DC 2011

Where do I start!?!  We had such a fun trip to Washington DC!  Brent had a convention he had to work at there, so Kate and I decided to tag along.  We flew out on Thursday morning and arrived a couple of hours before Jill got off of work.  So we hopped on the metro and took it to Union Station.  The lighting is not very bright in there, but it was a very cool building that I had never seen--glad that I got to see it!  Union Station is not far from Jill's work so she walked over and we followed her back to work--suitcases in tow! Ha 

We have had a tour of CNN before, but Kate was a baby and we didn't take her and I was not able to meet Wolf Blitzer (Jill's boss) last time because I was in the restroom with Luke!  of course Ha!  So Jill gave us a quick tour for Kate and we met Wolf!  Afterward we had a wonderful dinner at the famous (to Jill and friends) "Rio" with Jill and her co-worker Stephanie!  It was so nice to meet her!

The time change was a little hard for me.  With it being two hours earlier there, it was hard for me to wake up very early, but I didn't want to sleep my days away--seeing how we don't get out there often.  So one of the top priorities of the trip was to see the Cherry Blossoms.  It was cold, but not raining so we jumped on the chance to see the blossoms before it got to crowded.  They were at their peak and just beautiful.  I am glad we went that day because it just got more crowded and we had some rainy days.  I can't remember if I have ever been down at the Tidal Basin but it was beautiful. 

Kate just loved being with her Aunt Jill.  Mommy and Daddy?  She could take us or leave us! 

After the blossoms we stopped at H&M (clothing store) and stopped at a delicious sandwich shop called Pret-a-Manger.  It was so yummy.  Probably good they don't have one here because I would be there everyday trying something new!

Next we were off to the Leesburg Outlets.  We didn't have a ton of time there, which was good and bad.  Bad because I wanted to see it all, good for my wallet!  But we stopped at the most important--William Sonoma Outlet and Pottery barn Outlet.  You just don't get those here in Utah!  We were able to do some damage though! 
Next stop Lucketts.  This area had three darling shops with new and old (antiques) things.  Another must on our trip.  So glad we made it before they closed.  Again just sad I don't live closer to be able to buy bigger things.  Do we have those kind of things in Utah and I just don't know about them? 
Are you sensing yet what kind of trooper Brent and Kate were.  GO GO GO and all things girly (although Kate loves the girly of course)!  The theme for my part of the trip!  After these shops we were able to go visit a friend names Kristin and her family.  They lived just down the street from here.  So fun to see their new home and she fed us dinner and Kate got to play with their little girl.  Thanks for having us!

So you won't feel to bad for Brent, he was able to go to a Nats baseball game with his boss.  Perfect day for us to hit the ribbon outlet!!!  My SIL Amy and I have been reading a girls blog that used to live out in the DC area and she would talk about this ribbon outlet.  So when Amy came out to see Jill they found out where it was!  It was so nice of Jill to drive me out to the outlet--a good hour away from her.  I came home with a ton of ribbon.  Most of the spools I bought were a $1.25!!  And those spools had a ton of ribbon on it.  I think I am stocked for a very very long time!!

This picture was before a yummy Italian dinner in Old Town.  I love the fun row houses and architecture there!!

We had a very relaxing day on Sunday.  We watched morning Conference in Jill's media room.  Kate was the pampered pricess--getting her hair curled by Amber (our friend we met through Jill) and Jill doing her nails.  I told Kate she needs to start wishing for an older sister not a baby sister (cause she isn't getting one of those)

Then Jill spent two + hours making us a wonderful french dinner.  A Dijon chicken with a goat cheese quiche.  Wonderful!!!

Well the "fun" had ended for Brent.  It was time for him to work.  Monday we got so lucky with 80 degree weather.  A perfect day for the top down on the car!

First we headed out to National Harbour, Maryland.  I had seen in the Real Simple magazine that there was a Peep (the Easter marshmallow treat) store there.  I love peeps so I thought it would be fun to see.  It was a beautiful day and a fun area to shop around in!

Fun colors!!

Jill took us by a beautiful hotel there.  The inside had a huge atrium with a glass wall looking out over the water. 

Last time we were out there we did all the boy museums because Kate was still so little.  So this time it was her turn to see some girly things in the museums.  We saw the first ladies dresses.  Those were really neat.  It was interesting to see the different sizes of the woman. 

Of course we saw the ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz

Luke's souvenir request was a crystal (of course)  So we went over to the Natural History Museum and found a whole display and store containing rocks and crystals.  I think he would of died and gone to heaven seeing these in person!

Brent was just getting off when we finished our day so we waited for him on the Mall.  I was quit hot because all I had brought were jeans so it was nice to just sit and wait til Brent got off the Metro right there!

A few years ago I saw this store featured on Martha Stewart.  I have been anxious ever since to try their cupcakes.  They were worth the wait.  Literally--we had to wait probably half an hour to get in.  They only let in a few people at a time and the rest wait outside on the side walk.  Crazy. 

Don't worry I didn't eat the whole box.  We all shared!

I love the Georgetown area.  The houses are so fun to look at.

we look a little wind blown because of the convertible

Tuesday was our last full day.  Brent worked in the morning and we just hung out with Jill.  After Brent got off we ran over to the DC temple.  I am so glad we did.  It was really pretty and we got to see the visitors center there.  Maybe Brent and I could serve a mission there.  That would be cool! 

Well like any great trip we were so sad to leave.  It was just so fun to hang out with Jill.  Since I don't have sisters I love to spend time with my sisters in laws as much as possible.  They are the closest thing I have.  I am just thankful I have such wonderful sisters in laws.  I wish they all lived closer!   Thanks to the Grandparents for shuffling the boys around for a week.  I know they have busy schedules.  I think the boys didn't even miss us.  They were having so much fun being with grandparents.  Thanks Jill for being a great aunt to Kate and for being a wonderful hostess. We had the time of our life!

the big "4"

Now that Zach is 4 he feels like the biggest kid around.  It has been funny to see him really "get" what is going on around him.  He is a funny kid.  He needs someone to constantly play with him.  He is so "bored" when everyone is at school.  He is definitely the baby of the family.  He thinks it "no fair" when some one gets something and he doesn't.  His favorite place to go is Walmart.  He always needs to know if the store we are at has toys.  He does say the funniest things.  In fact yesterday his primary teacher showed a picture of a little boy getting baptized and she asked where the children thought the little boy was and Zach said "in the hot tub".  Oh he is a funny one!

party favors--eye patch, earing, gold coins, rollos and gummy shark

  So we kept his party small.  Very unlike me to have a small group for a birthday party.  I think I am getting old and tired.  Ha Ha.  We took two of his friends, Matthew and Rosie to Pirate Island Pizza.  I did it on a Monday in the middle of the day and it was perfect because there was no one there.  This was his first "friend' birthday and two extra kids was just right!

Zach was lucky to have his actual birthday on a day he goes to school so we took circus animal cookies for his friends and made a fun circus poster to show everyone--because you know life with Zach is like a circus--a little crazy and a whole lot of fun!

here we go round the birthday boy!

treat for school friends

Love you Zach!  Happy Birthday!

Cross Over

Austin has officially crossed over from cub to 11 year old scouts.  I think he is really excited for the new adventures.  First camp out in June-- and yes daddy has to go cause mommy is nervous to send him anywhere by him self!

Happy St. Patty's Day

11

I can not believe I have an 11 year old!  I know I probably say that every time one of my kids has a birthday, but this one is crazy to me.  I cried for 2 years because I wanted a baby so bad and here I am 11 years later with 4 kids.  It really has gone by so fast--it does not feel like 11 years--I think those 2 years of no baby felt longer! 

I love party planning, but I was stumped for an 11 year old.  I didn't think that he would want a type of party I like to plan.  Since we don't have a finished basement I knew room would be limited so we rented a room at Noahs.  I think it was perfect for them.  It had a pool table and a movie screen that we hooked the Wii up to.  I also tried to make sure we had plenty of food and drink.  Which was all consumed!  I think after age 10 the "hang out" birthday party is what it is all about. 

getting them to look at the camera was worse then a bunch of 3 year olds!

Austin is such a great kid.  He is sensitive to others feelings.  He is grateful.  His prayers are so sweet.  I love to hear all of the things he is thankful for like his legs and clothes.  He is a loyal person.  When he is part of a team he just cares so much for the team.  Not necessarily in a competitive way (although he loves to win) but just in a caring way.  He has the hardest 5th grade teacher, but he is working his guts out.  He is so smart, but knows that he has to work even harder to keep up with this teacher.  He is so innocent and I love that.  I don't want him to have to see the real world yet, but of course you can't shelter them forever.  I love this kid and am so grateful he is my oldest.  I just hope I havent' screwed him up with all my parenting experimenting!
Happy Birthday Austin! 

 

New Year Shots

with some photo shopping (thanks Dave)

I so badly want to get the kids pictures done by a professional, but the girl I love to use is just not in my budget right at the moment.  So I took the initiative and at the spur of the moment took some in my front yard.  The kids walked in the door from school and I started putting vests on them and away we went!

Here some out takes.  It is so funny and hard to get everyone to look great--good thing for photoshop!

I love Kate's look--I see that every once and awhile



really Luke?



Luke again?



getting a little better!



Luke is 9

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of Christmas Luke had a birthday!  It's crazy and a lot of the time I feel bad, but we really try to separate his birthday from all of the Christmas celebration going on.  This year was a family party year.  So we had a simple birthday with family and cousins. We don't have all of our cousins here, but we are grateful for the ones we have near. And we are very lucky to have both sets of grandparents here! 

Luke is a joy to have around.  He is very loving and huggy with me.  Every morning when he gets out of the car to go to school he makes sure I hear when he says "goodbye" and "I love you".  It makes me smile every morning.    He is very helpful if I ask him to do something for me.  He loves rocks/crystals and loves collecting them.  He says he wants to be a geologist when he grows up.  I do know for sure he won't be a doctor or dentist because he can not handle blood at all.  He freaks out!  He also loves Legos.  He is so quick at building them.  Maybe he will be an engineer some day!  He is very very smart, so I know he will be great at whatever he decides to do some day!  We love you Luke and are so thankful you are in our family!