It was a fabulous trip...

Well it has been a week since we returned from trip to Washington D.C. and we had a great time! From the moment we landed we hit the ground running okay really walking rather fast the first two miles and then we slowed down from there. We went to the Mall to go to John Stewart's Rally to Sanity and/or Fear. Well we ended up going to the Lincoln Memorial and it was at the Capitol. Well was can say we were at the Mall and saw lots of people caring lots of signs.

The bus ride to Mount Vernon was so beautiful and we had some good girl talk. I think I could go there every time I go to D.C. The house is just beautiful and to walk up the stairs and put your hands where George Washing, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin once stood is a pretty amazing feeling. Just think how much history is in that house it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. The master bedroom is so very peaceful all in white with a colorful rugs, white cotton curtains, and a sitting desk.

As for the food I think we did a great job of finding some wonderful places except for the Italian in Old Town Alexandria. I feel in love with Greek food at Zorba's and Mourayo and reaffirmed my love for French Onion Soup at Bistrot Du Coin. The shrimp and grits at Georgia Brown's was a great choice and so was the cheese samplers at Clyde's. And who could forget the lemon raspberry and coconut cupcakes from Hello Cupcake!

After all the walking and seeing the monuments I know that I can't wait to take Jeff and Lauren. To stand inside the Lincoln Memorial, by the Washington Monument, walk along the Wall, and stand in the center of the Capitol is something you have to experience and can never explain. To see the Declaration of Independence makes you realize how truly blessed we are to live in the United States of America.

To end our fabulous trip we stopped for manicures and pedicures and an added foot and leg massage. Great idea Beckie! Afterwards we head to a great dinner and then dessert in the hotel room were we could sit and relax. One last day of sleeping in our cozy beds and then we headed home to our wonderful families.

Reduce!!!

So I remember in the third grade in Ms. Carson's class reading the Weekly Reader about Earth Day and the importance of recycling. Back then no one paid importance to it. We only recycled aluminum cans for money not to be green. Now everyone is recycling, we even do it at home. Lauren loves to take out the recycling and I constantly badger Jeff to do it as well. Even huge corporations are taking a stance on it not only for the environment but to help their bottom dollar too. The recently remodeled Washington Hilton is one of the premiere places in D.C. to have a conference and one of the the things they mention is the large amount of "facilities" for use. So being curious I checked them out also because of need. Well I walked in one of the stalls and saw the toilet has a green button and a white button on the "magic" toilets as Lauren calls them, okay self flushing. So here is where it gets cool. For a small amount you can manually put the green button for a slow watering saving flush and if you have a large amount you can push for a regular powerful flush. If you opt not to touch the buttons the sensor times how long you sit. If you have short sit you get a green flush for a long flush you get a regular flush. How ingenious is the this. You know if I am sharing this on my blog I thought it was pretty darn cool! Can I get one of these for my house?

Well birthday number 3 has come and gone. Sunday was dinner with Nanny, PawPaw, and Grand. We had homemade chicken and dumplings with a strawberry cake and cream cheese icing. Gifts included all things Tinkerbell...two shirts, stamps, hair clips, and movies. She even got a Tinkerbell card in the mail! Monday was a trip to the Cameron Park Zoo with Papa J and Big Mama. So much fun and the weather was perfect. We saw lots of animals and had lots of fun feeding the fish. For her gift she got a tea set and then had to come home and have a tea party with Elliott. Tuesday was pink cupcakes with pink frosting and sprinkles at school with all of her friends. She was so excited to take them to school and show them her birthday shirt too. They sang Happy Birthday three times for being three years old. Tonight as I was laying down with her she started crying and was sad. She was upset because her Birthday was over and she wanted more cupcakes! She thinks everyday should be her Birthday!

Washington D.C. here we come!!!

Tomorrow my best friend Beckie and I are headed to Washington D.C. I have a conference for the National Council of University Research Administrators so Beckie is coming with me to enjoy the beautiful city. We have never taken this long of a girls trip so it is going to be so much fun. No husbands, no kiddos, no work, no daily chores we have to worry about. We are actually going to have some one make our beds and clean our bathroom everyday...it is going to be paradise. Of course by day two I will be missing Jeff and Lauren so much and wishing I was home! Can't wait to walk on the Mall and see the Capital, it is an amazing site. Mount Vernon and Arlington Cemetery will be great too. Okay let's not forget the real purpose I am going. I will learn a lot of information on cost transfers, effort reporting, and cost sharing. But in between those sessions there is fun to be had!

Tink!

So this was the first year that Lauren actually knew that there was something different about today. It was her Halloween celebration at school. She kept asking me this morning if it was "Halloween Day". So that meant one thing she finally got to wear her Tinkerbell costume to school. She has broken it in a few times so she was quite excited to wear it to school and show all of her friends. Mom and I fixed the wings so they would stay on and she loved the wand...let's hope no one got a black eye as school today. Jeff and I went up to her class party and she was having so much fun. So great to see her playing with all of her friends!

Beer Hockey

You always hear how kids these days have too much stuff and
don't know how to have real "fun". Kids in the old days didn't have
toys to play with they had sticks and rocks. Well yesterday while
waiting on lunch to be done Nanny and Paw Paw taught Lauren
how to play with what you have. We all know that Lauren
loves to sweep and Paw Paw loves to have a beer on Sunday
before lunch. So what came about? Beer Hockey. That's right
I go outside to tell everyone that lunch will be ready in about ten
minutes and I see Lauren and Paw Paw playing hockey with a beer
can and two brooms. Pretty ingenious and Nanny had to get in
the fun as well. They were having so much fun and laughing. I
am just so happy that Lauren will have the memories of playing
with Nanny and Paw Paw as I did as a kid or playing the fun games
that they invent. I remember painting Paw Paw's boat with a
paintbrush and water a hundred times and dragging a magnet in
his shed to pick up lost screws, nuts, and nails. Now that was real
fun!

Dallas Arboretum

We went to see Uncle Nick and Aunt Ray Ray. A great trip was had by all. The baby room is coming along great and we can't wait for the arrival of Baby Dillon! Saturday morning we headed to the park and for a walk along the creek. Once Aunt Ray Ray got home it was off to the Dallas Arboretum. We got to ride a "bus" because of shuttle parking. Lauren was a bit nervous at first but then had a blast. I have never seen so many pumpkins, over 40,000. We walked through the pumpkin houses. It was pretty amazing. I just love all of the fall colors. Then we went to the big hill that overlooks White Rock Lake and Lauren saw lots of kiddos running down the hill and rolling. She had so much fun doing that. Rolling wasn't too successful but she did okay. Then it was back home to some great steak and potatoes. Just think the next time we see them Baby Dillon should be here.

National Night Out

We were so happy that National Night Out got moved from August to October this year. This meant it was 80 degrees outside and not 100. So Lauren, Grand, and I headed to the park (Daddy was on a work trip). So much excitement this year. Hotlinks and cookies for dinner and then Lauren and I both won door prizes. We will be making a Sonic trip soon let's say. Then she spotted the air jumps so that all the energy was about to let loose. Next it was on to balloon animals, of course we got a kitty, and train rides. Then as the sun was setting Lauren finally decided that a pony ride was a go for the that night. She was a bit nervous at first but she held on tight and was ready to go. She was so excited and wanted to go again, but by that time the moon was out and we were out of time for fun.

Princess Party

Well Lauren got her first invitation to a birthday party in September. It was for her "favorite" friend Abby. It was a princess invitation with Snow White, Cinderella, and Belle so we new it was going to be fun. When we arrived Ainsley and Lily were there as well so it was the four girls. Princess crowns awaited them along with princess shoes. Eight feet running up and down the hall and no one falling down was pretty remarkable. Once present time came around the last present was the best. Abby's Grandma had gotten her four outfits to play dress up in so all the girls had an outfit to were. Of course Lauren didn't want to because it was itchy but she really liked looking at all of the sparkles on everyone else. A princess castle cake followed with a rice crispy treat wand. Three hours went by in fifteen minutes and now Lauren thinks every weekend should be Abby's birthday. She just can't wait for her Tinkerbell birthday!

How Can I Miss You If You Won't Go Away?

I saw the title on a sign the other day and today it came to mind. Jeff left yesterday morning for a business trip and is coming back tonight. Even though he was only gone a short period I really have missed him. I know it may seem silly but I have. I missed him sleeping in the bed last night even though I had a 27lb furnace right next to me trying to put her feet under my legs. I missed him when his alarm woke us up this morning to the sound of waves on the beach. I missed that the bathroom wasn't warm from his shower. I missed him when I was battling the 27lb furnance to put on her shoes and put milk in her Thermos. I missed him when putting his dirty clothes in the laundry basket and I smelled his cologne. I missed him when I climbed into the truck today and I miss him typing this. Just a few more hours and he will be home.