Our *4th of July* Vacation

Here are a ton of pictures from our mini vacation to Washington D.C. for the 4th of July. We had such a good time. We did a lot of things and were so tired every night but it was worth it and so nice to see the fam. We stayed in a 1 bedroom condo in Arlington, VA right next to Iwo Jima and Arlington Cemetery. Emilie loved swimming at the pool of course and Easton I don't think stopped crying the entire time we were there. I have come to the conclusion that he is a home body and he was also breaking his first molar. Needless to say he was a pain the butt but everyone did very well dealing with his crankiness. The 6 hour drive was quite the experience and I was so happy that we decided to drive back during the night so they would just sleep. Our kids hate the car, the only good thing about the drive was that we got to eat at chipotle....yum. I have been to D.C. a few times but got to experience some things I have never done before and it was so fun. I am so grateful for this country and the freedom we have, if only it were 2012 and we could get some real "Change". (Go Mitt) Anyways...moving onto the pictures I guess. I will apologize now because there are so many.

*Day 1*

Kids first Metro Ride-National Zoo-Date night out on the town with the Hubby

We got a week long metro pass and rode the metro pretty much everywhere we could. We still did a ton of walking but it was nice to be able to ride for a bit.

The kids are loving it

Emilie is a SPAZ as always and Easton is just Chillin

Daniel and I on the LONG escalator up to the street

The National Zoo
I thought Emilie would like it more than she did. But we had a good time and saw some cool animals. The best thing about it was its FREE.

Emilie looking at the black bear

Easton Checking out the Panda Bear

Emilie in a Dinosaur Head

Neon Sea thingys...I just liked her face in this one.

Daniel and I at the U.S. Capitol. We went and listened to the concert rehearsal which made us want to go to the Capitol 4th concert for the 4th of July rather than right next to the Washington Monument.

Then we walked like 1.5 miles to the Washington Monument which is right in between the Capitol and the Lincoln Monument. We kind of got some cool pics.




**Day 2**
Natural History Museum-National Archives Museum-Iwo Jima-Arlington Cemetery-Girls Night of Shopping-Lincoln Memorial-WWII Memorial-Vietnam Memorial. Whew that's a lot.
This is one of Many things in the Natural History Museum

Mom and Emmy

Lyndsey, Taiylor, Me and my Mom (Emilie too this picture)

Lyndsey and Emilie

Taiylor and Emilie

Daniel and Easton

Easton was loving our lunch break

Iwo Jima Memorial

Daniel and I went to Arlington Cemetery by ourselves. It was my first time seeing the changing of the guard. It was so amazing and makes me so thankful. You could definitly feel the spirit there.







This is the Amphitheater right behind the tomb of the unknowns.

Just a small portion of the Cemetery

A few facts: 624 Acers, 300,000 Gravesides...even being there we couldn't fathom how many there really were.

Girls Night out
Taiylor, Mom, Lyndsey, Emilie

Me sporting my sexy glasses (my eyes were hurting so bad) and Emilie at the Vietnam Memorial.

I love this picture. Lyndsey, Emilie and Taiylor

Emilie on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

Blurry but fun...

This is us sitting on the steps of the Lincoln looking at the Washington Memorial

I carried Emilie FOREVER it seems

The WWII Memorial. A picture with the state we live in. Only 4 months left though.

***Day 3***
The 4th of July-Church-Parade-Heat-Capitol Concert-Heat-Crazy Packed Metro Ride-Heat...if you can't tell it was super hot and we were so sweaty and gross but it was all worth it.
Emilie and I at the Parade




Walking across the street right after this lady tried to start a beef with us because we made a pathway through her spot...I think I lead about 150 people through and she took it all out on my mom...Great story.

Tay and I

Emilie Nichole

Lyndsey and Emilie watching the parade

All the girls...the boys stayed home...figures

This is a portion of how packed the Capitol lawns were. We were one of the first 10 people to get a spot and were told that we had one of the best spots. But it was so hot and crazy. Daniel and I took the kids home for a  nap and to cool off while my dad, mom and sisters stayed to save our spot. Oh and we had to chuck our umbrellas because they wouldn't allow them in. No shade on a record breaking hot day in D.C. Luckily we had put a blanket under a tree as well for some shade.

Easton enjoying a Capri Sun

Oh...a picture of Daniel. I'm beginning to think he was a recluse at the hotel? I have like no pictures of him.

We were so hot if you can't tell

We told her to pose and that is what she did

The crew

Emilie had such a good chance of getting on T.V. if Daniel would have left her up there longer. Lyndsey got a great shot on T.V. though. I think we are singing Proud to be and American in this picture. The concert was so fun. David Archuleta performed along with Reba McEntire, Gladys Knight, Darius Rucker, Lang Lang and a few others I cant remember. 

Easton enjoying the Fireworks

The view of the Fireworks along with the Washington Monument.

The Concert Stage

Here is a video of the experience I guess.

****Day 4****
Six Flags-Home
We went to Six Flags and we had fun but I probably wouldn't recommend it. Kind of run down and not the best six flags we have been to. We took the kids on all the rides once and then hit the water park for the rest of the day.

This was Emilies favorite ride







Easton at the Water park taking a nap.

This was Lyndseys first time at a amusement park with good rides...she loved it and we had a good time taking her on the rides. Sadly my dad couldn't ride anything because his knees wouldn't bend enough to fit in the very tight seats. Anyways we had a good vacation and I was very exhausted. Daniel drove the whole way home while we all slept. But I am glad we got to do it.

One last thing...We got the official word last week that Daniel has been scheduled for 4 rotations back home. Which means we can move home around November 5th. Just short of 4 months...Way exciting. 3 of them are in Hurricane and 1 is in Kanab. He will be doing a lot of driving and we considered living in Hurricane but the idea is to save money and living in Kanab will still save more money even with all the driving. So Kanab here we come! YAY.

Oh PS. Some of these pictures have my extensions in...I hate them. I have decided I don't want long hair. I can't stand it and all I did was pull it up. So come Aug. 1st I'm cutting it short again.

**Sorry this post is so long and takes up the entire blog....click older posts to see more.

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

I just wanted to share this video with all you mothers out there. It is one of the Mormon Messages, I look forward to when they come out and I enjoy watching them all but this one really touched my heart and made me feel so grateful for the opportunity I have to be a mother. I often times feel so inadequate, complain, and feel that I am not doing a good enough job at being a mother. Luckily I have an amazing Husband, Mother & Savior who listen and bring comfort to my mind. I thought this video was just a perfect reminder of who we are and why we chose to become mothers. As much as I would love time to my self, peace & quiet, sleep...etc. I couldn't imagine not having my 2 kids in my life. I truly am so very blessed. For those of you who are still trying to become mothers or who are not yet mothers. You are very much loved as well. The journey may be hard for some and easier for others. Everyone has their own trials and one day every one of us will be mothers. Hang in there and I hope you all enjoy this as much as I did.