Oh the Places You'll Go -

When The Beloved and I spotted my mother near the baggage claim after arriving in D.C. my first words were -

You're here - You're real.

And then I squeezed her tight and introduced her to her granddaughter. 

Oh, it was so, so good to see my parents and jump into their missionary world for a moment.

It was the perfect mix of history, reminiscing, love of the gospel, different culture, current events, and bliss.

Let me list some of my favorites:

 - basking in my parents company and meeting so many of their new friends they love and serve so perfectly.

 - D.C. Temple - Heaven on Earth - many of the pictures in this temple include the founders of this great nation. 

God and America undeniably go hand in hand.

 - being present during a live senate session where 97 senators cast their vote re: assistance to Israel

 - Eating, eating, and more eating. 

 - Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, Washington Monument - all of these men had an outstanding awareness of their Creator and our country's need for Him.

 - The Vietnam Memorial - so sobering.

 - The Titanic Memorial

 - Engulfing my mom's homemade enchiladas

 - playing Farkle even though The Beloved was the Grand Champion

 - Being reunited with my Dad's little twinkle in his eye

 - Watching our baby love on both my parents

- Bonding with my favorite guy - The Beloved

- Laughing at my Dad order food from McDonald's (it's a terribly involved process) and also later when he said, - I don't know why they're honking at me, I'm only trying to do an illegal U-Turn. :) - Oh my, so funny.

There are too many fun adventures to mention but the biggest and best was watching my parents serve the Lord.

Matthew 25:35-36,40

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me

 Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

That is what my parents are doing in D.C. - wrapping people up in their arms, sharing the Savior's love.

It doesn't get much better than that.

I want to be like them when I grow up.

It's going to a fun flight! I sense it.

They Meet.

My parentals apartment -

Lincoln Memorial

The Baby - always oberving and checking the world out.

She spit up on her outfit and was a bit cold so Buckabu covered The Baby with her sweater.

Washington Monument

My Dad and The Beloved

The Ladies

At Senator Risch's office waiting for our tour guide to show us around the Capitol building.

The Dome of the Capitol

The star in the center of the capitol floor denotes the point from which the streets in Washington are laid out and numbered (totally stole that verbiage)

Brigham Young

Ronald Reagan

Our pass authorizing us to observe the senate session

Inside the Dome of the Capitol

Playing finger games with Papa at lunch - The Beloved and I ate our first pupusas.

Lincoln's cottage

The Beloved's favorite quote at the Jefferson Memorial.

Jefferson Memorial

Korean War Memorial

Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is Beautiful

Titanic Memorial - this is a hidden beauty that my parents led us to.

Another going out to eat photo - this time we're in Georgetown.

Out to eat, enjoying the view at a Chinese restaurant.

See the temple? It looks easy to find - it's not.

Visitor's Center

Hot game of Farkle. Whoot whoot.

We laughed and laughed and enjoyed each other so. The Baby sat on my mom's lap the whole game.

On the flight home we had a layover in Phoenix for a few hours so Erin snagged us for a little lunch! Sweet!

We flew into Utah to pick up our kids from The Beloved's amazing parent's house and one of my other sisters happened to be driving through! Hurrah - it's pretty fantastic being able to see my parents, and two sisters, in three separate states in the same day.

 The modern age is cool.

There's Shanny!

It's so nice to getaway but it's so nice to come home -
we were ready for a little R&R.

The Smithsonian Makes The Beloved a Happy Man.

The Beloved has been studying art for at least the last two decades (did you know he's a freaking ridiculous, off the hook artist? ) of his life and it was so joyous for me to see his eyes light up when we were able to view a few pieces last month.

I'm glad he didn't cut his hair until our return because I felt like he was truly in his artsy fartsy element with the pony tail.  :)

I am far more under educated in this department but could completely feel the magic swarming through the museum.

 My favorite artist overall had to be Monet - though there are two pieces at the end which I find relate-able and make me smile 

Big Time.

p.s. confession - I'm neither artist nor photographer  - so some pictures are completely cut off in places. How this happens? I know not. I thought I was doing pretty great.

p.p.s. I love The Beloved more than the paintings so I made him pose in most of them. 

Ginevra de' Benci -  Leonardo da Vinci

Van Gogh

Self Portrait - Vincent Van Gogh

Pont Neuf, Paris - Auguste Renoir

The Japanese Footbridge  - Claude Monet

Monet

Four Dancers - Edgar Degas

 My Favorites - I think I loved this one the MOST. 

Crazy time in paradise (that would be my family's portrait title) - because that's my life.

The Copley Family - John Singleton Copley

How perfect is this moment? 

Little Girl in Blue Armchair - Mary Cassatt

Today we attended Stake Conference and oh - the spirit was mighty and so refreshing to this soul of mine.

Even amidst getting barfed on numerous times (we're talking spit up here - just seems like it comes out in barf like quantities), telling Lou to stop making Little C giggle (boys totally giggle), handing Ruckus a tampon instead of a color crayon, getting Moo to stop tickling his brothers, saying shhhh and hearing the question how much longer? more than 57 times -

I still felt so engulfed in the love of our Savior. 

That is why I K.N.O.W. the gospel is true -

because I feel it in my heart -

it brings me ultimate joy and happiness -

provides my mind with overwhelming clarity -

hands me confidence -

makes me still feel like I'm good enough and there's hope, even when I occasionally suck as a person -

and calms this gal who often lives in chaos.

I am so, so, thankful for the knowledge that I have -

for these strong, good men who lead us in the gospel -

who truly follow the direction of Jesus Christ. 

It is a gift.

And brings me extreme peace.

O.R.A.N.G.E.

Everything MUST BE Orange.

Moo has established this very bold, very lovely color to be his favorite.

Orange slushy.

Orange Fluffet -
oh wait, you don't know what a Fluffet is?
It's an oven mitt made in Nepal that your three year old picked out one day as his surprise. Uses it like a puppet but swears the proper name is Fluffet. 
Luckiest oven mitt in the world.

Orange Ice Cream.

Happy Orange Loving Boy.  :)

Just Because -

She's freaking adorable -

we'll share some photos.

After The Reunion -

We met the Vallecillos Fam in Idaho Falls to drive down Craner memory family lane.

We stopped by the cemetery to see these sweet folks headstone. 

I wish my kids and spouse could have known my precious Grandma and Grandpa. They would have been pals - I'm sure they will be one day.

Ruckus and The baby were asleep in the car - so it's a partial family photo.

 Shanny and her two kids were traveling with us back home and my poor sister was sicker than a dog. We were in the cemetery a bit too long, she was exhausted and had to sit :( -
 Here's the question, can you tell what her daughter is doing?

 Yes, it's true. Shannon busted out the potty - in the cemetery.

When a three year old has gotta go, she's gotta go.

But, I'll definitely file this one away in the awkward family photo section.

My Sisters - Family Reunion 2014

We gave Shanny a shirt dubbing her the Turd Master.
Can you tell she loved it? Ha - makes me LIMH (laugh in my head - come on, make that a thing.)
Angie, smiling proudly, is the Turd Minion - as am I.

Erin - or as I like to call her, Boberoni, is the Turd Observer.
If you know her, you know this to be true.
Not a turd in the least - it's a little ridiculous.

Here Angie is modeling one of her b-day presents. It represents her undying love for the Sherlock series.... and ours as well.

Sister Photo.

Re-do 

Gosh, I love these gals.

You Know You Have A Cool Family -

If you get to be in a parade! My Kids have almost never felt as much J.O.Y.

Lou is Wolverine and Ruckus is the Red Ranger

Moo accompanies them as Batman

Preparing to ride in the back of the truck

Uncle Ray helping some Oyler cousins get dolled up.

Cousin Dayna, Aunt Jill, and Cousin Stacy loving the parade activity. :)

Moo throwing candy to the crowd

Lou and Cousin Molly holding the banner proud.

Ruckus made a hat out of the candy bag garbage. :)

Ruckus riding on Cousin Mason's shoulders

Little C and the B Dog.

My Eldest Sister, her tall spouse, and their baby pose.

Cousin D.V. roller blades down the streets.

Cousin G.J. busting a move of patriotism love.

Aunty Angie muggin' on Little C.

He wears those lips proudly - I'm sure. :)

Hinchcliff Family~ - How cool you were/are to arrange this! 

Lou Dog Lost a Tooth... and Found out the Tooth Fairy is a bit Ug.

He Did It. All of His Own Accord.

Long haired The Beloved cut off his ponytail.

And got a haircut from his Mama.