DC & Raleigh

{This is Devin}

In November, I had another work trip take me to an awesome location--Washington DC. Joslyn had been wanting to go there ever since we suddenly moved back to Utah. I thought that this would be a good chance. I flew out a couple days before her, presented and attended a few meetings. Then she flew out, got delayed, re-routed to Detroit, then to Chicago and finally at 3 am to DC. Whew! She still got up early so we could see as much of the National Mall as possible.

Our first stop was the Air & Space Museum

That place is amazing! You could spend multiple days in there. We settled for half a day.

Joslyn with her Great Aunt Amelia. ;)

This was my favorite part: A transparent gas turbine. It brought out the mad scientist in me.

After the Air & Space Museum, we went over to the Capitol building

We made it just in time for the last tour of the day.

The Crypt, the under-working of the capitol building

The Rotunda, it was mostly covered and is undergoing major renovations

Hello, Brigham!

The sun was beginning to set as we got out of the Capitol. There were some pretty views as we strolled the Mall.

After a brief detour because of suspicious vehicle (probably a daily occurrence in DC), we made our way down to the Washington Monument where we had a great view of the sunset over the Potomac.

We had a little adventure finding dinner. We first went to a french bistro. After being seated, we opened the menu to see the cheapest item was $25. Joslyn panicked and ran out. I got up and followed informing our waiter on the way out that we are going keep looking around for a place to eat. We later found this great pizza joint.

Check out these unique soda flavors.

The next morning, we got up early to get tickets to the Washington Monument. While waiting for our tour time, we strolled down to the WWII Monument. This was a highlight. It is so well done and really helps you appreciate the sacrifices that has been made for us. Books like "Unbroken" "All the Light We Cannot See" and "Man's Search for Meaning" really helped bring more meaning to this monument for me.

Atop the Washington Monument

The crack from the 2011 earthquake that I felt in my class at NC State

The Lincoln Memorial. I just loved seeing so many references to divine at each of these memorials and monuments. On the side of Abe Lincoln was the Gettysberg Address and his Inaugural Address both had many reference to God. 

After the Lincoln memorial, we got lost in the American History Museum. This is the only picture we got because we were so consumed in all the displays. It was amazing.

After DC, we swung down to Raleigh to visit our NC friends. It was so good to be back in NC. It instantly felt like home. We walked around one of our favorite lakes, Bond Lake, our first morning there.

We swung by our old neighbors, the Burtons, but we were only able to catch Bruce and forgot to take photos. However, we did snap one of out old house on the way out.

That night we went to our favorite BBQ joint with the Meyers, Lyons and Andersons. It was a good time with a lot of laughs.

On Sunday, we got to go to church at our old ward. Afterwards, we spent hours visiting with these good people, the Zeugschmidts. We literally lost track of time with them. We wish we could fold them up and keep them in our pockets.

The Meyers let us crash with them for a few days. They are such generous people and kids match up so well with theirs. There were a couple times that we wished that our kids were with us so that they could play together.

We also visited with the Waltons. Charlie (on the left) was baptized while we lived there. It was so fun to see his testimony still on fire.

Last, we had dinner with Whites. We love being with them and in their home to observe and learn from their family dynamics. We hope to pattern a lot of our family practices after theirs.

It felt so good to be back at our 2nd home and wish that we had more time to spend with all of these wonderful people. Thanks to all our family that made this special trip possible.

Halloween Festivities

Cambry and Vienna are in a homeschooling group called Classical Conversations. We meet together with these wonderful families for instruction and learning. This time we got to go on a nature walk. They found different plants parts and drew them in their nature journals.

Devin and I took an adult trip to frightmares at Lagoon with Noelle, Cory and Sara. Oh gosh, we had so much fun! I was grateful to be over morning sickness and got to ride most of the rides just fine.

Cute Cambers showing off her loot from Frightmares, sweet fireman's hat, shades, and lucky rabbit's foot.

Cambers drew her name all spooky for Halloween

In between all the Halloween fun, Devin and Neal got to take their Grandma to a BYU football game

The little jar heads

Our scarecrow is always a favorite friend and these girls love it each year when I pull it out. It's getting a little raggedy, but I can't seem to tell them to stop playing with it. It's so cute to me to see them carting it around the yard.

Another Frightmare adventure with the Rowe cousins

The kids got these train whistles in the pioneer village. They were pretty cute for about 3 minutes...

Noelle took all the big kids on the ferris wheel, while I just had Sophie and Myla in my carriage. What a fun time.

Noelle took Veena and Will on a ride... Aren't they twins?! and isn't it so obvious that Noelle is their mother?!

I never thought I'd say this, but Long live Lagoon!!! 

We had such a mild, warm fall! Jess and I took all our girls up to hike donut falls, to extend our hiking in skirts legacy. 

These guys are such great hikers and love being outside in nature. It makes mine and Devin's hearts so happy.

Family night mid October we loaded up the crew and headed to a pumpkin patch in Riverton to find the best pumpkins in the valley.

This place is so fun. They park a dozen tractors around and let the kids climb all over them.

We had a great time in the corn mazes, and the girls took turns being in charge of which way to turn and who got to be the leader, walking in front. These things are extra important to these 2 girls.

Hooray! All the family on one bale of hay!

Myla: queen of the itty bitty pumpkins!

Myla shared her thrown with her sisters.

Love this meek happy little friend.

Over the next weekend we had a fun time together carving our pumpkins at home.

Veena was not impressed with how slimy the pumpkin guts are, and oversaw Dad as he did the dirty work.

Devin always carves his pumpkin to please the girls, and they are never disappointed.

This year, Myla was so excited to be this cute little lady bug for the parties.

Cambry loves stripes, and was ecstatic to be a witch in all stripes. 

When we were on our way to goodwill to find costumes, Veena said from the backseat- I hope we find a bat costume. I couldn't believe it when I found this costume in her favorite colors, in her size, and with big flappy wings- just what she wanted.

The Frampton Halloween party. Witches Cambers, Grandma Beck and Abigal.

We loved Finn's costume!

And baby Booga's old lady get up.

Bat Veena and Monster Wellsy strike a pose

Abi is so good with little ones. Myla snuggled right up to her for 30 seconds at a time while she needed a break from running around.

We played lots of fun minute to win it games that are always mass chaos and always leave us laughing until our sides ache.

Another day, another fun pumpkin patch, hay ride, tractor climbing adventure.

Halloween night we attended the annual Jorgensen party. We love eating a spooky dinner and love trick or treating with all the Utah Rappleye cousins. Myla really caught on to trick or treating this year and wouldn't let anyone hold her loot. She ran from house to house, usually the last one to get to the door out of the group, and after the people put a candy in her bucket, she kept it out and just stared at the candy giver. Most of the times, they gave her another one and commented on how little and cute she was. She had almost double the candy as her sisters! Little charmer.

Happy Halloween!