Day Four - The Great Falls and a Tired Good-Bye

On our last day we explored the Great Falls (the Maryland side), we had a beautiful drive and saw lots of animals. We learned about the canals and saw how they filled up the canal, and pulled the boats up stream with donkeys. We walked a trail that people have been walking since the 1860's to see the beautiful water falls. The boys had fun playing and climbing on the rocks, hiking and flying kites. We even had an anatomy lesson (thanks to the patrol horse)! We parents had fun watching our crazy boys and having last minute conversations.

Then sadly it was time to go home, we stopped for a quick lunch/dinner at Chik-fil-A (my favorite!) and headed to the airport. It was a sad good-bye, especially for the best little friends. The boys were so tired ( as you can see by the pictures), luckily we had a pretty empty flight and they could spread out and sleep. It was another great flight for Taleah, she is a perfect traveler!

Thanks Daniels for the great trip, We love you !

Day Three - A History Lesson at the Mall

We spent the afternoon on Sunday, walking the Mall and exploring the memorials. We had beautiful weather and wonderful sites. We walked almost 6 miles (thanks RunningBuddy App) and had so much fun. Its was a great way to enjoy each other. Parker and Jordan were very interested in President Lincoln, since learning about the Civil War the day before and really liked his memorial. Although Parker was upset that he was assassinated while watching a play. They boys also liked the different war memorials, and I think they were surprised how many wars there were.

I loved the WWII memorial, and we got some great pictures there. My favorite is of my three favorite little people sitting together enjoying the sites! I also love the one of a tiny little Taleah on a huge balcony all alone. This was another place that people were taking pictures of my little model. We saw the new MLK memorial, it was really neat to read all of his amazing quotes.

We saw the George Washington Memorial, but were not able to go in because of the damage from the earthquake a few years ago. Parker was very worried about the tilt at the top, George Washington is still a hero of his from the last visit we had . The boys LOVED rolling down the hills and blowing the dandelions. We also saw the White House and the Capitol Building. The flowers were beautiful and I couldn't resist taking some pictures of Taleah in them. Parker and Jordan were fascinated with all the squirrels, they were very brave...even trying to steal our lunch!

WHAT A GREAT DAY !!!

Day Two - From a Civil War Battle to Air and Space

Parker and Jordan LOVED playing with Reese, the three of them got along amazingly well... we didn't hear one fight, fit or crying episode the whole time. We could hardly even get them to leave on adventures because they were having so much fun playing. Taleah really started sitting up and playing, and loved watching the boys run and play. She laughed at all of their antics.

We went to Manassas Virginia to the Civil War's Battle of Bull Run. It was POURING rain but the boys didn't let that stop them, they ran around shouting orders and "firing" the cannons. We had watched a movie about the battle and they were so interested. I love children's natural ability to learn and absorb information.

After our soaking wet tour of the battlefield, we met up with Christian and Stephanie (cousins) for lunch. They told us to met them at the new local hot spot "CAFE RIO"! Yep, you heard me Cafe Rio!!! The son of the D.C. temple president opened two stores in the D.C. area and they are doing amazingly well. It was just like at home...including a long line and full tables :) After a great lunch, we went to the Air and Space museum. We got there at 4:00, and got to go in for free - because they closed at 5:30. We quickly walked around and saw lots of cool planes and the space shuttle. The boys found some computer simulators of the cock pits of the different planes. They absolutely loved them, and we could hardly pull them away. Maybe I have some pilots on my hands :)

We then headed home for more fun and a BBQ. It was great to have the Francoms join us, I love my cousins! We must have been having fun because it was midnight before we finally convinced our boys that it was time for bed...they were still up and going strong!

Day One in Washington D.C. - Cherry Blossoms

We were lucky enough to visit the Daniels in Washington D.C. this past week, AND we were lucky to get there at PEAK for the Cherry Blossoms.

We had to stay in Las Vegas the night before our extremely early flight, so we decided to make the best of it and enjoyed our Circus Circus stay. I guess we haven't been to Vegas for awhile and the boys were super excited to see the lights and stay in the TALL building. We ate at the Buffet, although Jordan fell asleep eating. We were a little to late to see the circus acts - who knew that anything closed at 10 in Las Vegas. We had a super early flight,but the boys had so much fun at the "NEW-HUGE" airport. They liked the big statues and the "super-fast train".

When we arrived, we learned that it was suppose to rain the next day so we decided to see the Cherry Blossoms that night. I guess EVERYONE on the East coast had the same idea, it was PACKED!!! We did get some great pictures and had fun walking around with the crowds. The boys were having way to much fun with their friends to stop for pictures, but Taleah was more than willing to get out of the stroller and smile. She was fascinated with the blossoms, and was a beautiful model! It was a little strange, but every time we had her out posing I would turn around and see other people taking pictures of her (she will be famous in Japan :) I guess nothing says Spring like a beautiful baby, blossoms and a gorgeous sunset. Here are a few of my favorites.

We did get a few of the boys and some of the family. It was a great start to a wonderful vacation.

A "Thunderous" St. Patricks Day

Ryan and the boys have anxiously awaited the air show in St. George. Jordan has had a count down in his head...Daddy's birthday, Blue Angels and then HIS birthday. So he was super excited that this day had come. We loved seeing "sneak peeks" of the planes flying the days leading up to Saturday, our yard was a perfect place to watch the Pre-shows.

Ryan and the boys left super early (to beat the traffic) and had a fun filled day --MAN STYLE! Mommy and Taleah stayed home, out of the wind and loud plane range. We were lucky enough to have my cousin Eric and his friend Shannon stay with us Friday night, so they watched the show from our house with me. It was super cool to see the Blue Angels flying over our house, Eric got a great picture of our house with them just over it!

After the show (and the two hour drive home) we had a fun party with a few friends. It was fun to get the babies together... even though they are a few days and months apart they are all nearly the same size. Taleah was a little smaller than the boys, but that is how it's suppose to be right? It was a super fun night, it is always good to be with friends.

Just a quick St. Paddy's story.

Jordan was watching me decorate and he began asking about St. Patricks day and why we have it. Well, I wasn't so sure about the meaning, but I knew some of the myths. I told him about the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, about leprechauns(if you catch them you get their gold) and four leaf clovers. We got out the globe and learned where Ireland was, Jordan wanted to know "how many airplanes it took to get there" as this is how the boys measure distances. As you can imagine, Jordan was fascinated and was determined to find a leprechaun and get his gold( he even had a plan of what he would do with it...it involved Legos and treats) I heard him tell his brother, the need to find those little guys and they were both wishing for rain so they could find a rainbow. Jordan and Parker made sure they had green on all week so the Leprechauns wouldn't "bite" them (I don't think they knew pinching)

You have to love these two!

Happy Birthday Ryan!

Yep, this cute little guy is 35 years old!

We started the day with a trip to Daddy's work to decorate his truck with birthday cards and balloons (it still has the "we love our Daddy" on the window from Valentines day) Parker and Jordan composed the cutest cards for their Dad, but Parker just drew one candle on the cake because he said 35 were just TOO many to draw :)
We then took Daddy to his favorite new resturant EL COYOTE for lunch. Then Mommy and Daddy went on a date that night to see Mission Impossible. One benefit of having your birthday over spring break is that you can find a babysitter even on a week day:) We celebrated the next day with the rest of the family at Texas Roadhouse, we had a great dinner and lots of fun (although Ryan wouldn't let us have the saddle over ) We sure do love our Daddy, he is the best around! Thanks for all that you do and for the great example you are for us!

TEETH

Parker lost his second tooth this week, after SEVERAL weeks of anticipation.  His first tooth he lost outside eating a treat with friends, so it was not scary. BUT this tooth was so loose for so long and he would NOT pull it out OR let anyone else touch it.  I can't say that i blame him though, I had teeth fall out in my sleep and while I was brushing them.  I guess being a wimp is hereditary:)  Well, finally we got that thing out (the tooth below it was coming in behind it) and the tooth fairy came and gave him $3!  What a lucky kid!

6 months of Pure Joy

Yep, our baby Girl is 6 months old...half of a year!  Taleah has brought so much joy and happiness to our family.  This month she has learned to sit up big girl all by herself, she loves the freedom this gives her.  Taleah has learned to growl and does it often, one day Ryan called her a Velosiraptor and I said "That's not a very girly name to call her" he said "well, name a princess that growls then"...so Princess Velosiraptor it is! Taleah loves her brothers so much and laughs at anything they do, I have learned that if I want a cute picture with her looking and smiling all I have to do is have the boys say 'Smile" and she does! She has enjoyed watching her brothers basketball games and looks forward to soccer and t-ball season I'm sure:) Taleah had her first dance with her brother Jordan and she attended her first Parade of Homes with Ryan and I. She has learned to hold her bottle, which Ryan is so proud of...I guess a benefit of early morning breakfasts with Daddy. She has also started to "dive-bomb" me when she wants to eat, it can prove very embarrassing in public...but she is a girl who know what she wants! Taleah is up to 20 flights, with her first cross-country flight to D.C. which she did amazing on even though she was sick! She has started to be a Mommy's girl and a little stranger shy...I'm not sure how to deal with this as the boys never had this.
Taleah's six month also came with some not so pleasant surprises... our first round of croup, a nasty  battle with RSV (with hospital visits!)  a horrible/weird whole body rash, and a double ear infection that we can't clear up (we are on our THIRD antibiotic!)  She had been sleeping through the night before this started so hopefully when we get better, we will get back on that schedule...Mommy is too old for sleepless nights! She has lost a little weight and fell back to the 18th percentile :( so we will be working on starting her on cereal and hopefully get her back on the right track! 
We love this little bundle of pink and all that she brings to our family!

 

Happy Birthday Grandma G.G.!

We celebrated with my Grandma her 85th birthday this month.  We were lucky enough to have most of the cousins there (we were so glad the Packs could come up from New Mexico) and had a wonderful weekend of celebration.  We spent a great day at Chuck-E-Cheese, where the "Pirate Cousins" ruled the place and had a "HECK OF A GOOD TIME"! 
The next day we had celebrated Grandma's birthday with the traditional "Pizza Party", we have been doing this for years and years.   Fun for all with food, cake, games and conversation. 
I love you Grandma! 
I am grateful for all that you do, for the example that you are and for your being my best friend and "buddy" on all of our trips.  You have always made me feel special and loved and I feel secure that you will always be there for me.. willing to listen and support me in all that I do.  I'm so glad that my children have gotten to know you and love you so much, I hope that Taleah can live up to her namesake and your amazing legacy.
Thanks for all that you do! You are amazing!

 

Move Over Micheal...there is a new JORDAN on the court!

Our little Jordan started b-ball this year...and was a huge success! He loved shooting, learning to dribble and all the running/jumping/skipping exercises. Jordan was definitely the fastest on the court and was the only one who could figure out how to run backwards :) After one practice the coach said "wow, he really lives up to his name", it took me a moment to figure out what he was talking about...then it dawned on me he was talking about that 90's icon (you know the one that cheated and robbed the JAZZ of the championship). Well, even though Ryan does/did like HIM, Jordan was NOT named after him...but I'm proud that Jordan can stand up to the name. Our Jordan is a lefty and could dribble and give me a "THUMBS UP" at the same time...I heard another coach saying that he will be an awesome forward,because he is already practicing calling the plays :) A fair warning to those who will face Jordan on the court...he has an AMAZING shot and at one practice he made 21 of 25 shots playing round robin! I love this little guys and his zest for life and for his new found passion B-Ball!

FHE At The Park

We decided to take advantage of the amazing weather and take a family walk to the park. Taleah took a big step and sat up in the stroller instead of being in her carseat in the stroller. I thought she would love looking at everything...instead she just cuddled up with her blanket and fell asleep! Jordan went straight to his favorite...the swings. Parker found a new friend and played b-ball with Daddy. I ran around taking pictures with my phone and posting this. What a perfect night !

Lettuce!?

Do you think it's a problem that Taleah's first food, was a leaf of lettuce she took out of the bowl as I made a  cobb salad for dinner?