Air and Space Museum - DC

We headed back into DC and took the kids to the Air and Space Museum in the city.

We really enjoyed this one, with so many hands on exhibits for the kids to play with and learn, it was an instant winner and their favorite museum so far.

The super mega sized McDonald's located inside might have swayed them a bit.

 McCall even got in on the activities once she stopped her incessant whining and crying.

The girl may end up driving me crazy at a quicker pace than I was already headed.

 Tate read just about every thing he could at the museum and patiently waited in line to participate in anything he was allowed to.

He loves learning.

I love that he loves learning.

 The space exhibit was ultra cool for these kids.

 But the infrared images are what stole their attention for the longest.

The stood in front of this laughing and gawking in amazement.

It was fun.

Gage was so enthralled but found himself at the back of the pack.

So he just climbed into someone body's stroller to get a better look.

He was mortified when he found out by a rather brusque father "asking" him to GET OUT!

First time I've seen that kids speechless!

It was a great time had by all.

We will definitely be returning back to this one.

The boys were sad to leave.

The downside to moving ...

The downside to moving is leaving so much behind.

Like little bits of your heart ...

Pieces of your past...

Wonderful people.

I miss you.

But what I could really use most is this ...

  A sister.

Or two.

A GREAT friend.

So what do you say girls?

Want to come visit me?

I promise to be fun.

***I would also be open to a brother, father, in-laws, nephews, nieces ...
Blog stalkers ... do you exist?
Any old familiar face :)
Love to you all.

Fancy

Meet my mom.

AKA Gage's "Fancy Grandma"

We were at the elementary school tonight for a performance by Connor's class.

It was so much fun.

The music was fabulous.

The kids did  a great job.

But in our section of the bleachers, it was Gage who stole the show.

Not surprising to us.

He found us seats by our new neighbors who have kids his age.

He settled right in.

Until the music started.

Then it was all dancing.

Slick moves were shown off.

More people were watching Gage than the six 3rd grade classes.

Several admiring fans asked Gage, "where did you learn all those cool dance moves?"

His answer ....

"My FANCY Grandma, Grandma Gulbranson!"

Loyalty

This boy is nothing if not LOYAL!

He declared his undying love for this little beauty ... 2 years ago!

And he's not about to change his mind.

Time and distance will not deter him.

Other little vixens will not sway him.

He is going to marry Marin if it's the last thing he does.

He has decided on the location, even found a dress for her this past week.

They are going to have two kids.

Today his love was put to the test.

We hosted a play day at our house and there were some cute little girls there.

Gage found his new little friend Eva and grabbed her by the hand.

Asked her on a date to the hammock in the backyard.

And swung there for quite some time, chatting and laughing.

I just had to know what was being said.

They were playing pretend.

They were on a date.

Eva was pretending to be Marin, at Gage's request.

My heart melted.

I love loyalty.

I love Gage.

The two go together.

Helping Japan

I've thought a lot over the past several days of how I can help those in Japan the best.

Obviously I can't send food and water and leave my family to head over there.

But I can donate funds to an organization that I have often donated to.

100% of donations go directly to fund relief efforts in Japan.

100%

LDS Philanthropies

Any donation helps.

Through our gifts others can be helped.

I would urge each of you to donate in some way to relief efforts.

And of course keep the people and government of Japan in your prayers.

Looking forward to ...

There are a few things we are looking forward to on hot summer nights here.

Oh the things we are going to learn.

Fireflies in the summer.



The sound of bull frogs at night.

There are also some things we are not looking forward to:

1. The heat

2. The humidity

3. Poison Ivy

4. Ticks

But you take the good with the bad. 

Senate and Capitol Tour

We took a day off of school to take the kids in to DC to get a tour of the Senate office and the Capitol.

I thought it was a good reason to miss.

They were so excited to finally see where Dad works.

But they were more excited to have the chance to ride the underground train from the Senate Offices to the Capitol.

Does it get any better than that?

McCall paid no attention to the tour, just the camera.



We joined the Elders on a tour - so fun to see Elder Davie from South Jordan!

The boys enjoyed seeing the cornerstone of the building laid by
George Washington himself.

McCall didn't care at all about the cornerstone, but she saw a photo op.

Gage got tired of the tour and joined the posing.



Connor and Tate in the old Supreme Court Chamber.
They loved all the facts and history.
Mostly because it passes off Cub Scout requirements!



McCall outside the Old Supreme Court Chamber.




We were able to find both statues donated by Utah - good old Brigham Young
 and Farnsworth (inventor of the television).

 


We had to get some pictures with Elder Davie to send home to his mother!