BALTIMORE

Emily and I set off on quite the adventure
the IDF FAMILY CONFERENCE in Baltimore (Immune Deficiency Foundation)

Emily couldn't wait to get on the plane!

This is what happens after 4 hours of flight....

The first day we had the amazing opportunity to attend Advocacy Day on Capital Hill.
We met with the office staff of  Representative Jason Chaffetz, Senator Hatch and Senator Lee. 

Emily and Ryan Berger both have SCID and talked about their treatments. Sydney is Ryan's adorable sister!

I can't tell you how proud I was of Emily. She was so brave and talked so clearly!!!

A HUGE highlight of the trip was spending the day with the amazing family in DC.
Monica and her girls Sophie and Hannah. Hannah has ADA SCIDS also. We met at the conference in Arizona a few years ago. They will be FOREVER FRIENDS!!
There are some people you meet that you automatically bond and connect with....this is one of those friendships! We had a total blast!
Note the picture of Emily at the Lincoln monument. The girls were so tough all day, they even ran up the stairs to see Mr. Lincoln...Emily wasn't too impressed!

The girls loved going to the museums together. The day ended WAY too soon ;(

This is the view from our hotel...I could run on the treadmill and watch a game every night! 

Emily wasn't impressed ;) 

The Conference was good I was able to see old friends and make new ones. It's so great to talk with other families who have and are going through the same things.

Emily enjoyed the kiddie corp only because she had Ryan and Sydney to hang out with but she got to see Iggy, one of her favorite stuffed animals in real life! :) 

Emily's stuffed animals got to share 1/2 of our bed...lucky me!

AAH...SWIMMING!
Yep, the Berger's are those kind of friends too!! Love that family! Emily couldn't say enough nice things about what a thoughtful, beautiful and kind friend Sydney was...I completely agree!

Another great ADA SCID buddy Ray Berryhill (yes they are the same age!)

Ryan Berger, Ray Ballard and Emily...all born with SCIDS

SCID MOMS! Love this group of ladies!!!
SO AMAZING AND INSPIRING IN EVERY WAY!

On the last night we were treated to dinner and a night at the Baltimore Aquarium...fun times!

On the way back we found a CANDY STORE!

Our last day we spent walking around the Baltimore Bay

ENTERTAINMENT while waiting for our DELICIOUS meal ;) got to love iPhone pics!

The trip was a great success! It was a great adventure!