Battlefields and D.C.

We are trying to see as much of the East as possible while we are here and since Andrew's almost 2/3 done with grad school we have been squeezing as many trips in as possible.  Last weekend we decided to go to Washington D. C. and visit some battlefields on the way there and back.

On the way we went to Antietam, history was never my best subject so Andrew thought it would be good if I knew something about where we were going.  We listened to a 14 hour book about the place.  It was where the bloodiest day of the civil war happened.

Someone was tired of sitting in his car seat. 

We went to the temple in Washington D.C. (Our second closest temple 4.5 hours away).  It was huge.  I know that I have seen big temples before I guess I was surprised at how big it was.  Also it was perfect weather.  We took turns watching Riley, it was a very beautiful temple.  

That night we met up with our friend Devin.  We went to Georgetown and had dinner and then took a walking ghost tour.  Riley was a good sport and was very pleasant for the whole thing.  We had a good time.  It was a fun way to explore a new town.

On the way home we visited Gettysburg, Andrew was our tour guide and told us about all the places.  Riley didn't like all the driving, stopping, getting out, standing around for a minute, getting back in the car and driving some more.  It was good, it just probably would have been better if he was older.  

It was a fun trip and hopefully we can make it back to Washington at least one more time before the end of the year.  Maybe to see the lights at Christmas.

Kirtland

Last weekend we went to Kirtland, Ohio with our friends the Wagners.  It was a 2 1/2 hour drive and Riley did pretty good on the drive.  We had a tour of the temple, the Church of Christ now owns the temple.  It was interesting because most other churches have different beginnings from us, but there's is the same.  The bookstore had the Book of Mormon and a lot of books about Joseph Smith. It is a beautiful place and even though the saints had to leave, it served it's purpose as a house of learning.

Then we went to all the Newell K. Whitney stuff owned by the LDS church.  Some sister missionaries gave us a tour.  Here is the Newell K. Whitney store.

This is where the story of the word of wisdom took place, with the men spitting on the floors. 

Riley learning about the sawmill.

We had a fun little trip.  It is amazing how much church history happened in Kirtland.  I'm grateful for all that the early saints did for me.

Visit from Aunt Jessica

Jessica came up from Atlanta this weekend to visit us.  It was fun to see her.  Riley was excited to meet another aunt.  We visited the Cathedral of Learning and wandered around the out door part of Phipps conservatory.  She also was very helpful with teaching our primary class.  Thanks for coming, we had fun!

Spring in Pittsburgh

Spring in Pittsburgh is beautiful!  I'm a little sad that I was too lazy to take more pictures.  But I did take some,  Andrew took some of these too so I can't take all the credit.

My little baby thinks he's old enough to sit by himself now, he only can for about 15 seconds, but I think that's pretty impressive for someone who's not even 4 months.

Hair Cut

Andrew and I finally gave Riley a hair cut.  Riley laughed during most of it, hopefully he always likes hair cuts, but that's unlikely.  I didn't save his hair (I know bad mom), but I have some nice before and after photos.

Wearing dad's shoes

Spring Break 2012

It's weird to think we just finished our last spring break as students.  Soon we will be able to choose our own breaks when flights are cheaper and the weather is good.  We went to Utah for our break, mostly so people could meet Riley.

Riley was a champ on the plane ride to Utah.  Our first flight was to Phoenix, 6 whole hours.  Riley slept on the take off and landing and hardly cried at all.  The only bad thing was that we sat by a very large man, very nice, but very large, who took up a lot of my seat.  It's hard to feed a baby when you don't have all of your seat.  But we managed. The second flight was about an hour and a half, it felt so short.  Riley slept on the take off, he was awake during the landing, but did really well.

My mom and Carly picked us up.  It was so good to see them.  Riley immediately loved Carly.  We spent the first five nights at my parents house and the last six and Andrew's parent's house.  Friday we ate at Cafe Rio.   Oh how I've missed that place.  We also went to two wedding receptions, one from a friend of mine from high school and Andrew's cousin's reception.  

Sunday Andrew blessed Riley.  It was nice to be able to have so much family there.  Riley had both his grandpas, all four great grandfathers, two great uncles, and uncle Bryce held the microphone.  It was a really sweet blessing.  Andrew's grandma Briscoe made his blessing outfit.  I love it.

Most of the rest of the week we hung out with friends and family. We played games, played basketball, went to the temple (it was so nice to be so close and have a baby sitter), and visited with a lot of people.  We had fun. 

Riley was the first baby Bryce had ever held, they were a little scared of each other at first...

But eventually they got things figured out.

Riley had kind of a hard time not being at home.  I think it was over stimulating, so many new people, places and sounds were hard for him.  He didn't sleep well the whole time we were there and he cried a lot more than we were used to.  He gained over a pound while we were there and learned a lot of new things.  He is stronger than he was, he is getting closer to being able to sit,  he likes toys now (which is one of Andrew's favorite things), and he is bringing things to his mouth and gnawing on them (especially my fingers).  We were in Utah more than a tenth of his life so it makes sense that he's changed so much.

We saw a lot of the people that we wanted to.  It was hard to say bye to our friends and family, but it is good to be home. There was snow when we left Utah Monday morning and this week it hit 80 degrees multiple times.  Riley's had kind of a hard time adjusting to the sudden heat, but we put the air conditioner in and that has helped significantly! 

 

In the past...

Spring break is coming up soon, we have been known to have a good time during spring break.

Three years ago we got married and the week after was spring break.  We went to Cancun.

Two years ago we went to the WAC basketball tournament in Reno, and then on to San Francisco.

Last year, I had two jobs and had to work during spring break.  But I loved those jobs so it's okay.

This year we are going to the place that we always wanted to leave for spring break.  We fly into Salt Lake Thursday night, and we are spending 10 days in Utah.  I'm pretty sure it has snowed all of about 6 inches here the whole winter and every time it's been gone within three days.  Everyone says Pittsburgh winters are bad, but it's nicer here than in Cache Valley (it hit 60 degrees twice this week).  I am excited to see friends and family, I just wish they would all move somewhere warm where we could visit them.  Also somewhere with Cafe Rio.