Washington DC

Here are a few pictures from our trip to Washington DC. It is such a neat place full of history, we could have spent at least another week touring the museums and monuments. Definitely a place we would like to visit again. One favorite from the trip was being able to spend so much one on one time with Ridge. He is such a good sweet boy!

The Potomac River

Of all the things we saw in the museums, this was the most shocking...the minivan I grew up in! I can't believe its already in a museum didn't you just barely stop driving that dad?!

Washington Monument

World War II Monument

Each star represents 100 men who lost their life in WWII

Lincoln Monument

The White House

The only two people still allowed to protest outside the White house without a permit because they have been there since 1981. Seriously they can't leave, one of them always has to be there because if they leave security will take down their signs. They have been there 24/7 for my entire life, seems a little extreme to me.

Arlington National Cemetery, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and changing of the guard. I really appreciated this part of the trip. It is humbling see the rows and rows of markers and think that each one represents a real person who gave up their hopes, dreams, family and eventually their life in the service of our country. Freedom is not cheap.

The Aerospace Museum
All of the museums we went to were great. We tried to hit a couple each day but ended up spending an entire day in the Holocaust Museum reading everything. It was a sad period/event in history but one with so many lessons both good and bad to learn from. There was a propaganda exhibit there that was fascinating. It showed how Hitler was able to take advantage economic conditions and situations to gain a place of power. Very intense museum not for the faint of heart but also very eye-opening.

We were all excited to get back to Brynlee and Nash!

Where I Come From

Cove Utah. I really love the place where I grew up! It was the perfect place for me to be a kid. I was so blessed to live in a beautiful place with a wonderful family and a great community. Brady always teases me about being from a place that doesn't even have its own zip code but that's part of what made Cove such a great place to live. Seriously how many people can say they had the same bus driver from kindergarten through 12th grade?! Well I did and my dad had him too! Cove will always be near and dear to my heart. I love the place, the people, the memories and time I had there. Since my parents are temporarily leaving Cove for another beautiful place, Hawaii, (which also happens to be near and dear to my heart!) I probably won't be visiting Cove as often so I took some pictures I can look at when I miss it.

These first two pictures are look at Cove from a distance. The smallest mountain is Cove mountain.

Driving up the High Creek Canyon road. Pretty sure I could drive up that road with my eyes closed! In fact I think I might have once or twice!

Home Sweet Home!

The house I grew up in. A house I love because of all the good times and things I learned there.

My dad's barn in back of the house.

Side of the house

Looking off the front porch

Stairs going down to the swings

The beautiful house my parents built, but what is even more beautiful is what you can't see, it's the home they created inside the house.

Looking across the street at the hills where my dad could always find the elk if they were there.

Looking down the street at the neighbors who also happened to be my Grandparents when I lived there.

I had to take a picture of the sprinkler pipe because there is something I just love about seeing pipe out watering a field. It always gives me a peaceful feeling no matter where I am when I see it. I love knowing that when you see pipe going there is a farmer diligently and consistently working to take care of his crops.

And of course I had to take a picture of the red brick church that always has and always will stand in the center of Cove. I love it too!
I always have and always will love Cove.

Nash's 3rd Birthday

Little Nashie Boy turned 3 on July 6th!

We had an awesome day celebrating...

we started the day with Adam, Amber, Ashlyn and our family at Hogle Zoo (or as Brynlee calls it, Hobo Zoo).

Nash was fascinated by the monkeys and they must have been fascinated by him too because they kept coming right up to him, so they were face to face through the glass. Brynlee was sad they weren't coming up to her so I told her they were just wishing Nash a Happy Birthday and she was fine with that.

We got to the zoo right after it opened which turned out to be perfect because it wasn't too hot or crowded and the animals must have just finishing their breakfast because they were being really active which made it much more interesting.

Elephants are amazing! We watched this one get a drink with his long trunk and then put it in his mouth, Brynlee was hoping it would spray the water out but it must have been too thirsty.

Nash loved being so close to this teenage gorilla and watching him eat and roll around on his back....

Brynlee on the other hand thought it was too scary and requested to be put in the stroller.

This orangutan was having so much fun on his playground.

The big 3 year old spreading his arms out.

The camels didn't try to impress us but we were impressed anyway just because they're camels!

Brynlee thought we should pick the Hawaii animals on the carosel.

We knew graffees had long necks, but we had no idea how long their tongues were until saw this one stick his out!

Penguins in the dirt?

I was surprised the fountain didn't scary Brynlee, because sitting on the fake elephant below did and so did the bats in house of nightmares!

And of course a trip to Hogle Zoo just wouldn't be complete without a ride on the train. Nash was pumped about the train and gives a great choo choo!

After the zoo we meet up with some of the extended family at Adam's parents for a BBQ and swim party. Nash thought he was so big in the little play house. He would go in and shut the door, then when you would knock on it he would open the door laughing so hard. He thought it was histarical and wanted to do it over and over, it was darling!

Aunt Amber made him an adorable cupcake cake. Thanks Amber it was delicious!

The fire on his candles made him a little nervous which was a good thing because we've been teaching him to stay away from the fire when we are camping.

He didn't want to blow out the candles and ran to Grandpa Doug,

but with some help, he got the candles out! He looks surprised but really he is signing hot.

We love our Nashie Boy so much and can't believe he is already 3! He is an absolute joy. He is such a busy body and really gets around now, it's hard to believe he's only been walking for 3 months! Some of his favorite things are:

Watching Singing Time

being outside

saying hi to everyone

making new friends wherever we go

eating, especially icecream bananas and chips

music and dancing

copying Brynlee

wrestling Ridge and kids that are smaller than him

playing ball with Cassie and anyone else that will play

Eyeing the basket...

Making the basket...

And celebrating the basket!

Thanks Adam and Amber for all your work organizing the party and for letting us stay with you! We had such a great time!

Even the big boys had a little ball game.

This was the only gift Nash opened before he crashed, but he has been enjoying all his fun gifts! Thanks everyone!

And thank you to everyone who was able to come celebrate with us! It really was an awesome day...Brady and I couldn't stop smiling and talking about it as we were trying to go to bed that night. It really was as perfect a day as they come!