People

Luke is usually a pretty shy guy but these folks captured his interest!

More D.C.

My week is pretty much finished in DC - it has been a great experience. The speakers at the program have been very interesting, and I feel like I have learned quite a bit. A lot of what I have learned makes me very concerned about not only the problems that the country faces currently, but the consequences that will come from the actions being taken to combat the problems. Imagine if you borrowed nearly a trillion dollars! That is a lot of interest to pay, especially when you are already paying interest on 13 trillion, paying Medicare, paying Medicaid, and paying Social Security. Pretty soon you are left with no more money to spend on anything else - like roads, bridges, airports, etc.

No one seems to have answers, only more questions. The one theme that keeps coming out is transparency, which is the one thing that we may never completely get. We may get more transparency in the banking industry and in the financial markets, but it is hard to believe that we will ever get complete transparency (or that we would get transparency in the legislative process!).

I really did not have time to do much sightseeing, but I did walk down to the mall one evening and tonight I walked over to the White House before heading back to the hotel. Here are a few pictures.

Chinatown



















the White House



















the World War II memorial

Washington D.C.

This week, I am in Washington D.C. for a class through the business school. Allison & Luke are in Ft. Wayne enjoying some time with Grandma & Grandpa.

I flew into Reagan National on Sunday evening and took the metro to Arlington, VA, where I am staying for the week.




The conference center that the program is being held at is actually in a law firm's building - Venable, LLC. It is in China Town/Gallery Place. It is basically an ordinary building.

Hats Off

Luke and I watched the IU vs. Michigan State game last night (be watching for a post) while Phil was at his evening class. What a grown up little man! I do believe that he is striking a pose? Hat in one hand and golf ball in the other. Maybe it is just the mom in me but can my sweet baby really be walking?

Oh good! There he is! For a moment there I thought time was passing too fast...

Money Talks

Phil collects change for Luke to practice putting in his bank.

I thought that I had broken the "small camera" and Phil fixed it (not broken at all) and snapped this of me. Not my best side but proof that I was also learning from the money lesson. Honey, you are so great at saving!

Money in the bank baby! (Phil taught me that)

Confession

I made two cakes this morning and this is what is left as of 7:00pm tonight. Normally I am not a cake person but this particular cake and its heart shaped brother (not pictured because it was gone by lunch) hit the spot today. I even asked Phil before supper "You do know that is not bread?" To which he replied "Oh, yes...but it could be considered a light and airy bread?" The biggest confession of all? I just enjoyed ANOTHER piece before typing this post!

New Harness

I wanted to get these cute pics of Luke and his new harness up! Thanks to Lisa for the idea. There was a monkey but he chose the puppy one!

Walk the baby and the dog!