Thursday, May 23, 2013

The Babies Came to Visit

My baby sister and brother came to visit! It was so great to have them here for a week. We did EVERYTHING and ate ALMOST everything. Are you ready for lots of pictures? You're getting them anyway.

I got a new lens that I played with all week so please forgive if some of the photos aren't exactly in focus. Manual focus - ugh.

Arlington was one of the first stops of the week. Our family has a strong military history so this was tops on both their lists and I never pass up the opportunity to go.

I was so impressed by this group of veterans, they sat patiently in the rain for quite a while waiting for the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier



A large group of military people from foreign nations were present for the changing. We saw officials from Sweden, Peru, Mongolia, and a few others that I don't remember. It was unexpected, for lack of a better word.


They loved the Marine Corps memorial just as much as I do. Taylor was almost done reading "Flags of Our Fathers" and I think we did a good job at convincing Maria she needs to read it.

Their hands get me every time.

Navy Memorial

At the Newseum in the Berlin Wall exhibit. She didn't know she was posing for me. Those eye lashes are real, y'all. They loved the Newseum, obviously. 

Mmm, at We the Pizza. So good. So, so, so good! May I recommend the cream soda? YUM.

Holocaust Museum. Always a tough one but worth it. These are the Identification Cards you get in the beginning of the tour. Each card tells a brief biography of someone who experienced the Holocaust. Visitors set up this makeshift shrine in the Hall of remembrance at the end of the tour.

My roommate gave us a phenomenal tour of the Capitol. I adore the Capitol building, it's so dynamic and chock full of history!

Oh heyyyy, Brigham Young. One of two statues from Utah. Each state gets two statues, who represents your state?

Taylor touching the original center of Washington, DC.


Cute babies.

Obligatory White House photo.

I introduced them to Dunkin Donuts and we ate there three days in a row. Is that gross? Eh, who cares>

Buddy's new glasses at Eastern Market. He looks much more mature!


My good friend, Julie, joined us for lots of activities. 

My friend's French bulldog had six puppies! He had a puppy party to say goodbye because he sold them all and they would be leaving a few days later.

It wasn't even fun.

They definitely didn't awaken any mothering instinct in any of us.

We totally hated it.

They weren't even cute.

None of us got attached to any of them.

Puppies are the worst.

Glad that's over!
Sob.

At the Vietnam Memorial.


The man!

Cute Maria at the WWII Memorial

Their last meal in DC was a combo of We the Pizza (again) and Good Stuff Eatery (again).
Let's not discuss how many pounds were gained while they were here.

It was such a fabulous trip! I certainly hope they come back soon - there's always more to explore in DC!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

An Explanantion

I don't blog much anymore. Sometimes I wish I posted more frequently and wonder if in later years I will be upset with myself for not documenting this part of my life. More often than not, I'm happy with how I'm spending my time.

The beginning of the year I decided to make sure that I am speaking my love language. If you're not familiar with the concept of love languages click here for a quick lesson. Not everyone is on board with this idea but it's something I've read about and embraced in my own life. Learning about it fulfills that lovely desire for self improvement that I've been focused on for the past year and a half - yay. Still learning, still trying to make strides.

My number one love language is quality time. One day I started thinking about that one in particular and came to a *brilliant* conclusion - if I want my love language shown/spoken to me, I need to be speaking it to those I care about. Love of any kind is a give and take and I needed to improve how much I was giving. Most of 2012 was spent escaping and avoiding, I wanted 2013 to be the beginning of a big 'ole love collection.

So that's it! I've been too busy speaking my love language to blog! It's amazing to see it pay off. I am busy spending my time with good, supportive people with whom I share a mutual concern for. It's amazing! 

I don't know why it took 30 years to come to this conclusion but I'm so happy with my life and the people who chose to be in it. I've learned that speaking my love language has paid off in spades. If you're not happy with the love in your life I'd like to suggest looking at how you are showing love.

Also, feeding people definitely helps.

I will be gone from May 26th-June15th in Europe. There may be some blogging from time to time but don't bet on it!

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Rome - Last Day

Our last day in Rome was my favorite! It was beautiful weather and there was just something magical in the air.

We went back to Vatican City to hike to the top of St Peter's Basilica. Little did we know, Pope Francis was speaking to the masses and we got there at the tail end. 

A security guard estimated 80,000 people....


The first stop halfway up the 551 stairs

It was getting snug....

Rome from the top of the dome!


And of course we had to return to Old Bridge for more gelato. Oh, yum!



Hot Roman priests calendar!


Next we went to a plaza with artists everywhere. This guy was painting with spray paint. It was interesting to watch his process.


The little girl with the ice cream cone was fascinated with this statue guy. She crept almost all the way around him.

I want to live here and have brunch on this terrace daily.


Scott and I both drank from the fountains and neither of us are dead - yet.


Trevi Fountain during the day.


Some woman put a bird on Jeff's head and asked him to pay for it...

The monument to the first Italian king


Scott bought an apron with the David on it. Of course he wore it around one of the most touristy areas of Rome. It was pretty awesome.

The first person to ask for a picture with him - you have no idea how much he loved this!

I wanted to kidnap this little girl! Ballet flats, tights, a ruffly dress, black leather jacket, and aviator sunglasses?!?! Am I living in Pinterest?!? She was the coolest.

There are ruins everywhere!

I guess people will do anything for money. Like dress up like Pope John Paul.

Jeff went and danced with this street band, got them a lot of attention, then they asked him to pay.


Traffic light and the Coliseum. New vs old.

I am absolutely in love with Rome and I will be back, sooner than later. I want to fall in love in that city - anyone have any darling relatives or friends they would like me to meet and fall for in Italy?