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. 

J's Mickey Mouse Birthday Party

Happy Birthday to our J! He turned four yesterday, so we had a little birthday party for him in our backyard. So grateful to everyone who came!

J really wanted a bouncy house for his birthday, so based on the selection of bouncy houses (at the rental place on base which is sooo cheap compared to off base places) is how I chose the theme of the party ha! He loves Mickey and Disneyland, so we went with that. It was fun! Lots of fun Mickey ideas on pinterest ;)

^^I made a copy cat J Dawgs sauce and it was yummy.^^

 In all of these pictures he's all red faced and sweaty from jumping all night and it was HOT. And i'm pretty sure he didn't eat anything all night because he was too occupied with jumping. And presents of course. 

^^not into it!^^

J we sure love having you in our family. You are always down for anything, you love travel and adventure, you love hanging out with us, and you even pretend to be excited when we wrapped up the box fan (part of his other present)! That's why we love you so much. Happy Birthday!

Things I'm Loving Lately Summer 2018

Hey there! It's been way too long since I have blogged and I have missed it. I have lots I could share--summer stuff and what not. I figured it's also been too long since I've done this kind of post so this is my summer 2018 edition. What things are you loving lately?? Here's some of mine.

1. Bike Share

I love the concept of the bike share program and we have done it before in NYC but this summer I used it in 2 places that are PERFECT for a bike share: Washington D.C. and Park City, UT. Each has their own app you install and it makes it easier than ever to check out bikes, and the app will even plot routes for you based on bike drop off points. Getting around D.C. by bike is awesome. The national mall makes it look like everything is close, but it is not! Save your feet and bike. 

As for Park City, the city is full of a network of bike trails going through the gorgeous mountain valley. And the bike share is cheap! And even better, they are electric bikes! I had never ridden one, and they are LEGIT. We all got a thrill testing it out on the steep hill at our AirBnb. My mom didn't want to come out and try it, but we made her and her reaction was so good as it kicked in to help her get up the hill (video at the end of the post ;)

 2. One Line a Day Journal

Trying to actually journal and this is such an easy way to do it. I started it this summer--funny that now I'm like a week behind but I'll catch up! I got this one from Anthro.

 3. Pressed Juicery

Aka our family's favorite "ice cream" except it's not ice cream, it's frozen fresh pressed juice. So no guilt! They have yummy toppings to go on it like fresh raspberries, strawberries, etc.

4. Bookself Tees

I was sold on this little shop as soon as I saw the Anne of Green Gables shirt! Perfect for our girls trip last summer to Prince Edward Island. My new one this summer is my Jane Eyre one. Side note--this old copy of Jane Eyre is one of my prized possessions. It's a second edition--the first edition in the USA! Another side note--the older I get the more I LOVE Jane Eyre. 

And there's another pic in my other favorite one--My "Stay Gold Pony Boy" Name that book!

And lastly Number 5: Period Dramas
This is not really a "lately" thing: I have LOVED period dramas since like 6th grade starting with Emma Thompson's "Sense and Sensibility." These are ones I have watched and loved recently
--A United Kingdom. Such a good movie about something I knew nothing about--the creation of the African country Botswana. The love story is so cute and it's true!
--Jane Eyre. I know, lots about Jane Eyre, but this adaptation is my favorite, and I have watched a lot of them and have never loved them. This one is with Michael Fassbender as Mr. Rochester. It's so good. Watch it!
--Little Women on Masterpiece. Hard to beat the original Wynona Rider one, but this is good! I think you can watch it on pbs.org.

So there you go! Give me your recs! And last but not least, the electric bike video! A note about the bike: it is hard to start pedaling at first. My mom does know how to ride a bike ;) Listen for her exclaim "oh my gosh!" when it kicks in ha

Some of Our Favorite Kid Places In California

I've been meaning to post about these places for a while (thus the old pictures of my kids that make me nostalgic and miss Dominic's curly locks!), and I figured right now is a great time since it's Memorial Day tomorrow, which means it's Blue Star season! What's Blue Star season? It's a collective list of TONS of museums nationwide that are free for military from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Last summer we benefitted greatly from this program, and I plan on utilizing it again this summer and hopefully check out some new places!

If you're not military, you should still check out these great places for kids (and adults). Happy beginning of summer!

The New Children's Museum in Sausalito

This place takes the cake for the best children's museum I have been to. Fantastic stuff for all ages, and would you check out that view?? The "museum" is a collection of exhibits in old Army barracks. It's so cool. I drove all the way up here from Monterey really wondering if it would be worth it and it was (helped that I saved like $50 thank you blue star!)

 ^^Still am obsessed with the view^^

The San Diego Botanic Gardens in Encinitas

 My other favorite place! My kids ask to go here all the time. Year round it's free for residents and military the first Tuesday of the month, and at Christmas they have such a fun Christmas festival complete with a sledding hill of man made snow. The gardens are gorgeous, and the children's garden is fantastic. We all love this place. Just writing about it is making me want to go this week and I think I will ha!

^^look at his hair. i miss it :( ^^

The New Children's Museum in San Diego

This place is fun--- a little difficult to manage a lot of kids since it's spread out on multiple floors, but it's right in the heart of San Diego so it's fun to come here and then walk around Seaport Village.

San Diego Children's Discovery Museum in Escondido

 This is a smaller children's museum--a morning here is enough and it's more ideal for younger kids which is why we like it. They have a cool outdoor area with a chicken coop that is fun.

On my bucket list this summer is all of the San Diego ones of course, but I also have a few on my list to go to in Utah like the Treehouse Museum and maybe the Natural History museum. The St. George Children's Museum is also a participant--love that spot too.

I also hope to check out more of the museums in San Diego that are on the list, so stay tuned!

By the way, here is the complete list of Blue Star participants organized by state.

Happy Mothers Day: Some media I'm loving lately about motherhood

A few months ago, my friend Mickelle took these pictures and I think Mothers Day is a fitting day to share them! She captured our lives at this moment pretty perfectly. Lots of energy, lots of snuggles, and lots of love. I didn't have her capture the lots of crying part because there's plenty of that but who remembers that years down the road?

Recently, I've seen a few shows that I have loved for their beauty and realness is capturing motherhood. It's nice to see more things coming out that show the difficulties in motherhood, but make sure to still show the beautiful moments with the more important message that it's all worth it.



Being Serena: A new documentary on HBO that is killing me that it only is a 30 minute episode a week. It's about Serena Williams discovering she was pregnant, still winning the Australian Open at 9 weeks pregnant, having difficulties with giving birth, and getting her body back to competition level. It's so good!! And a testament to how the female body is amazing. I love watching it.

Tully: Loved seeing this movie. I read lots of people complaining on the internet about the surprise plot twist ending, but I think it opens it up to lots of discussion about postpartum issues, and also thinking about what we would say to our younger selves if we were giving the chance. I thought it was an amazing film showing the array of emotions with being a wife and mother.

The Letdown: A show on netflix about first time moms dealing with the adjustment and struggles of life with a baby. What's funny is that I remember so many of those things, but now after the battle of toddlerhood, I want to tell the character on the show "just wait until they're two!" But I love the dry humor in it (it's based in Australia so it's classic dry British humor)

So there you go! Any other recommendations, please share :)
Happy Sunday, and Happy Mothers Day!