Bush Library Dedication

I'm still catching up from a very busy spring!  At the end of April, we attended President George W. Bush's library dedication in Dallas, TX.  There really are no words to describe how great of a time we had.  John and I met in DC working in the Bush Administration, so this was special for us.  Also special was seeing many of our friends and former colleagues.  There are lots of pictures from this trip...so let's get to it!

First night--Executive Office of the President, Reunion Party Hosted by the former Chiefs/Deputy Chiefs of Staff

Luke Frans and Lori & David Raad--riding to dinner and the party in our fancy stretched SUV/Limo

John & I with Luke--in above mentioned fancy stretched SUV/Limo

The next morning we were up early and in line for the buses.  It was chilly in the morning and we all walked away with sunburns.  Mother nature can be so deceiving when it is cold outside coupled with major sunshine.  Of course, some things never change and with all five living/current Presidents attending, security was tight and so we had to get there extra early...and wait.  It was worth it!

Surreal!  

The program for the dedication

John & I waiting in line for our shuttle bus

John & Luke 

Sarah Beth & Mitchell

Ran into Chad Barth after the main event...of course, he was helping out and making sure everything was running smoothly!

John and I snuck a ride after the event on the "Ritz Carlton" bus.  We did not stay there, but we certainly played the part.  I was nervous, but John made me loosen up and hop on with the diplomats and other mega donors.  Good move, Mr. Eddy.  We attended an Office of Political Affairs lunch afterwards and saw even more old friends.  Food was good and the conversation better!  Later in the evening, there was a Bush-Cheney Alumni BBQ complete with a little Pat Green.  It was for everyone who worked in the Administration and/or on the campaign.  Oh my...very fun.  

Dave McMaster, one of John's great friends (and a groomsman in our wedding) taking a picture of the flags welcoming the Bush Presidential Center on the SMU campus.

John & I at the BBQ 

Super fun surprise that President & Mrs. Bush came by AND VP Cheney!

Both the President and VP were in great spirits and were very funny.  So great to see the VP feeling and looking good--and as witty as ever.

LOVE!

Finally, the day after the dedication and BBQ, we were able to take tours of the library.  I'm not a library guru, but this was pretty awesome.  It is very interactive, and we were encouraged to touch, read, sit on, pick up et al anything that wasn't nailed down.  President Bush wanted people to get a sense of what it was like to be in his shoes while he was President.  The enormous weight of what he was facing on top of the intelligence and information he had at the time is pretty staggering.  I can't say enough good things about the library.

The front of the George W. Bush Presidential Center

John walking up the sidewalk--Beautiful Texas landscape

Holland and Momma Jan in the Freedom Tower (part of the Library)

The Freedom Tower had a special lighting ceremony after the BBQ.  The "art" is digital and is constantly changing.  You will see scenes, landscapes, people, words etc.  Very cool.  This is a photo looking up.  It is a very tall "tower" and makes an impact.  A great way to begin the library tour.

Father & Son

Children's Reading corner--guests are encouraged to grab a book and sit on a bench and read.  Literacy and education--hallmarks of the Bush Administration

Steel from the Twin Towers.  Again, they let you go right up and touch it.  So very moving--John is in the bottom left of the photo.  It takes your breath away.  Keeping America Safe--also hallmarks of the Bush Administration!

The famous bullhorn (the man who gave his bullhorn to the President also attended the dedication), clippings, program from the memorial service and his speech--History!

John using the interactive/touch screen displays.

John & I working on diplomacy in the Oval Office.

Holland & I also working on diplomacy!

TERRIBLE photo quality, but it had to be included...I gave a lot of West Wing tours during my tenure at The White House, so this was a must :).

A Texas version of the Rose Garden--TX landscaping!

Catch Up!

Oh my...no blog posts since Valentine's Day?  Ugh.  I have such good intentions, but then there is the part that takes effort.  That is where I lack.  Ok, over the course of the next week or so, I'm going to try and get caught up on where we've been lately.  We've been busy, as usual, so I want to make sure I have some photos documented...so when we are 90 and we wonder what we did with our lives, I can look back and remember.  Since my last entry, we have been to New Orleans for a surprise 40th birthday party, celebrated a new Pope being elected, Easter, the opening of President Bush's Presidential Library, John's cousin's wedding, mine and Kerry's birthdays, the inaugural weekend at the lake, my last day of work, and the sixth anniversary of losing Mom.  This is not a complete accounting of what all we have been up to, but it is a good start.

Let's start with a weekend trip in March for Michael Murphy's 40th Birthday!

This is AFTER a seven course meal with wine.  It was in the wine cellar at Commander's Palace.  Totally Fantastic!  Thank you for including us.

My honey!  We were the first to arrive because my love didn't want to be late.  He just knew we would "ruin the surprise."  Of course, we were almost an HOUR EARLY.

Not great photo quality...but this is for my "memories" in 50+ years.

They printed the menu on the back of this print.  I thought it was just fabby.

The Columns Hotel.  Looks charming and wonderful on the outside.  Rooms, not so much.  Great bar and patio...scary rooms.

Next, the exciting election of a new Pope!  What a joy to watch the process that is the Catholic Church in electing a new Pontiff to the See of Peter.  I kept being asked "who I was for"...and I found such humor in that.  "I'm for whoever is elected," was my usual response.  Anyhow, our prayers are with Pope Benedict who made the most selfless decision by stepping aside as Pope.  Everyone is saying how Pope Francis is "leading by example!"  Not that it is a competition, but I think that award goes to Pope Benedict.  Never the less, Pope Francis has already been a wonderful Pope.  He is carrying on the  works of Blessed JP II and Pope Emeritus Benedict.  We are a blessed people.

Blessed are the merciful for they shall obtain mercy.

Finally, we had a very fun time over Easter.  I had Good Friday off as did John.  We went to Shreveport to spend a night with Dad and Suzanne and then all headed up to Little Rock for Easter Brunch at YaYa's.  Uncle Sirini has started this tradition, and we think it is a good one.  Sadly, I don't have photos of the cousins or Dad/Suzanne.  We did take some photos, but they are so dark, all you see are teeth.  I promise we celebrated this holy day with family!

Dad and I at Cush's in Shreveport.

Suzanne's Easter tulips.

My Easter date.

John & Clay at Brunch

Our "end" of the table.

This is re-cap one.  There are more to come!!

Valentine's Day Trip

Happy Valentine's Day from snowy Colorado!

Wade, me, John and John's Uncle Steve

John and his Uncle Steve

John and I went to Colorado on Valentine's Day and stayed through Sunday.  We had a world wind trip with college basketball, skiing, sightseeing, and visiting with John's dear God Father, Father Tom.  The above photos was from the University of Colorado basketball game.  They beat the top ranked University of Arizona.  We sat on the floor right in front of the student section.  There were some excited students!

The next day, we headed up the mountain to Loveland for some skiing.  We were so thankful to have Wade with us for navigating purposes and his mad ski skills.  I haven't skied in ages and I wasn't super great last time I went, so I felt like I had two of my personal ski instructors with the very abled skiers in John and Wade.  One was in front and one was behind/beside at all times.  It was awesome!  It was C.O.L.D. but very awesome.

ElK Horn Sheep crossing en route to Loveland

John & Wade taking a break from schooling me.

My Valentine & I

16 degrees, wind, snow, first time on the slopes in 10+ years--not too shabby!

On our last day in Colorado, we toured around Denver and got to enjoy the city.  We met up with Father Tom for some visiting and dinner.  We were able to see his new apartment and enjoy the gorgeous view from his sitting room.  He is always such a treat and an inspiration, and we are so happy he was in town while we were there.

Dinner at a neighborhood restaurant favorite of Father Tom's

John and Father Tom discussing Ancestory.com

Milestones...

Dad turned another year older, and we invited ourselves to Shreveport to help him celebrate.  As always, a fun time was had by all.

We made breakfast, but only Dad can thinly slice the salmon.

Breakfast & Birthday Gifts (Nike Fuel Band was a B.I.G. hit)

 Dad turned 65 on February 3!  While most people likely walk into the senior citizen category somewhat hesitantly, Dad jogged in with the vigor of a 50 year old!  He diligently signed up for medicare and is looking forward to all those savings...at the movies, restaurants, hotels etc.  He knows how to age with grace!

Sisters pre-dinner

The ladies

Kerry, Clay, John and I prepared a big breakfast on Saturday, and Dad chose to go to Ristorante Guiseppe for dinner.  So, after 4 PM Mass, where we all received the blessing of the throat in honor of St. Blaise, we went home to freshen up and head to dinner.  We dined on meats, cheeses, salad, pasta and fish.  Despite Kerry asking me to take numerous photos of our meal(s), I declined and decided to enjoy the moment and not capture the lovely dishes for this blog.  Believe me, they were all very decadent and very photo worthy.  The above photos are all pre-dinner.

The birthday guy & Suzanne at dinner

Italian Cream--the same cake every year!

It isn't every year your birthday falls on Superbowl Sunday!  It isn't ever year you turn 65 and enter a new phase of life...government entitlement programs!  I know, he paid in...ha,ha.  Here is to milestones, medicare and hopefully only mid-life.  Happy Birthday Dad...you never looked better.