Welcome, Birthday Week!

It's my birthday week! Hooray!

This is a BIG birthday for me. My sisters have reminded me at least twenty times, "Did you know you've been alive for a quarter of a century?" Thanks, girls. I'd almost forgotten. :)

This week, I've made a list of things I want to DO, not necessarily get, for my birthday. I love spreading out birthday celebrations over a few days, and 25 seems momentous enough to make a week out of it, don't you think?

To celebrate my 25th, I'd like to:

1. hang the mirrors and pictures at my apartment - Check

2. eat at the Blue Iguana

3. have a parking lot dance party

4. drink virgin margaritas

5. eat a pretty cupcake - Check. Thanks cute Carrie!

6. eat falafel

7. have a 'crafternoon' - I'm itching to MAKE SOMETHING!

8. see Inception (I STILL haven't seen it)

9. go to the library

10. see Tangled - Check. Thanks, Jill!

11. get drinks at Spark Lounge in Provo

12. buy fabric to make curtains for my bedroom - Check!

13. visit my sis at the Bead Fairy - Check!

14. make chocolate chip cookies and give some away - I gave some to my family. Does that count?

15. sing

16. enjoy being snowed in Tuesday afternoon with a blanket, hot chocolate, and a good book. - Check!

17. look for 25 ways to think of others first

Want to join me for any/all of these? Let me know! This will be a week to remember!

Happy Birthday, Carrie Girl!

This is how we party.

My incredible sister Carrie turns 15 today, and I've been thinking of all the reasons I love her.

1. She gets excited about little things.

2. She gives the best hugs.

3. She finds hobbies to keep her busy - legos, skateboarding, crocheting, and reading are just a few of her past favorites.

4. She can help me put things in perspective.

5. Her amazing faith.

6. She never, ever, ever gives up, even when the odds are stacked against her.

7. She is absolutely beautiful.

8. Did I mention her stunning root beer eyes?

9. She has funny voices.

10. She makes me laugh.

11. She's always happy to see me. Oh, and she likes to hang out with me. :)

12. She loves to sing about anything.

13. She is a talented leader.

14. She doesn't let anything get her down.

15. She chose life.

To be honest, there are no words to describe how much I love my youngest sister. Try as I might, I just can't explain how blessed I feel to be her sister. There was a time earlier this year when I wasn't sure I would ever see this day, but now that it's here, there's just one thing to say:

Happy 15th birthday, Carrie girl! I'm so grateful you're here, and I'm grateful I can celebrate this day with you.

Football with my Dad

Blackout Game 2010

Even though this wasn't the greatest game I've ever been to (grrr... still angry), I love how happy my dad and I look. We love Utah football, and I'd say we're die hard fans. Who else would stay through the entire Utah TCU game just to support our guys - even if they couldn't catch a pass to save their lives that day? Plus, the company can't be beat. Dad, Jen, and me in the MUSS - it doesn't get better than that!

My new favorite treat

The picture's a bit blurry... but this is seriously one of the most delicious treats I've tried. Too bad you have to find a Trader Joe's to get it - since there isn't one in Utah. Boo.

I'm obsessed with Edamame in any form, but chocolate covered is DELICIOUS!

And - it's good for you!

P.S. Any hints on where I can find something like this in Utah would be greatly appreciated.

The end (I think) of 'Miss Hortin goes to Washington'

Here they are! The (possibly) final shots of my trip back east. I really love the shots you're about to see. It's been a couple of weeks since my trip and I still feel giddy when I look at these pictures. I visited the National Cathedral on a Sunday. I dragged my aunt and uncle, who just happened to be in town, all the way from Dupont Circle to the Cathedral. As soon as I walked inside, I remembered why I love this place so deeply. It's gorgeous and breathtaking and filled with history. I may not be Catholic, but I can understand why many in the world consider cathedrals 'sacred space.'

You know what's awesome? When family turns up in the same city you're in and they're on vacation, too! You know what's even more awesome? When they ask you for recommendations on good restaurants in the area because you were once considered 'a local.' Thanks for the delicious dinner at Old Ebbit Grill, John and Sherilyn! And thanks for not letting the lackluster seating arrangements get you down.

I kid you not, there is no better place to be on a Saturday morning than Eastern Market. Lots of people go for the french toast or blue bucks at Market Lunch, but I prefer the crepe stand. The crepes are as thin as paper and filled with delicious ingredients like Gouda and berries. (I tried to give the crepe man a lesson on how to say that cheese like a Dutchman. It was pretty entertaining.)

Give me a crepe and Limonata any day, and I'm in heaven!

I visited the Newseum for the first time ever. The admission is pretty steep, but it's 100% worth it! I saw a piece of the Berlin Wall, part of the radio tower from the World Trade Center, a heart wrenching exhibit about Hurricane Katrina, and many, many historical front pages. I realized that much of how I view the world and history is influenced by the news. This is a photo from the observation deck looking over Pennsylvania Ave.

Hooray for cupcakes! Meagan and I started our own little tradition of 'run in the morning, then go get cupcakes.' Don't judge. There are just so many yummy cupcakeries (Is that a word? It is now) in DC to not visit as many as possible. This is at Georgetown Cupcake where they gave us each an extra cupcake in a pretty little box - and boy, were they yummy. (Might I also point out the wrist band from Lululemon in Georgetown that holds my debit card and key when I run? I'm in love.)

A few more

Sorry I'm falling behind in my blogging. There have just been too many other fun and important things that have needed my attention. :)

If you're interested, here are a few more shots from my amazing trip!
Laney and I visited the Visitors Center at the Temple and met some lovely sister missionaries.

White House!

A man noticed I was having trouble snapping this picture of myself, so he offered to help. "Thanks," I said. "Make sure you get the address. I used to work here."
Pretty sure that was the strangest picture he's ever helped a tourist take. But I love it!

I saw a real play at Ford's Theater. It was incredible! Truly one of the highlights of my trip!

Yum! Sandwiches! I highly recommend the PB&J, believe it or not.

What a trip!

Just a few snapshots from a truly incredible trip:

"The Run" - We ran from the Watergate Building to the Capitol. Woo!

Absolutely delicious homemade churro from Dolcezza - an Argentine bakery.

Beautiful Autumn in Georgetown.

The Museum of American History!

Getting "baked" at Baked and Wired.

This trip was a dream and a half. I did so many things for the first time, and enjoyed every minute. I'm 100% sure that this won't be my last post about my amazing vacation (I sure hope you don't get bored), and I'm also 100 % sure that I won't be able to stay away from DC for long.

As Laney put it, "You love this city too much to stay away for very long."