Spring Break: Washington D.C. - Day 2

Day 2 began at the National Archives. However, by the time we got there the line stretched around the corner and down the side of the building. Bummer. So while John waited in line, the kids and I headed across the street to the Natural History Museum.

I am still amazed that all of the Smithsonian Museums were free. Amazing.

The Natural History Museum was a lot like the one we have been to many times in NYC, but who can pass up seeing some amazing fossils of dinosaurs?? And Abigail wanted to make sure we saw some gems. Our pictures didn't come out well - the lighting was too dim. I still haven't figured out how to take pictures in low light. Some day.

"Hope Diamond"

The diamond is actually a really deep blue color. Beautiful. Crazy to think that the original diamond was more than twice that size.

Once John made it within 15 minutes of getting into the building he called us and we headed over to finish the wait with him. Good thing I remembered to bring Spot It.

No photography is allowed in the archives, because of the nature of the displays.

It was hard to explain to the children the significance of what they were seeing.

The Magna Carta

The Declaration of Independence

The Constitution

The Bill of Rights

What a neat experience. There is such a reverence and awe as you view these documents and ponder their significance in our history.

I am truly grateful.

Connor didn't quite make it.

Next stop - The Museum of American History

A couple of our favorites:

Early Locomotive

Abraham Lincoln's Top Hat

The actual hat that he wore to Ford's theater the night of his assassination.

Pretty neat.

We decided we had had enough museums for the day. So, we headed outside to enjoy the beautiful weather. Of course, we had to fly our kite once more at the Washington Monument. After a bit of relaxation, we began a pleasant walk along the Tidal Basin to see some of the memorials up close and personal. So far we had only seem then in the distance.

Walking around Tidal Basin on our way to the Jefferson Memorial

Cherry Blossoms

Originally we thought we were going to be able to see the cherry trees in full bloom, but not this year. With the warmer winter they bloomed about 2 weeks early this year. These were the only cherry blossoms left for us :). Some day we will time it just right.

John was a trooper - carrying Owen in his stroller up all the stairs at the memorials.

What a Dad.

Jefferson Memorial

"Author of the Declaration of American Independence, of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom, and Father of the University of Virginia ... By these, as testimonials that I have lived, I wish most to be remembered." - Thomas Jefferson

Interesting that President of the United States was not one of the things that he listed.

We then walked around the other side of the Tidal Basin toward the Abraham Lincoln Memorial and passing through the Martin Luther King Memorial.

"Out of the mountain of despair, A stone of hope"

I loved the quote on the side of this huge stone with MLK carved into it. It was perfect.

Abraham Lincoln Memorial

Saved the Union. Ended Slavery. What a man.

Two out of the four. Owen was sleeping and Abby was off reading the walls.

Last stop: The Vietnam Memorial

I found it interesting to learn that the park saves all of the notes, cards, and things left in honor of those that fought in this war. How special.

It was especially neat to watch different people doing rubbings of family names. Sharing touching stories about the names on the wall. Really putting a person with the name.

Once again we walked home after a long, fun-filled day.

We all slept like babies.

Lights were out at 9pm ... for everyone.

Spring Break: Washington D.C. - Day 1

What a fabulous trip! Maybe I loved Washington D.C. so much because it was such a much needed break from New York City for me, but I loved this city. It was beautiful... and clean! It was amazing and inspiring to be surrounded by such history.

We caught the train from Penn Station early Thursday morning. We quickly figured out the new metro rail system in D.C. and within no time had our bags dropped off at our hotel and were off for a great day of exploring and sight-seeing.

First shot just off the subway. Everyone was so excited to see the "big long nose." When John lived in Virginia as a boy he always referred to the Washington Monument as the "big long nose" and now our children do too. They think it is hilarious. I think Connor must have said "Look! It's the 'big long nose'!" at least 50 times.

First on the list of things to do...

National Air and Space Museum

It was amazing! So many amazing aircrafts and spaceships. The boys were in heaven. Favorites included the first plane to travel faster than the speed of sound, The Spirit of St. Louis, the IMAX theater, but I think our very favorite was the seeing the very first plane ever to fly built by the Wright brothers.

Can you believe that is the actual plane that the Wright brothers built and flew?? Not a model!! The actual one! AMAZING!!!

Another highlight ... for the kids especially... the paper airplane contest.

Abigail wasn't too excited to take another picture... so here are two of our flyers.

(notice Connor's stance... Yes... he always needed to go!)

Even this guy was a great traveler! Yeah for Owen!!

After seeing a ton of planes, we headed to the gift shop to buy a kite. We found a great kite shaped just like a stealth bomber and made our way back to the Washington Monument for some family fun.

One of John's favorite memories in D.C. - getting a kite from the gift shop at the Air and Space Museum and flying it on the hill at the base of the Washington Monument. He remembers the kite getting so high - it seemed to touch the top of the monument.

Dallin was more than eager to follow in the footsteps of his father. He just couldn't wait to get the kite and fly it soooooo high! Of course we did buy the extra long spool of string just to see if we really could get our kite as high as the monument. Well... our string was only 500 ft long and the monument is 555 ft tall, but with our string all the way out it sure did look like it was touching the top of the monument. :)

The weather was beautiful and the wind was perfect for flying a kite.

This was one of the highlights of our trip.

After relaxing at the monument, we headed back to the hotel by way of the White House.

"White House" - backside

Front side

Such a beautiful building...

Such a beautiful city...

Such a beautiful walk back to the hotel...

What a wonderful day.

Happy Easter!

Our Daddy was away the week before Easter, so we tried to fill our time with fun Easter things to do... of course, that included sugar cookies.  The kids had a great time frosting and sprinkling.  I think their favorite was using the icing bag themselves.  Mental note for next year... have an icing bag for each kid.  After making, baking, and frosting the kids delivered their goodies to some of our neighbors in the building.  They love delivering things. 

Sugar Cookie Fun

Saturday the kids patiently waited for their Dad to return so that they could dye their Easter eggs.  John was a good sport.  Literally within minutes of being home he was rolling up his sleeves and helping contain the mess of Easter Egg dying :).  

Abigail trying to show the boys that patience is the key.

Dallin in awe of his blue "Robin" egg

Connor was so eager.
Lucky for me Dad was able to give him the one on one attention he needed to save his cups from spilling over.

Some of the results waiting for the Easter Bunny to come and add the magic touch.  

Easter Morning the kids were up early and ready to go.  It took them all a little while to find their eggs.  I think the Easter Bunny thinks they are better finders than they really are.  Maybe we might have to do some practicing before next year.  I think it took about 30 minutes before everyone had found their basket and the egg collecting could begin.  :) 

Look!  We found eggs!!

Owen waited patiently in bed with Dad while the kids cleaned up the eggs off the floor.
A crawling baby and plastic eggs all over the floor = disaster for the older kids :) 

 After we collected our candy and eggs, opened our baskets, and enjoyed hard boiled eggs for breakfast, we headed to Stake Conference for Church.  It was a nice meeting and thankfully the kids were well behaved and we made it through :)  After Church, we walked home by way of Central Park. I had to get an Easter picture with trees... not just buildings :).  The kids were good sports.  The walk was beautiful.  It was a perfect Easter day... warm and sunny.  Here are our best attempts at a kid picture.  Not bad.  Connor and Owen are still learning the art of posing for the camera :).  

 What a beautiful holiday when we can celebrate the birth, life and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am truly grateful for the knowledge we have that there is life after death and that we can be re-united with those that have passed on.  

Happy Easter!

Botanical Gardens: Orchid Show

Another Saturday Adventure at the Botanical Gardens.  This time we decided to take the amtrak train from Grand Central instead of the subway.  Let's just say... SO MUCH BETTER.  We were so happy to be able to get on, have a seat, and get off right in front of the Gardens.  

We were so excited to find so many trees in bloom.  I love spring blossoms. 

In front of the Conservatory where the Orchid Show began.  Isn't it beautiful?  

At first the Orchids started off slow.  A few bunches here and there.

Abigail loved the "Dancing Ladies" Orchids. 

After a couple of rooms, the bunches began to grow and grow.  It was amazing.  Orchids are beautiful.  So intricate.  So vibrant.  So unique.  

The boys taking a little break.  I love these boys.  So full of life and energy.  

Poor Owen.  He had been sick all week.  We thought he was doing better when we left in the morning, but we were mistaken.  Poor little guy started running a fever again half way through our outing.  He was so sad.  Poor baby.  

Family Shot

Isn't that wall behind us amazing!  SO full of orchids.  

After the show (and the boys were just done looking at flowers... girl stuff), we headed back outside to enjoy the beauty of the park.  We climbed some trees, ate some snacks, and took the tram ride around the park to see the different parts we still need to enjoy.  The flowering trees were amazing!  The gardens are huge and there are so many amazing, beautiful things to see.  We can't wait to go again.  But with a sick baby, our time was up for the day.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

What a day! It was a fun, love filled day. Not a down moment to spare :).

We started off the morning with "egg in a heart" for breakfast. We had just had pancakes for dinner last Sunday with the missionaries, so we decided to change things up a bit. The kids loved waking up to their surprises and valentines. I love watching their faces. First groggy and tired... then they realize... "Wait, it's Valentine's Day!" Those tired faces are quickly replaced with mounds and mounds of excitement and smiles beaming from ear to ear.

Abigail wasn't too thrilled that she had to go to school. She didn't know if they would be celebrating Valentine's Day or not (poor thing). But she still took her valentines in hand wearing her love shirt :).

I think this was one of my favorite things I did for the kids this year. Who knew Christmas wrapping paper and coloring books could make such fun valentines.

I wasn't very good about taking pictures throughout the day. I really wish we would have gotten a couple more... oh well, maybe next year.

After breakfast, Abby headed to school and Dad headed to work. The boys and I assembled legos and played for a bit, mixed together some sugar cookie dough, and we quickly got ready for the day and headed to one of our favorite bakeries - Two Little Red Hens. We were so happy to find a small line there (I was expecting a much bigger crowd - like I saw on Christmas Eve). After grabbing some cupcakes we headed for Midtown to surprise our Dad.

We definitely took the wrong bus - the local is MUCH slower than the express. Lesson learned. But we still made it just in time to have lunch with Dad. I felt really lucky. John doesn't always get lunch and to arrive at the exact time that they were just breaking for lunch... miracle :). So we enjoyed a yummy pizza/salad lunch at Patsy's. Yum. But the best was surprising our Dad and getting to spend time with him.

John headed back to work with cupcakes to share in hand and the boys and I jumped on the subway (hoping that would be faster than the bus). When we walked in the door we had 35 minutes to bake a couple trays of cookies and make frosting before heading over to a friend's house for a little Valentine's Party. We made it - only 5 minutes late. The boys had a blast decorating cookies and eating frosting until their tummies hurt :). They weren't too happy when I told them we had to go. We were only there for about 45 mins, but we had to hurry to get Abigail from school.

By this point in the day I began to question why I bought them candy and debated how much I should really let them eat in one day. Soon I gave up the fight and agreed to just about as many sweets as they wanted for the day. It's a holiday ... they're allowed... right??

With homework, picking-up and reading done, we enjoyed some heart-shaped meatballs with spaghetti. But I think dessert was the most fun. Fondue. We love fondue.

Don't you just love all those chocolate faces? I do.

This little boy was covered with chocolate. He thought he was so funny.

And even Owen enjoyed his 1st fondue experience. Chocolate covered bananas. Yum.

But I think one of the best parts of the day for me, besides the smiles on my kids faces, was this sweet card from John. I love his cards. They are the kind you save forever. The kind you pull out of your sock drawer on "bad days" and read again.. and again.. and again. I truly love this man. And can you believe it? John bought roses this year!!! I was SO surprised :).

I hope you all had a great day filled with love from special people in your life.

A special thanks to all those that sent their love our way.

Thanks for thinking of us.

We truly love all of you.