Summer Fun!

We're back! We had so much fun on our trip! It started with Hallie's first plane ride. I was so nervous! There were m&m's, granola bars, fish crackers and teddy grahams bursting out of her backpack. Not to mention books, toys, and an array of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse episodes. All of which were to keep her calm on the flight. Little did I know that all our hype over going for a plane ride would pay off. She hardly paid attention to all the treats and toys; she just wanted to look out the widow, lower and raise her tray, say hello to the flight attendance, and squeal in delight that she was "flying high in the sky!" I was relieved, but I'm sure the other passengers got a little tired of the giggling and excited exclamations at every new thing. It was fun for us though! :)

After almost 5 hours on the plane we got into D.C. got our rental car and headed to my Aunt's house to stay. (thanks again it was amazing!) The next morning we got up bright and early for our White House tour. (THANKS to Rachelle for getting all our private tours set up! They were awesome!) I could hardly wait to head inside! The security was crazy, but I'm glad we did it. We could only take in our id's pretty much so we had to take pictures outside.

We went to the Natural History museum and saw the hope diamond, dinosaurs, mammal, live butterfly gardens, and aquatic life. Hallie was in heaven! One of my favorite was the Library of Congress. Ya know, the building in National Treasure. It was such a beautiful and ornate building! The kids got a little bored, but I was in heaven. Someday I dream of a library room in my house, well first I dream of a house, but then a library room! If only I could have those amazing books too! There was everything imaginable there! And who knew, anyone can get a library pass! Someday....

We had fabulous picnics all over and saw so many things! We went to one of my favorite sculptures "The Awakening." with the giant coming out of the earth.

Then we went to the Red Sox Game! We had fun getting on our Sox paraphernalia and cheering our team. Hayden is officially out of the closet, he is a baseball fanatic! He's always liked it, but who knew he loved it! The hot dogs, the crowd, everything was so fun!

Then we drove to Myrtle Beach! Our condo was amazing and we met up with all but one of my siblings! We had a great time with family. We went from the beach to the pool to the beach and back. There were 3 outdoor pools, 2 indoor pools, a lazy river inside and one out, and two sets of water slides! Hallie had the time of her life! The condo had face painting, hoola hoop contests, whip cream eating contests, and a million more activities. We went to a calabash buffet and mini golf. Hayden, Erin and I went parasailing (awesome).

Then we went back to D.C. and saw the monuments and the American History Museum! It was amazing and we had so much fun. The flight back was just as joyous for Hallie as the first one:) Of course now everyday she wakes up wanting to go the beach and pool. And she is constantly asking where her cousins are! It was a fabulous trip!

Vacation!

Just a quick update, we're heading to Washington D. C. then Myrtle Beach! We are so excited! Hallie keeps talking about her plane ride and building sand castles :) We got white house tickets while we are in D.C. and are planning to see all the things we've missed in previous trips! It should be amazing! I'll update with pics when we get back!

(we just got internet at our new apartment so it's been awhile since I've been on... sorry ;) I've missed a lot and haven't written all the fabulous things that have happened ie. a married brother CONGRATS, a married sis in law CONGRATS, family visiting, and all the cuteness of Hallie and our summer! One really long post is on its way!)

Lots of Random

So there are so many things fun things that have been going on I just want to share :)

1. Hallie is getting SO big! She is amazing! Yesterday she said a 2 prayers all by herself! She said the usual begining and close and in the middle she said "thank you for this day, thank you for the food, thank you for daddy studying so hard." How cute is she?! Today I was talking to Hayden on the phone and Hallie said, "Can I talk to daddy?" So I gave the phone to her and she said, "whatcha up to daddy? What's your plan for today daddy?" She just cracks me up!!

2. We love the mountains! We went on a beautiful hike at Big Springs and took fun pictures. Hallie was so happy the whole time and loved seeing everything! It made me so excited to go camping this summer!

3. Sewing! All growing up I detested fabric stores. To me the idea of walking into one was more painful than a root canal! However I have recently realized there is a whole new world of wonder in fabric stores! I walked by a store the other day and actually stopped to look at cute fabric! Here are a couple of things I've made lately: an apron (bibs are so last month!), and a couple of skirts.



4. Hannah Montana. Somehow I missed my teenie-bop years and loving tween singers (except New Kids on the Block-everyone loved them!) because I am suddenly joining in with all those little screaming 12 year olds about Hannah Montana. Yes, I have watched the show off and on for a few months, but never really considered myself a fan until the movie and the soundtrack! LOVE IT! The climb - love it, butterfly fly away - love it, backwards cowboy song - love it, but most of all and unabashedly Hoedown Throwdown- LOVE IT! I totally need to learn this dance! It is so cute and I am now a complete fan.



5. Loving the weather! Summer is so great! I means bbq's, swimming, hiking, gardening, reading books on picnic blankets, and of course Big Springs! We're having so much fun and loving every minute!