Part 3- Washington DC

For the 3rd part of our trip, we drove from Gettysburg to Arlington, Va. We went there to visit Will's brother David and his family. Wasgington DC is right by there so we went and saw some of the sights in DC with them.

Rachel and cousin Tommy are pretending to be doggies. They had lots of fun playing together.

Uncle David cuddling bailey.

Silly cousins after church.

We went to the DC zoo and it was lots of fun for the kids. They especially loved running through the rain when it happened to downpour while we were there. It was a hot day so it was welcome rain.

Daddy got all wet too.

This is rachel in the gorilla house. I think she was making this face because I told her no for some reason. I don't remember why.

Rachel and Tommy

Making crazy faces. I think Tommy is a monkey.

Aquarium at the zoo.

Petting a cow.

Tommy thinks he can push over the Washington monument. haha!

Daddy and Rachel at the Washington monument

Rachel at the Lincoln memorial

Lincoln memorial

Lincoln memorial


We made it to one museum at the Smithsonian. This is Rachel at the Natural history museum touching a dinosaur bone.

part 4- Philadelphia

Our last day was spend in Philadelphia. We saw some old historic sites and hung out at our hotel. As much as I loved visiting friends and family, it was nice to have one day to spend as just our family.

Behind me is the visitors center.

Just deciding where we want to go first.

Behind Will on the left is Independence Hall. It was under construction but we were still able to tour it. Behind on the right is where the liberty bell is housed.

Liberty Bell

Behind me is Betsy Ross' house. She made the first American flag.

The room in Independence hall where the declaration of independence was signed. Most of the building is still original.

I don't know what this statue is but Rachel ran up to it and said " mommy take a picture of me". So i did. In the background is Independence hall. You might be able to tell that its under renovations so there is a backdrop covering it with a picture of what it looks like.

Thats our trip! The girls were really good on the flights out and back and Bailey slept well most of the vacation except for our last night in Philly. But then she slept all day traveling home.

She's finally here!

Bailey Jane Johnston!
May 26th 11am
6lbs 9oz
19 inches

preschool program

Rachel just finished her first year of preschool and they had a little "graduation" program today. She was a little shy and only did about half of all the singing and motions. This video is just a short clip of the whole program.

Rock and Roll Rachel!

I just found this on my computer and I don't even remember recording it but it made Will and I laugh so hard! I had to watch it again because my eyes were watering too much the first time. I bet its probably funnier to us than any of you though.

Tulip festival 2011

Rachel and I met up with my sister and her fiance at the Tulip Festival to take their engagement photos yesterday. It was the perfect time to go. it was not crowded at all and the weather was perfect. Sunny and just warm enough to go without a sweater. Spring at its best! I wish my handsome hubby could have ditched work to come along but he is so good about being responsible and bringing home the bacon.

family photos

When we went to California for Christmas with my family, we had photos done at the beach. I've had these for a while but totally forgot to post them. These are some of my favorites.

emergency preparedness in action

I saw this on a friend's blog. Its an email from an american living in Japan with her family. She talks about her experience during the recent disaster and how she was prepared and in what ways she wasn't. its quite insightful. I know it makes me think about what I have stored and what I still need to get. You never know when disaster will come to you. I linked the title of the post to the blog so you can click on that but in case it doesnt work go here: http://www.graciousrain.com/2011/03/24/kindly-advice-from-japan/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+graciousrain+%28Graciousrain.com%29

Rachel's 4th birthday

The girls all made jewelry boxes.

And got a ballet lesson from a pretty ballerina


Rachel was very excited to open all her presents and couldn't believe it when they were all gone.

She picked strawberry cake and strawberry frosting so it was all pink. She loves pink!


She got lots of different barbie dolls, not all pictured.

My sister Amanda and her fiance James.

Rachel's birthday is actually the 21st but it was easier to have a party on saturday. She loves birthdays and was really looking forward to it for several weeks. Her party was in the afternoon so all morning she kept asking if it was time yet. It was lots of fun for her and her little girl friends. I tried to simplify it a bit and invite less people this year so it was easier for me too.

oops forgot Thanksgiving

So I was looking at my recent blog posts and noticed that I never posted pictures from Thanksgiving! I know, it was forever ago now but what the heck. Here are pictures from our little family dinner here in Utah. Will's sister Heather and her intended, Roy, joined us for the evening.

Quite a handsome fellow if I do say so!