It's been a while...

Well, I've been reminded by a few people that I haven't been blogging much lately. It is true. It's been such a beautiful spring for months now (literarily since January) and we've worked hard, traveled a bit for work or just gone on little weekend jaunts. It's been a little hard to get on the computer when I've got the urge to be out and about.

We've had a few miracles in the past few months and a few disappointments. That is life, right?

But, here are a few moments to share along the way. I'm promising myself to get back on here (after June) to keep a better record of my thoughts and such. Luckily, the journal is up to date and the blog has only suffered. Both have one reader. (-:

Us at Downtown Disney on Valentine's Day. We both went to the same conference. I had to speak at it one day, but it left the other days pretty flexible.

Downtown Disney - practicing my night photography

So awesome to see Sea World

Celebrating my man's birthday at the dinner theater/josting event. Fun to do at least once!

Enjoying some Georgetown Cupcakes. Line was only 15 minutes!

Cherry Blossoms - a week or two before the festival they bloomed

Paul's pasteries in downtown DC

Two great friends - Harrison and Pam - Eastern Market visit to remember old times

National Capital - beautiful spring flowers

The man loves french food - so to Bethesda we go!

Love the people in the DC area, especially when they dress in traditional attire while taking pictures with iPads.

Visit to Gettyburg where I noticed the statue was using an iPad. Yes, I was grateful for the real historical events that took place there as well. (-: We love driving to Gettyburg to walk, think and pray.

Two of my favorite little people - we pretend we are their aunt and uncle.

Attending Scot's graduation. Congrats on medical school! George Washington University had their commencement on the National Mall and had Bryan Williams (NBC) as the speaker. Great event and speech. We'll miss Scot, Denisse and their kids (above).

Canadian Geese live ALL over this part of town. I got to take a walk with them one day after work. I lead them right out of the neighborhood. Haaa.

Youth Camp Counselor training - retreat this weekend to teach the YW leadership skills

YW Camp Retreat - this has been what has kept me busy about 5-10 hours a week for the last two months.

Rolling Thunder meets LDS temple - awesome

After not ironing for a couple of years (seriously), I've held back shirts from the dry cleaner the last few weeks and cleaned/ironed them myself. It's been a satisfying break from all my computer work.

Heard about this idea in Relief Society - make a link chain for something you are preparing for or that is stressing you out. I actually have some really long chains elsewhere, but these are for June 2012. I have to speak at five conference this next month and go to Young Women's Camp! A bit stressed, but will get through it!

I created a manual out of all the papers we kept getting for camp! So, hopefully it simplified it down for the girls. We'll see.

Always great to see long time friends. Here is one of my favorite mission companions and her family when they visited DC this spring.

We have a winner! We had a logo contest for Nudge Village and a great graphic artist submitted and entry that I loved (and apparently so did most everyone else). Looking forward to building out this site more. Just been a bit sidetracked lately.

Gettysburg for Veteran's Day

What a gorgeous fall day!

We took a little drive to Emmitsburg and Gettysburg for Veteran's Day. If you've never taken the drive from DC to Gettyburg, it is a must. The rolling hills, the autumn leaves, the roadside orchards and fruit stands, and beautiful farmland with red barns.

Gettysburg has always meant a lot to me. I try to go every year or so and take a little time to remember the strength of our fathers.

I was disappointed during my visit last year because it looked like they had let it fall apart - the lawns weren't mowed, the visitor center disappeared (literally, the brick building across from the primary cemetery was gone), and just felt different.

It was a great surprise to find that they've actually built a newer, larger visitor center set back off a winding road to accommodate all of the guests. Next time we'll pay the money to go through it, take the bus tour and whatever else they now offer.

We walked part of the battleground taking pictures of statues, contemplating life and ancestral sacrifices and basking in the warm sunshine.

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful Veteran's Day and a more appropriate place to honor it!

Thank you to all Veteran's everywhere!

Gettysburg

Gettysburg and Amish Country

This first picture is actually from 1978 - my Dad took it on a family trip we went on a loooong time ago. I took a similar picture this time, but figured I'd post the older picture. I didn't want to act like a gawking tourist, but wish I had been able to get some nice pictures of the cute kids waving to us from the back of the carriages. The best picture not taken was that of a girl in her Amish dress, drinking from a water bottle while roller blading up the free way. Classic! I will return and find her. That photo would make it into National Geographic...I'm sure of it.



Anyway, this weekend we took a little drive because we needed a break. Or, I needed a break. My intent was to visit Gettysburg, but we also drove through Amish country in Lancaster County. It's only about 20 miles from Gettysburg and so it's not a far shot.

Let's just say that it was kind of sad going to Gettysburg this time. It looks like the government funding has been removed. The grass is high everywhere instead of nicely mowed lawns. The visitor center is permanently removed and there is grass growing on the spot where the red brick building once stood. The visitors weren't as plentiful as usual and it's even that time of year where there should be crowds.

It was sad to see such an important site so unkempt. Still, it was good to walk around the grounds, climb the look out tower, drive through Little Bighorn, and survey the Pickett's charge infantry assault area.

This place always instills a sense of gratitude in me and I have to ask myself - "What am I doing for my country?"