A Grand Day in DC
This is what I saw from the South Lawn.
This is what I saw from inside the White House.
This is what I ate at the White House.
This is who sang the national anthem and a few songs at the end.
This was the reason for the visit. 
This was right before he kissed me. See ... he's puckering up.
(Okay, I'm teasing about that. I know you've been expecting some kind of joke from me ...)
This is President Bush waving good-bye. The man in front is Secret Service.
Yesterday I attended the Military Spouse Appreciation breakfast. Joe received an email at work (at Fort Meade) on Thursday that there were some available slots (first we heard of it). He submitted my name (and social security number for a background check) and I received an invitation from the White House on Friday night. It was all kind of sudden.
I had to leave the house by 4:45 a.m. to arrive at Fort Meade by 6 a.m. to board a military bus to ride to the White House and pass through security by 8:15 a.m. It was fun to watch the process of passing through the Secret Service at various stages. At the front entrance gate of the Treasury building. And again at the gate entrance to the White House. I tried to capture some photos of the snipers on the top of the White House, but those guys are quick! I think I got the tip of the rifle in a photo.
The Marine Corps Band played during breakfast. After breakfast, Phil Vassar sang the national anthem (sadly, I never heard of Phil until then). President Bush gave a speech and we enjoyed a few more songs from Phil. As everyone was ogling over Phil and taking photos, I realized President Bush was about 10 feet in front of me, making his way back into the White House. I squeezed through the crowd and captured the up-close shots of him. I was really that close to him. Sadly, I don't think he noticed my dress. (LOL) I could have shaken his hand, but honestly, I wanted photos for my children. They didn't believe I was going. (I don't blame them because Joe told them I was going because I was a spy before becoming a mom. He blew my credibility out of the water.)
It was much more crowded than I anticipated. It was still a lovely, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And we had the most beautiful weather ever. Sure there will be more Military Spouse Appreciate days and breakfasts, but I wonder how dedicated future presidential candidates are to the military. President Bush has been very generous with raises and benefits for the military and their families. I think most military families will agree with that.
(The Phil Vassar photo was sent to me by a girl I befriended on the trip. Hers turned out better than mine.)
Comments
Touring the white house would be amazing,I am sure. I am glad you enjoyed your visit.
The dress you made in the post below is adorable!
So, when are WE having breakkie with Georgie???
Lovely photos Spy Mum!
very cool, lera, thanks for sharing your outing.
You'll have to play up the spy-mom thing. ROFL.
BTW I do believe that you were a spy before you became a mother!
I love that picture through the window. I've been there during Christmas and the view is spectacular.
I bet he noticed your dress, he just didn't want Laura to find out ;)
Great pictures!
Some day you'll tell your grandbabies about the day their grandma got to eat breakfast with the President and they will stare, mouths agape, in awe. (It's just too bad you can't tell them about the confidential assigments you had when you were a spy, though.)
By the way, its one thing for your husband to blow your cover to the kids - it's quite another for you to tell the whole world!
You know, that spy thing will come in handy when your kids get a little older. It's amazing all the top secret and covert activities we engage in as parents! :)
Your dress is lovely, comfortable looking, too.
But I'm sure you could get a better date (couldn't help myself!)
Jenny
I love that you wore a dress you made! It looks absolutely lovely!
It was certainly a lovely day for the event and glad that you had fun. Love the dresses and the wrap skirts lately!
Way to go spy mum!
When I lived in DC during the last election, I was fortunate enough to have friends with jobs way cooler than mine. Jobs with fancy perks. And even though none of us voted on that side of the aisle, history is history. And the ceremonies are pretty much exactly the same. I was so lucky to see some special concerts and have VIP seats during the parade down Pennsylvania. It was so cold and of course it was not exactly how I had dreamed up the results. But it was just as amazing and awe-inspiring to be there in person and see so many powerful and important people from our country. Very exciting for sure!
And as always, your dress is adorable!