Friday, July 9, 2010
Adventures of the pregnant homeless lady...on the road again!
Well, we are still having a great time! Yesterday we made the drive from Dumfries VA to Rochester NY. We are spending the weekend seeing the sites of Palmyra NY...it has great significance to members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and we are loving it so far.
Let's see...yesterday's drive was pleasant. For the record the old lady needed a potty break before the pregnant lady did;-) It actually worked out well since we were right by Gettysburg. Not on the planned itinerary but still very cool. We didn't do much there since we wanted to get back on the road but we took a few pics with Abe and were on our way. Our path also tooks us straight through Williamsport PA...not ringing any bells with you? Well, it's the home of little league baseball and where the little league world series is held every year in August. We had lunch in Williamsport and then decided to tour the little league museum and take a peek at the field. Tyler (and Dan) were in heaven. Tyler informed us that we will be coming back in 2 years to watch him play...so put it on your calendar.
Thus far today is looking good as well. We enjoyed the ample breakfast provided by the Marriott Residence Inn, never a disappointment, yum. Then it was off to Palmyra and the Joseph Smith Farm. We had a nice time touring the farm and the Sacred Grove on the property. We just got a quick picture of the temple...we were too hungry to stay and walk those grounds, we'll go back later. Tonight the Hill Cumorah Pageant is on the schedule but we've had a few thunderstorms this afternoon (thankfully AFTER we left the farm). Dad is, of course, watching the weather channel trying to decide if going to the pageant is still a good idea. I'm hopeful that it will work out. I guess we can go tomorrow night if tonight is too soggy...I'd hate to drive all this way and not see the pageant!
I'm off to take a nap...the pageant doesn't start until 9pm and I am really tired...I'd hate to fall asleep during the show! Have a great day, happy summer!!!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Adventures of the pregnant homeless lady...DC Week #3.
Wow! It seems like we barely got here and it's time to pack up and head back out on the road. We've had an amazing 3 weeks in our nation's capital and couldn't ask for a better summer thus far. Since I last posted Dan did, in fact, find us a home for the fall(I guess I shouldn't call myself the pregnant homeless lady anymore), he came back to DC (yippeee), and we've packed in the fun. Let's see...
Dan came home Thursday, everyone was thrilled to see him, his flight was uneventful. Friday the weather was heavenly so we decided to do the monuments. The metro ride in was really fun for the kids...we sat in the front car and they got the jump seat by the cabin...they smashed their faces up against the glass and pestered that poor driver the entire ride, he was a nice guy! Great day to walk the city. We couldn't get into the Washington Monument but we walked around it and figured that would have to do. We did go up to Lincoln and then around the tidal basin to Jefferson (anyone familiar with the area should really be impressed by this...it's a LONG walk!) Of course the kiddos saw the paddle boats in the basin and we just had to give them a try so paddle we did :-) Whew, I earned my extra snacks that day. It doesn't really sound like a lot, but it was...really fun day. We came home and enjoyed a backyard BBQ and some outside fun. Best weather day of the trip by far.
Saturday Grandpa took us down to the navy yard and showed us around a display ship. It's always fun to tour a ship with Grandpa (my Dad lived on an aircraft carrier for 2 years during Viet Nam...he knows his ships). We also went to the museum at the navy yard. Aaron could not get enough of the ships and cannons...I was a little worried about how much he liked the cannons but it was a great day.
Sunday was a good 4th of July. My Dad was sick so he stayed home from church and got some sleep. That evening we decided to keep things low key and do a movie night instead of fireworks...we heard fireworks in the area about halfway through the movie, paused it, went outside for a 15 minute display, went back in, finished the movie and off to bed. Great call by us.
Monday was a cleaning day. Not a ton of fun for everyone but it needed to be done...we have been here for 3 weeks. The kids have been great sports about chores and have really done a good job of keeping their belongings picked up and helping with daily tasks. Monday we did a really deep clean though, ugh. After a long day of chores we celebrated by going to a game at the local minor league park. Fun times (dollar night...really fun times!)
Tuesday we did our 4th and final day down in the district. Thanks to a friend of my parent's we were able to get some White House tickets (by the way, if you are coming to DC you need to ask your congressman for tickets ASAP or you won't get them). Unfortunately he got stuck in traffic and was an hour late to work...really bad for us because the secret service would not let us in without him there...and it was hot. The good news is Aaron got to watch the police dog sniff a lot of cars and we fed the ducks that live in a fountain near the White House...Aaron had fun. Once he finally met us there he got us in...thankfully. We had given him our SS#'s a long while back and were told we had the green light but somehow when we got to the first security checkpoint I was not on the list...everyone else in the family went right on through, but I was told to "please step into the fenced area over there." The secret service took my license and they were trying to run a background check on the fly when my parent's friend pulled some Oval Office Jedi magic and informed them that I was, in fact, cleared to enter. Thanks Dan deGuzman! The White House is cool. I do have to admit that the tour is not nearly what it was pre 9/11...this was the first time I had been back in 10 years! It was still really neat though and the kids had a great time. So many historical items to see. Unfortunately you can't bring anything in with you and photography is prohibited so we have nothing to show from our tour...but trust me it's cool. Last night Dad, Dan, Tyler, and my brother Adam all went to a National's game. Apparently they got amazing seats (put your feet on the dugout seats), and had a great time. Again, no photos...not because they are prohibited...but because they are men and actually watched the game and do not care at all about blogging. While they were at the game the rest of us enjoyed swimming and pizza...great day!
Today is packing day. We are having a treasure hunt to find all our belongings in this house...we are scattered about everywhere! We did take the kiddos to one of those inflatable jumping thing places...they needed to get out some wiggles. We take off first thing in the morning for Palmyra, New York. The good news is my parent's are coming along for the weekend so we will have two cars for the trip tomorrow...yippeee!!! They can take a couple of grandkids in their car ;-)
All in all this has been a wonderful leg of the journey, we're excited to continue on but sad to leave. Okay, here we go...on the road again...
Dan came home Thursday, everyone was thrilled to see him, his flight was uneventful. Friday the weather was heavenly so we decided to do the monuments. The metro ride in was really fun for the kids...we sat in the front car and they got the jump seat by the cabin...they smashed their faces up against the glass and pestered that poor driver the entire ride, he was a nice guy! Great day to walk the city. We couldn't get into the Washington Monument but we walked around it and figured that would have to do. We did go up to Lincoln and then around the tidal basin to Jefferson (anyone familiar with the area should really be impressed by this...it's a LONG walk!) Of course the kiddos saw the paddle boats in the basin and we just had to give them a try so paddle we did :-) Whew, I earned my extra snacks that day. It doesn't really sound like a lot, but it was...really fun day. We came home and enjoyed a backyard BBQ and some outside fun. Best weather day of the trip by far.
Saturday Grandpa took us down to the navy yard and showed us around a display ship. It's always fun to tour a ship with Grandpa (my Dad lived on an aircraft carrier for 2 years during Viet Nam...he knows his ships). We also went to the museum at the navy yard. Aaron could not get enough of the ships and cannons...I was a little worried about how much he liked the cannons but it was a great day.
Sunday was a good 4th of July. My Dad was sick so he stayed home from church and got some sleep. That evening we decided to keep things low key and do a movie night instead of fireworks...we heard fireworks in the area about halfway through the movie, paused it, went outside for a 15 minute display, went back in, finished the movie and off to bed. Great call by us.
Monday was a cleaning day. Not a ton of fun for everyone but it needed to be done...we have been here for 3 weeks. The kids have been great sports about chores and have really done a good job of keeping their belongings picked up and helping with daily tasks. Monday we did a really deep clean though, ugh. After a long day of chores we celebrated by going to a game at the local minor league park. Fun times (dollar night...really fun times!)
Tuesday we did our 4th and final day down in the district. Thanks to a friend of my parent's we were able to get some White House tickets (by the way, if you are coming to DC you need to ask your congressman for tickets ASAP or you won't get them). Unfortunately he got stuck in traffic and was an hour late to work...really bad for us because the secret service would not let us in without him there...and it was hot. The good news is Aaron got to watch the police dog sniff a lot of cars and we fed the ducks that live in a fountain near the White House...Aaron had fun. Once he finally met us there he got us in...thankfully. We had given him our SS#'s a long while back and were told we had the green light but somehow when we got to the first security checkpoint I was not on the list...everyone else in the family went right on through, but I was told to "please step into the fenced area over there." The secret service took my license and they were trying to run a background check on the fly when my parent's friend pulled some Oval Office Jedi magic and informed them that I was, in fact, cleared to enter. Thanks Dan deGuzman! The White House is cool. I do have to admit that the tour is not nearly what it was pre 9/11...this was the first time I had been back in 10 years! It was still really neat though and the kids had a great time. So many historical items to see. Unfortunately you can't bring anything in with you and photography is prohibited so we have nothing to show from our tour...but trust me it's cool. Last night Dad, Dan, Tyler, and my brother Adam all went to a National's game. Apparently they got amazing seats (put your feet on the dugout seats), and had a great time. Again, no photos...not because they are prohibited...but because they are men and actually watched the game and do not care at all about blogging. While they were at the game the rest of us enjoyed swimming and pizza...great day!
Today is packing day. We are having a treasure hunt to find all our belongings in this house...we are scattered about everywhere! We did take the kiddos to one of those inflatable jumping thing places...they needed to get out some wiggles. We take off first thing in the morning for Palmyra, New York. The good news is my parent's are coming along for the weekend so we will have two cars for the trip tomorrow...yippeee!!! They can take a couple of grandkids in their car ;-)
All in all this has been a wonderful leg of the journey, we're excited to continue on but sad to leave. Okay, here we go...on the road again...
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Monday, July 5, 2010
Happy 4th!
We had a great 4th of July weekend...complete with matching shirts, thanks to Mom. She made each person have a partner...silly Rosie.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Adventures of the pregnant homeless lady...week 2!
Here we are...3 weeks into the vacation and so far we still have more in the postive category than the negative. Actually we're having a GREAT time! Let's see, since last time I posted we really haven't had a lot going on. Dan is still in Houston and we miss him. The kids are ready for tomorrow when he comes home...I don't know how people do it with frequent travelling husbands...hats off to you!
Saturday we enjoyed the fabulous community pool party...the most fun you can get in 'Southbridge on the Potomac'. Good times. We really just spent the day doing normal summer things, swimming, eating bbq, etc.
Sunday after church we were able to attend the final performance of the season of the 'Mormon Choir of D.C.' and watch Grandpa sing and narrate. It was a great Sunday evening activity, we enjoyed some time at the temple visitor's center (the 'Mormon' temple...The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and then the concert. The kiddos were well behaved and Aaron really got into the music, dancing up and down the aisle for most of the concert :-) Tyler was able to be a bit of a stage hand helping to set up and take down some chairs and equipment. I'm so proud of them, they are really being great this summer! It was really fun to watch the performance. This is the first time I've been able to see a live performance of the choir and hear my Dad. The kids think it's cool that Grandpa gets to sing AND narrate.
Monday we did some yard work and then just hung out the rest of the day. Kyle had some birthday money burning a hole in his pocket so we made a Target run...fun times, normal summer day.
Tuesday my Mom had to work so I had planned to spend the day at the pool and/or playground with the kiddos...it rained all morning, grrrr. Things were going pretty well though, the kids were playing very well together and I was thinking how good this vacation was for them to get to spend time together, etc. I even managed to get in 30 minutes of exercise, happy day! My Mom came home for lunch and made a 'subtle' hint that we should make cookies and organize her tupperware cupboard. Fine. I was doing some laundry, baking cookies,and washing tupperware when one of my children informed me that 'in the bathroom upstairs the toilet is closed but water is running out under the lid and it smells bad in there'. Really. I pull some cookies out of the oven quickly, burn my hand, and run upstairs. Clogged toilet, raw sewage on the floor. Luckily I was informed of the situation before the water hit the carpet...but after it covered about 80% of the bathroom. I had just finished washing a load of towels...darn. While we were cleaning up the bathroom (positive note, that bathroom is now spotless and smells like bleach, not poop) I hear Katherine say "just unlock the door Aaron, it's okay, just turn the lock." I go into the hallway to find that Aaron had, in fact, locked himself in Tyler's bedroom. I didn't panic because it appeared that it was one of those locks that you can easily pop open with any straight object. I sent someone to find a Capri Sun so I could steal the straw for a key. That didn't work, hmmm. Paper clip, screw driver, some random metal stick...nope, nope, nope. Okay, now I'm worried. After about 30 minutes of trying to pick the lock I decided I needed to get Aaron out so I found some tools and took the handle off the door. I finally got him out, whew. It was done raining so we went to the playground...it was a little soggy but I didn't care, we needed to get out of the house. After about 90 minutes there Aaron managed to pee his pants...while wearing a diaper...I don't know how he managed it but I guess he thought I needed to do more laundry ;-) We went home and I decided it was a pizza day. I found a coupon and ordered some pizza...it was a carry out order so I figured out where I was headed and off we went. We get there and guess what?!? They sent my pizzas out with the delivery guy...I don't know why they did this since I did not supply them with an address but they did. He brought them back, I took them home. We ate pizza and went to sleep...I was done with Tuesday.
I slept for 7 1/2 hours without moving...I didn't even get up to pee (new record for me). I woke up, realized that I did not have children in the bed and that they were all still in their own beds, went to the bathroom and fell back asleep for another 2 hours...Wednesday was looking like a winner! My parents were both at work all day so I decided to just jump right in and take the kids into the city by myself. That's right. I did D.C. alone with 4 kids. Woohoo! We did Natural History and part of American History today...there is just too much to see to do it all in one day. We really wanted to finish American History but I could sense that we were not far from meltdown time and I needed to get them back to the metro and all the way home before this occured. No stories here, which is a good thing. I didn't even get lost driving to or from the metro station. Amazing. Seriously. I get lost all the time. We can home and enjoyed a nice evening together. Tomorrow we get to see Daddy again, all is well! Happy summer!!!
Saturday we enjoyed the fabulous community pool party...the most fun you can get in 'Southbridge on the Potomac'. Good times. We really just spent the day doing normal summer things, swimming, eating bbq, etc.
Sunday after church we were able to attend the final performance of the season of the 'Mormon Choir of D.C.' and watch Grandpa sing and narrate. It was a great Sunday evening activity, we enjoyed some time at the temple visitor's center (the 'Mormon' temple...The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) and then the concert. The kiddos were well behaved and Aaron really got into the music, dancing up and down the aisle for most of the concert :-) Tyler was able to be a bit of a stage hand helping to set up and take down some chairs and equipment. I'm so proud of them, they are really being great this summer! It was really fun to watch the performance. This is the first time I've been able to see a live performance of the choir and hear my Dad. The kids think it's cool that Grandpa gets to sing AND narrate.
Monday we did some yard work and then just hung out the rest of the day. Kyle had some birthday money burning a hole in his pocket so we made a Target run...fun times, normal summer day.
Tuesday my Mom had to work so I had planned to spend the day at the pool and/or playground with the kiddos...it rained all morning, grrrr. Things were going pretty well though, the kids were playing very well together and I was thinking how good this vacation was for them to get to spend time together, etc. I even managed to get in 30 minutes of exercise, happy day! My Mom came home for lunch and made a 'subtle' hint that we should make cookies and organize her tupperware cupboard. Fine. I was doing some laundry, baking cookies,and washing tupperware when one of my children informed me that 'in the bathroom upstairs the toilet is closed but water is running out under the lid and it smells bad in there'. Really. I pull some cookies out of the oven quickly, burn my hand, and run upstairs. Clogged toilet, raw sewage on the floor. Luckily I was informed of the situation before the water hit the carpet...but after it covered about 80% of the bathroom. I had just finished washing a load of towels...darn. While we were cleaning up the bathroom (positive note, that bathroom is now spotless and smells like bleach, not poop) I hear Katherine say "just unlock the door Aaron, it's okay, just turn the lock." I go into the hallway to find that Aaron had, in fact, locked himself in Tyler's bedroom. I didn't panic because it appeared that it was one of those locks that you can easily pop open with any straight object. I sent someone to find a Capri Sun so I could steal the straw for a key. That didn't work, hmmm. Paper clip, screw driver, some random metal stick...nope, nope, nope. Okay, now I'm worried. After about 30 minutes of trying to pick the lock I decided I needed to get Aaron out so I found some tools and took the handle off the door. I finally got him out, whew. It was done raining so we went to the playground...it was a little soggy but I didn't care, we needed to get out of the house. After about 90 minutes there Aaron managed to pee his pants...while wearing a diaper...I don't know how he managed it but I guess he thought I needed to do more laundry ;-) We went home and I decided it was a pizza day. I found a coupon and ordered some pizza...it was a carry out order so I figured out where I was headed and off we went. We get there and guess what?!? They sent my pizzas out with the delivery guy...I don't know why they did this since I did not supply them with an address but they did. He brought them back, I took them home. We ate pizza and went to sleep...I was done with Tuesday.
I slept for 7 1/2 hours without moving...I didn't even get up to pee (new record for me). I woke up, realized that I did not have children in the bed and that they were all still in their own beds, went to the bathroom and fell back asleep for another 2 hours...Wednesday was looking like a winner! My parents were both at work all day so I decided to just jump right in and take the kids into the city by myself. That's right. I did D.C. alone with 4 kids. Woohoo! We did Natural History and part of American History today...there is just too much to see to do it all in one day. We really wanted to finish American History but I could sense that we were not far from meltdown time and I needed to get them back to the metro and all the way home before this occured. No stories here, which is a good thing. I didn't even get lost driving to or from the metro station. Amazing. Seriously. I get lost all the time. We can home and enjoyed a nice evening together. Tomorrow we get to see Daddy again, all is well! Happy summer!!!
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