Fun School Trip to D.C.

A group of about 100 students and their parents and teachers from Summer's 5th through 8th grade class at school took a trip to Washington D.C. last week. In order for the students to take part they had to pick a topic related to D.C. and do a project on it. The students then finished up their project by visiting the place related to the subject they focused on. Summer chose to study the Holocaust, so we visited the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum the day before we left for home. The teachers arranged for the students who focused on this topic to listen to a Holocaust survivor at the museum. We were so fortunate to have this powerful and unforgettable experience!
Obviously, Summer's topic was very intense, but we had plenty of fun while there as well. We walked for miles and miles, visited a couple of the Smithsonian Museums, the Spy Museum, the National Zoo, saw Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian at the IMAX theater, and loved hanging out with our amazing group of people from school. I must admit that spending so much time with Summer was my very favorite part of the trip!!
Enjoy some of the highlights from our 5 days in D.C.

We left at the crack of dawn and traveled all day in style in a couple of Mercedes busses. We arrived at the George Washington University dorms with plenty of time to unpack, dine on pizzas and take a big walking tour of the monuments in the evening.
Our little suite.
This poster for the H1N1 virus at the Pan American Health Organization building was like 10 stories tall.
Our fun little group in front of the Lincoln Memorial at sun down.We found Vermont at the World War II Memorial.
Having some shadow fun at the Washington Memorial.
I can't decide which photo I liked better between the next two.Any preference?
We were fortunate to be able to take a tour of our wonderful President's home on Wednesday. It was definitely one of my favorite parts of the trip! No cameras allowed inside, unfortunately.
Summer and I spent a lot of time at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. There is simply too much to see at the museums. They are incredible!! We loved the live butterfly exhibit and hit this first, before the lines formed.
Summer monkeys around. : )

Did you know that koalas have 2 thumbs??
This one cracks me up!
Summer in the jaws of a great white...
I don't even know what to say about this...
Wake-up Sleepy...Snow White is looking for you!
On our way to the Capitol for a school group photo with Senator Patrick Leahy.
Double Dutch
This is about the spot that Andy and I stood to watch the Inauguration in January.
Some musical entertainment while we waited for the Senator.
Waiting...
My friend Marcy and me.
Someone volunteered to take a photo with Summer and me in it and they did a nice job!
still waiting...
Finally, the man of the hour, and one of my heroes, Senator Patrick Leahy. The student pictured with him rushed up to give him a big hug...it was adorable!
Julie Longchamp, a teacher, our extraordinary and fearless leader and chief organizer for the trip, listens to the Senator.
Some parents listen in too.
Summer and I enjoyed the National Museum of American History too. Do you recognize these slippers?
My favorite frog.
We happen to have a famous relative on my mother's side, George Armstrong Custer. This is the jacket he wore during his last stand...complete with blood stains.
The Old Post Office was our daily lunch/meeting spot.
Wild things at the zoo!
Funny otters.
Sometimes I thought our group needed a rope too. ; )
Panda's breakfast.
This baby elephant took a dirt bath...so cute!
The Cheetahs put on an amazing show for us!

Holocaust survivor Marcel Drimer. You can read his amazing story of survival HERE!
Seeing this pile of shoes that belonged to Holocaust victims was very impactful.
This is our group that visited the Holocaust Museum. Summer's new teacher, Miss Johnson, is on the far right.
Finally home again!!

Welcome Home Captain Richard Phillips!!

On Wednesday, April 8th, I received a call from the New York Post asking me to photograph the local news regarding Vermont's own Captain Richard Phillips. So I cleared the schedule and rushed off to Underhill, which is about 20 minutes away. Each day I joined up with a swarm of media in anticipation of news about the captain, but the news didn't come. By Saturday I had decided that I needed to get back to my life and told the reporter with the NY Post not to call on Sunday unless a miracle happened. Well two mimosas into brunch at our home with friends, the reporter called with the news the world was waiting for!! My friend Kim threw me into her car and we raced off to the family's home.
It was such a thrill and honor to cover this story from beginning to the happy outcome!! I thought it would be fun to show you a few of the photos like you probably saw everywhere, and a collection of behind the scenes photos that you probably didn't see anywhere.

Oh, and for all of you People magazine fans out there...be sure to look on the cover of this week's issue for the photo of the captain's wife and that same photo inside as well. The photo credit is very teeny tiny, but if you look close enough you will see my name. : )

On Thursday, the local CBS and Ryan Mercer, photo editor of the Burlington Free Press, interview a neighbor.
Ryan Mercer, left, and Toby Talbot with the Associated Press
A family member talks with the press.
A Fox camera guy naps.
Outside the family's home.
The media sets up for an official statement from the family.
My new friend Rebecca Rosenberg, a journalist with the NY Post, sets up her mike and gets caught on international news....a proud moment. ; )
Rick Leventhal with Fox News, New York
By Friday, the media had to move off the family's property and move into town. (The family was so gracious to let the media stay as long as they did!!) We had to find things to tell the story and didn't have to look too far...
The local priest is interviewed by CNN.
Rebecca and I decided to take a break and see some baby lambs near by.
Rebecca!

The farmer introduced us to some newborn goats in the barn and these tiny premature cashmere goats inside the home.

Reporters were all over town. Here CBS national is interviewing a neighbor who was tying yellow ribbon around posts.
The media's new spot was the church parking lot.
Super friendly Craig Boswell with Fox News
These little bunnies made the most of the media circus in town and sold lots of lemonade!!


Sunday morning. Holly with the AP.
My brunch guests and designated drivers, Kim + Melissa. Kim ended up being interviewed on the national NBC news when she and Melissa drove up to the corner store while waiting for me. So funny!!
Emily Nelson from the Free Press is all business.
Rebecca waits for the family's official statement.
Glenn Russell from the Free Press.
A Maersk representative gave the family's statement.
Craig Boswell and me.
Homecoming day!! Mike Taibbi reports.
Mr. Taibbi kept us all entertained before he was on the air.
The media mosh pit.
Our hero!! Be sure to look at his wrists...
Back at the captain's home...
I held it together really well until I saw this sign...
The community signed this one...so cool!!