First day of 3rd, 7th, and 9th Grade

We decided to do some wacky pictures this year of the kids. We didn't take these pictures until after school. All 3 of them had a great first day of school! Yeah!!! The house was so quiet.

Ford's Theatre

We took another day trip into DC. This time we visited Ford's Theatre, the Archive's, and attempted Georgetown Cupcake. These are picture's inside Ford's Theatre. They show the box where President Lincooln was sitting when he was assasinated. The kids weren't excited to go to DC to see more history, but they all said they had fun at the end of the day. At the Archive building we were able to see the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Constitution. After, we headed to Georgetown to get a cupcake, but seeing the long line strech up the block we decided to save that for another day. Claire has been dying to go there after seeing the TV show DC cupcake.

8th Grade Graduation

It was a full house for Chase's 8th grade graduation.
We had to stand the whole time.
Chase is looking forward to 9th grade at a brand new high school.

DC

The end of our day. We spent the day in DC with my parents
visiting the Natural History Museum, The Air and Space Museum,
walking up and down the Mall ---exhausted sitting
on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

The Air and Space Museum. Carter happy

to be with Grandpa.

Inside the Natural History Muesum.

Outside the White House.

Annapolis

We spent a day in Annapolis, Maryland
when my parents were here in June. Annapolis
is home to the Naval Academy. The weather
was nice the day we were there. A fun, water front city.

After Annapolis we went to a work party for Chris

at one of his co-worker's home in Maryland.

Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day weekend seeing Gettysburg,
Hershey, PA (the hershey chocolate) and seeing
the Amish people in Lancaster County, PA.
Here we are making our own, individualized
chocolate bars at Hershey Chocolate World.
It brought back memories of working in the
Operating Room wearing our mushroom hats.





The kids up in one of the look out towers
on the Gettysburg battlefield.

Outside the Gettysburg Museum.

Dulles Air and Space Museum

We spent the morning at the Dulles Air and Space
Museum for Carter's 8th birthday.
Carter just got off a flight simulator.

Baptism

We have had many life events over the past couple of months. First with Claire's 12th birthday, our move from Colorado to Viriginia, Easter, Carter's 8th birthday, and Carter's Baptism. It seems like everything happened all at once, and I need to catch my breath.

Carter's Baptism was on Saturday May 21st and it was awesome! He was baptized with 2 other boys from our ward. Chase gave a talk on Baptism after some convincing on my part. It was a wonderful day. We are so proud of Carter for his decision to be baptized, and you can see how happy Carter was and is in these pictures.

Carter is 8

Carter turned 8 after being in VA for a couple of weeks. What a happy boy! Carter's birthday was on a Saturday so we took him to the Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport, and then to Five Guys for a burger. It was a great day!

Claire is 12

Claire celebrated her 12th birthday in Colorado on April 6th, the week before we moved to VA. It is hard to believe that Claire is 12. What a beautiful, sweet daughter she is.

New Home

I wanted to share some photos of our new home in Virginia. I can't wait to see it in person. I think it looks beautiful! Chris did an awesome job picking all of the colors, tile etc. He was so worried about it, and didn't think I would like it, but I love it!

14

Chase turned 14 a few weeks ago. Why the young pictures of Chase? Chase and I were talking about his cousin, Anna, who is 2 almost 3. Chase said how cute Anna was, but she was sassy. Chase reminded me that most of our personalities are developed by the age of 2. This statement caused me to reflect about Chase's personality when he was 2. I included a few picutures of him about the age of 2, and aren't they cute. Chase was a happy, loving, easy to please, humble, sweet, smiley, fun, handsome, playful 2 year-old boy. I am pleased to say that these words still describe his personality today, despite his teenage tendencies.

Snapshot for Chris

Chris wanted to get a picture of me, and the kids for his new cell phone before he left for Virginia---this is it.

Speed Raceway

While Chris was here we took the kids to "Speed Raceway", a fun indoor race track (thanks to my friend Stacey for the idea). Chris and the kids loved it. It was a little pricey, but well worth it. Claire and Crash were able to race against eachother in the kids race. Chris and Chase were able to race against eachother in the adults race.



Crash in his car, ready to race.

Claire, waiting for one of her races. She was pleased that they had a pink helmet. Claire did not want to race, but Chris, and I told her that she had to try it. After Claire's first race she was all smiles, and couldn't wait to do it again.

I know this picture is blurry, but this is Chris racing, the pro. He came in first on one race, and second on the other.

This picture is even more blurry, thanks to my poor quality Blackberry camera, and my lacking photography skills----this is Chase racing.

The kids keep asking when can we go again?