A Summer Trip to D.C.

Before my Utah Summer began, my mom asked if I would be willing to come a week earlier to accompany my little sister Melanie to Washington D.C. Since she offered to watch my kids as well, I couldn't really say no! haha. Luckily I still have a couple friends left in D.C. to hang with, since Melanie was going to visit her boyfriend (now FIANCE!) and didn't want me hanging around with them the whole time ha.

Some familiar sites. It was nice being back a few days.

Then I got to meet my future bro in law:

The next day I spent checking out some galleries I had been wanting to see on the mall--I also met up with Mel and Ben for lunch at Goodstuff yummm. Ben was kind enough to invite me on their private Capital tour, which I declined, since I used to be the one giving those tours!

 At the Hirshorn: I think my boys would have loved this "art" haha

 This one was cool. This is a 10:1 scale of the Osama bin Laden compound. I love the real plants showing how overgrown and abandoned it is. Also I saw so many people just walk through here and not read the art information. If they knew I think they would think it's cool too.

I also spent time in the National Gallery, and then headed to the National Portrait Gallery. I really wanted to see this new piece, which was cool!

 And then enjoyed some other really cool things in that museum. This Japanese artist had such cool pieces! Made from certain objects casting a shadow to make another image. So unique!

Then I met up with Sarah after she got off work and we had a great evening hanging out at the Navy Yard. And the next morning we met up with Chris Lyon for brunch at Farmers Fishers Bakers which was AMAZING

 To pass the time, I hit up the matinee of Hamilton, and it was even better the second time--probably because I had a better seat!

 Pretty sure I have already posted this picture from my DC days years ago. I love the Kennedy Center.

 After Hamilton, I took a bike share from the Kennedy Center around the Mall and over to Pitango Gelato. The afternoon was perfect weather--after that it became unbearably hot.

 We went to church with Ben the next morning (8am! Way too early for a singles ward...or any ward) But after we had Duck Donuts, so it was worth it ;) BEST DONUTS EVER

 We also stopped by the National Conservatory which was pretty...and hot and humid!

Then Ben and Mel went off to the Archives, and I went to the new Museum of the Bible with Chris Lyon and our friend Carolyn. That museum was really interesting, and had the coolest presentation that was the best synopsis of the Old Testament that I've ever seen. Apparently the museum is heavily funded by the Hobby Lobby guy.

 Then had a lovely night with friends again at Seventh Hill Pizza. Can you tell my trip was also food-fueled??

Before we flew out the next day I did some other things, which I really don't remember because that was the hottest day yet, Oh wait I remember! I got some souvenirs for the boys at the air and space museum and then sat in the American History museum for like a half hour until I wasn't sweaty anymore before touring the museum. Don't miss that east coast humidity!!

Anyway, it was a fun little trip! Now if I go back (don't know when) I would like it to include Victor and going to Annapolis! Good memories. 

An Adventure to Joshua Tree

 Last week Victor was still gone on a work trip, and so was my friend Katelyn's husband, so we took our boys and went on our own little adventure out to the desert! We met up in Palm Desert for an afternoon of swimming and a night at a hotel which my kids LOVE, and the next day we drove up to Joshua Tree National Park and explored there.

When all is said and done, it was a success and we had a great time. But getting four little boys together was NUTS at times. They love to wrestle and fight which usually always goes too far and ends with tears, and they love to be noisy and run off in all directions! So it was chaotic at times, but I was still grateful to spend time with Katelyn and admire the beauty of the desert with her!

I really thought it was a beautiful national park. But if you're expecting beauty like Yosemite or Zion with grand vistas, you will be disappointed. You are out in the desert. So it's a different kind of beauty. The beauty of all the Joshua trees with their crazy outstretched arms, and the beauty of these awesome rock formations. It was an ideal place for kids to run around, play in dirt, and climb the rocks.

^^I spy some little explorers^^

^^the Joshua trees are so cool!^^

^^Elephant rock--so cute!^^

^^Skull Rock--looks like Voldemort haha^^

The one actual "hike" we did was up to a place called Arch Rock. The boys did really well on it--I think having a cool little destination goal helps them. When we took them places to just hang out is when they were craziest! They were proud of themselves that they made it to the arch. 

^^All of us finally in a picture together!^^

We also stopped at this cool little spot in the town of Joshua Tree after lunch.

I hope to go back again and explore some more. Fun story--my aunt and my mom were telling me that my grandma used to take them out there for their Easter Egg hunts for Easter. How cool is that?? I could totally see a "cool mom" doing that these days and sharing the idea on instagram haha. My grandma would have been one cool instagram mom, and I may just steal her idea for next year ;) Stay tuned!

The Flower Fields!

I've been dying to go here for a couple years. The Carlsbad Flower Fields are in bloom from March-May every year and it's just acres and acres of beautiful ranunculus. It was so heavenly! I would probably go there every day if I could.

 ^^It's getting harder to do this everytime^^

Anyway, you should go to this! It costs money which is probably my only complaint. They also had a sweet pea maze that the boys loved and smelled amazing, and also a really cute playground park. So basically, my boys loved going too. It was a beautiful afternoon with my little family.