Birthday Month

Do you know what's better than having your birthday in December? Actually knowing people where I live when it's my birthday. First on the agenda: Good Eats and free food. Got a free shake for it being my birthday.

Then off to the National Christmas tree. Apparently school children decorated each individual state tree. This year Google helped coordinate all the trees so all the state trees looked the same which made it quite lackluster.

How do you spell Tennessee? (See the generic state tree?)

A real tree exists under there somewhere

The next day we capped off the night with A Muppet Christmas Carol because why not. Day two we traveled to Harper's Ferry for An Olde Tyme Christmas which I thought would be a mix of Charles Dickens + southern charm + Christmas. What it really turned out to be was Civil War 1864 "the city was under martial law" Christmas. Turned out to be pretty cool just the same.

Civil War Santa and me

Harper's Ferry

Then the next week my friend and I went to dinner at Qdoba (one of my favorite quick food places) and then to see A Christmas Carol at Ford's Theatre. I wasn't sure what to expect as I love Hale Center Theatre's version and I didn't want to be disappointed. Well, I wasn't. It was fantastic! I loved it! Plus the setting could not have been better.

The week after my birthday, I gathered at Arlington National Cemetery with a few of my closest friends and thousands of other people to place wreaths on the graves. What a spiritual experience as we were asked to read the name of each soldier before placing a wreath on his or her grave, one by one. This individual act reminded so much of the work we perform in the temple. Very moving!

Afterwards, we grabbed lunch together. While eating, another friend invited me to the Antietam Luminaries that night, leaving around 10pm. I had to teach a lesson the next day and already had a jam packed day so of course I said yes. Once again, my reckless care for my sleep and need to feed my adventurous spirt paid off. My birthday week was top notch!

Antietam Luminaries

Awe-inspiring

Finally, I was not going to go another Christmas without a tree. Craigslist to the rescue. I found a tree for $25 and it was the best money I spent. Merry Christmas!

Yes the tree topper is Mickey Mouse Santa hat

A friend and me at the White House right before Christmas

Plowing Forward

I'm so close to getting caught up on life I can't stop now. September can be summed up in one word: adventure. I'd get bored sitting at home and would be afraid to call others to see if something was going on, so I'd pick a place to visit each weekend. I didn't want to feel that my life revolved around sitting: sitting at work, sitting at home, sitting at church, sitting. So off I went.

Weekend One: Fort Necessity Battlefield.
When Kath and I drove into the Maryland we kept seeing all these historical signs but it was dark and had no clue what we were seeing. I knew that I'd want to travel that same road in the daylight and I finally got my chance. Fort Necessity was my destination but...wow! So many unexpected landmarks and historical sites: Cumberland, the first National Road, Fort Necessity (Washington's only surrender), Braddock's road, first shots of the French and Indian War, and the most beautiful scenery I could imagine.

Mind the Gap

Cumberland

Cumberland

Fort Necessity

General Braddock grave (French and Indian War)

Remains of old 1700 roads

First shots of French and Indian War fired here

I loved this lake!

Capping it all off with a visit to the temple

Weekend Two: Antietam
The following week was the anniversary of the Battle of Antietam. I didn't want to be there during the anniversary because I hate crowds. This way I had the place mostly to myself. I also discovered the Appalachian Trail and did a bit of hiking as I found the first Washington Monument.

Cornfields of Antietam

Found the spot this where this picture was taken

Sunken Road

Appalachian Trail

Iwo Jima at sunset

Weekend Three and September 11th: Mount Vernon and Pentagon Memorial

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial

Pentagon 9/11 Memorial 

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon

Mount Vernon

What's September without a little baseball?

Weekend Four: Utah!
I had meetings in San Francisco and spent a few days in Utah after that.

Meeting Jack

My mountains

First selfie

I asked him to smile :)

Creating mischief

Weekend Five: Fort McHenry
The week before was the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Fort McHenry and the Star-Spangled Banner lyrics but once again, I didn't want to battle the crowds and the rain was pretty bad in Baltimore. I'm glad I went this weekend as the sun was bright and the skies were clear. I loved being here and need to come back and explore the surrounding areas.

Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry

Fort McHenry looking towards Baltimore Harbor

Month Long Celebration

Having just moved to the area, I didn't know what to expect of December. You see this is my favorite time of the year. My birthday. Christmas. Snow. Lights. Family. Though I hardly knew anyone, I loved December.

Events in December

#1 My birthday. My relief society president happened to call me that afternoon and discovered it was my birthday. She brought me to lunch and made a big deal about my birthday.

#2 Visited Antietam Battlefield for their annual luminary event. 22,000+ luminaries covered the battlefield and touched me in a way no other event had. Sobering. Absolutely sobering.

Volunteers placing and lighting the luminaries

The line at 4pm for a 6pm opening

#3 First visit to Canada. With my boss being located in Toronto, I expected this would become a regular occurrence. Little did I realize then how often I would make this trip.

#4 Wreaths at Arlington Cemetery. I planned to be part of this event next year.

#5 Svir family. I love having friends nearby who welcome me into their home. I feel like part of the family.

#6 Christmas with family in Utah. Oh how grateful I am for a boss who let me work remotely so I could spend time with family.