Congratulations Missy & Family!

As most of you know, Kelly's paralegal and my dear friend, Missy is expecting twins!!!! This morning Avery and I went to one of her baby showers!!! What fun... always leave wanting another wee one to cuddle!!!
Missy at almost 31 weeks! Matt & Maggie are both close to 4 lbs. Gotta keep 'em in the oven a little while longer!!!
All the little girls were falling over each other to help Missy with her gifts!
Missy's little helpers!!!!
Look at that loot!!! She got a lot of great stuff!!!
Yummy food!!! Check out the adorable diaper cake!!! Molly Grace, Missy's little niece, is holding her "Matt & Maggie" babies!


Please keep Missy, Matt, Maggie and the rest of her family in your prayers! Missy was put on bed rest a couple of weeks ago. She is suffering from high blood pressure and swelling! Pray that the babies will stay snuggled inside mama for at least another month.



Missy, keep on smilin' and hang in there!!! We love you and are praying for you and your little blessings!!!!

Smithsonian - Day Five: Part 2

We spent the 2nd half of our day at the National Air and Space Museum.
The museum was loaded with icons from the history of flight and space explorations.


Where the history of flight all began, the very first Wright brothers airplane!!


Apollo Lunar Module: Astronaut Neil Armstrong, after descending
the "Eagle," took the first steps on the moon on July 29, 1969.
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The kids were able to climb aboard a Boeing 747 and experience a cockpit simulation of a take-off and landing.


Here are some of the dozens of airplanes displayed. I am not even going to pretend I know what that all are, or exactly what time period in history that they are from. They were amazing hanging from the ceilings!










While the boys were seeing the IMAX film, Fighter Pilot, we had a little ice cream break!

"Hey Nana, let go!!! I can handle this just fine on my own!"


Poor Avery! She is so tired, but the ice cream makes it a little better!






Our future little pilots test piloting a cessna!





Uncle Stephen, oops - I meant David Copperfield, working his Magic!!!!


On the Metrorail heading back to our rooms for a much needed restie!!!

Kids are still in awe of this type of transportation!



What a day!!! Packed full, exhausting but fun and very educational!
The kids loved it!

Old Friends, New Friends & Good Times

An old friend, Wendy Hinely, and her 3 sweet children came out today for a visit. She is in town visiting family. We met many years ago when her uncle, Danny Gardner, was here preaching. He was the one who married Kelly and me. This whole family is very dear to mine! We miss them so much!!!


Wendy & Deuce


Jolie & Jana

While the kids were swimming, swinging and riding the go-cart (many thanks to the Johnsons!) Wendy, Lesley and I were able to visit and catch up with each other and our families. We always kid around and say that we are going to arrange our children's future marriages! You never know!!!


Parker driving Jana on the go-cart. He drove a little too fast - my guess he was trying to impress!


Jolie & Carson - aren't they too cute!


Deuce & Avery playing in her room. They were so sweet - they were cooking side by side in the kitchen when I first walked in, but moved before I could snap the picture! Look at those curls!


John Ashford kicked backed and relaxed!!! He loves the pool!


I enjoyed so much catching up with Wendy. I forgot how funny she is - she had Lesley and I both tickled several times. The kids had a great time making new friends! While tucking in the boys tonight, Carson asked could they come back tomorrow!! Wished we lived closer - we miss ya'll!

Belated Spring Cleaning

My energy level today was through the roof!!! I think more than anything I went into "PANIC" mode realizing that in 3 short weeks, we will be starting school!!! I've had really good intentions to do lots of cleaning out and organizing this summer, but ummmm..... don't know what happened. Kelly left yesterday for a 2 week school in Missouri - this is a requirement for him to be promoted to Lt. Col. Anyway, before he left, he cleaned out both his clothes closet and guard/hunting closet!!! Yahoo! I think that this is the first time since we've been married that he voluntarily let go of some of his clothes. It was still very painful for him! There was a college t-shirt from 1993 if that tells you how long it has been! This motivated me to kick into high gear today! I steam cleaned our bedroom carpet, all the area rugs downstairs and even our sofa cushions, putting them out in the sun to dry. Wiped down walls, baseboards and built-ins in the den. I washed and put away 5 loads of clothes, cleaned out and organized the kitchen pantry. I started yesterday cleaning out the school room, but still have lots to do in there. I can't think about that right now... maybe tomorrow!

Smithsonian - Day Five: Part 1

Talk about information overload!!! Whoa! The Smithsonian Institute is the world's largest museum complex. I am not sure, but I think there are around 15 museums total. Since it was impossible to visit all in just a few days, we chose a few that the kids would really enjoy. We spent the first half of our day checking out the National Museum of Natural History, according to Parker, one of the best museums ever!!!!!



The whole gang in Dinosaur Hall! Kelly is the camera man!!! Notice my Daddy giving Mr. Rex a high five!!!!


Every little boys dream!!!!! DINOSAURS!!! Parker and Carson soaked up as much of the Dinosaur Hall exhibit as they could. The exhibit displays giant skeletons of amazing creatures that once roamed our earth. Of course, all the information stated that they existed millions of years ago, both boys were quick to point out that was not correct!!! Way to go boys!



What's for dinner?!!! Umm... tastes like chicken!!!!



I wouldn't want to meet this fellow in a dark alley!





Super Cool! I think the adults loved this exhibit as much as the kids!!!










The kiddos stylin' their 3-D glasses for the IMAX film, Sea Monsters 3-D.





The Hall of Mammals exhibited 274 mammal specimens, fossils, and lots of hands-on interactives for the kids. The exhibit takes you around the world to see how mammals have adapted to different habitats, from the desert to the Arctic.


Taxidermists spent two years preparing the mammal specimens.


Easter Island Head




Ever see Night at the Museum? Really funny! Part of the conversation between Larry and Island Head!

Larry: Morning, dum-dum.
Easter Island Head: Me no dum-dum. You dum-dum.
You bring me gum-gum? ...

Can you say delirious?!! Yes, on that note, think I will go to sleep!