Washington DC : Day Two- White House

Although we were still on Pacific Time, we woke up at 7:00 am (4:00 am Pacific Time), to get out the door and really see DC!

Random Statue!

 We saw squirrels EVERYWHERE!!!  It reminded me of my day camp kids who would freak out every time they saw a squirrel.  I got so excited. This one even let me pet it!  I was able to brush the tail twice before he let me know I was done.

 We also saw BLACK squirrels! This picture doesn't do it justice!

 The only reason we got to see such beautiful little animals, was because we were walking here...

 Brent said that seeing the White House was his favorite part of DC.  I really enjoyed it but it does look exactly like it does in the pictures and movies!

 This bank is directly across the street from the White House.  If you notice it says Bank of America, so Brent thought it was some National Bank... in reality it is just a part of the Bank of America chain!  I thought it was so funny.

 A gorgeous building. 

 This is the other side of the White House.  They look really similar.  I like this side better.  I also noticed a Beehive.

 In front of the White House

The White House was really gorgeous. We decided not to take a tour... apparently it take months in advance to get that set up.  I guess I will just have to see the inside when Brent become President! 

Washington DC: Day One- Masonic Temple

After we finished at the Cathedral we made a pit stop at the Masonic Temple.  Brent had just finished reading The Lost Symbol (by Dan Brown) which references the temple. 

 Being the tour guide he is, Brent informed me that the bottom was patterned after the Parthenon (Greece), the middle after the Pyramids (Egypt) and the top after the Pantheon (Rome).  It was fun that we had seen two of the three major structures! 

 Just so you have and idea for how big this structure was!  Plus I can never say no to sitting next to have lion half lady!

 Gorgeous Side View!  I really love that Brent has this amazing talent!

 Row houses were all over the place.  Brent was in love with them.  They reminded me a lot of Copenhagen.  These were really colorful!

 We also drove past Embassy Row.  This is the Congo Embassy!  now I can say I have been there as well.  I won't count it but I could!

 We finished up with day one touring and then hit up dinner with Spencer, Erica and Landon.  Surprisingly, Spencer made this face the entire weekend!

It was a great first day!  The East Coast was beautiful and just as hot and humid as Erica said.  

Washington DC: Day One-National Cathedral

Our really good friends Erica and Spencer moved to Washington DC for the summer.  The last time they visited us in Las Vegas we promised that we were going to return the favor... and we FINALLY ARE!

After our six hour flight, Erica and Landon (Spencer was still at work) picked us up from the airport and we started touring the town!  The first stop was the National Cathedral.

 Erica and I enjoying the view with little Landon who REFUSED to nap!  Landon and Brent made quick friends, so he wanted to be with him the whole day.

 There is no enterance fee but the do suggest (and enforce) a donation.  Before we entered I was telling Brent that I didn't have any cash for the donation.  A random lady was leaving at that time.  A moment she re-entered and asked if we needed money so we could enter.  IT WAS SO SWEET.  Don't worry, we reassured her we have money just in the form of our debit card, but they took cards so it ended up being fine.  Just thought it was a fun story!

There was stained glass windows lining the edges of the cathedral.  This is one of my favorite photos Brent took.  I love the colored light shining through.

 The architeture was really beautiful.  Very reminiscent of all the ones we saw in Europe.

 Each window told of a different period in the development of American history.  I can't remember what this one was... can you figure it out.

 The whole Cathedral was really REALLY patriotic.  This is a carving of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Erica and I infront of my favorite glass window.  I have to say this picture does NOT do the window justice.  It was very cosmic and mystical!  I really like it! 

 Brent shaking Mr. Lincolns hand.  I actually can't remember seeing one statue or picture of Christ but I saw a lot of Presidents.

 Brent and I un the Cathedral.  We look pretty good for literally getting off the plane!

 This is in Bishops Garden close to the Cathedral.  It was a really pretty park, notice Landon finally made an appearance without his stroller!  I love that little man!

It was a great start to our DC experience, and it is only getting better!  Stay tuned for the rest of Day One and the many many more post for day two!

Lake Las Vegas

I have been on a mission to make my weekends more fun filled.  Luckily, we have some great friends who are always doing fun things and willing us to come along!  This week they went to a concert at 

Lake Las Vegas for a concert. 

The concert sounded fun, hanging out with friends sounded amazing but the idea of seeing an actual LAKE sounded unbelievable.  I literally could not believe it so we had to go.

Here is the picture Brent took of the lake.  

 Here is Erin with Jadie (her daughter and Bella).  I know what you are thinking an YES that is real grass they are sitting on.

 Brent and James looking at something funny.  These boys are pretty much connected at the hip.

 James, Erin and Jadie.  I tried to get a picture but it was to dark by the that time and I kept getting the sky or ground.  Brent took this one.  Sorry Erin for your eyes being closed.

 This is Christina, Trevor and their daughter Bella (she is the one hiding).  They are visiting from Utah and looking into going to school here!  They were awesome and we really hope they move here!  

 During Intermission we had to get gelato.  Jadie enjoyed her cone a lot.  If you stuck out your tongue she would give you a lick!  she also had a ton of fun dancing the night away!  Once she got moving it was almost impossible to get her to stop.  

 Bella was good at sharing too.  As soon as we got our she walked right up and opened her mouth!  It was so funny since she had just met us.  I usually don't like to share with Brent but I would have handed my whole cone over to this little girl!  She was also pretty smitten with Brent.  When he would go and take pictures she would follow him and look at the camera screen! She is seriously adorable.

Us enjoying the evening!  Brent being ridiculous of course, but I am glad he is!  

It was a great night.  The band was pretty good but only covered two songs I know, so i wasn't quite smitten with them as I was with out company! 

Thanks for letting us tag along on the great time!

Jessica Baby Shower

As I mentioned we have been travelling and have had so many great reasons to travel!  The weekend after Brent returned home from driving our car back we headed off to Utah for Jessica's Baby Shower!

That is right, another one of our small group is taking on motherhood!  I couldn't help but make the drive up to Utah to help celebrate!  

Jessica has two great sister-in-laws who planned the party.  We arrived a little late but wasted no time in jumping in!  Jennifer was helping Jessica open her massive amounts of presents!

Their little boy is sure going to be spoiled!

They got so many great gifts!  They even got some Star Wars baby books!  Phil did a nice job of being around but not in the way!  I always wish Jess and Phil live closer because I know we would hang out ALL THE TIME!

I always love when I get to see my little Nephews!  Landon is growing up so fast I can not believe it!  And to think at 6 months old he has probably visited more states than I have!  He was so relaxed but the kid can drool!  I am told this is to be expected with little ones though!  

I did have to hand landed over so he could spend some time with Aunt Jennifer as well!

All the girls!  Can you believe how fast we are growing up?!  Jennifer graduated last week and that means we all managed to navigate college and come out the other side!  YEAH for Accomplishments and such a wonderful group of life long friends!

On a side note:  I have been blushing like made lately!  Just about anything remotely flattering or scandalous produces a bright red flushing from my cheeks!It has become a new game among my Las Vegas Friends to see how bright I will turn!  The only reason I am mentioning this is because I am BRIGHT red in all these pictures!

Hello Blogger-verse!

I have been on sabbatical!  Yes, I have been unrepentant in my decision that I did not need a chronicle of the last two months.  A lot has happened since then so I will quickly catch you up on some of the highlights.

Firstly, back in March I had the Veterans Stand Down.  It is a three day event focused around bringing all the services (employment, housing, haircuts, showers, clothing, food, medical dental ect) to homeless veterans.  I was one of the four main people running the show!  It was intimidating for sure, and since considering I had no idea what I was doing I think I nailed it!  Of course I have a long list of things that I am going to improve on next year but overall the event was incredibly beneficial and important for the 700 individuals we helped!

The Four Girls Running the Show!

What The Event Looked Like and Accomplished!

Secondly, Brent has been doing great at work!  In the month of March the Branch did so well that they took us all out for a fancy dinner! It was nice to visit with everyone, but I have to be honest... I didn't care for the restaurant.  It took over two hours to get out food.  The portions were very very very small and the food didn't taste any different than anything else I eat.  This is where I have to point out, I am a cheap date. Fancy things are just wasted on me.

Third, we got a new car!  This means that we said goodbye to Sweetheart (the white escort), but it was time.  After 8 years together it was her time to move on to another family.  To replace her we bought a 2009 Chevy Impala from Jason, Brent's Brother. He gave us a great deal and I am so excited that we have two reliable vehicles! Brent did need to fly to Portland and drive the car back.  I was thinking about doing it but that is a long 17 hour drive and I thought Brent needed a turn!

He also enjoyed stopping along the way to take landscape pictures!  If you want to see more go to Brentsfavoritephotos.blogspot.com

Fourthly, we have been travelling, but I will post about those in separate posts.

Besides all that we have been working away.  Brent and I are so blessed to have so many positive things in our life!  Of course the most positive thing we have is always each other!  Seriously, who could ever stay down when they have someone so supportive, fun and amazing to be around all the time... ya Brent is pretty lucky!  Just Kidding!  Check back for more posts!