Goodbye April, Hello May!

And just like that...March and April have come to an end! The past two months flew by pretty quick. We saw the new Ghostbusters movie, went to a lot of broadway shows, had a simple Easter, and saw general conference. Those two weekends are always my favorite! The cherry bloom festival in D.C. has come and gone. That time of year is a favorite cause of all the cherry trees in bloom along the tidal Basin. 

Our Easter this year was simple and chill without the girls but luckily I was able to still crack cascarones on both Jon and Noah's head! It was funny cause Jon hardly has any hair but Noah has a ton. It has been a very chill time for our little crew here in Jersey and I know my girls have a lot going on in Utah with school ending and all. Now that spring semester is over they can get more sleep and just work their jobs without having to study!

Blossoms in D.C.!

 

Blossoms in D.C. this year sure did bloom quick and we caught the tail end of them earlier this month. I'm sure they are all gone by now but oh how beautiful spring looks in D.C. with all the cherry blossoms in bloom. I captured a few photos and did the best I can in capturing all it's beauty. It was the weekend so there were way too many people in some of my photos but that doesn't really bother me none. It was a gorgeous sunny day and everyone deserves to take pictures while photobombing others! LOL! 

Christmas Lights At The Washington D.C. Temple!

Waited 4.5 years to see the temple lights again at the Washington D.C. temple and they never get old. Every time we come here it's as if we are going for the first time. This temple has added so much significance to my life and I am so glad it's opened up again. Renovated and lit! Such a beautiful sight and going during Christmas is truly magical. I LOVE this tradition we created 15 years ago and as long as we live less than 4 hours away we will come every year! Hope everyone had a nice "twixmas" (the week after Christmas) and that everyone starts off strong in the new year! Now for some photos that hope light up your life! 

Smithsonian National Air And Space Museum!

Six years ago we explored and saw all the vintage airplanes at the air and space museum near D.C. with Noah and it was a different experience for him this time around than when he was six. Noah took his time reading all the history on the displays with his dad. It was as if Jon was giving him a history lesson all about aircraft. It was so nice to watch these two bonding about airplanes. Talking about the transformers scene as well as the Roblox plane Noah has seen in a game online. He got so excited when he stumbled upon it inside the center. We only had about an hour inside the hangar and even though this was our second time going there is going to be a third. We didn't get to go to the tower or imax theatre. Another excuse to go back. 

We can never get enough of this place and it is such a gem for the boys that I made this little reel for them to remember. So happy that Noah has a much better appreciation for this place and I am so glad that Jon took a day off to spend with us and to really engage with Noah all about planes! Oh...and to eat at Willards too! Now for some still pictures of vintage airplanes...

Watermelon House In D.C!

These warm spells we've been having lately have us longing for summer and craving watermelon so this was the perfect pit stop to take a few photos in. Noah was my little model and of course he had fun running back and forth down the alley. He was either jumping or running the whole time! Especially when he read the hashtag #watermelonjumps so naturally he took it literal and began to jump... a lot and I captured him in several different shots!  It is a cute little spot and a happy place for those who are in need of a smile...and watermelon!

President's Day In Washington D.C.

 

This past weekend we took a spontaneous road trip to D.C. to remember our past presidents for all their efforts and hard work in doing what they did for our country during their time as president. We've been coming here since before Noah was born and this spot never gets old. No matter how many times we have visited the Lincoln memorial our thoughts, (at least mine) are always different. The older I get the more I appreciate our nations history and I hope that these kids grow up they will appreciate it just as much as I do. Jon is an avid history buff and he knows so much about our past presidents. He should have been a history professor. I love how he engages with the kids when they have a question about the historical places we've been too. Whether they are in regards to our pioneer heritage, our church, or the civil war Jon is there to answer them. I am bias and I have to say that Abraham Lincoln is one of my favorites. The fact that he abolished slavery was grand and I'm so thankful that he made that happen! Now for a few photos from our day...

A Little Bit Of Spring Break In D.C!

So here we are in the last week of April and I'm blogging about our last week in March! So behind in the game but looking through all my photos on my phone and seeing all the beauty of spring in pictures gets me motivated to share with you the colorful and wonders of spring. 

Spring break fell on the last week of March and luckily Jon took Good Friday off to spend some time with us! Our tradition on Good Friday has always been going to the temple in D.C, seeing the blossoms, and then eating at Willard's bbq. Well, we stuck with tradition this year except we were only able to view the temple from the outside since it's still closed. We did get to see some blossoms near the Washington monument and walked around until our noses turned red! It was about 40 degrees and super windy but we managed to take in the loveliness of spring.  Lunch at Willard's definitely happened and as usual it was sooooooo good! Hopefully this time next year the temple will be open so we can all go in and serve. Even Noah! It was a beautiful day and so happy that we were able to take the time to drive and enjoy ourselves. Here's a little photo dump for your viewing pleasure! 

A Day Trip To D.C.

Since school trips were canceled this year due to Covid we decided to do our own "homeschooling" trips so a couple of weeks ago we decided to take a day trip to Washington D.C. to see the sights. We have been bringing the kids here since we moved to the east and yet these pieces of history never get old. We love coming here to refresh our minds of what our forefathers have done for us as well as remembering all the troops from long ago who died fighting for our freedom. It's nice to continue to bring the kids here no matter how old and "bored" they get. We have come here in the past to see the Martin Luther King memorial and many other sights. There is so much to do and see here. It's good to continue to bring the kids here so that they can appreciate this place. The national zoo is another place we love going too and the fact that it's free is a bonus! In case you plan on going you have to reserve tickets in advance. We truly are fortunate to live three hours away from the nations capitol. Hope we can continue to make more day trips here! 

Now for a few photos...

Celebrating The 4th Of July In Our Nation's Capitol.

When it comes to the fourth of July we don't have any major traditions, and our plans are pretty spontaneous. We are not big planners so when that day comes we will wake up and decide what we want to do and where we should go to watch the fireworks. Our 4th of July's have been pretty much doing our own thing and we always make the best of celebrating our country as a family. And no matter how hard our country has it right now we celebrate it with a smile, and go on with life always hoping for the best!

Happy 2019!

2018 has come and gone, and now it's 2019! I'd like to think that throughout the past years I always did my best to be a kind, gentle, and loving person to all mankind, and for the most part I feel as if I did. I can always do better though, and I am totally thrilled to be starting out a new year with my family. I'd like to focus on the good things, and stay positive no matter what trials come our way. The past is the past, and to be honest no matter how many times we reflect on it it's good to just let bygones be bygones. Reflecting on the beautiful is what matters, but moving on from all the goodness that was done in past years is good too because that just motivates us to become a much, much better person!

The National Portrait Gallery In D.C.

One thing about living in New Jersey is the convenience of living near different cities, and when I heard the temperatures were going to be as high as 80 degrees last Saturday there was no way that we were going to stay indoors. Since the girls and I spent the eveving in New York on Friday we decided to go to D.C. as a family and check out the cherry blossoms, and the Obama portraits at the National Portrait Gallery. 

Our Last Hurrah At the D.C. Temple...At Least For Two Years!

This sweet photo was taken early last fall before Noah's baptism, and because of the beauty that surrounds the temple with the mums and all am using this photo for the beginning of this post, and just look at Noah's face! 100 percent laughter & cuteness! Plus it never made it to the blog until now. Yay! 

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in D.C.

 "True peace is not merely the absence of tension. It is the presence of justice." -MLK Jr. 

Last spring we discovered the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and didn't even know it was in existence. We have walked the National mall a hundred times, and never stopped to take a look! This monument is called "The Stone of Hope." The inspiration for the memorial design comes from his "I have a dream" speech... "out of the mountain of despair, a stone of hope."

Cherry Blossoms In Washington D.C!

Last year when we went to D.C, over general conference weekend to see the cherry blossoms I was a bit disappointed because they had already fallen onto the ground. Weather in this part of the country during spring is crazy/different, and we can never tell if the blossoms are in full bloom the end of March or beginning of April. Well, luckily we went last weekend to see the blossoms because after all the rain we just had today those blossoms are probably all over the ground.

Spring With Pink Lanterns & Twinkle Lights!

One of my favorite things to do during the spring is venture out to city center in d.c. and check out any new installations they might have put outside, and it looks like they decided to keep the pink lanterns that they hung up last spring when we first noticed them. They do make the shops outside appealing, and fun to shop (even though we really don't come here for the shopping.) We just love to walk around, and window shop, and get ideas on how to dress without breaking our bank account.

City Center D.C. & Arlington Cemetery in December.

Spending our last day of the new year in D.C. was the absolute best! It didn't matter that we rang in the new year in our car on our way home from D.C. listening to U2's new years day on the radio. Having good conversation with Lexie made it a pretty fun drive being that it was midnight! Teens have a lot to say when they're wired, and it was pretty sweet! 

On Capitol Hill.

When we went to the Renwick gallery a couple of weeks ago we took a drive around capitol hill, parked and walked around where they have all kinds of shops including the historic Eastern Market which i've never been too. I've always heard about it, and my friend Mary from church who lived here for a few years before moving to Jersey told me about a few places to come here, and also mentioned how spoiled D.C. made her while she lived here. I have to agree with her, and that's probably one reason why we love coming here because like Philly there's so much rich history here about America. 

And free museums! 

We had nothing but rain on our way to D.C., and when we arrived it stopped! I was so happy being as we were going to be walking all over the hill. When we come to D.C. we normally make the time to go the temple, but because we only had Noah and Chelsea, and no Lexie we decided to make it a day of temporal fun! Lexie would have come except that she had a church activity to go to, and I figured since Lexie will be having fun at church with her peers why don't we have a bit of fun with the kids in D.C. Like I mentioned in an earlier post The Renwick Gallery, and all their exhibits were truly a spectacular display of American creativity and fine artistry, and we are so glad we saw it! 

Since the museum took up most of our day (because seriously, one museum can take up your entire day) we didn't have a lot of time to take in all the booths at the market, and so being that the rain brought forth such beautiful sunshine we walked around the hill, and captured a few photos. You can see why we love coming here so much. 

Noah and Chelsea were having the time of their life here as they always do when we venture out to unknown places. They love browsing, and looking inside windows to see what merchandise is in the store, and are so curious as to what people are selling. Most of the people were already packing up their stuff which gives us an excuse to come again, and spend more time here especially when the shops on 7th street are open. 

Woven history is one store I would have loved to seen! They normally have rugs draping over the rod iron fence, but the shop was closed. See, I definitely have to come back now! 

The kids were super excited when we found this book store. Too bad it was closed, but for some reason there were books left outside on a table. I'm not sure if they were there for anyone to take, but no one was around and the kids just took a gander at which books they were, and then I told them to put them down, and continue on our walk. Strange, but who knows. Next time we come maybe I'll ask why there were books outside when they were closed! 

Walking around makes tummies hungry, and so we decided to eat at a place we've never been. As we were walking down the shops we noticed a place called District Taco, and because the food looked pretty good we decided to try it, and I was pretty impressed. Not as good as the authentic mexican food I'm used to eating in Texas, but for the east coast it's pretty good. 

Every mexican place we eat at Noah always has to get his chips and salsa. And orange fanta!

Okay...only my true tex-mex buddies would understand, and know this word, and sometimes I miss hearing it. Orale!

It was such a beautiful day, and we really love coming here. Sometimes I wonder had Jon taken the job in Bowie, Maryland years ago instead of Jersey how our lives would be today. Would I have had Noah? Would Jon still have been with AT&T and not UPS? Who knows. One thing for sure is that we wouldn't have to be driving two and a half hours to the temple, or D.C. to see the sights. But luckily for us, we enjoy traveling by car, and have amazing kids who are good at enduring long car rides. I love, love my life, and I'm so glad I still have these two kiddos who keep us on the go because just like Sierra, Lexie will be off to college, and on her own! This is where I'm grateful for that five year age gap, and for airplanes so that they can come back to visit! Love these kids of ours! 

Until next time D.C. 

The Renwick Gallery.

I know I've mentioned this before but one of the perks of living close to D.C. (yes, two and a half hours is close to me) is going to the museums for free! If I lived here I know we'd be checking out every museum, and historical site, and this past weekend we had the opportunity to go to the smithsonian's Renwick Gallery. It was under renovation for two years, and I'll tell ya, seeing the WONDER exhibit was worth the wait, not to mention the line we had to wait in to get in. Especially to see the second floor. Luckily lines flowed pretty quickly, and thank goodness for good traveling, and patient kids that didn't mind waiting in line for awhile. I'm glad their tummies were full, and that everyone went potty before we arrived so that there were no "mommy I'm hungry, or I need to go to the bathroom" sayings. The kids did well, and it only took us about three hours to see the entire exhibit (that's including waiting in line.)

We walked in and were amazed at all the exhibits. There sure are some pretty talented artists out there. I have to say that my favorite was Gabriel Dawe's plexus A1!

I felt as if I was walking towards an indoor rainbow. I was talking to one of the workers, and he said that the artist used 16 different shades of thread, and that it was about 60 miles of long! If you stare at it long enough you can get dizzy! I was enthralled with this one, and really didn't want to leave the room! I captured a few shots in a few different angles, and every time I looked at it I was just imagining. Imagining the patience, and will to create such a beautiful, unique piece of art hooked from floor to ceiling. Absolutely amazing! 

Noah felt as if he was walking in a winter wonderland with this exhibit. It's an untitled exhibit by Tara Donovan, but I call it "the college life." Probably because she used a ton of index cards! Noah was really interested as to how everything was put together, and when I told him there's also tooth picks, and straw inside he was like "awesome!" He was so good at keeping his hands to himself too.

Now this exhibit you can touch! I swear when we walked I felt as if I was on the set of "where the wild things are" which is one of the kids favorite movies. They are huge nests created by Patrick Dougherty called Shindig, and I swear they could have played in them all day long!

We finally made it to the second floor where they had more amazing exhibits including this one done by Chakaia Booker. An exhibit made entirely of tires! By massing slashing, and reworking these poor leftovers that were left in a melted pool of rubber due to car fires she just put all of this together! Absolutely genius! 

Jon and his little photo bombers in the background!

...and a marbled floor which Noah was so tempted to pick at. Luckily there was a string to prevent people from crossing over. 

Can you guess what this one is? It is a huge tree branch made entirely out of cedar trees, and once the exhibit is over they are going to toss it in the woods to decompose! Pretty awesome!

 This was such a beautiful room to walk into. A room full of insects glued to the wall! Noah and Chelsea were in awe with all the insects, and when we asked Noah which one was his favorite he pointed at a cicada. 

There were all kind of insects inside these drawers too. Noah was so curious in every single one of them. He's still waiting for me to buy him that magnifying glass, and now wants to collect bugs!

This net was hooked on the ceiling, and displayed in the ballroom on the second floor. Another interesting sight. 

We really enjoyed our time at this museum, and if you are an avid art goer I highly recommend checking this exhibit out. Hurry because the second floor exhibits closes on May 8th, and the first floor exhibits, which had the rainbow,  index cards, and nest exhibits will be open until July 10th.

Hope your weekend was as just "wondrous" as ours!