And we have lift off. Ryan would scootch himself around but today he flip flopped his cute little body. He went from his belly to his back. He's actually pretty close to going from his back to his belly too. Look out world!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
P.A.M Group Home Reunion
When I moved up to Washington to get residency for grad school, I got a job at an Adult Family home for Developmentally Disabled Adults. While I loved the clients, the staff was very unprofessional to put it nicely. Because it was a home, sometimes it felt like the staff was one great big dysfunctional family. Thankfully, I worked with some great ladies most of my time there. We had such a great crew and I learned so much from them. The other night we had a mini reunion to catch up with each other. Some of them I haven't seen since I started working for the state in May 2006. We had a yummy dinner and great conversation. Some people come into your life and will never be forgotten, despite the fact that you don't see them all the time.
Washington D.C Fifth and Final Post
Saturday, 9/19, we spent the morning at the Air and Space Museum Annex by Dulles Airport. We got to hang out with Tony's cousin, Andrew and his beautiful family. It was a lot of fun and of course there are a gabazillion pictures because it involved airplanes. We actually got some cute pics of the kids, too ; ) Thanks Tony for taking your eyes of the planes for a few minutes! We then did a quick trek to Great Falls National Park to see some beautiful waterfalls. I've been in love with waterfalls ever since going to Victoria Falls in Southern Africa. We even got to see some kayakers take the plunge.
Sunday, 9/20, we drove to Harrington, Delaware to go to church at the Harrington ward which is Tony's favorite area from his mission. I tried to prepare him for the fact that most people might not remember him because of how many missionaries go in and out of their life (picture the first half of the season finale of Scrubs--J.D's last day at Sacred Heart and Eliot trying to prepare him). Well, apparently I was mistaken, because Tony was L-O-V-E-D in this ward. It was so fun to meet so many people that he had loved on his mission. It really touched my heart when a guy said that Tony was the reason he had served a mission. After church, we drove to the beach to play in the Atlantic Ocean. We had to let Ryan experience the ocean for the first time. It was a gorgeous day. Then we visited Patsy so was a good friend of Tony's on the mission and then John and his new family (he and Tony are really close). I guess we got so excited to be with John and his family that we neglected to take pictures. Grrr...
Monday, 9/21 was a travel day so we relaxed and packed and enjoyed our last few hours with my parents. Here are a few cute pics. Ryan was sleeping so we didn't have any "posing pics" with him.
Sunday, 9/20, we drove to Harrington, Delaware to go to church at the Harrington ward which is Tony's favorite area from his mission. I tried to prepare him for the fact that most people might not remember him because of how many missionaries go in and out of their life (picture the first half of the season finale of Scrubs--J.D's last day at Sacred Heart and Eliot trying to prepare him). Well, apparently I was mistaken, because Tony was L-O-V-E-D in this ward. It was so fun to meet so many people that he had loved on his mission. It really touched my heart when a guy said that Tony was the reason he had served a mission. After church, we drove to the beach to play in the Atlantic Ocean. We had to let Ryan experience the ocean for the first time. It was a gorgeous day. Then we visited Patsy so was a good friend of Tony's on the mission and then John and his new family (he and Tony are really close). I guess we got so excited to be with John and his family that we neglected to take pictures. Grrr...
Monday, 9/21 was a travel day so we relaxed and packed and enjoyed our last few hours with my parents. Here are a few cute pics. Ryan was sleeping so we didn't have any "posing pics" with him.
Washington D.C. Fourth Post
On Tuesday, 9/15, we toured the National Archives and saw up close and personal all the work my parents and other missionaries are doing to help along family history research. Then we went to see the Declaration of Independence, etc. It was very cool but our visit was a bit difficult due to a very tired and cranky Max so we didn't get to see as much as we had hoped. We then went to the Pentagon where Uncle Randy gave us a tour. We couldn't take pictures inside the pentagon but we should have taken some outside. Oooops. It was a great experience. The memorial to those who lost their lives gave me chills. Randy did a great job explaining everything and Max had fallen asleep in the stroller on the metro so we could enjoy ourselves!!!!
On Wednesday, 9/16, we went to the Natural History Museum which was really cool. Max loved all of the animals and displays. It's funny though that he could have stayed all day in front of the aquarium that had Nemo fishes, etc. He was mesmerized. We had lunch and then headed to the Air and Space Museum. We had enough time to change diapers and then security guards started to announce that due to a power failure (all the lights were on) the museum would be closing and would be closed all day. So we toured Ford's Theater instead and it was really cool (again, Max slept in the stroller--wahoo!). I also went across the street to the house that Lincoln died at. History is so fascinating.
On Thursday, 9/17, we started the day by getting on the double decker tour buses that allow you to hop on and off at different scenic spots in the city. We were able to do this tour with my parents which was awesome. We took the bus around all of the spots and got a feel of the Mall and the city. Then we stopped at the Air and Space Museum and finally go to tour it. That night my parents got lots of grandparent time and Tony and I went to have dinner with Uncle Randy, Aunt Jenny and Ethan. Jenny is a great cook. Then they took us to the Russia House where we saw Ethan's Ukranian violin teacher (a violin master) play. It was amazing. I was absolutely entranced by his amazing talent. His fingers flew (there's really no other way to explain it). At one point he came over to our table and played to me (I think he had to have noticed that I was staring at his fingers the whole night). It was such a fantastic night! Again, I didn't take any pictures at their apartment but we did take one of the restaurant. This next slideshow has 251 pics (Tony at the Air and Space Museum. Need I say more?)
On Friday, 9/18, we walked the Mall and saw the monuments. We absolutely loved it. Washington D.C. is an amazing city.
On Wednesday, 9/16, we went to the Natural History Museum which was really cool. Max loved all of the animals and displays. It's funny though that he could have stayed all day in front of the aquarium that had Nemo fishes, etc. He was mesmerized. We had lunch and then headed to the Air and Space Museum. We had enough time to change diapers and then security guards started to announce that due to a power failure (all the lights were on) the museum would be closing and would be closed all day. So we toured Ford's Theater instead and it was really cool (again, Max slept in the stroller--wahoo!). I also went across the street to the house that Lincoln died at. History is so fascinating.
On Thursday, 9/17, we started the day by getting on the double decker tour buses that allow you to hop on and off at different scenic spots in the city. We were able to do this tour with my parents which was awesome. We took the bus around all of the spots and got a feel of the Mall and the city. Then we stopped at the Air and Space Museum and finally go to tour it. That night my parents got lots of grandparent time and Tony and I went to have dinner with Uncle Randy, Aunt Jenny and Ethan. Jenny is a great cook. Then they took us to the Russia House where we saw Ethan's Ukranian violin teacher (a violin master) play. It was amazing. I was absolutely entranced by his amazing talent. His fingers flew (there's really no other way to explain it). At one point he came over to our table and played to me (I think he had to have noticed that I was staring at his fingers the whole night). It was such a fantastic night! Again, I didn't take any pictures at their apartment but we did take one of the restaurant. This next slideshow has 251 pics (Tony at the Air and Space Museum. Need I say more?)
On Friday, 9/18, we walked the Mall and saw the monuments. We absolutely loved it. Washington D.C. is an amazing city.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Washington D.C. Third Post
I think you need a vacation day just to blog about vacations!
Sunday, 9/13 was just relaxing family time. We attended my parent's ward where I bumped into a girl from my BYU ward sophomore year. In fact, she is the one who lent my parents a pack 'n' play so we wouldn't have to take one on the plane in addition to car seats, etc. It's a small world after all. In the evening we went to the D.C. temple visitor center and walked around. I think it's important for little ones to have these experiences but it definitely changes the experience for the adult. Max loved the statue of Christ but after we took some pictures by it, he discovered it would be a great platform for jumping. Okay, quick, onto the next thing. Phew. :) Wiggly Max even took pictures with Grandma and Grandpa.
Monday was so much fun and the highlight was seeing a former roommate of mine (I like how she said "former, not old" on her blog!) Kathleen is one of the sweetest people ever and I wish that we lived closer. She has 3 beautiful girls but 2 were at school so they made video messages to say hi to us. Kathleen, her youngest joined our family and Alan at Mt. Vernon. It was really beautiful, however you can't take pictures inside so Tony took a lot of pictures of the out buildings. I was impressed that the key to the Bastille hung in Washington's home. I took this little excerpt from a website: "Give me leave, my dear General to present you with a picture of the Bastille, just as it looked a few days after I had ordered its demolition,- with the main key of the fortress of despotism. It is a tribute, which I owe, as a son to my adoptive father, as an Aide - de - Camp to my General, as a Missionary of liberty to its Patriarch." –Marquis de Lafayette. The key is to the west portal of the Bastille, long used as a political prison, in France. When the Paris prison was stormed, it marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The Marquis de Lafayette, who had served under Washington in the Revolutionary War, sent the key to Washington in 1790.
After Mt. Vernon we took a long drive to help the littles nap. We stopped by Old Town Alexandria and took pictures on the shore of the Potomac and of an old cobblestone street. We then drove to Arlington National Cemetery where Alan was nice enough to watch the kiddos (still sleeping) while Tony and I went to see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. It was really amazing. I'll get the video in here later. We also saw Robert Kennedy and President Kennedy's graves. That night we went out to dinner with Tony's Uncle Randy, Aunt Jenny and cousin Ethan who are fabulous. They also took us to see the Iwo Jima War Memorial which is huge and impressive and we got to see their fun apartment in Crystal City. Crystal City and Pentagon City are two areas just packed with apartment buildings. Mostly Pentagon employees like Randy live there. They had a great view. We had so much fun that we made plans to hang out Thursday night as well.
Sunday, 9/13 was just relaxing family time. We attended my parent's ward where I bumped into a girl from my BYU ward sophomore year. In fact, she is the one who lent my parents a pack 'n' play so we wouldn't have to take one on the plane in addition to car seats, etc. It's a small world after all. In the evening we went to the D.C. temple visitor center and walked around. I think it's important for little ones to have these experiences but it definitely changes the experience for the adult. Max loved the statue of Christ but after we took some pictures by it, he discovered it would be a great platform for jumping. Okay, quick, onto the next thing. Phew. :) Wiggly Max even took pictures with Grandma and Grandpa.
Monday was so much fun and the highlight was seeing a former roommate of mine (I like how she said "former, not old" on her blog!) Kathleen is one of the sweetest people ever and I wish that we lived closer. She has 3 beautiful girls but 2 were at school so they made video messages to say hi to us. Kathleen, her youngest joined our family and Alan at Mt. Vernon. It was really beautiful, however you can't take pictures inside so Tony took a lot of pictures of the out buildings. I was impressed that the key to the Bastille hung in Washington's home. I took this little excerpt from a website: "Give me leave, my dear General to present you with a picture of the Bastille, just as it looked a few days after I had ordered its demolition,- with the main key of the fortress of despotism. It is a tribute, which I owe, as a son to my adoptive father, as an Aide - de - Camp to my General, as a Missionary of liberty to its Patriarch." –Marquis de Lafayette. The key is to the west portal of the Bastille, long used as a political prison, in France. When the Paris prison was stormed, it marked the beginning of the French Revolution. The Marquis de Lafayette, who had served under Washington in the Revolutionary War, sent the key to Washington in 1790.
After Mt. Vernon we took a long drive to help the littles nap. We stopped by Old Town Alexandria and took pictures on the shore of the Potomac and of an old cobblestone street. We then drove to Arlington National Cemetery where Alan was nice enough to watch the kiddos (still sleeping) while Tony and I went to see the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers. It was really amazing. I'll get the video in here later. We also saw Robert Kennedy and President Kennedy's graves. That night we went out to dinner with Tony's Uncle Randy, Aunt Jenny and cousin Ethan who are fabulous. They also took us to see the Iwo Jima War Memorial which is huge and impressive and we got to see their fun apartment in Crystal City. Crystal City and Pentagon City are two areas just packed with apartment buildings. Mostly Pentagon employees like Randy live there. They had a great view. We had so much fun that we made plans to hang out Thursday night as well.
Washington D.C Second Post
Saturday, 9/12 was a fun day and full of new experiences. Max had his very first ride on a choo choo when we took the metro to Union Station. Ryan opted to stay home and get lots of attention from Grandma. We walked to the Capitol where there people demonstrating their right to free speech and their feelings on some current government issues http://teapartyexpress.org/. There were people gathering at the White House and then marching to the capitol. We did our own version of just meeting at the capitol which many others did as well. When the marchers joined us, it was a sea of people. We listened for a bit, had lunch and then took a tired boy back home. The other new and much more incredible experience came from going to the Washington D.C. temple. This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip for me. http://www.lds.org/temples/purpose/0,11298,1897-1,00.html The Washington D.C temple is beautiful and serene. We also got to see my brother Alan who came up from Norfolk, VA. Max was having way too much fun getting riled up by Uncle Alan.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Washington D.C First Post
My parents are serving their second church mission doing family history preservation work in Washington D.C. (in the National Archives). I thought what they were doing was cool before but now I realize more just how cool it really is. They photograph old records that the National Archives has stored so that the information can be made available on the internet for people who are researching their family history. For example, they have photographed Civil War widow's claims to the government where their husband has died and they are requesting some financial assistance. So there are records with complete names, birth dates, death dates, etc. to help with family history research. They have also worked on homestead claims where a family writes to the government and has to sign a pledge that they are loyal to the union. They also have to prove that the Union Army used their belongings (horses, wood, etc.) so they can get reimbursement. So again, more names, dates, etc. Pretty amazing. Mom and dad live so close to the Washington D.C. temple in a 2 bedroom apartment so we could stay with them. They were also very generous and helped to make this a memorable trip. The whole reason we got to go in the first place was because we weren't able to spend last Christmas with them after the tickets had been purchased, so we were able to turn that missed visit to California into an awesome visit to D.C.!!!! Ryan loved meeting Grandma and Grandpa and Max adored every minute with them as well!
We traveled on the 9th (all day) and rested on the 10th. We hung out, took Max to the park and then did a night drive. Then on the 11th, we had planned to spend the day at the National Zoo with a former college friend of mine who lives in Pennsylvania with her family. Sarah and I haven't seen each other since 2001 and we haven't met each others kids (she has 3). Unfortunately she and her littlest came down with a bad flu and we missed our chance. Next time!!! We did love the zoo though. We also had our GPS lead us to the nearest Rita's store for a Water Ice. http://www.ritasice.com/ They are a must when visiting the east coast.
I'm including a slideshow with captions to show how much fun we had on the 11th. We also remembered the incredible tragedy that happened on that day 8 years ago and thought about all the victims and their families.
We traveled on the 9th (all day) and rested on the 10th. We hung out, took Max to the park and then did a night drive. Then on the 11th, we had planned to spend the day at the National Zoo with a former college friend of mine who lives in Pennsylvania with her family. Sarah and I haven't seen each other since 2001 and we haven't met each others kids (she has 3). Unfortunately she and her littlest came down with a bad flu and we missed our chance. Next time!!! We did love the zoo though. We also had our GPS lead us to the nearest Rita's store for a Water Ice. http://www.ritasice.com/ They are a must when visiting the east coast.
I'm including a slideshow with captions to show how much fun we had on the 11th. We also remembered the incredible tragedy that happened on that day 8 years ago and thought about all the victims and their families.
Friday, September 4, 2009
Visiting Great Grandma and Grandpa's House
Tony is still there, but the boys and I only stayed one night so I could see the doctor today. We love spending time with them.
Tony and Grandpa going over journal/pictures from his time during WWII
Tony's in heaven
Max,Spike and Grandma
Picking blackberries (I have so many memories of doing this at my grandparent's house)
My no-nap-today boy at 5:00pm
Cute Ryan
Riding the bike Great Grandpa Bob had as a little boy
Here's a better picture
Tony and Grandpa going over journal/pictures from his time during WWII
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| From September 2009 |
Tony's in heaven
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| From September 2009 |
Max,Spike and Grandma
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| From September 2009 |
Picking blackberries (I have so many memories of doing this at my grandparent's house)
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| From September 2009 |
My no-nap-today boy at 5:00pm
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| From September 2009 |
Cute Ryan
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| From September 2009 |
Riding the bike Great Grandpa Bob had as a little boy
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| From September 2009 |
Here's a better picture
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| From September 2009 |
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| From September 2009 |
Max's New Tricks
He loves to hang
And, where he came up with the idea for this, I have no idea, but he LOVES doing it
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| From August.2009 |
And, where he came up with the idea for this, I have no idea, but he LOVES doing it
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| From August.2009 |
To Make My Moms Proud
Yum yum and Yum. I'm sad the snap peas did not survive the sun, but check out the strawberries, tomatoes, beans and squash plants. Not too shabby.
My garden was a mother's day present from my 2nd mom because I was a little tied up at planting time with Ryan and the move. THANKS AGAIN!
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| From August.2009 |
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| From August.2009 |
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| From August.2009 |
My garden was a mother's day present from my 2nd mom because I was a little tied up at planting time with Ryan and the move. THANKS AGAIN!
Good Friends, Good Times
My dear friend Kim and her husband Matt came to bring their cute boy Cade to Washington, the place where Kim and I were roommates for 2 1/2 of the 6 1/2 years we were roommates (BYU and then grad school). I keep thinking it was 7 1/2. Rachel, another roommate/friend came along for most of our adventures. It was a great weekend. I definitely wish we lived closer.
Max and Cade
Rachel's campsite at Dosewalips (along the Hood Canal). Max LOVED Rachel
Looking at sea life
Matt, Cade, Kim and US
So pretty
Ryan loved it the best
The roomies...and there are perfectly good explanations for mine and Rachel's hair--don't you worry
Port Townsend
Riding the ferry to Seattle (Ryan is super excited)
The Woodland Zoo is awesome!
Max, what does a lizard (Komodo dragon) say?
So many stripes
We love Cade
The guys kayaking
The videos are of Max car dancing and Tony and Max being reckless at the zoo. Max loved looking for bridges during all of the car rides. He love "bridge over wawa" and "bridge over road". His favorites were definitely the Narrows Bridge and the Hood Canal Bridge.
Max and Cade
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| From August.2009 |
Rachel's campsite at Dosewalips (along the Hood Canal). Max LOVED Rachel
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| From August.2009 |
Looking at sea life
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| From August.2009 |
Matt, Cade, Kim and US
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| From August.2009 |
So pretty
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| From August.2009 |
Ryan loved it the best
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| From August.2009 |
The roomies...and there are perfectly good explanations for mine and Rachel's hair--don't you worry
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| From August.2009 |
Port Townsend
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| From August.2009 |
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| From August.2009 |
Riding the ferry to Seattle (Ryan is super excited)
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| From August.2009 |
The Woodland Zoo is awesome!
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| From August.2009 |
Max, what does a lizard (Komodo dragon) say?
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| From August.2009 |
So many stripes
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| From August.2009 |
We love Cade
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| From August.2009 |
The guys kayaking
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| From August.2009 |
The videos are of Max car dancing and Tony and Max being reckless at the zoo. Max loved looking for bridges during all of the car rides. He love "bridge over wawa" and "bridge over road". His favorites were definitely the Narrows Bridge and the Hood Canal Bridge.
Secret Agent Man
Our friend Andy is going for a six month training to be a federal agent for the IRS. Being that he is a very cool guy, we went to a going away party in his honor where we had to go through our own secret agent training grace a la Schow family. Here are some fun pics.
Jennica in action
Tony the stud
Other recruits
Will the real federal agent please stand up?
He shoots, he scores
Will you still love me after I post this Jennica?
Awesome
It takes a real women to do this sweet action
It got down to the wire
Good Luck Andy, hope you feel better prepared now! ; )
Jennica in action
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| From August.2009 |
Tony the stud
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| From August.2009 |
Other recruits
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| From August.2009 |
Will the real federal agent please stand up?
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| From August.2009 |
He shoots, he scores
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| From August.2009 |
Will you still love me after I post this Jennica?
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| From August.2009 |
Awesome
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| From August.2009 |
It takes a real women to do this sweet action
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| From August.2009 |
It got down to the wire
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| From August.2009 |
Good Luck Andy, hope you feel better prepared now! ; )
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