Washington DC Post #1

I made it to DC on Tuesday night, and Ryan joined me today. We have had a wonderful afternoon viewing the Ford Theater, Vietnam Memorial, The White House, Washington Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, The Countries Capital, and several more. By the time we got out to Lincoln Memorial this afternoon we were so tiered that we haled a cab to bring us back to the hotel!

Yesterday my team went on a VIP tour of the House of Senate and the Capital Building which was pretty cool (got to go underground to get from one to the other. While we were in the underground tunnels we saw Jack Mccoy (Sam Waterston) from Law and order- I read that he is now into politics. I have a picture of the back of his head that I will post when I get home, but for now enjoy the one I found on line. His hair was a lot longer when we saw him yesterday than it is in this picture. We also go to meet Ron Paul yesterday. He is the uncle of our team VP. It was pretty cool that we got to sit down and talk with him, and hear his view on hemp! We also got to see the Presidents Helicopter fly right over us two times during the day. We also got to hand out in Georgetown which was really a lot of fun, and a great way to end the day.

Today my team and I all went to the Horizon Organic farm out in Maryland. It was nice and stinky, but nice to see the actual operations that helps bring in my families income.

There is so much to see here, and I don’t think that we have enough time to see it all over the next few days. My parents brought me a couple times when I was younger and I know that I did not take advantage of the opportunities, and I was truly too young to appreciate it all. I am so thankful that Ryan and I have this opportunity now.

I have already taken over 500 pictures so I will have lots to post when I get home.

Taylor and Emma Grace – we love you and miss you dearly.

Funny Taylor Story

Ryan and I head to Washington DC this week, and every time Taylor talks about the trip he referst to it as “DC Washington.”

Example: “Mom when you go to DC Washington will you bring me something back?” “Mom, when you go to DC Washington do you think that Manna and G-Daddy will bring me to Chucky Cheese?”

Such a cute little boy.

I love you my Taylor man, and I will miss you greatly this week.

Water Fun

My pride and joy:

Oh the things that kids come up with:

Emma Grace thinking about how fun that slip and slide would be:

Daddy Ryan taking his turn:

Manna about to get a kiss from Lucy:

Little Brenner trying to keep up with the big kid toys:

Taylor and G-Daddy planning their attack on the slip-in-slide:

Boys will be boys:

Lucy and Brenner hanging in the pool.

The water was really cold so I chickened out and did not put Emma Grace in it.

Taylor with cousins Lawson and Britain

G-Daddy just could not resist the fun any longer.

More Weekend Pictures

Here are some pictures from our weekend boat rides. Notice the trend – lots of sleeping babies. This momma does not complain when she is driven around on a boat which just so happens to put her baby to sleep.

These baby girls love to boat ride.

They get so relaxed that they just pass right out!!!

Have you ever seen anything so cute?

Daddy and Emma Grace:

Mommy Mary and Lucy:

Taylor Man:

Emma Grace wearing daddy's hat:

Happy Birthday Party – Emma and Lucy

This weekend we got to celebrate Emma and Lucy’s 1st Birthday with family and friends. We had such a fun and relaxing party out at the lake. The theme of the party was “Cherry’s” and we tried to go all out. Mary and I found the girls outfits a couple months ago and planned the party around them (if you can’t tell their outfits have little cherry’s on the side of them). We served cherry pie, fresh cherries, Shirley temples, and cherry shaped gummy fruit snacks. The boys cooked yummy hamburgers and hotdogs, and we ate until our hearts content. We had a wonderful cherry cake from Rick’s bakery (the best bakery in NWA). The girls had their own cherry cakes, which they loved and dove right into!!! We got to play in the baby pool, on the slip in slide, in the lake, and on G-daddy boat. We had such a wonderful day.

The girls loved being with each other, their cake, all their friends and family, and all the attention!!! Thanks to all of our family and friends that joined us to celebrate with Emma and Lucy – you all mean so much to us and we are blessed to have you in our lives.

Little girl’s I can’t believe that you are already 1 year old. I love you both very much and look forward to spending many more years together celebrating.

There are lots more pictures to come, but for now I am headed to bed because this weekend wore me out. I don’t know when I will get them posted because on Tuesday Ryan and I head to Washington DC for a nice trip together (alone – without our precious kids). I am so looking forward to some alone time in an exiting place. I digress – Good Night!

Birthday Girls

Life is a bowl of cherries!

I worked so hard making these little birthday hats for the girls, and then we forgot to put them on the girls.

Party favors (cherry gummies):

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you.....

The Birthday Girls:

Mommy and her baby girl:

You're just so cute my little Emma Grace:

Mr. Max - Max was born just a few days before Emma Grace, his mom Chandra and I were sorority sisters, and now Max and Emma are in the same class. I know that they will grow up to be really close.

Deanna and Brenner – Brenner was born just a few days after Lucy and Emma Grace. I know they will grow up to be great friends.

Audrey and baby Lila:

Beautiful mommy Mary:

Taylor you are such a funny little boy!

Have you ever seen so many grandparents with cameras?

I call this picture Emm and Lucy's paparazzi, Ha!

Nene and Emma Grace

Daddy hard at work:

Happy Birthday Lucy Bear

Lucy – I hope that you have a very Happy Birthday today!! I can’t believe that you are already a year old. I am so glad that God made me your aunt. Love, Aunt Laura

We are such a blessed family for we have 4 Birthdays that we get to celebrate in the span of 9 days: Manna’s (7/15), Mary’s (7/20), Emma’s (7/21), and Lucy’s (7/23). That’s a lot of birthin’!

Daily Update

Today Emma and Lucy celebrated the day between their birthdays by wearing matching outfits to school and sharing fun little cupcakes with their friends at school. They were so very cute – I wish that I had gotten to take a picture of them. Happy Birthday Little Ones!

I also figured out how to take B&W pictures with my camra.