Washington DC

We adored out trip to D.C. We bought Meema and Peepa's minivan and drove that four hours to Alexandria where our hotel was. 

Day One:  We rode the Metro to the National Mall and toured the National Archives, Natural History Museum and American History Museum. The National archives is where they have the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Then we went to the museum of Natural History. That one is so big and full of interesting things. It took us several hours. It was fun to think about how Heavenly Father created all of those things for us. Then we went to the Museum of American History. That one is so big too. After a full day of walking around museums we got back on the metro and went to the Nationals Ballpark and watched the Nationals play the Braves. We stayed for half the game and rode the metro home.

Day Two: We drove in and went to the Capitol Building for a Nevada meet and greet with Senator Harry Reid. And we toured the Capitol. Then we went to the Botanical museum and then to the Air and Space museum. The kids liked riding the simulator ride there and seeing how much they weigh on the moon. Aaron weighed 9 lbs. Then we went to the Jefferson monument at the end of the day.

Day Three: We went to the National Zoo. It's been a while since we've been to the zoo so that was fun. Then the kids and Bob went to the Spy museum and I went to the Newseum.  Then we walked over to the White House and just as we got there they started clearing part of the lawn in front of it. We found out it was because President Obama was supposed to land soon. So we stayed and watched his and two other helicopters fly right over us and land on the White House lawn. There were men with guns on top of all the buildings around and they had another helicopter circle over the area for about 10 minutes first to make sure it was clear. We couldn't see the President get out, but it was still neat to be there.Then we walked around and saw all the other monuments.

Day Four: We went to Mt. Vernon. That was one of our favorites! They've done it so well. You really got a feel for what a good man George Washington was. We all were glad we got to go there. We toured his home and farm and all the buildings around it. And they also have a great movie and museum. Then we went to Arlington National Cemetery. We watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It rained on us.

Day Five: We went to the Washington D.C. Temple.  We enjoyed the grounds and the visitor's center.  Then we went to the Air and Space Museum extension at Dulles.  It had so many airplanes and a space shuttle.

Virginia with Meema and Peepa

In the middle of September, we left for our great trip to Virginia and Washington D.C.  My parents came and picked up Seth and Ruby and took them back to Visalia for their own grand adventure.  Then Danny, Rachel and Aaron flew with us out to Virginia, missing almost two weeks of their new school.  We spent five days in Daleville with Bob's grandparents and then five days in Washington D.C.

We had such a great time in Virginia with Meema and Peepa.  The weather was perfect and their home is so comfortable.  We spent a lot of time sitting outside on the porch or in the garage talking with them.  They have a long, sloping driveway and three skateboards so the kids spent a lot of time doing that and playing darts in the garage.  We went and picked apples at a local orchard, went fishing, went out to eat and went for walks. One day we drove to Bob's parents' graves and all over the area their family is from.

Waterslides

Las Vegas got it's only waterslides this year so we got season passes.  The Deans and several other families in the ward got passes too.  We went about once a week.  The kids loved it.  It was great how the bigger kids could go off in groups and Seth and Ruby and I mostly hit the lazy river and wave pool.

Beginning of School

We started at a new school this year.  It's a charter school called Somerset.  We've heard great things about it. And the best part is that it is K-12.  We were a little sad to leave Goynes but there's too much bad stuff at our high schools so my choice was this or home school. And they opened a new school this year, which opened a lot of spots at the school.  It seemed like a good time to get in.

Danny is doing well in middle school.  He's gotten the hang of switching classes and two of his best friends moved to Somerset too, that's made the transition easy.  Rachel's two best friends switched there too.  She's enjoying it.  She likes her teacher and she's in student council and plans to run for Treasurer.  Aaron is liking his teacher.  The primary grades' playground is too small for his liking, but he's doing well.

Seth started preschool with Miss Kathy this year.  He loves it so much.  He's made great friends and he loves all the fun things he does at school.  He goes Tues-Thursday every week. 

I thought Ruby would be so bored being home by herself, especially because she and Seth are such great buddies.  But she's just fine with it.  She loves all the attention.  The first time we went to the grocery store while Seth was at school, we pulled into the parking lot and as we got out she exclaimed, "It's only me and you!"

Rachel is 10

Rachel is 10! She's getting so old.  She had a fun birthday with a few friends who were in town.  They played water balloon volleyball and swam.  This year she asked for such "older" things for her birthday.  She wanted a couple new outfits, so we went shopping and got pedicures together.  She also got Just dance 4.

Rachel is such a sweet, fun girl.  She is dramatic and funny and loves to be with her friends.  She's really enjoyed playing volleyball this year.  She works hard at school and really enjoys it and does so well.  She's great with her brothers and sister.  We love her so much!!

What makes you happy:
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Trina's wedding

We left Lake Tahoe and went straight to Utah for Trina's wedding. We stayed with Wendy again (so great!). The wedding was at a bed and breakfast in Midway.  The weather was great. It was neat for the kids to be able to go to her wedding.  Josh came to the wedding too so we got to hang out with him for the night.  We especially loved the dragon cake and bottled sodas.

Lake Tahoe

We had another awesome trip to Lake Tahoe this year. We were there from Saturday until the next Monday.  It was so great to be there so long.  We got to spend Sunday through Tuesday with Amanda and her family.  We went to the lake, went the the bmx track, bike ride by the river, played at the airport, launched rockets. I love spending time with Amanda and her family.  Wednesday we went to Carson City for the day while Amanda packed for her trip.  They left Thursday morning.  We cleaned the house and went on a hike and my family came that afternoon.  Friday we took them to the lake all day.  Everyone loved it.  Saturday we went on a hike and played by a lake and went to the bmx track that night.  Sunday we played games together after church.