Extra, Extra, Read all about it!

Oh goodness I've been quite the slacker. Let's start at the beginning of the month:

June 14: My wonderful husband turned one year older and wiser too. We had strawberry pie and opened presents. Happy Birthday dearest.

June 21: Father's Day. Carlin celebrated his second Father's Day. He got socks, a very Fatherly present if you ask me. :)

June 27: My handsome brother married one beautiful girl. Dallin and Samantha were joined together in matrimony at 6pm in the evening. The wedding was beautiful, the reception was beautiful, the bride was gorgeous, and my brother couldn't wipe the grin off his face.



I didn't have that many great pictures of everyone - but this gives you an idea.

We spent the weekend with my parents and then headed back home to pack and leave once more. This time we were on our way to Washington, D.C. The flights were rough... On our way out there I actually threw-up on the plane (I've never thrown up on a plane, I blame it on morning sickness). Our way back was a complete circus. There was mechanical failure on the plane and we missed our connecting flight in Detroit. We were rerouted on a flight to Tulsa, but our luggage is still lost. Sigh.

The trip was super-fun, not very relaxing, but super-fun. There was just so much to see - too much to see. I was excited about everything. I just love history. My favorite was probably the library of Congress. I want the reading room.




Us in front of the capital - we had a personal, staff-led tour of the capital. It was awesome and we felt elite.


In front of the capital (other side from previous picture).


Samuel on the lucky star in the capital. Legend says if you step on the star you will have luck for the rest of the year or something.


We also went to the D.C. Temple - that place was huge and absolutely gorgeous.


We also went to Old Town Alexandria which is on the banks of the Potomac River. It was really neat looking at all the old townhouses from the original colony days. There are lots of shops and dining options. We ate at a seafood place, where else are you going to get amazing crab?!

I was completely excited to spend Independence Day in the Nation's Capital. We even braved the crowds and watched the Fireworks on the National Mall - right next to the National Monument.



While we were there we saw the Smithsonians: Museum of Natural History and Museum of Space and Air. We tried to see the Gallery of Art but it sadly closed early that day.


Carlin in front of the Supreme Court.

We also went to the National Zoo.

Samuel about to be eaten by a T-Rex!

After seeing a Dateline special behind-the-scenes with Barack Obama where Obama goes to his favorite burger joint - Five Guys, we just HAD to try it too.

They were great burgers, and we were completely stuffed.

We also went to Mount Vernon:



View from George Washington's house!


Carlin's brother Mike and wife Cathy. They graciously let us stay with them and even watched Samuel a few times so we could have some precious one-on-one time exploring D.C.

And, what would a trip to the Nation's Capital be if we didn't take pictures outside the White House?


It was such an amazing trip and we weren't able to do everything. I get chills every time I think of how I walked the same halls Abraham Lincoln and George Washington walked. Everything has historical importance. Even down to the ice cream parlor Pop's which Eleanor Roosevelt used to serve the same ice cream to her guests at the White House. So cool!