D.C. trip

Last weekend we took a little trip up to D.C. We have been dying to go since we got to VA and our fun friends from our Chandler street were going to be there visiting family. It was sooo great to see them!! I got to see Maddy about a month ago but this time she brought the whole clan! It made me realize how much I really miss my old neighbors! We were a pretty close group of friends.
Noah took the day off Fri. so we headed up in the morning. We stopped at the Williamsburg outlets to take part in Gap friends and family and then the drive takes 4+ hours so we didn't get there until about 2. The reunion was great! The kids just kind of laughed when they saw each other. Maddy's Dad took Brody and Nate to a gun show and the rest of us headed to Frying pan park. It was the coolest park. It was more like a petting farm park.

Ronan loved catcin a ride on Lukes stroller

And he has been obsessed with babies lately so he was loving on Luke.

Later that night we ate at 5 guys. It was super delish and can't wait to go again. Maddy's Dad treated us all...they were the best hostesses! Then that night we had the 3 older Roger kids over to sleep at our hotel. It was a little crazy but the kids loved it!! Until we got a knock at the door with the man under us telling us to be quiet...haha it was funny!

The next day was all business. We had a mission to see as much as we could with 6 kids.

We started at Arlington cemetery. This was my favorite place we saw. There are signs all over telling you to be quiet to honor those who lost their lives. It was really peaceful and beautiful.

The Eternal Flame (where the Kennedy's are buried)

The Tomb of the unknown Soldier. This was so fun to see! We walked up just in time to see the changing of the guards...which is amazing.

A view of some of the tombs. These white tombs go on for as long as you can see!

Next we made the long trek to the Lincoln Memorial. It was probably about 2 miles! The kids did so great.

Washington Monument in the background

Korean War Memorial. This was cool to see since my Grandpa Doane fought in this war.

WWll Memorial...go AZ!!

Later that evening, the Rogers offered to watch our kids while we went to the Temple. I had never seen it and boy was it the most beautiful building you have ever seen!! Especially at night. You drive through this awesome park with cool huge houses all over and then up on a hill is the Temple. Seriously so excited I finally got to go!!
Sorry for the bad picture. We only had Noah's iphone...with no flash.

It was the perfect trip. Perfect weather, very little traffic (which is amazing for dc), and perfect company. Thx Roger and Joachim families for making our first D.C. trip so special!!

This A-mazing lady...

Graced us with her presence this past weekend. I will never forget it.

So, if you didn't know..Gladys Knight is a Mormon...yup...Mormon! For the past several years, Gladys Knight has been touring all over the States to deliver her testimony of the Gospel through her music. Let me tell you...it's the most amazing thing you have ever heard! She travels with her choir, the Saints Unified Voices (SUV), and they set up right in the stake center. Our Virgina Beach stake was privileged to have the fireside here, they usually do 2 shows...we got 5!! She is the cutest thing you have ever seen and so down to earth. I love how excited she was to share her testimony and love of Jesus Christ. She truly inspired me to be a better person, and more faithful servant. Not to mention the music...they brought down the house! I seriously didn't want it to end!!
At the end of the show, investigators were able to fill out a request card for a package she will have the missionaries bring to you. I think I heard that after the 5th show our stake had close to 500 referrals...just from the show! Our stake is truly being blessed and our little missionaries are going to have their work cut out for them. Anyway, I know most of my readers are probably LDS, but for those who are not and would like to request a copy of the Book of Mormon or even ask questions about our beliefs go here.
I am thankful every day that I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. It has blessed my life beyond measure.

2 unexpected visitors...

So, Thursday around 5:00pm we get a knock at the door, open it up and see a balloon attached to a box of popcorn. We popped the balloon and it said we were being sent on a scavenger hunt and to go outside and start looking for the next clue. We all went outside and found 5 more balloons with different clues...and the last one said that the last clue is waiting in our apt. So we went back inside, found a red balloon attached to a Mounds bar. Inside it said who do you know that loves Mounds bars? My Mom is about the only person I know who loves them but I thought No way could they possibly be here! Then the note said to go look in the pantry for a surprize......

We found these two!...with tears already filling up. I could not believe it! They completely surprised us!! I kept asking How did you...when did you...what??? Then they told me that Noah was in on it and had known for the past two weeks! I was dying that they got me that good.

We had so much fun. We made cookies, went to the beach (since the weather has been A-mazing), went to dinner, went to church, played games, watched A.I. Friday night Noah and I had a party to go to so my Mom and Dad took the kids shopping and let them pick out a toy then they had a pizza party and watched movies all night. Every night Brody and Sadie slept on the floor next to my Mom...they said they wanted to have a slumber party ever night...and they did! My Mom learned real quick that Sadie is a night owl and will talk your ear off all night!

I had to show off my new necklace that My Mom got me for my birthday. It's from Vestige Jewelry. If you live in AZ and still have not gone...seriously do yourself a favor! Or if you are out of town go here to check her out on Etsy.

It was a little sad when we had to say goodbye but at least summer is coming real soon and will get to visit everyone!
We even made a chain to start the countdown. We are not sure on the exact day we will get to AZ but we put 112 days on the chain. Yikes! That sounds like a lot!

Thanks so much M0m and Dad for a great weekend! We loved every second of it!

Oscars...

Could not get enough of...

Loved the dress...hated her hair

Cutest couple

Seriously love these two!

Favorite dress of the night

What were they thinking??:

Enough said...

Liked her dress but her face was creeping me out!


Worst red carpet interviewer EVER!

She is one of my all time fav's...but her dress has to go
There you have it! My picks for the Oscars. I thought it was overall great! Who did you like and hate?

March!!

I am so happy to be in March! I feel like February dragged on forever...maybe because it's so gloomy and cold here in February. March already seems to be looking brighter and warmer! Can you believe we have already been here for 7 months?! That's crazy to me! Noah finishes classes end of next month then will take a couple summer classes and we will be on our way to AZ!! For a few weeks at least. I have been getting so anxious about going home but I need to remember it's still 4 months away.

Here are some random pics in no rhyme or reason in honor of March!...


Before Noah and I went to bed one night we checked on the kids and found Ronan like this...dead asleep!

Brody's Valentine box for school.


I guess he can sleep anywhere....

Valentine pops!

I want to win this!!!

Go here to read the details...

Need some suggestions...

It has already started...

Mid terms and preparations for finals. That means late lonely nights for me.

Need some good book suggestions.

I just finished Hunger Games and Catching fire which were good but the third doesn't come out for several months.

Have any that you are raving about? I would love to hear about it! Thx in advance!