The White House

Eileen, Congressman Tim Walz, Rick

On the mantle of the State Dinning Room fireplace in The White House

North Portico of The White House

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

Reading Room of the Library of Congress

Capital and Washington Monument

Amanda toured The White House on Friday after Thanksgiving and called to say we should have gotten tickets as it was great and when we would be here it would be decorated for Christmas.  I called our Congressman's office and was told you have to apply 6 months to 30 days before you come and the absolute least he had ever seen anyone get in was 15 days which we had already past.  I said thanks and hung up.  Then I thoughT why not try one more time.  I wrote an email to the same office explaining we were coming to visit our son and family who were being assigned to Kuwait with the State Department.  I immediately got an email back saying there was no way to get normal tickets but they would see if there was a way to get us on a Member tour.  She asked for specific on each of us for clearance purposes.  Then Wednesday we got a congratulations email saying we would be met at The White House at 7:45 AM Friday by Congressman Walz who would escort us through Security.  He arrived right on time and was very nice and thanked us for our son's service with the State Department.  We talked as we walked up to security and had our picture taken and he said he had to get back to the Capital for a meeting and wished us well.  We had a great time going through The White House as it is a self guided tour with Secret Service that answer all questions including was the President in to which he said yes as that was knowledge he was allowed to say.  Obviously the Presidents trip to Afghanistan was a complete secret.  After the tour we went to The White House Visitor Center.  Highly recommend you don't miss this as there is so much more to learn about the history of The White House.  After almost 3 hours we walked to the Library of Congress which is one amazing building with fantastic exhibits.  Another don't miss when it DC.  By then our 5:30 AM start was getting to us and it was time to head back to Virgina and enjoy the family who had all gotten shots and were really hurting.