Saturday; Dave and I dancing... er, trying to anyways.











Sunday; Snow bunnies.












Sunday; Drew pimpin' the Duncan sisters.

Sunday; the picture that sealed the deal. I snapped this and Mike emailed his boss. "How can I drive in this?"