The Mall...No I Mean "THE MALL"

The day after we arrived in NC we left the kids with Grammy and took off to Washington, DC with Dave's brother Darren and his wife Ruthenia. The first thing we did was visit the monuments along The Mall. We happened to be there during a huge inter-congressional-office softball tournament. There were dozens of games going on everywhere. Almost every playable lawn was being used. Needless to say it was really hard to find parking.

But random soft-balls (which aren't that soft) flying though the air, didn't stop us from stepping out into the made-up field and taking our glamor shots. (We ran out between innings.) We are standing near Washington's Monument and you can barely see the Lincoln Memorial in the background.
It was the magic hour, that perfect time of day when the light is just right for taking pictures. It makes everyone glow. Now if only I'd opened my eyes...

Not the best shot of either of us, but I guess that's what happens after thirty. Even the "magic hour" can only do so much.Next on to the WWII Memorial the was just recently dedicated. That is to say it's new since I was at The Mall last--twelve years ago. It was pretty amazing. It made me think of my grandpa who fought in WWII and feel proud of his service to our country. War is never pretty, but some wars have to be fought and that was one of them. Thank goodness for brave men like my grandpa, who in their youth, were willing to serve their country.
Not to disrespect the memorial in any way, or the importance of D-Day, but we couldn't help taking a picture of the two D. Day brothers with the inscription in the background.

The Trip to NC 2010

Waking up at 4:00 in the morning, traveling all day on two planes, and then driving another two hours to Greenville, can really take it's tole. Luckily we have a boy who loves jokes about Presidents of the United States and thankfully someone out there wrote such a book.We are also very grateful to the people who make all the Barbie movies, especially Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses. Dave calls it torture in movie form, but the twins LOVE it.

But in the end there is nothing as comfortable as falling asleep like little gerbils in the back seat of Uncle Darren's suburban.

The Zoo

For UEA break we took a day and went to the zoo. Dave even took the day off work.
All of us admiring the zebras while the zebras ignore us.

Most of the animals were carefully contained in their pens, but it seems an alligator got out and found a tasty meal in the playground.

Watch Out Ashton!!I Will Save You!!
Princess to the rescue.

Allison shows her alligator wrestling skills.

Near by, Hunter rides a giant, wild caterpillar.

Ride 'Em Cowboy!

We also took a train ride safari.

Hold on tight!

Sledding on Ice

The day before the hill side was still fresh and powdery, but the second day it was all packed down and icy. We didn't sled very long because it was too fast and it was also a lot colder the second day.

Say Cheese!

Those are some amazing red cheeks Hunter. Ashton getting ready to head down the hill in the background. What are you thinking?

Ashton on his way back up the hill. Is that a happy smile, a scared stiff smile, or a "my face is completely frozen" smile. Knowing the temperature I think it is the last.
Dave looking glamorous in his "Men in Black" sunglasses. It was more fun to watch from the top of the hill than to actually put your life on the line and speed out of control down it.

Look into my eyes!

Rachael and Catherine--half crazy! It was so cold Rachael's glasses were fogging up even while we were still outside. Actually she is a space alien in disguise, Catherine probably is too.

Antarctica

Catherine brought snowshoes. We felt very extreme crunching across the frozen tundra in our fancy spiked snowshoes. Ignore the houses in the background--we are in Antarctica. Who knew Antarctica was so inhabited.

Along the coastline of Bear L---heheemmm--I mean Antarctica. We aren't really smiling...our faces are just frozen that way.

We claim this land for US--as in the Ashton, Day, Speirs families.
Land, beautiful land!!

Note: Dave is the strategically placed shadow.

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning at the condo was really fun. Everyone packed into the little livingroom with presents piled everywhere.

Kristen and Loryn were mostly in a state of confusion and awe.

Rise and Shine Kristen!

Loryn wondering what all this stuff is. Allison sitting amidst her gifts.

"What is all this stuff again?" asks Loryn.
As a trick on Jens the tags for his and Rachael's presents were switched. This is Nielson's reaction to Jens receiving a yoga mat. Of course Jens's face was twice as good. He was very confused but trying to pretend to be thankful. Shortly thereafter Rachael, who was in on the trick, exclaimed, "I think this is actually your present," as she handed him an iPod Nano.

You have got to be kidding!

Ashton and Allison enthusiastically help the very tired and less enthusiastic Loryn open our present from Catherine. It was a great dominoes set.

Rip it!

Christmas Eve Nativity Play

Our traditional nativity play starts with Mary (Allison) riding on her donkey (Niel) with Joseph (Ashton) walking beside her.Ashton holding baby Jesus (Kristen) with Allison and the faithful steed, Niel, watching.
Shepherds ( Hunter and Joy) are visited by the angel and go to worship Baby Jesus.
Wise Men (Hunter and Joy) arrive to see Baby Jesus. The angel (me April) in the background.
Brooke and the alternate Baby Jesus (Loryn). Every good production should have an alternate baby.

Vacation in North Carolina

In July we took the whole family to North Carolina to see Grandma and Grandma, Darren and Ruthenia, and the cousins.

We went swimming in the pool at Grandma and Grandpa's condo with all the kids and cousins.

Me with Kristen and Dave with Loryn

Ashton floating with a noodle. (Ashton wants me to let everyone know he is crazy about chickens.)

We also had a great time at the beach. A family in Darren and Ruthenia's ward owns an amazing beach house and they invited us to use it while we were there.
Allison shining in the sun.

The view was amazing. The beach used to be about a hundred yards further out and the boardwalk stretched clear out to the edge. Now the house is being threatened by the encroaching sea. That sure made it convenient to get to the beach though.

Having a beach house makes going to the beach a lot healthier too. You have a place to go in the middle of the day when the sun is too bright. This way you can play in the morning and the evening and be comfortable inbetween.

Ashton looking very serious and a little sunburned.

Hunter and little David being friends at the moment. Their friendship was topsy-turvy. We called them the North and the South because sometimes they were friends and sometimes enemies.

All the cousins (except the twins) looking out on the ocean. L-R: Hunter, Debbie, Kevin, Allison, David, Angie, Ashton

It was an amazing three story beach house with three levels of porch overlooking the ocean. It was wonderful to sit in the shade of the porch facing the ocean and feeling the ocean breeze and hearing the gentle roar of the waves. I decided I don't need a beach house, I just need a second story covered porch on the beach.

After all the fun on the beach, we stopped at Piggly Wiggly to get ice cream bars and popcycles. They tasted so good.