Our first day in DC

We took the Metro into DC and got off at the Federal Triangle stop. We began our day at the Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian). Our first stop was the food court and then headed out to the dinosaur bones, animals, ocean life and even the Hope Diamond.













Then, we headed out on foot to the US Capitol for our tour with Vic Snyder's office (one of our AR Representatives). Well, when we got to the lawn, we realized we were right in the middle of a big health care rally. We could not get to the building we needed to get into, so our plans changed, and we were told to meet at the visitor's center.




Once there, we met up with several other AR families and our tour guide. We went through several hallways and saw chambers, statues, and plaques. Then, we went into the House Gallery and watched a debate of the House of Representatives. It was pretty cool.


the whisper spot





the inside of the Capitol dome



recognize this painting from the $2 bill?

Three hours later, we left the Capitol, walked in front of the Supreme Court, and down the mall toward the Washington Monument. It had rained a little while we were inside the Capitol, and the sunset was amazing with the clouds. The monument was SO incredible!






(don't you think this last one is amazing! I can't believe the sky really looked like that. Seriously, not much photoshop needed!)

Then we took the metro back and Brad picked us up and took us to meet Lisa, and the kids at this terrific pizza place. What a great day!

Our trip to DC

We took a trip to Washington, DC this past week. Our friends, the Johns, moved to Fort Mead, Maryland earlier in the year and offered to host us if we wanted to visit. We had a few days off for the AEA conference, so we took off early and drove out there.

Last Tuesday, we left after school and drove to Cookeville, TN to spend the night about 11:30. Then we woke up (earlier than we'd hoped thanks to the girls getting up at 4:45!!!) and drove in the rest of the day. Our 'lovely' GPS had us get off of the interstate somewhere in Virginia and travel on 2-lane country roads for a few hours. It was beautiful, but it put is into DC right at rush hour traffic...and then took us directly THROUGH DC. LOL!




We got in, ate, and got the kids down so we could plan our next day. The Johns had all had the swine flu the week before so they couldn't take off school/work to hang out with us. But they helped us plan our day. We were so excited...and tired! ha!

Pumpkin Patch

We took the girls to the Shaefers and Collins pumpkin patch yesterday in Mayflower. Olivia went there in kindergarten on a field trip (and I have continued to go there each year with my students on a big yellow bus). It is a fantastic pumpkin patch with a ton of things to do and see. The weather was beautiful and while there was a lot of people there, it did not feel over crowded at all.

We ate at the concession stand--homemade corndogs and lemonade...YUM! Then, the girls had a great time looking at all of the animals and playing on the playgrounds. Then we took our hayride out through the 'spooky' fields to where the pumpkins were out on the vines. Each girl got to pick their own pumpkin and bring it back. It was so much fun!

Girls' Night -- October 9

Since dance practice was canceled due to a hip hop workshop, Brian and I decided that he should have a date with Bella, and I should take Olivia to have a special ‘girls night’ just the two of us. She was SO excited. I took her to Outback (since she loves steak and baked potatoes). Then, I surprised her by saying I was taking her ice skating…she’s always wanted to go! During dinner, Renea (Kenny’s mom) called and asked what we were doing for the night since there was no dance. I invited them to come skating with us. She said she’d think about it and talk to Kenny.

After dinner, Liv and I went to Justice to shop to wait till the skating rink opened. Justice was having a big 40% off sale, and although I didn’t think I’d buy anything, I ended up buying quite a big. Liv is SO skinny and SO tall that regular clothes don’t fit her right. Luckily we found some jeans there that fit (and that was our number one goal!). Then we got her some other shirts and things for dance. While we were shopping, Renea called back and said they were coming skating.



So, Liv and I met Renea and Kenny at the Skatium. Kenny had ice skated before, so he took off. He knew to bring gloves. Well, Liv and I walked around the edge of the ice in skates, holding on (I was terrified she’d fall on her face and break something!!), but in time, she was ready to let go and before too long, she was being so brave that I was REALLY nervous. I was really glad that Renea and Kenny were there with us to give us some company. :) We all skated for about and hour and a half. Then, we all got our shoes on and went to Cold Stone Creamery for ice cream. We didn’t get home till after 10 and I was beat! It was fun night. I know Liv loved it too. She kept saying it was her best night ever!

Our 11th Anniversary trip

We went to Memphis for our anniversary for the weekend. We stayed at the Park Place Hotel which is in Germantown. It was a very nice hotel, we were quite impressed. The first night, we went to Cozymel’s for dinner. It was COLD that night and I about froze to the car!

Then the next day, we slept in (Yea!) and headed to Tunica to the outlet mall. After having GREAT success with shopping, we headed to the Germantown mall and then headed to the movies. After seeing the Informant! (not a great flick…we were the ONLY ones in the theater. Literally), we went to Bahama Breeze for dinner. It was FANTASTIC! We killed some time after that at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Barnes and Noble. I was beginning to miss the girls SO much so I was glad we were going home the next day.

On Sunday, we got up and headed down to Beale Street. It was a cold and rainy day, so it was not crowded at all! We ate at the Hard Rock Café and had some wonderful food. The whole upstairs was dedicated to Elvis memoriabilia. I took the picture of the jacket from Jail House Rock (the song that Olivia is doing her solo to this year). After leaving there, we went back home. It had been a good weekend.

Our New Refrigerator--Sept 21

We finally got a new refrigerator! We have never had a new one, they were always hand-me-downs. But we broke down and got one! We have always wanted a side-by-side, but were pretty limited due to the cabinets above the fridge being quite low. We did find one though, and it looks amazing! It is so nice to actually SEE what is in the fridge (there are lights on the top and bottom shelves AND in the freezer!) And the lock on the ice maker/water dispenser are a MUST with Bella around. Ha!

Cooper's 2nd birthday party

Cooper had his birthday party the next day (Saturday). It was a farm theme. Unfortunately, it rained so party didn’t get to have all of the elements Emily had planned, but I don’t think Cooper cared (or noticed). Isn’t he a doll?

My 31st birthday

On my birthday this year, our school counselor made a sign for my classroom door. Then, one of my students even make her writing piece about my birthday (they get to free-write on Fridays) Isn’t that cute?



I had told Brian I wanted this birthday to be pretty simple. I wanted a new ceiling fan in our bedroom and so after a few fan purchases (even one that was installed and we realized it was too big for our sloping ceiling...), he finally got one installed. I love it! Well, that night Brian and I went to Loca Luna for dinner (delicious!) and then went to see a movie. Lots of fun!

Labor Day Checklist

I had BIG plans for Labor Day weekend—and it was the ONLY time I have ever accomplished everything on the list! First, we organized Bella’s room by moving a storage system from Liv’s closet to her room. Then I organized all of the toys, spray painted her new/refurbished headboard for her new “big girl bed”, and got new bedding for her room. Then I painted her chest of drawers and put on new drawer pulls, and painted her lamp, and HOPE sign. Her room is amazing!




Then, we straightened up Liv’s room and started working on creating and installing a ballet barre in her room. First, we took closet mirrors, stripped the frames off (breaking only 2…LOL), and installed them on the wall. Then we stained and sealed the wooden closet rod, and installed it on the wall. Olivia is absolutely BESIDE HERSELF! We did the whole job for less than $60. I’m pretty proud of it. Now, if she will just use it…



We had a labor day/birthday dinner at Mom’s on Monday evening as well. I LOVE getting things check off of my list!!!

Two MONTHS??

Seriously? I've gone practically two months w/o posting ANYTHING? I probably have no one left to read this thing! Well, here come a ton of posts all at once... May not have the pictures to go with them right now, but they will--so check back.