Washington D.C.

For Father's Day we flew to Washington D.C. to spend a long weekend with Mimi, Grandpa, Uncle Mark and Meredith (Mark's amazing girlfriend).  We stayed from Friday to Monday.  Mimi, Grandpa and Daddy got to go to THREE baseball games----the NY Yankees vs. Washington Nationals.

Mikey was thrilled to go on another plane ride.  The flight down was uneventful and QUICK.  Only an hour and five minutes.  Mikey started off watching Spongebob Square Pants (a cartoon he does not watch at home) but wasn't really interested.  He preferred watching SportsCenter on ESPN instead!  

Mimi and Grandpa picked us up at the airport and we headed to our condo.  We stayed in the same building that Mark and Meredith live in----very convenient!  We shared a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom place with more than enough space.  Once we got settled in, we headed out to lunch and relaxed.  Around 4:30 Daddy, Mimi and Grandpa headed to the Metro for dinner and the game.  Mikey and I hung out at the condo for a bit and then ventured out on the street.  We met up with Meredith after work at the National Building Museum where Mikey had a blast running around on the grass and playing with the other children.  We walked Meredith to her gym class and then headed back to the condo.  When Meredith came home we hung out at her and Mark's apartment where we ate pizza and Mikey watched Cars 2 and played golf with Meredith's putter.

 Mikey trying on Uncle Mark's sneakers

Saturday our plans got shifted since I woke up with a nasty head cold.  While Mimi, Grandpa and Daddy headed out to the ballgame that morning Mikey, Meredith and I hung out at the pool and got some ice cream.  (The original plan was to go to the Zoo----much more exciting.)  We spent the afternoon resting and then met up with everyone for dinner, including Mike's Uncle Mark and his family from Virginia.  

Sunday was everyone's turn to go to the game.  We made it to the park around noon and Mark immediately took Grandpa, Michael and Mikey down to the field where the Yankees were completing batting practice.  (Daddy got autographs of Gio Gonzalez, Ken Singleton, and Raul Ibanez.)  Mikey didn't understand the concept of just watching the players on the field---he wanted to play, too!  He began to cry and so I had a chance to take Mikey on the field.  As the Yankees were finishing up batting practice, Curtis Granderson was signing some baseballs for fans.  We made our way over and Mikey very carefully handed Curtis the ball.  Curtis said "Don't worry, buddy.  I'll give it right back".  When he was done signing the ball, they high-fived each other.  Both of them had huge grins on their faces.  It was awesome.

 Waiting for the Metro with Grandpa

 A very happy Mikey and Meredith

 Mikey watching batting practice

 Derek Jeter

 Alli and Meredith

 Mikey, Mommy and Curtis Granderson

 Mikey double fisting our sodas (Diet Coke and Ginger Ale---Mmmmm....)

Grandpa, Daddy and Uncle Mark

 Family shot on the field

 Mikey "running" the bases

 Home plate

We ate lunch in the Diamond Club before the game started.  (Celebrity sighting: Nick Swisher's wife sat at the table behind us.)  Mikey made it through the first half of the first inning prior to falling asleep. He slept for three innings!  He lasted through the rest of the game constantly saying "I want to go down there and play baseball".  At the end of the game Uncle Mark got Mikey back on the field to run the bases----a tradition after every game.  Mikey wasn't allowed to run with Mommy or Daddy but willingly went with one of the young girls on the staff.  He made it to second base before he started crying and looking for us.  The poor girl had to carry Mikey the rest of the way!

Back at the condo, Mark gave Fred and Michael their Father's Day gifts----baseballs autographed by DEREK JETER!  Sunday night we went to dinner at a delicious Italian place in Georgetown.  This place has "pasta mamas" that stand in the storefront window and make homemade raviolis.  So cool.  After dinner we walked around before heading back to the condo.  On the drive home we took the scenic tour and saw all the monuments lit up at night.

Monday we headed back to the airport.  As we got on the plane, Mikey wanted to say hello to the pilot.  The pilots said "We will have more time when we get to Boston.  Come back and say hello and we can give you a tour of the cockpit and you can take pictures, too!".  Mikey and Michael were asleep before we took off.  When we landed Mikey said "I want to go in the air!".  He totally slept through the quick flight!  We met up with the pilot and co-pilot (Steve and Dan) along with our very helpful flight attendant, Pamela, and Mikey got the full tour.  Daddy went into the cockpit too and was able to take pictures of Mikey.  Mikey was allowed to push buttons and everything.  Clearly this made his day!  Later that week I emailed Jet Blue and commended them on their crew.  They really went above and beyond to make Mikey's flight memorable.  Now whenever Mikey sees a plane he points to the cockpit and says "Mikey sits there".  I hope we don't fly again for awhile or else it will be quite difficult to get him used to sit with the passengers!

Mark and Meredith:  We cannot thank you enough for your hard work and hospitality this past weekend.  You went above and beyond to make sure we had a memorable weekend and you did not disappoint!  We really appreciated everything you did for us!

Mom and Dad: We were happy to spend Father's Day weekend with you. Thank you for everything as well!