Spring Has Sprung…

I don’t know about you, but I was SO ready for spring this year.  We had one of the worst winters imaginable, and it seemed to go on FOREVER. Finally spring seems to be here.  Soon my lilacs will be blooming, the lawns will need to be cut again, and warmer weather will be here.  I can’t wait!

Life gets a bit busy in the spring.  The kids are in the final weeks of school and are preparing final papers and getting ready to take final exams.  This will be the first year in a LONG time that we get to take a whole summer vacation.  Since the kids are participating in the virtual academy this year, I don’t have to catch up on anything over the summer! WOOHOO! They have gotten great grades this year and have worked hard.  It took some getting used to for me to just be a supervisor, but I was still able to weigh in on some brainstorming for essays and helping with subjects that were difficult.  I actually wish we had done this sooner.  I love that I can still have the kids home, but I’m grateful that the burden of teaching is off of me.

A few weeks ago we went on a mini spring break to one of our favorite places on earth.  While we were there we broke out our new camera and took a little family photo shoot.  We got some fun shots, and I thought I’d share them here.  Morgan took a couple with her camera as well.  She took a photography class this year, and really enjoyed it.  She is becoming quite the little photographer!

Let’s look at some pictures! My darling Lovies!

My man and his silly kids in the background…

My Love and I strolling along the river (Morgan took these!) Her photo shoots always include a kissing shot, and she says things like, “That’s great! Keep it going! How about another one!” So funny…

               

Another shot of my precious children…

One of my favorites….I love him!

A pretty pine cone…

My Lovies again…

            

And a family shot taken on Morgan’s camera with the timer…Parker is leaning over.  He is really over 6’ tall now, and has passed his dad up!

One more of my Love and I…

Lots going on in the next few weeks, so hopefully I’ll get a chance soon to post! Hope you all have a wonderful spring/summer!

Our Nation’s Capitol…Day One…

Warning: LONG post and LOTS of pictures

My Love and I had the opportunity to go to Washington D.C. a couple weeks ago for a family wedding.  It was an all expenses paid trip, or we would not have been able to do it. We were very grateful to be able to go.  My husband and I have not been away by ourselves in quite some time, so it was so nice to get away with him.  My parents took care of the Lovies, so we were all set.

We flew to D.C. and were picked up at the airport by Andy’s brother and Dad who had already arrived the night before.  We drove to Bethesda, MD and checked into the Hyatt Hotel.  It was GORGEOUS! Our room was on the 6th floor, and was quite lovely.  Here are a few pictures of the lobby…

             

Here is the view from our room…We looked down on a beautiful fountain and the entrance to the metro…

The first evening we were there we rode the metro into the city to see a Washington Nationals baseball game.  I didn’t really groove on the metro ride, or the escalator that took us down to it.  I got quite claustrophobic… The last picture is blurry because it was a rough ride!

            

The game was really fun.  We had two suites for the game, and the food was wonderful.  Here are some pictures from the game…

Can you find me in this picture? It’s kind of like “Where’s Waldo?” If you need a hint, scroll down to see what I was wearing that night…

FIL, SIL, and MIL at game…

Lots of great food…and a great view of the game!

These young people sang the National Anthem, and they were amazing! I always cry when I hear the anthem, and I was about in a full on ugly cry here.  It was so beautiful…probably one of my most favorite arrangements ever.  They just sang it straight, no liberties, and I loved it.

A lovely tribute, and another ugly cry…

Brothers watching the game together, and Baby Evelyn

                 

Duck Dynasty meets Washington Nationals

And a picture of my Love and I at the game…

We did a LOT of walking that evening, and after a day of travel and fun we were tired.  Andy snapped this picture of his parents on the metro when we were heading back to the Hyatt.  They were exhausted!

We had a great first day in D.C. I’ll write later about day two and the wedding festivities! Stay tuned…