Photo Overload!

My sister Karlee has been here for 4 days now. She flew in on Friday and heads off to school on Saturday. I was planning on doing one long post for our week of fun, but after heading into the city Sunday afternoon, and then hitting up the zoo yesterday, I realized we'd have WAY too many pictures to put into one post. Karlee and I both love taking pictures and making sure every moment of fun is documented! So, I guess I'm going to have to break her visit down into outings. 

Outing #1: 

I'm pretty proud of our first outing because it was my first time driving into the city (usually Spencer drives and I don't pay much attention to where we're going- I just like to enjoy the scenery). I totally feel like an experienced metropolitan citizen now. It was a piece of cake too (aside from the $30 parking ticket I found on my windshield when we got back to the car- ugh)! 

Karlee really wanted to go to the Holocaust Museum, and we figured Sunday (the only day we could leave Madi home with Spencer) would be the perfect day to go. 

We stayed until closing (5:20pm) and then headed over to the Washington Monument.

From there we hit up the rest of the monuments and memorials, enjoying a nice relaxing, not to mention- gorgeous Sunday afternoon! Like I said before, we took a LOT of pictures! I gotta say- I have one photogenic sister! I had way too much fun snapping pics of her in front of all the sites!

She insisted on taking some pics of me too (keep scrolling)!

And of course - one together!

Not only was this Karlee's first DC experience, but I can't forget to mention that it was also Elle's first trip into the city. I'm happy to report that she thoroughly enjoyed herself.

Her favorite part- some yummy dinner. . .

A good burp. . . 

And a little bit of lovin!

Stay tuned for lots more pictures from all of our outings with Karlee!

This is what I was talking about....

To illustrate the analogy I mentioned in a previous post I had to share this video that Matt and Doreen sent me! Thanks guys! Just click the link and you'll understand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rHttp9QOsKg

First Day- LAST year!

Today was the first day of Spencer's last year of law school! I really don't know whether to cry or celebrate that he's almost done. I love law school and I've definitely missed having Spencer studying at home. However, I think this year is going to be different from all the others. I predict that he'll be much busier. He was hired back by the firm he spent the summer with to work part-time during the school year. Whether a full-time job with the firm will materialize is still uncertain, but this opportunity is a huge blessing-of the 5 law clerks the firm hired for the summer, only Spencer and one other clerk were asked to stay on! So, with working 16 hours a week, carrying a full school schedule, and receiving a new calling as the Stake Young Men's secretary, I'm planning on not seeing Spencer as much this year. I don't dare complain though- I'm sure it's going to be better than when he actually starts working full-time after law school. Good luck Spence!

Uncle Jeremy

It's been such a fun summer having tons of family and friends come to stay with us! This past weekend Spencer's brother was here visiting. He came out for work, but was able to stay and play for a few days afterwards. He flew in Wednesday night and got all his work done on Thursday. So, on Friday he and Spencer headed into the city to see the typical DC sites! They hit up the National Archives, the Air and Space Smithsonian, the Capitol, and they even got their own library cards at the Library of Congress! Wow- now they can claim to be "official" readers!

Saturday morning they headed off to Gettysburg! Taking Madi along gave me a very productive, quiet and relaxing day at home- just Elle and me!

I love this picture that Spencer took of a painting in one of the museums.

It's crazy to think that this beautiful land was once a huge battlefield.

Jeremy getting in on some of the action!

Walking along all the battlefields made Madi pretty emotional!

The TALL tower. . .

And Madi checking out the view from the top!

Madi enjoying telling Uncle Jeremy stories! Jeremy informed me that "Madi has a LOT to say." I guess she talked his ear off all day.

To top off the weekend, Spencer and Jeremy headed back into the city Sunday evening after dinner to hit up the rest of the sites that Jeremy wanted to see.

Arlington Cemetery:

Marine Corps War Memorial: sorry no pictures- see my 4th of July post for pics

White House:

Monuments and Memorials:

Can you find the name that they were excited to see? It was a soldier (and probably a relative) from Logan, UT

We love you Uncle Jeremy. Thanks for coming out to visit!

Fun at the Fair

When we heard that the Montgomery County Fair was going on, Spencer and I were dying to take Madi. But after looking at our schedules- between work, appointments, and Uncle Jeremy coming into town, I didn't see it happening. Luckily, Stacie called to tell me that she and Scott were planning on going on Friday and wanted to know if Madi could come along. Perfect! Madi was thrilled (even if it doesn't show in the pictures- I promise my daughter is a very happy child. She just takes the Fair very seriously)! 

Big thanks to Scott and Stacie for taking pictures so that I could document Madi's first time to the Fair. They saw the animals. . .

Madi got to ride a pony. . .

The even went on the Ferris Wheel . . .

Stacie called me at the end of their Ferris Wheel ride and told me that Madi absolutely loved it! I asked to talk to Madi, but all I could hear was her freaking out about wanting to go AGAIN- so yes they went again! Madi was in heaven!

What a fabulous first fair experience! It was a "hit," because Madi has been talking non-stop about her adventure with Stacie and Scott! 

Thanks guys for letting Madi come along and most especially- for giving me a nice quiet afternoon at home!