Sunday, March 18, 2012

Top 10 Countdown

#10- First visit to the dentist!
Results, no cavities for either, and they left thinking the dentist was a fun place to visit
(just though I should put that on the record ! )
#9 - Fulfilled a desire of mine.....Volunteer for the spring NPR fundraising campaign.
I feel like the ladies who were at my table were my BFF's, and we've already scheduled our slots for the fall!
#8 Celebrated 'National Pancake Day' at our local IHOP
#7- Took the oldest 2 kids to their FIRST movie!!!
In a theater, in real seats, on the BIG screen.

#6- Lets go fly a kite
#5- Celebrated with friends! Hanks 2nd Birthday!
#4- Sprained my ankle @ our wards lady bball game!
Otherwise a minor injury, but since I've been training for THIS race,
I have done nothing for the last 6 days!!! NA-THING!
We're on the mend, and I'm hopeful about the GIRLS TRIP to NYC for the race, this weekend!
#3- Saw Uncle CAM!!!
Had him over for dinner, and again for a picnic dinner, here.
#2- we still LOVE our train set from Santa
#1- Made tracks and set out magical 'poop' from the Leprechauns,
for the kids to find in the morning.


(love this bag. right? I made it! Lucy has not had anything to put her tap/dance shoes in, so I made this little diddy, and we've been in love ever since!
Looks like the leprechauns loved it as well! )

(Made this rainbow cake for the 'secret treasure' left by the leprachauns. )
(I know, I know, looks JUST like it!)
Oh, and to top it off, our St. Patties day dinner, enjoyed at the park.
Happy Spring!!!
See you at the Races!

Monday, March 5, 2012

Who doesn't LOVE a parade!!?

There are some GREAT loves I've inherited from my dear mother,
one being a parade!
I love me a GOOD PARADE!

Saturday was the 'St. Patrick's Day' parade in the charming town of Alexandria.
The weather was pending, but after 10am perked right up. The storm clouds moved out, followed by the sun!
Alexandria is one of my top places in the DC area (also my kids for the charming candy shops we frequent) so we were happy to spend the morning down there @ the parade!


They have begun to welcome spring with the typical side walk decor! Love this place!

The parades we've been to out here (6 and counting) have been so different from the ones I've grown up with.
For starters, there are far more bands and large blow up animals then you'd see in the Utah parades.
This parade was no exception!
They had over 7 'bag piping' bands, all with at least 12 members or so!!
Bag pipes make me cry, (really? yes! No reason, and really no explanation behind this) but I was so OVERJOYED to see so many, it was more like a child's first Christmas!!
It was simply magic!!!!



These little zippy cars were awesome! Flying down the street, these 8 men preformed quite the thrilling stunts as the wizzed by us!
Charlie and Hank showing the loot!
Necklaces, gold coins, Nerds, Laughy Taffys.

This parade will be marked for my 'events' next year!
Such a treasure, that little town is, and what a superb morning!
HA! Read the sign! This is a park bench at the Zoo. It says 'Thanks Hank'.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Chocolate World!! Hershey, Pa.


There are SO many things I don't like about our house (the drafty windows which we keep 'king frost' on year round, the unfinished dusty wood floors, the stinky scary basement, the gravel driveway, the CHEEP Home Depot kitchen cabinets....) BUT, for now, lets keep those buried, and discuss the positive things!!
I LOVE that my children have an indoor track in the winter! It ROCKS!
When they are not running circles, they are riding these little bikes around and around!
I LOVE the halls and paths in our house that make this possible!

Now, what was I saying? Pack your bags!
Lucy loves a vacation (she'd love it even more if it were to Utah) BUT, this was a trip was to Hershey, Pa.
(SO cute that she does this!!! )
If I haven't said it enough, I LOVE that we can drive just under 3 hours, go through 3 states, and be in a NEW, exciting destination (even if it revolved around my least favorite treat, chocolate)
How was the 'Hershey Experience'?
Well, you already know I don't like chocolate, and Jeff doesn't like to spend money, so that about sums it up!
No, really, this place was one to see and I'm thrilled we did.
I'm also thrilled we didn't spend any money on the '3-D' experience, the 'factory tour' (which was NOT of the factory. In fact it was IN the museum, touring some of the equipment they may have used...) or the 'chocolate lovers guide' to Hershey (a 45$ VALUE!!!)
BUT, we did have a the ride of our lives!!!
(P.S. the bag I'm holding was Jeffs splurge in the chocolate store, while I went out to the car to get our lunch.....never again!)
We had no problems jumping in line (ahem, a few times) to the only free thing offered by Hershey.
It was a Disney Land esk ride.
You sit in cars, and it takes you through the journey of Hershey!
IT WAS AWSOME!!!
And, in the end, you got 3 little chocolate candies.
TAKE THAT, Hershey!
How was 'the Hershey Experience'? Not all that bad.




The view!
This is the actual amusement park @ Hershey (closed for the winter) but looks awesome!
How could we not love Jeff? I mean really?
This kids are SO lucky!

I think as my kids get older, they'll remember Hotels being like their vision of 'Heaven'
The rules at the hotel, none. Food restrictions, none. Clothing rules, none. Cleanliness, none. T.V. time, virtually endless, (ok ok, they do still go to bed on time, are only allowed SO MUCH popcorn, do eat a healthy breakfast, have to pick up their dirty things....we are still us after all....)
but its fun time for all on vacation!
They love it kuz they get to be 'naaed guys', jump on the bed,
while I soak up all the HGTV/Food Network time I can!
The Antique Automobile Mueseum!
SO worth it.
NAILED IT, Hershey!
I can't remember the name of this car, but it was one of the hundred we saw.
This particular one was one of 8 made, and only one of 2 still in existence!
SO neat!
This car....made out of Aluminum!
The makers of Aluminum at the time wanted to show the diversity of Aluminum.
Goal, achieved. (it weighed nearly 2x's as much as the same car, different material!)




Everything from model trains, motorcycles, busses, buggies, hearses, scooters, dress ups.....
We spent hours at the museum. In the basement, they had a kids craft area. Everything from building your own wood car to building your own CANDY car.
It was perfect!! We may have over stayed our welcome, but it will be remembered!
The capitol of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg!
This capitol building was SPEC-TACULAR!
The outside view was just breath taking, and the inside was stunning.


Loving the sun, as we enjoy the slow pace of life.

We couldn't help ourselves with so many stairs!
We counted them all the way from the street to the door.
Somewhere around 70. :)

The most beautiful ceiling I've ever seen!
And look at this statue, holding this unique crystal light!
Oh, it was just breath taking to think of all the time and effort that went into such a creation.
We had a great journey! It is such a treat for me to enjoy time with the fam! To let my strict side rest, even but for a weekend in a hotel. So glad we went! Now, where to next!!!!