More DC Pictures

 

Here’s just a sampling of a few things we saw at DC:

I was SO excited to go to George Washington’s house Mount Vernon because I had just finished reading a book about him.  I was a star student on the tour because I knew all about how the Marquette De Lafayette had sent George Washington the key to the Bastille after it had been stormed and it is still in his house today—we saw the key.   It was my moment to shine….and most of the people probably didn’t even care.:)

Here’s George Washington's tomb—right next to Martha’s

We also went to Ford’s theater where Lincoln was shot—I also read a book about him a while back as well—gosh, I guess I am sort of a history nerd—but it makes tours and museums lots more interesting I tell ya!  We even saw the pillow he laid on after being shot—it had blood!

This is the box where Lincoln got shot—and this is exactly how it looked that night.  We got in trouble for leaning over the banister to get this shot—but we still got it—heh, heh, heh.

My Mom and Lyle at the Smithsonian in front of the Capital.

The White House is waaaaaay back there….

Jack and Conner striking a dramatic pose in front of the Potomac River

 

Here we are in downtown Alexandria for dinner—one thing we learned about Conner is that he’s not big on sitting in high chairs at restaurants, especially when he’s all weirded out from traveling and tired…but we still love him lots and he’s pretty darn cute.  It was fun for our east coast fam to see him walking around and stuff. 

I think this is the suit that was worn by Neil Armstong or something—I can’t remember now.  The cool thing about the Smithsonian is that they have all the REAL stuff—sounds so cheesy, but it makes history “come to life” in a way it never has for me before—I got so many chills and got teary eyed a lot just seeing all the awesome history of America.  I love it!

It was a neat trip and the rally was superb—we definitely want to come back for a longer visit with all the kids some day.

Gilbert Constitution Fair

Tonight is the annual GILBERT CONSTITUTION FAIR in Gilbert's Civic Plaza and Town Square. I am not sure exactly where that is, but it sounds easy enough to find--probably just downtown Gilbert. Anyway, it is WAY fun, $10.00 for your entire family to go. They have games, food, performances, and fireworks if you stay till the end. It's a great way to celebrate and teach our children about our nation. Here's more information about it. These pics are from last year--Jack and I had a church event we had to go to, so my mom offered to take the kids to it for us--I was so glad they didn't have to miss it, and really glad we get to take them tonight. Hope you can make it too!

We Were There

 

Yes—we went to the 8-28 Glen Beck Rally.  If you have no idea what I am talking about, it was a HUGE rally with people from all over the country gathering together in DC to help RESTORE HONOR to our great nation.

 

It was awesome.  (Our great seats were courtesy of my sister-in-law and my nephew staying all day, and Jack and my brother staying all night.)

We only took the baby because, well, he was free on the airplane.  And, he’s our little baby.  The other kids stayed home with Grandma Whiting and Aunt Becky for a few days.

LOTS OF PEOPLE—At least 500, 000 gathered by the reflection pool on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.  I have never seen anything like it—ever. 

My Mom and Lyle came as well, and we met up with my brother and his family—I can’t find the pictures I took of them at the rally on this file for some reason.  My niece and her husband came as well.  So it was a nice reunion with great people at a really great event. 

 

Good ole Glen—what a great guy he is!  I’ve always liked him and agree with most of his views, but sometimes I sort of thought he went over the top.  However, after this rally, it sounds silly, but I feel like I “know him better” and I respect what he is trying to do for our nation.

 

Another crowd shot, but it doesn’t do it justice.

Afterwards Conner zonked out and we traveled to see Mr. Lincoln.

 

Here we are at the memorial.  We saw a lot of other stuff as well because we were there for a few days, but I’ll post about that later. 

 

The rally raised money for a great cause—helping families of soldiers who have died in the field go to college—and it also had a theme—If we want to improve our country—we must start with ourselves.  And we must improve in faith, hope and charity.  It was a simple, powerful message that made a difference for me, and I hope many others.  A great experience that I am proud to have been a part of. 

I Didn't Like It

So, I am the kind of person that reads a book, is way into it for a few days, and then I usually get over it and don't think about it as much--unless maybe I start talking to someone about it or something. Anyway, I hadn't thought TONS about the last book in The Hunger Games series, but when it did come out I was pretty excited. I then I realized something:

The first book was AMAZING and great.

The second book was okay, but since I was still loving the first book I didn't really notice.

The third book was, not very good. And that's when I realized that the second was pretty good, but not great.

So, I was sad for a day or so. I talked/complained to Jack about it, but I was nice and waited until he had finished it before I talked to him about it. He agreed that it was rather dissapointing.

Anyway, just warning anyone that has read or is reading those books...but it's okay though because there are lots of books to read.

Okay I'm done.