Supreme Court

So, we enjoyed a fabulous time in Washington, D.C. with mdw's family celebrating my mother's accomplishment as the recipient of the 2007 William H. Rehnquist Award for Judicial Excellence. My brother, ghd3 has a great overview of the weekend on his blog. We were all so proud of her! mdw enjoyed a family reunion with grandpa, parents, aunts and uncles, cousins, and siblings. It was good to be together! ghd3 and khd extended the reunion by joining us in Philly for a night together on Saturday following the DC festivities, sushi included.

mtw and I met in Philly on the previous Wednesday, and took the train down to DC early Thursday morning. We stayed with mdw's good friend Diane and her husband and two sons who have a fabulous place in the Capitol District. We enjoyed gorgeous, albeit crisp and cold weather, although mtw and I were shortsighted enough not to bring jackets since it was a balmy 70 degrees when we left Philadelphia.

Our friends were wonderful hosts, facilitating a simultaneous "girls night out" and "boys night in" and fresh cookies by the Jedi Cookie Master.

The weekend was full of family, history, sunshine, friendship, and opportunity. It was such a pleasure to celebrate my mom. She is so deserving for the work and service she has offered over her accomplished and inspiring career. I am honored to be her daughter, and am proud of her! A highlight was hearing Ruth Bader Ginsberg speak about my mother as a pioneer in her field and an advocate for women. mtw and I also enjoyed our photo op in front of the Supreme Courtroom (we also had one with Justice John Roberts, but haven't received the proofs yet).

mtw and I remain thrilled after receiving a very important phone call while touring the Capitol Building. mdw had been so strong to hold her tongue while in conference with a certain senator, and she was duly rewarded upon checking her voice mail just after leaving his office! Good things do come to those who wait! Let's just say we have much to be thankful for at this Thanksgiving time! Our Capitol tour also included a ride on the monorail in the tunnel system that connects the Capitol building with the Senate buildings. mtw especially enjoyed this Willy Wonka moment, sponsored by your tax dollars. The other pic is mdw just outside the Capitol building after receiving GREAT news (she is on the phone with mtw's family in the picture).

mdw and mtw also had the opportunity to connect with some mentors in the rotunda of the Capitol building (mtw with honest abe, and mdw with her suffragettes):