Random pics of our trip... (posted by the Mrs.)

Can you get a feel for the size of this puppy. Just look at those flag poles and the size of those people standing by the flag poles!

As we were walking around the Washington Monument we got mauled by all these running MEN and women all wearing red dresses! I don't know what it was about but it was pretty interesting.

This is a picture of the Vietnam Memorial. As you can see the names are very small and there are at least 60 panels 10 feet high of these names of soldiers who died or went missing in the war. The way these memorials are made makes it easy to gain an instant understanding of what was sacrificed for the greater good. I've heard stories of wars, seen movies, read books etc but to visually see a 'countless' number of people is incredible.

Here we are at the Metro System. Luckily it wasn't a work day for Washington D.C.ers so we didn't really have to fight traffic. Thanks goodness, I've heard it's pretty crazy!

Trip to D.C. - posted by the Mrs.

We took a recent trip to Washington D.C. where we stayed with our bro-in-law's aunt and uncle. We were really excited to see the sights and Gwen, Brooks, and Nikki helped us get around and really make the most of our 2 day trip! We couldn't have done most of it without them and wouldn't have had as much fun either. Shout out to the Reese fam for making our weekend awesome!

This is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It holds a soldier whose body could not be identified and was placed there in 1921. Other soldiers from WWII and the Korean war who are also unidentified have been placed in the ground under the slabs around this tomb. There is a guard pacing in front of this tomb 24/7 regardless of snow storm or scorching hot weather. The guard paces 21 steps in front of the tomb and pauses for 21 seconds, then paces across the tomb again with 21 steps. Repeating over and over until his "shift" is over. We were able to watch the changing of the guard in front of this tomb which happens every hour.

Can you see how many graves there are here?! There are over 320,000 serviceman and their family members buried here, starting from the Civil War on up until now.

More markers.

View of a side stream while crossing the bridge over the vast Potomac River.
(Just over the left row of bushes/shrubery is the Potomac but you can't see it so don't think you're crazy.)

More on the trip to D.C. - Posted by the Mrs.

Do you know this man? He's pretty famous, and one large in stature dude if I might add. The building he sits in is huge as well! This was one of my favorite things to see in person.

I would wager that we were the same height as his knee to his foot. Just a guesstimate.

That is the Washington Memorial in the background, also one massive monument. Pictures just don't do these things justice.

Potomac River with the Washington Monument off to the right.

We went and toured George Washington's Plantation. It was quite amazing. We watched a video about his life, toured his mansion, saw his tomb, and walked through a museum of his belongings and artifacts that were from his time. Washington was big on family, hard work, and learning. It was really neat to learn a part of our history. I would have to say that I didn't know a lot about many of the places, people, and things that we were educated on this short and sweet trip until now and there is still a lot to learn about! Even so, I feel like I've become a better citizen of this country having gone on this trip.

Tidbits - posted by the Mrs.

While my sister lived at our house, we managed to get a few crafts done. We each made our own set of fall pumpkins to decorate for the season. We gathered bits of ideas here and there but they were ultimately our concoctions and I'd have to say we are pretty happy with how they turned out.

This is our morning sunshine complete with food stains and all.

This was Duncan's first time in a shopping cart...stable, safe, and happy. As long as there is a cart nearby there will be no more achy arms for mommy!



This is just a glance at our place. We've actually been moving around furniture to find some fung shway, I'm really big on that. Once we find it we'll be sure to let you know.

Here's Duncan with his "Burgh" cuz's. They all love to be together. In fact, sitting next to Duncan was always the hot seat at the dinner table. We miss our house mates but I think they are pretty happy in their 'new' home.

The trek to get here from there...(posted by the Mrs,)

I'm finally getting around to blogging about our transition period...our trek if you will, from Utah to Pittsburgh. It was quite a big effort from start to finish but we made it! It was a 4 day mission with one of the days spent in Nauvoo where neither my dad, Bob, nor I...and of course Duncan had ever visited. We stayed in some pretty cheap motels (surprised?) which were basically a place to lay our heads for a bit. Four in the morning was the average wake time with a quick pack up and departure to follow. We wanted to avoid traffic and get as much of the drive done as possible while Duncan slept. Each day, I took the first leg in the Suburu along with Bobby in the truck while my dad rested his eyes. After Duncan woke up, I spent the rest of the day in the back seat playing "Keep-The-Baby-Entertained" with Duncan. We filled the time with music, trivia questions over the walkie talkies, chatting, glancing out the window and unfortunately a few detours (when the GPS went weird on us a few times).

Nauvoo was really neat to experience. It wasn't anything like I imagined. There was so much to see and do there but not enough time to do it all in. We for sure saw the John Browning home, then the Blacksmith shop, the Trail of Hope, rode on a carriage ride tour, and finally, visited the Nauvoo Temple. John Browning is one amazing inventor. I was really impressed with his creativity and wanted to get to work creating something that could not have existed without my efforts. Although I'm not personally related to him, it's neat to know that it is a part of my heritage. At the end of the carriage ride we went on, the tour guide said that "If you don't remember any of the stories that I have told you, remember this: when the saints were working hard to finish the Nauvoo Temple they were asked by others why they continued to work when they knew they were going to be kicked out of Nauvoo. The saints replied with two words: Temple Blessings. That the mobs could take away their families, homes, possessions, freedoms, and lives but the mobs could not take away their Temple Blessings." Such a great perspective and important lesson.

We also went to Carthage Jail touring the house and learning more about the events that happened there. There was also a short movie clip that we watched about Joseph Smith. We sat Duncan down on the bench between Bobby and I, the lights went out, and Duncan sat reverently watching the movie with his face tipped up. He was so engaged in the movie.

It was really neat to experience so many things that I had only read about or heard from others about Nauvoo and the Saint's lives. There's nothing like experiencing something for yourself, those experiences become a reality that you can then grasp and really understand. The puzzle pieces come together to complete the whole picture. I love when I can understand something better.

Here we are in front of John Browning's Gunsmith shop.

A statue of Joseph and Hyrum depicting their ride out of Nauvoo to Carthage, looking for the last time over the land.

The Beautiful Nauvoo Temple. I love that lime green stuff...whatever it is.

Carthage Jail

Does the sign not scare you just a little? I mean, why are there THREE locking devices? Is the Mafia after us?

Another oddly funny picture: An ashtray turned over to signify that it is a no smoking room. Is that really the only difference between rooms?
Today it's a No-smoking room, tomorrow it's a Smoking room. Just depends on the crowd really.

Duncan did some of the driving, what a champ. Look at the face on that kid, priceless.

Mastercard.

Duncan may have helped drive but I'd have to say he probably did a little more of this and a little less of driving. Traveling is hard on a little guy.

We made it to Pittsburgh safe and sound. It truly is the City of Bridges. We cross 3 bridges just to get to church! There will be more news to come on our recent trip to D.C. as well as what in the world we've been up to since arriving!

For those who are wondering about our front porch pet squirrel Raby and his family...uh let's just say they aren't around anymore. I won't say how but I will say that Bob and Steve concocted a blow dart weapon out of pvc pipe, paper, and nails in an attempt to save the Landlady a lump sum. Don't worry friends of animals, they are not the culprits, although they did come close. Footage coming soon...