I headed to Washington, D.C., in early September for a training for the commissioners for all the states service commissions. 
It was great to meet others who are contributing in meaningful ways to their states via service and community outreach. I presented on new outreach strategies and my fellow Colorado commissioners attended the session as well to deem the effectiveness of my presentation…it was funny as they all shared that they were there to critique my presentation!
I also had the opportunity to catch up with Uncle Chad, Grammie Kass and Grandpa Jeff. I also saw Aunts Deirdre and Caitlin for their birthday with Grandma Patti. It was great to see all of them again.
I also spent a day on the Hill advocating for more service dollars for AmeriCorps and for our state. I also recommended that we had a representative from Congress serve on the Community Service Caucus as we don’t have any representing Colorado on that caucus. I spent the day with someone from the I Have A Dream Foundation and a rep from an organization that does environmental rehabilitation…I can’t remember which one off the top of my head. It’s in my rolodex of business cards. Shame on me. Anyway, I loved it and even ran into someone in our Senator’s office who knew me as I was the HOBY Leadership Seminar Chair when he was a student ambassador to the program. It was pretty funny - - small world.
My 89 year old cab driver in DC - - that's right he was 89 YEARS YOUNG
Tutu came out for several weeks and we had a ball with her. During her first weekend, the boys and I took her down to Santa’s Workshop in Manitou Springs (the gateway to Pikes Peak), and had a blast! I had no idea what to expect but it’s perfect for toddlers of the boys’ age! We rode cars, motorcycles, airplanes, went on a huge slide and Tutu was brave enough to go on a helicopter vomit comet ride (of sorts). 
It was spinning so fast and the operator told her that she should give a thumbs down sign if Eban started to freak out as he was clearly the youngest rider on the ride. Well, he loved it - - more than loved it - - 
and I was more freaked out watching this contraption and Tutu told me she wanted to give the thumbs down for herself when they were flying through the air as crazy speeds! 
Jack loved riding the rides with Eban. There was one where they shot at one another (I’m not a fan of this), but they laughed so hard flying in these circles. It was so darling to see them thoroughly enjoying themselves. They rode boats, race cars and all sorts of things! We went on the highest ferris wheel in the world (altitude wise) and Tutu shared a seat with Eban while I had Jack with me. They both wanted more after each ride and it was hard to keep up with them. 
The attraction they liked the least was Santa. We entered his building and the boys both gravitated towards the door and not his lap. It was shocking to me as they both had practiced what they would ask for when they saw Santa and as soon as they saw him, they wanted to go the other way. I guess I can understand that - - ride or sit on Santa’s lap in the stinky house? 
We left completely exhausted and they both easily fell asleep on our ride back to Denver and north Thornton!
Fast ride with Tutu and Eban
Eban and Jack on the Motorcycles
