DC: Friday

Friday we got up early and headed to DC. We opted to rock our Bronco attired since BSU was playing Fresno that night. It was fun having various people strike up conversations with us about our BSU shirts. Most people wanted to talk about the infamous blue field! We parked at Tom's building which overlooks the capital building. We went up on top of the roof to see the capital and the mall. Incredible views to say the least!

Then we went over to the Supreme Court and the Library of Congress. Nate and Tom decided to swear themselves in at the Supreme Court since they didn't actually get to do it this time. ☺

Em was in love with the golden doors!

 The Library of Congress was BEAUTIFUL. It really was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

Later that day we got a personal tour of the Capital building that Tom had set up through Senator Risch's office. The girl giving the tour was a bit on the "so quiet we can't even understand her side" but we still enjoyed it. So much history, so much information....pretty sure my head was spinning.

Then we jumped in the car and headed to Arlington National Cemetery. We pulled up to the gate at about 4:45pm and the last changing of the guard takes place at 5:00pm SHARP! The lady at the gate told us we'd never make it.

We decided we'd show her.

We took off running:

Oh, it was painful. Our feet hurt so bad after walking for what seems like MILLIONS of miles already that day. Emily had blisters, I was dying of heat. We were laughing/crying the entire time but YES. We MADE IT......with time to spare even! Yeah, we showed that chick.

It was pretty sobering seeing all of the WW2 vets in their wheelchairs right behind the tomb...as was the never ending crosses and tombstones that go on and on as far as the eye can see. It is a peaceful place. Really makes you stop and count your blessings.

After Arlington it was time for dinner. We headed to the National Harbor for one DELICIOUS dinner. We had crab cakes, pasta, steak, fish overlooking the harbor. D to the LISH.

After dinner we walked over to the PEEP's store! Fun place! We thought about our friend Missy who is a peeps fanatic!

 Our silly men:

It was one BUSY day. We went home to watch a very uneventful BSU game and fell asleep.....FAST!

The DC megapost: Thursday evening

Wow. Where to even BEGIN?? The past 6 days have blown by and we have definitely made some lifelong memories. I guess I should start out our adventures by just saying how much we LOVE the Perry's. We met in our old Boise ward a few years ago. Em and I hit it off right away serving the Beehives in our ward and we soon became fast friends. Who would have guessed that a couple of years later we would BOTH be moving away from Boise. Friendship knows no distance and this is a very rare and special thing to find...especially when both wives and husbands get along SO well. Emily is a dear and treasured to friend to me. She is such a light in my life and I am so grateful to both Tom and Emily for rolling out the red carpet for us. They made us feel so welcome and we had an INCREDIBLE time. The friendship we share is unfathomable. ☺

I think I'm going to have to break up this post as not to completely OVERWHELM myself. I took about 500 pictures so, I have some major condensing to do!

We flew in on Thursday evening. I had a sneaky suspicion that Em would so something silly at the baggage claim. Sure enough, everyone was all lined up with some beautiful Gem State signs for us! LOVED it!!!

Then we jumped into the car and were off to see the DC temple. We found ourselves in some SERIOUS traffic which was a bit of a shocker to this small town gal. Once we got there though, we knew it was TOTALLY worth it!

After the temple we grabbed dinner and headed back to The "Perry Estate." Homes over in DC are all HUGE and BRICK and GORGEOUS! Em had a beautiful basket of all sorts of treats and goods for us laying our bed. She is the cutest ever!!

Yay!

2 more days 2 more days!

It's hard for me to believe that in 2 days we'll be here:

 With some of our all time FAVORITE friends:

I can hardly even focus on packing becuase I'm SOOOOO excited!!! Thank you to my husband for the BEST birthday present ever. Can't believe that it's almost already here!

Many stories and pictures to come!

One Week

I was thinking this week about the times in my life when people have asked me, "What do you do all day as a stay at home mom?" Recently one lady asked me, "Don't you get SO bored?" Sometimes its hard to remember each and every thing I do all week long but whatever it is that I do, I sure am tired at the end of each day.

This week has been insane. I wanted to document at least a few of the things that have occupied my time "staying at home."

Monday we went apple and plum picking with some families in our ward for family home evening. We were able to go back to the orchard we went to last year. This sweet little elderly couple lets ANYONE come and pick fruit from their 70+ trees. It really was a magical night. The boys were LOVING running around with their friends all over the orchard picking apples, climbing the trees and munching on a few along the way.

We picked two huge boxes full and have already had some delicious APPLE COBBLER 2 times this week! It's healthy right?? It has OATMEAL in it! haha.
I also got a screaming deal on strawberries ($5.00 a flat!!) this week and have been busy at work making jam and dehydrating apples at the same time! We ♥ apple chips!

 I taught preschool this week as well. We were learning all about the letter E. Landon sure loves all of his little friends in preschool.

 Here are our elephant hand prints:

Today was Activity Days with the girls and we learned all about the importance of doing service for others. The girls made a quick tie fleece blanket for a new baby boy in our ward. This couple has been trying for a baby for over 6 years so this baby is a true miracle boy! The couple was SO sweet when the girls handed it to them. The girls were THRILLED to get to meet their tiny baby!

I also bought some cute plates at the dollar store and slapped some vinyl on them. The girls had to think of 2 women in the ward who exemplify the traits of service and faith. We piled the plates with fresh homemade cookies and wrapped them up with a big bow. I had no idea how EMOTIONAL this little act of service was going to be. The recipients of the cookies were very thankful. It was a really special day.

I got my visiting teaching done this week, went to my Zumba class, did mountains of homework with the kids, practiced spelling words over and over, read lots of books, practiced fluency tests, mowed the lawn, deep cleaned the house, packed lunches, made breakfast and dinner, went grocery shopping, attended pack meeting, forced piano practice, tried to spend time with my husband, and started packing for our TRIP next week (yippee!). All while dealing with some pretty intense allergies.

Oh, and the SPORTS don't even start until 2 weeks from now! 3 kids in sports....this should be interesting.

So if you every see me with a blank, glazed over expression....its not that I'm not bored, I'm just exhausted. ☺

SOOOO looking forward to Conference this weekend.

Adventures with EE

Saturday Grandma EE and I left all the boys at home and decided to venture up to the beautiful city of Driggs, Idaho. We met up with my uncle who is living there right now and took him out to lunch. Then we drove up to Targhee and rode the chairlift to the top. The views were absolutely breathtaking.

Just look at these mountains......GORGEOUS!!!

The leaves were just starting to turn up there. We picked a PERFECT day to go and enjoy the beginning of fall.

Check out how CUTE this couple was who was getting married up at the resort:

Then we headed back to Driggs and stopped at the little drug store for some delicious FRESH HUCKLEBERRY SHAKES! YuMMMMMM!!!

Wonderful day.

Dallin's Birthday Party!

Friday night was Dallin's BIRTHDAY PARTY! Dallin decided that he wanted a "DRIVE IN MOVIE PARTY" this year. I was SO excited that he wanted to do this because just a few months ago we did that for the Activity Day girls! I had most of the stuff already on hand!

I re-vamped the invite:

The kids came and were immediately sent downstairs to get to work on their cars. Each kid had a box and could us a variety of papers, felts, stickers, crayons, markers, etc. to decorate their cars!

Then we handed out awards for the cars: fastest looking, funniest, best off road vehicle, etc. The kids were awarded tickets they could use to purchase food from our concession stand!

They parked their cars in the "parking lot" in front of the TV. Then they climbed into their cars to watch the feature presentation: The Sandlot.
***Pretty much forgot that the movie has quite a few swear words. O well, the kids still had a S%&* load of fun!

After the movie we had cake and ice cream. My cake turned out SO CUTE! I even added some little speakers like the old school drive ins used to have! ☺

Dallin had a blast......and so did the adults I have to admit! EASY birthday party...I am all about it!

After the movie we had a few minutes to spare. We let the boys play with the new fyrflyz toys that I bought Dallin for his birthday! AWESOME toy! Need a little Christmas gift idea? I'd recommend a few of these babies!

One very happy birthday boy:

LOVE you Dal!