Spring Break 2014

It was a tough choice but in the end we decided to head to Baltimore/Washington DC for Spring break instead of Utah this year. In the past we've always headed out to Utah because we can kill two birds with one stone spending Easter with my family while also getting in some skiing but this year our Spring Break didn't time with Easter so since we had just seen my parents and since we will be out in Utah this summer we decided to try out a new place...so Baltimore and DC were it! Jack and I have done DC but had never spent any time in Baltimore so after hearing nice things about Baltimore we decided to do them both. The kids had never been to DC and this had always been on our list of places to take them. It's a surprisingly short 50 minute flight from Dayton which was a big plus! Ty made it clear he wasn't excited to see a bunch of monuments and museums but Sage had been studying Washington DC in school this month so she was quite excited to see all the things she had been learning about. Connor is Connor...just happy doing anything! So we told Ty that if by the end of the trip he felt it wasn't a good time we'd be sure not to spend another spring break there...which of course we wouldn't do anyways...haha!

So the trip started in Baltimore. We were actually pleasantly surprised to see that Baltimore reminded us a lot of Seattle with the exception of the missing mountainous backdrop. The area around Chesapeake Bay is quite nice with paddle boats, lots of cafes with outside eating areas, a submarine, nice marina, etc. Had the weather been warmer it would have been nice to spend more time around the bay but it was cold!!! Thankfully the Four Seasons was located in a perfect location right on the bay where we could walk to all the major sites.



Around the corner from our hotel was the Under Armour store where we managed to spend some coin getting everyone hooked up with new shoes...and a few other things...



Sage's favorite thing to do at the hotel? Work out with her dad at the gym. Clearly she doesn't take after her mom...but I think the new running shoes also helped!



Our first full day we spent going to the National Aquarium. It's actually quite impressive but for a family that spends so many vacations searching out top places to snorkel, I think we all wished we were the ones swimming in the large tanks with the fish rather than watching the workers in their wet suits feeding the fish! We tried to see how many fish we saw at the aquarium that we hadn't swam with in our snorkeling adventures and I think there was only like one!!! We've been fortunate to swim with some amazing sea life!



When my sweet mission companion Heidi learned we'd be in the Baltimore area she drove in to meet us and spend a day with us at the Science Museum! It was so sweet of her. The last time I had seen her was when she came to visit us in NYC shortly after the boys were born.




After a few fun days in Baltimore it was time to head to DC. We had rented a car and were again surprised at how close Baltimore is to DC. Within an hour we were checked into our hotel just a couple blocks down from the White House! What's not to love about DC?!? As far as US cities, I think DC has some of the best architecture around. The weather was cold but clear. It would have been nice for the kids to see all the cherry blossoms in bloom as it's amazing to see but with the long winter we've all had in the east, that wasn't going to happen.

After getting checked in we jumped in a cab and headed to see some of the museums! Top of the list were the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and the Air and Space Museum. We all preferred the Air and Space.




DC is normally a place that you could spend most of your day walking from site to site but with it being so chilly we jumped in a cab to go the couple short blocks to see Capital Hill.



Seeing the monuments at night is really beautiful. Sage could hardly wait to tell her classmates about seeing them in person!



I had been wanting to see the Holocaust museum for quite some time. Finally after some luck I was able to get us tickets. I knew it would be a bit tough for the kids but I think it's an important part of history for them to know about. I also think it's good for them to feel sympathy and learn that hatred is shown in many ways yet is never acceptable and how important it is for them to always stand up for the things that are right.



The Bureau of Printing was more up their alley. It's actually quite fascinating to literally watch the money being made and all the steps that go into it to prevent counterfeiting and fraud.



Of course we had to explore the monuments during the day with Lincoln being the favorite!





It's always amazing to me how much smaller the White House looks in person. To think last time we were there we were actually inside the Oval Office...



On our way back to the airport we made a quick stop to show the kids the DC temple. It reminds me a lot of the San Diego temple. Jack and I joked though that our stop there reminded us of National Lampoons Vacation looking at the Grand Canyon. Got our photo and away we went. We had no idea what DC traffic was like getting to the airport and didn't want to gamble by cutting it too close. Next time we'll spend more time taking in their visitors center with the kids...



Aside from cooler weather than we would have preferred, the trip was a success. Ty in the end said he had a great time and it was a nice change from the typical beach or ski vacations we normally do! After realizing it's just a 7 hour drive, perhaps we'll make the drive next time!

What would we do without these two...

I know I'm so lucky to have the parents I've been blessed with. Throughout my life they have always been there for me and now they are not only always here for me but for my family. Countless times in my life they have been willing to sacrifice for us kids and our families, sharing what they have, and expecting nothing in return. These qualities make it so easy to want to do nice things for them. They love my husband and children equally as much as myself, and in return they have a son in law and grandchildren that think the world of them. What a blessing... I'm indeed the luckiest girl in the world! I love you mom and dad!

Our tweens turn twelve!!!

It was a busy day for the birthday boys! Although we were gone for it, my parents covered for us! They first joined the boys at their school for their Student of the Month lunch celebration which coincidentally took place on their birthday. As it turned out they were both picked by their teachers for the month of January so that worked out nicely. Later that evening they went to their end of season wrestling pizza party and then my parents took them out to Menchies for yogurt with a couple of their buddies from wrestling! So it was a busy day. Once we returned back into town we had our family party where the boys requested Hello Dolly bars for their treat.  Jack, Grandpa and the boys had a night out at Buffalo Wild Wings for their birthday dinner. Us girls took a pass on that so the boys could have some boy time together!



I don't know if it's a good thing or a bad thing that our kids never really want much for their birthdays or Christmas, in fact most of the time they have nothing for us which means I'm stuck trying to figure out something. Knowing their old scooters had died a couple years ago I came across these. Although they aren't as fast as Jack would probably like to see, they will do the trick for a couple years. The longer I can keep them away from the real motorbikes the better! We did however get a call from my mom while we were away alerting us that Connor said he wanted a turtle. Well, I knew that the turtle would be cool for all of a week but once he realized the return on investment wasn't so great we worried he'd want to get rid of it. I mean really it's not like you cuddle with a turtle or it does tricks for you. How long can it be exciting to stare at a turtle yet each week he'd still have to clean out his tank?!? After heading over to the pet store and discussing the pros and cons Connor decided he'd rather stick with the scooter rather than the turtle...thank goodness! Jack and I laugh at these retro Oakley glasses and although we think they are probably Oakley's tackiest yet, we thought the kids might find them so tacky that they actually are cool. We shall see...



As it turned out the boys never pushed for a friend party. I felt a bit bad about not putting one together but since they didn't seem to care either way, I didn't push it either! It seems that as they get older, the big birthday bashes are getting less important to them. They know who matters most and we will never let one pass without a celebration! We love you Connor and Tyler!

Me time...

As a stay at home mom I find myself at times becoming very envious of Jack when he has to travel for work. Something about the hotel lifestyle of no cooking and cleaning is very appealing. Now for Jack it's no different than life at home but for me...it's a big treat! So when I learned he was once again heading out to sunny, warm CA on business for a week I decided that if the stars aligned and my parents could come watch the kids and my BFF Heather and I were able to plan a girls weekend during the same week it would be a go.

Thankfully I have been blessed with the most amazing parents around. They are always happy to jump on a plane and come watch the kids and I always know the kids are in good hands...perhaps better than my own! The only unfortunate thing this time around was that we'd be away during the boys 12th birthday but the boys were completely fine celebrating the weekend we returned since we would have had to wait until Jack returned anyways. So here are a few photos from our trip!

Talk about perfect timing, just as Jack and I were being dropped off at the hotel, I turn to get out of the car and see Heather parked right behind us. After an early and long flight food was first on the to do list! So off to the Grove we went...



After enjoying lunch we dropped Jack back off at his hotel and Heather and I went to check into a different hotel where we'd be meeting Pilar. How funny it was that as we pulled up to that hotel Pilar would also pull up at the exact moment facing us from the opposite direction! Here we were all traveling from different places yet we all were within seconds of meeting up with each other. I hadn't seen Pilar since she visited me in WA but like with Heather it was as if no time had gone by. We all had such a great time playing tourists while getting in our fair share of good food and laughs. We laughed so hard as we followed some open top tour bus giving a tour of where all the celebrities lived. Heather would pull over each time the bus did and we'd all listen quietly to hear whose house we were parked in front of. After doing that for a couple houses it was on to Villa Blanca.

After enjoying a lovely dinner at Villa Blanca which was made popular by the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills show (and seriously some of the best salmon I've had) we decided we wanted to drive by Sur to check it out. I mean there is a whole reality show based on the joint so we couldn't not check it out. Although it was booked solid for every weekend through March you can drop in the lounge/bar side that doesn't take reservations and hope to get in. Well there was no way on a Saturday night we were getting in. The line was out the door and the place was packed. As much as I was looking forward to finding some nice men for my two single friends it was clear it wasn't going to happen this evening! The next day we did Mulholland Dr., the Chinese and Dolby Theater and Walk of Fame, West Hollywood, and Santa Monica.





Aside from wishing we had more time together, the weekend was a blast. Next it was back to the Beverly Hilton to reunite with Jack! I was looking forward to spending the week with him alone even though I knew he'd be busy with work stuff. Thankfully the weather was perfect most of the week so I spent my lazy days at the pool. How easy I got use to the life of leisure... One cool thing that happened was on my first day out by the pool I ended up sitting next to and chit chatting with this nice British man. At one point I asked Glen what brought him to LA and he casually said he was nominated for an Oscar! He had asked if I had seen the movie Gravity, which sadly I hadn't even heard of and admitted to him. We talked about places we'd traveled, our families, his life working around celebrities, what he'd be wearing on the big night, etc. He also introduced me to a few of his buddies who were staying at the hotel too. As it turned out both him and one of his friends both won for different categories in Gravity. How fun it was to see him on stage accepting his Oscar as we watched from home! Kind of cool!



How funny that on Jack and I's last day at the Hilton Jack spots a bunch of the cast from Vanderpump in our hotel lobby. After the prank Jack had played on Heather, Pilar and myself, he knew he had to get a photo to prove to Heather and Pilar that indeed he really is a celebrity magnet ... even if they are C-listers...or maybe Z-listers...haha!



What a fun trip Jack and I had. Sadly I don't have one photo of the two of us together but I don't think we could have paid him to be in the photo with Jax... Now time to plan the next trip!

New experiences for the boys...

So in 6th grade the boys are required to sign up for a music class with the options being orchestra, band, or choir. I had assumed they'd select choir as it seemed to be the easiest choice (no practicing required) and let's be honest aside from Jack's sister, there is no musical talent on either sides of the family. I have clear memories of me trying out an instrument around their age. I started with the cello but the thing was bigger than me so that only lasted a week. Then I moved on to the violin but the ear piercing noises that came from it was enough to drive me crazy and after that I tackled piano which I did do for several years but sadly have nothing to show for it. Well, after attending an instrument fair Ty decided he wanted to play the viola and Connor chose the violin. Thankfully drums aren't offered in 6th grade. The only complaint I have was that the accessory kit should have included ear plugs...

So here are our musicians...



Next it was on to a new sport for the winter. Football had ended and wrestling is always marketed to the football kids. I personally think wrestling is one of the grossest sports out there but Jack got the boys all excited and within a week of finishing up the football season they were starting wrestling. They actually really enjoyed it and at their first beginner level match, they both took first in their weight categories. Of course once they were put up against kids that had been wrestling since they were four (literally), it became clear they'd need to really focus if they wanted to continue winning. Because most of the meets were on Sundays they didn't get in as many as we would have liked but they still really enjoyed going to the weekly practices. We'll see if it's something they'd like to do in middle school. The jury is still out on that...



Along with some good exercise, the boys also came away with a new friend because of wrestling. I love this photo of Ty and Joseph from their first tournament. Cute boys!!!

Well hello 2014!

And just like that we go from the high of the holiday to the lows of January... As for the weather that will be a low point too with a high of 1 degree expected on Monday! Here are a few shots from our New Years Eve that we celebrated with the Simmons and Denisoffs!