Last trip to D.C.while in Virginia.

We went up to DC for one last time.

It was pretty cool, because we got to tour the inside of the White House, and we got to go to the top of the Washington Monument.  The Monument has been closed for like 3 years due to damage suffered in an earthquake.  It fortuitously opened back up just a couple of weeks before we were to move.  We jumped right on it, secured tickets online and back to the top of the Monument we went!

The White House.

The original White House burned during the war of 1812.

Then it was rebuilt with the East and West wings added in much later years.

It was pretty cool to see inside, but sadly, they did not let us in to the West wing.

No pictures allowed inside.

So we huddled around the front Porticco and took some pictures.

These are still with in the gates of the White House, so you need tickets to even stand on these steps.

Our family.

My kids are slowly overtaking me.

Then, one photo outside the front gate.

 Anya's Washington monument tale...

She went to the top when she was 2 years old, so she has no memory of going to the top. 

In 2010, we came to DC as a family while Matt was in Virginia on business.  We wanted to go to the top, it was a mission for Anya.  But sadly, we were unable to acquire tickets.  They sell out very quickly in the spring/summer months.  Last we went was in October, and we just walked up and got tickets...so we were surprised they were sold out.  3 weeks before we were to move from Virginia this time, the Monument opened back up after extensive repairs.  It was fate!  I jumped online and grabbed tickets.  Anya has completed her mission, she has been to the top!

In the last 2 years she has been to the top of the Eiffel Tower, Berlin's radio tower, Statue of Liberty, Washington Monument,  all we have left I think, is Seattle's space needle.

 Up at the top, looking out the windows.

 The view was spectacular that day.

We got a great shot of the Jefferson Memorial

 After the Washington Monument we walked over to see Lincoln.

after this photo, we realized we were missing Cora.  She had run ahead of us, and we thought she would just wait for us at the top.  She was no where to be found.  It was quite busy, lots of people, and I admit I started to panic a little.  Turns out she had gone back down to find us...Matt found her as she was coming back up.  We had a few reminder lessons about staying where we are so other's can find us.

So relieved we had the Lord's blessing that day and everything turned out well.

 One last view of the Washington Monument.

We really loved living close to DC.  It is such a cool city, with so much to offer.

Maybe we will be close again someday.

Back on Track...Cora's Birthday!

Cora's birthday occured the week after our stuff was all packed up by the movers. 

So, we did not have any furniture really, except some camp chairs, bean bag chairs, and air mattresses.

The girls really loved getting their birthday candy bouquet.

 The requested birthday cake this time was Raspberry fudge cake.

These girls do not take it easy on me!

However, it is forcing me to learn how to make new things, and I discovered a yummy new Chocolate frosting that I think will become my number 1 stand by.

 Aunt Trudy made her this awesome quilt.

She has been waiting since Christmas (when she asked for it for her Birthday, silly girl)

and was so excited to finally get it!

 Happy Birthday to the sweetest girl in the world.

We can't imagine life without you, and hope it was a great day.

I skipped Easter too!

I completely skipped Easter too.

I feel like Easter is often times over looked as a Holiday.  Not as bad as Thanksgiving, but still, sometimes it seems exhausting so the traditions are let up.  I have tried to make it a big deal, just as big a deal as Christmas in importance.   That's why I loved Germany and Europe.  While they really knew how to do Christmas with all their Christmas markets and fan fare....they also gave the same attention to Easter.  I loved going to all the Easter markets in Europe, and quite missed them this year.

For Easter, the 12 days leading up to it, we do our Resurrection eggs.  We try to really focus on the Savior, his gift to us, and his ultimate Resurrection and all that means for us.

 However, we also add in the fun.

We always dye Easter Eggs.

 Here are this years products.

We used a new dye this year, it was very messy...so I don't think we will use it again.

I have a good friend that does a great Easter Crack off, with their Easter Eggs.  I think I want to start that tradition next year.  It sounds like so much fun!

 Easter morning, and our favorite event, the Easter egg hunt!

 mmmm, me thinks Hannah ate something blue from her Easter basket....

 Looking for that one, last, elusive Easter egg.

We never found it that morning, but Cora ended up finding it about a month later!

The candy was mush...yuck.

Our Easter picture.

In all our grass-stained, goofy finery.

I skipped myself...

I skipped over myself and went straight to Hannah's birthday in the last post!  My birthday actually came before Hannah's in our spring line up.  It was a pretty good day/weekend.  I say weekend because my birthday was on a Sunday, and we typically don't go out and do things on Sunday so we can keep the Sabbath Day.   So we did all the fun things I wanted to do for my birthday on Saturday instead.

 I say "fun", but it was probably only fun for Matt and I, and not the girls.  I have always wanted to see George Washington's Mt. Vernon.  While we have been to DC multiple times over the years, we have never taken the time to go see it.  For my birthday, we decided to make time to go.

I don't think Jack can take one more picture...he might loose it!

 My favorite part about Mt. Vernon was the wide Veranda/porch that stretched across the whole front of the house.  You could line chairs up 2 or 3 rows deep all across it and enjoy a beautiful evening viewing the Potomac river.  That would be so neat to have, especially for family reunions!

 The Potomac was especially lovely that day.

Mt Vernon's Veranda.

Love it.

My birthday selfie...

Matt and the kids spoiled me, as usual.

The best part was the red velvet Cold Stone ice cream cake!

Hannah's big day!

Spring brings lots of birthdays for our family...Here's Hannah's big day.

She turned the big 12 this year, I can't hardly believe it!

 She wanted a peanutbutter cup cake with peanut butter frosting.

Talk about decadence!

 Blow out the candles!

she is already practicing the teenager "humor the parents" look.

Even though she is 12, and growing up, I still love that she loves legos.

 Turning 12 means that she graduates from our churches program for kids, primary, and goes into the program for youth ages 12-18.  For her it is called Young Women's.  Here she is wearing her new medallion she got on Sunday.

 She is such a great young lady.  This year she has really taken off with her Violin.  It has become a great passion for her, and she loves to play and practice.

Here she is with her Orchestra performing their last concert of the year.

 She loved getting a bouquet of flowers after the concert.

Happy Birthday young lady!