Our trip to DC!

Ken was flying to DC for business. At the last minute I decided to drive up with the kids. I figured with his room and food paid for by work, and all of the museums are free, there would never be a better time for us to see the sites! I was a little nervous about driving that far by myself...but I plugged in Pinky (my GPS that is pink) and started off to Rockville, MD. My friend Libby used to live there and the best advice she gave me was get there before 3:00 to avoid rush hour!! After rain for 4 hours of the trip and all of the stops we had to make, I turned into my hotel at exactly 3:01!!! My next undertaking was the Metro....I have only taken public transportation a few times...school bus, 1 cab, and the subway once w/Ken (and we went the wrong way!!). So, for me to get on the Metro w/Sam and Caroline was a little intimidating. However, everyone was very helpful and patient w/all of my tourist questions and we made it around DC w/no problems!!!! :)

Sam and Caroline waiting on the Metro!

Sam blending in on the Metro w/his iPod.

I put this picture of the Treasury Dept. on here b/c Sam said the funniest thing about it. When I told him the name of the building and that they dealt w/money he said, "Mom, do not say that very loud on the street. What if someone hears you and they try and get in there!" Sometimes I want to kill him and sometimes all I can do is hug him.....!

After watching the inauguration, the kids have been so fascinated w/ Abe. We went to the Portrait Gallery and it turned out to be one of their favorite museums. They had several rooms of Presidents portraits. It was very beautiful. We even go to view the picture of Obama that was used during his campaign. A very cool place!

The Capitol.

They Smithsonian was handing out maps of all the artifacts that were in the Night at the Museum movie. Here are the kids w/ "DumDum". Actually it is the Easter Island Statue.

Rexy.

Caroline is fascinated w/whales. This was a huge Right Whale named Pheonix.

Outside of the Museum of Natural History.

The Washington Monument.

The White House. (not as big or impressive as I thought)

We walked to the Lincoln Memorial. It was a beautiful site, it was night time when we went. They have it all lit up and it is breathtaking. It is so massive in size and is very ominous. After walking all the way to it (and I will tell you that nothing in DC is as close as it seems) we climbed the stairs and Ken went to take a picture....the camera was DEAD!!! I could have hit the person next to me...I was speechless yet could have cursed...but I did not. I broke out the video camera. Not as impressive as a picture, but I can say we were there!

Overall the trip was fantastic! The kids loved it and definitely want to go back. The only downside was Ken had to work the whole time and only went out with us the one night. If you ever get the chance to go, do it!

Happy Birthday Noah!

Sams attempt at a back flip!

This was Sams first attempt at doing a back flip off of the pier. It did not go well. However, he can now do one on the trampoline. I am sure he will be successful at the peir soon!

The 4th of July at the lake...

This year Ken was playing a show on the 4th. Rachel and Tony invited the kids and I to Tony's uncles house at Lake Tillery. We had a blast! Sam, Caroline, and Jake were so excited when they got to ride the intertube behind the boat. I was a little nervous but they had a great time!

Daddy's band plays in the park!

Ken has joined a Wedding/Variety band. They had a show at The Prominade at Providence. There is a grassy area with a fountain that they played. I can not believe how many families come out and bring thier chairs, coolers, frisbees and dogs! The kids were not so impressed, I guess Donna Summer, Smokey Robinson, and beach music just didn't strike up excitement for them. But as the night went on, the music spead up, and ice cream was eaten, they began to really have a good time. Noah even ended up in the fountain (he was not the only one though)!

Tony, Rachel and MawMaw (Tony's grandmother)

Not to impressed yet! The ice cream had not kicked in at this point.

Kates Skate!

The kids were tired of the pool...so we went skating! They really enjoy it and are getting much better!

Our first Bible verse of the summer.

My kids have learned their first Bible verse of the summer!

"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."
Proverbs 3:24

I love how this is a command, not an option. The Lord says, "will be" each time. For those of us that have lost the natural ability to sleep.....we should be claiming this every night!!!!

Mommy is this for your "patempature"?

Just last week I was thinking that the Lord was laughing at me.....If you know me at all, you know that I am happy with my 2 children and feel that my nest is full. We have made sure of that by taking Mr. Ogden to the Dr. However, I was on the phone with the nurse on Thursday, saying the words, "But I am like clockwork every month!" I was 3 days late and heard those dreaded words..."Come in for a test." Oh no...no,no,no! I will take one at home, ALONE, so that I can react the way I want to and not how I should (being that this would be a blessing I would have to get used to!) So, off to Walmart we go. I put the test in the buggy, discretely, hoping not to see anyone I knew. I went off to do something and left Ken and Caroline with the buggy. When I came back Caroline was holding the box. She said "Mommy, is this to take your patempature?" I quickly said "Yes, now put it down." I looked at Ken, and he said, "Yes Caroline, Mommy will know in a couple of hours whether she has a headache or not." I tried not to laugh but could not resist. The good news is after several checks back to the trash can, the test was negative.

I think that sometimes God just wants to make us squirm and remember that He is in charge, not us. I truly feel that He has a wicked sense of humor sometimes. But, I know that He loves me!!!

"The Lord will accomplish what concerns me; Your loving kindness, O Lord, is everlasting, do not forsake the works of Your hands." Psalm 138:8

"Until the time that His word came to pass, the word of the Lord tested Him." Psalm 105:19