Heading Northeasterly – Days 1 and 2

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If you’re a consistent viewer of the blog (Stephen King calls these folks his Constant Readers.  I call mine Mom.  Hi, Mom!), you may recall that while I didn’t make it into my first choice fall marathon, the Marine Corps race (MCM) in DC, Chris did.  Thus, soon after our trip west to Long Beach, it was time to turn around and head northeast for some time visiting friends and running (well, for him anyway).

On Thursday, 10/22, we headed to the airport early, as our flight took off at 7:15am (who the heck booked that?).  We had a brief layover in Austin, which was just enough time for us to enjoy some of the fruits of the Lone Star State, including beer and BBQ:


The label on the Lone Star reads,
“the national beer of Texas.”

Oh Texas, bless you.


We got into DC around 5ish, and my best friend from college, Toni, and goddaughter, Juliet, met us at the airport.  Once our bags finally arrived, we hopped in the car and headed to dinner. 


Grabbing a Juliet-Aunt Amy selfie on the way to dinner.
Teaching her only the most important things.

Dinner was at the Capitol City Brewing Company, and we met up with Robert, Toni’s husband, and another set of their friends.  The food and drink were great, but of course, the company was much better.  We had a great time visiting with everyone!


Noms!


So this is how you godparent.

After dinner, we headed home and to bed, relaxing for a bit by watching Jeopardy and The Great British Bake Off, which Toni turned us onto – it’s an awesome show. 


Seriously.  Watch this show.

The morning of Friday, 10/23, dawned and saw us up on the early side of things, as Toni and Juliet dropped Chris and I off at the DC Convention Center where the MCM expo was being held. 


Ready to pick up a packet of random stuff!

As we headed into the expo, we noticed a course map, and as we were studying it, we were approached by a television reporter and cameraman who were doing interviews from the expo.  After learning that Chris was 1) running the race, 2) former Navy, and 3) from out of town, the reporter decided he was the PERFECT candidate for an interview, so we spent a few moments being on the tv. 


Well, Chris did anyway.
I stayed behind the camera and took pictures.

Toni and Robert did us a solid and recorded ALL of the Channel 7 news reports that day; they then watched them ALL (there were more than a few, apparently, and we all learned a lot about the MCM because of this) and found Chris’ 15 seconds of fame, as well as a cameo by someone who was not expecting it…


Hey, it’s Chris!
Also, Toni and Robert's tv stand!


Hey, it’s me!
The eagle eye prize goes to Robert for finding me!

After the interview, we wandered the expo for a bit, checking out the merchandise and buying Chris a new race belt equipped with stretchy pockets and gel holders.  We took the metro back to the King Street station (the closest one to Toni and Robert’s), and Robert and Juliet picked us up to take us back home.  Chris went for a run, and I helped prep for the party Toni was hosting that evening at the house; the day before was her birthday, and she was having some other friends and family over on Friday evening to celebrate.

We didn’t party prep too much, however, as Toni, Juliet, and I had a lunch date (a Girl Party, we called it) at noon at the American Girl Café at the nearby Tyson’s Corner mall.  Based on the American Girl series of books and accompanying dolls (and accessories!  So many accessories!), the cafes offer kids the chance to eat with their dolls and even have birthday parties and other celebrations.


Juliet with her doll, 
whom I believe is named Baby.


Toni and I, in a picture taken by Juliet.
Baby may have helped.

Overall, the actual food at the lunch was better than I expected for less of a cost than I anticipated, which was fantastic.  The café itself was a bit loud, but that’s probably to be expected, and the experience was fun, too.


Plus, free hair ties and birthday stickers!


A doll hanger in the bathroom stall

We finished up at the café and spent some additional time lady-bonding while wandering the mall and watching Toni shop.


Juliet and I amusing ourselves

Eventually, we headed back home to finish party prepping.  Toni made a delicious tenderloin of filet with potatoes and green beans, as well as two types of amazing cupcakes.


The appetizers, packaged in an OCD lover’s delight.


Gorgeous cupcakes!

Uncle Chris helped prep by keeping Juliet occupied…


Chris: “what’s going on here?”


Juliet with Daddy and Uncle Chris

…and the party went off without a hitch.  We enjoyed meeting more of Toni and Robert’s friends as well as her cousins that live in the area, and we finished the night with a rousing game of Cards Against Humanity.  That never sucks!

Next up on the blog – we head to tiny person ballet class and the Udvar-Hazy Center!

Later!


Amy

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