History...it's just so much better in the East (1 of 4)

I have always loved history.

Especially U.S. History.

Today, I got a little taste of it from our visit to Mt. Vernon, George Washington's estate in Virginia.


George Washington wrote, "no estate in United America is more pleasantly situated than this...." I have to say I agree. Above was one of my favorite pictures that my mom took of the mansion. You can see the pillars of the back porch that looks out onto the beautiful scenery of the Potomac river. We had such a nice breeze rolling through there today, that I can totally imagine the many perfect evenings the Washingtons had out on the porch. Below is a picture of all the chairs lined up on the porch. I really loved the look of it. The picture below would have been a lot more artistic if I had gotten out of the way. This is only about a third of the total chairs.

If you ask me Mt. Vernon offers all aspects of the great outdoors, the river, rolling hills and wooded forest.

The next two pictures below are of the the Slave Memorial and Burial Ground. The memorial was built to honor the slaves who lived and worked at Mount Vernon. Originial grave markers have disappeared over the years and the identities of approximately 100 individuals--slaves and free blacks who worked for the Washington family during the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century--buried there are mostly unknown.

On the memorial are the words of love, hope and faith. Although it is an ugly part of our past, I hope these memorials will help us to never forget the past, and most importantly to learn from it.


Pictured below is the Old Vault, the original resting place of George and Martha Washington. However, in his last will and testament he made provisions for a new brick tomb to replace the original vault that was deteriorating. The new tomb was complete in 1831, thirty-two years after his death, and he along with the remains of his wife and other family members were moved there.


Laney dressed in period clothing. She loved it and felt like she was playing dress up. It was hard to get her to take it off. Ever my girly girl!


I loved this picture below. It so beautiful with the Potomac in the background.

Getting some Mom Time (2 of 4)

We have been busy since we arrived in Maryland. I am so happy at the memories created and the fun activities that we have been able to do since I arrived. But, I still have been feeling like someone was missing. My mom! I truly felt like I was "home" once I heard her voice yesterday and knew that we were in the same state about an hour apart.

My mom had been out of town since before my plane touched down two weeks ago and I wasn't able to see her...until today!

I am so excited to finally be visiting with my mom.

After we pulled up to her house, my boys had rushed out of the car to be the first to knock on her door before I could even give them "the" talk that we were going to go in as a family and without all the chaos.

My mom's reaction didn't disappoint. You can't help but feel so welcome and loved as she opens the door with the huge smile, and the biggest laugh, and lots of hugs. It is so my mom! My sisters and I have often talked about how much we love mom's laugh. There is no other sound that brings me back to my childhood as hearing my mom laughing, and no other sound that elicits such a loving feeling in my heart. (I know mushy, but true.)

We have been busy again since the moment we arrived. After a yummy lunch at her house, we headed out for the zoo. Which turned out to be quite the treat. I had two unique experiences that I have never had before.

When we arrived I had my mom drop us off at the front gates because Laney had said she needed to go to the bathroom. I didn't realize how much until I saw that typical "potty dance." I thought we better run to the bathroom and the problem was I didn't remember where it was. Poor thing. She didn't think she was going to make it. She even said to me as we were running to the bathroom, "Is it okay if I have an accident?" Poor thing. I said it was okay and we would handle it, but I pointed out the short distance further to the bathroom and she was able to make it. She has never had an accident since she learned to potty train and I think it would have been devastating to her. I am glad it all worked out.

After that the first signs we saw were for the "Big Cats" and I was excited because I knew I wanted to see them. The signs led us to the tiger pens and it was really disappointing. It wasn't until the last pen that Ty's sharp eyes spotted the lone tiger resting in the shade. Oh well, moving on we decided to go see the oragutangs. As we were headed there Laney saw a lion and we headed over to him as quickly as we could. I love lions, but I know that I don't ever want to meet one face-to-face. As we got there he was putting on show. He was pacing and roaring! I have never heard a real live lion roar before. It sent chills down my spine reinforcing my thought that I don't ever want a face-to-face encounter. He was so spectacular!

We spent some time watching the gorillas and even the reptile exhibit. I found it fascination to watch my kiddos as they read the plaques to know which animal was behind the thick glass partitions and then as they spotted said animal.

We also knew that we wanted to stop by the panda exhibit. Our zoo doesn't have them and I wanted my children to be able to see this amazing animals. But, it was a big disappointment as we walked around and saw no pandas! On our way out of the building we decided to stop and see what some people were looking at behind a glass office. My mom quickly figured out that they were watching past births from panda mothers. She told me that the zoo suspects that one of the pandas is pregnant, so we deduced that they are trying to prepare for that event. The next thing I knew, Ethan was yelling at me in excitement: he had seen what I hadn't. In the corner of his screen had been live streaming video of the panda enclosure. He had seen a panda enter.

This one panda held about 20 adults attention captive for the next 20 minutes. We were so happy to watch him play and gnaw on his toy and then on bamboo. We grew even more excited as he walked to our corner about 3 feet away from us. At this point, I heard another panda watcher say, "In all the years I have been coming here, I have never been this close to a panda!"

The gorillas.

Us watching the panda.

The panda.

Taken on our way outside the zoo.

I can't wait for the next few days which will include such places of discovery as Mt. Vernon, the Smurfs movie, Air and Space, and the Washington Monuement (time permitting on this one.)

I just love Washington D.C.

"Dancing Crazy" with Miranda Cosgrove (3 of 4)

I love giving my children new experiences in life. But this one actually came from my sister. She is one of the most amazing, generous people I know. She called me about two months before our scheduled departure and asked what I thought about my children going to the Miranda Cosgrove "Dancing Crazy" concert with Greyson Chance. Of course I thought it was an awesome idea. Paige bought tickets for my three children, her daughter Brenna, and we were also bringing along two of Brenna's friends.

THE DINNER

Before the concert we took the children to eat at Olive Garden. There were all so cute and enjoyed their dinner. I loved hearing the conversation between the four 9 year-olds and one 10 year-old. Just maybe, I was able to get a foreshadowing of my boys on dates once they turn 16. (I always wonder what they will be like as young men.) Paige and I were able to enjoy talking with each other. I love this stage that we are in with our children: pre-teen and not in the so dependent toddler stage.

THE CONCERT
The concert was so much fun for the kids! They were all up and "dancing crazy!" I wished I had prepared my children a little better by letting them hear and become familiar with the songs that they didn't know. But, overall it was so fun to watch them and I think they really enjoyed it. Tyler loved to put Laney on his shoulders and she loved to be there. Brenna and her friends would scream at the top of their lungs, "We love you Miranda!" and hold up the sign that they had made. They too loved to dance around to the songs. You could see the anticipation on each of their faces as her two male dancers were shooting t-shirts into the crowd. They also loved when the camera panned the audience and they saw themselves on the screen. I think they will remember it for a long time. Just like I remember the Shaun Cassidy concert I went to at about their same age. (yes, I am that old.)

Cape Charles Virginia (4 of 4)

A perfect little resort town!

After visiting with my dad, to continue our fun time together Robin, Paige, and I drove the 5 hours to Cape Charles, Virginia, to the vacation house Robin and Buff had rented.

Knowing that it can't compete with the commercialness of nearby Virginia Beach, it opts to be touted as a quaint little seaside resort. I will take it any day over Virgina Beach. The resort at the Marina Village, where we stayed, was patterned after a resort down in the Caribbean. The house they rented was purple and decorated so perfectly on the inside.

And, although it wasn't white sand beaches, we loved hanging out there all day!

Ethan playing on the beach. I have so many pictures like this of me from my childhood. Staying at Cape Charles made me feel like my children were getting the vacation experience that I had each summer growing up. There isn't much chance of this in the land locked state of Utah.

Brenna and Ethan discovering marine life.

Brenna, Tiercy and Tyler on the jet ski! A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!

Two cuties! Two of Mom Mom's three granddaughters.

Sand sculptures!

Laney gets a turn on the jet ski too. Unfortunately for her, when Buff was doing his tricks and turns, I refused to be taken down alone and wouldn't let go of Buff's life jacket as I was being thrown into the water so the was dumped upside down and we all landed in the water.

Because of Cape Charles' quaint size, people either own or rent golf carts to drive them from place to place. The kids loved this too, but were a little disappointed that after driving at my dad's they weren't allowed to drive this one. I loved this aspect of Cape Charles.

The kids thought the rented jet ski was the cat's meow! They loved driving. I was the one who spent most of the time on it with the kids. Unsurprisingly to me, Ethan was the child who went for speed and very surprisingly to me, Brenna was the child who went for safety and caution. Tyler told his Aunt Paige, "Brenna drove safe, and I drove fast." I don't think he realizes his brother drove faster than him.

And, we even had an unplanned adventure for Laney. I had gone back to the house to make lunch for everyone, and the next thing I know there is an insistent knocking at the door. I go down and I saw Brenna motioning me forward. I could tell from her fact that something was wrong. I opened the door to her telling me that Laney needed stitches. Apparently, Tyler was carrying Laney on the jetty and losing his footing he slipped and fell cutting his hands. I felt badly for him. Especially because that was brushed aside when Laney was brought to me. I then took her to the doctor's office and two hours later with my wallet a $150 lighter we were on our way with her cut super glued shut. The doctor decided that because of the location he would spare everyone the trauma of stitches. I was all for it when I found out using the super glue meant that her scar would just be a little bit wider.

I loved that even though Cape Charles is small, you still can get a fine dining experience. We had exquisite food at Aqua, the restaurant by the marina. Reservations were made for us in the "wine room." It was the coolest room in the restaurant to keep the wine chilled and I loved the cold after being in the humidity and heat of the sun all day. The food was divine. We had several appetizers of calamari, seared tuna, and crab dip (a family favorite) that started the divine food that crossed our taste buds that night. Then I had the cantaloupe and nectarine salad with a mint vinaigrette, and my main course was Pan Seared Scallops with garlic kale, and a saute of grilled corn, red potato, tomato, and prosciutto. I was in heaven as each bit touched my lips.


Paige's photo shoot of 3 little cuties: Brenna, Alayna and Ethan.

Hanging on the Lake with Papa Bob and Grandma Marie

Because I was going to be in Maryland for so long, my sisters and I decided to go and visit our dad and Marie (his wife), and our stepsister Dana, along with her family. We had such a fun trip full of new memories.

Dad and Marie and their grandchildren who were present: Brenna, Tyler, Thane, Grayson, Ethan, Laney, and Jordan behind Grayson and Ethan.

My monkeys and me with my dad.

Dana, my step-sister and her daughter, Jordan.
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Each morning, after eating the continental breakfast at the hotel, Paige, Robin and I let the kids play in the hotel pool. We thought it would be best to let the children get out some of their energy before heading to dad's. We would usually eat lunch and then head over to dad's and hang out there until 8ish.

My dad and Marie were amazing with the grandchildren. They had the munchies and goodies that kids love and didn't mind that the kids emptied their refrigerators of bottled water and soda. They made dinner for us two of the nights and took us to dinner at their favorite restaurant the other. And they both loved having us and all the children there.

The kids had such a blast playing in the lake behind my dad's lakefront house. Water can keep kids playing happily for hours! And although my dad's boat wasn't working that didn't stop the kids from having fun.

The kids played for hours on this jet ski ramp. They were very creative and played a called Pirates that they invented. As part of the game they had a designated captain. Interestingly enough, with all those boys they made Brenna the captain. Could it be because they have strong mom's in their lives?

Thane (8ys.) and Ethan (9 yrs). Notice anything about their names?

Swinging with Papa Bob.

Laney couldn't swim because we forgot her swimming suit at the hotel. Once she discovered the old golf cart of Papa Bob's she was happy and content. After a few instructions from me, she quickly caught on to driving and she was my little chauffer. We must have driven up and down Dad's street three dozen times. She loved the driving and handled the turns at both ends of the street like a speedway racer. Unfortunately for her, the kids in the water soon caught on to what she was doing and wanted their own turns.

While the little kids were enjoying their "wheels", these were the wheels I was enjoying! Who knew my dad was sporty? I rode to the restaurant with my dad. It was about the only time I was able to get some one-on-one time with him and I really enjoyed our conversation.

We were all sad and teary as we said goodbye. We didn't want to the trip to end and neither did they. Paige had the brilliant idea to get one of our pictures blown up and put in a frame to give to Dad as a thank you for the visit. He was so appreciative of it and had tears in his eyes as he looked at it. He told Robin he was going to put it by his bedside so he could see it every morning.

Maryland, My Maryland

My sisters and I have so much fun when we are together. They are my best friends!

This summer has been broken into two parts for me: the first part that I would spend in Utah, at home, and the second part I would spend in Maryland, with my family. We have finally started our Maryland portion of the summer! Yay!

I, along with my kiddos arrived in Maryland in the middle of July around 7 p.m. and it was still hotter than Hades. Ugh. How do I forget the humidity, especially for this time of year?

It's hard because I want to see my whole family at once, but it's impossible because everyone lives in different cities. So, we shuffled around for the first few nights between Paige and Todd. I wouldn't be able to make it to Robin's house til later in our trip, so her family (Robin, Buff and their kids, minus Torin) met us on Saturday at Quiet Waters Park in Annapolis. While we were there, we definitely learned that uncles bring fun, fun, and more fun!

Tiercy and Buff

First we started at the normal park swings and jungle gym for the kids; but, they are at that stage where they are too old for that and it didn't hold their interest for very long. So, Buff decided we should walk down to the water and play there. As my sisters and I ambled along catching up and chatting, Uncle Buff entertained the kids by bouncing a tennis ball for them to catch. Who knew a tennis ball could be so fun? Once we were at the water's edge there really was nothing to "play". We let the kids throw a few rocks into the water, but decided in the end that they shouldn't because the park probably pays for those rocks to designate the path.

Uncle Buff's next plan of fun was to head over to the kayaks. Boy did he succeed with the kids and they had a ball (ha, pun intended). Everyone was settled into a boat of some variety (paddle boats and kayaks), except Robin and me, and they set off for an adventure. While the kids would have had fun out there, Uncle Buff made it more fun for them. He brought the tennis ball along and they threw it from boat to boat. He also splashes. Everyone was soaked from that, so they "accidentally fell in on purpose." They all had a blast.

Ethan, Brenna, and Tyler

Ethan, Grayson, and Tyler

Let Freedom Ring

What a fabulous day we had yesterday celebrating our nation's 235th birthday!

We went to Grandma's house. It's a tradition now and the kids would rebel if we tried to do anything different.

We kept busy all day with things like: Red Rover, Tug 'O War, Jump Rope and Double Dutch, a Fire Pit, Watermelon Seed spitting contest, the children's talent show, and of course, fireworks.

Steve and I were in charge of desserts this year. And boy did we bring plenty.

The hit of the night though was this Tres Leche Torte Cake:

It so made my "meal off" so worth it. I layered the cake with Dulce De Leche thinned with milk (carmel in a can), and whip cream, and topped the final layer with skor bar. Sheer bliss.

Here is the recipe so I don't forget.

Classic Yellow Cake

Ingredients:

2 3/4 cup flour

1 tsp salt

5 tsp baking powder

1/2 cup unsaltened butter - softened

1 3/4 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

3 eggs

1 1/4 cup milk

Baking:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Grease and lightlty flour baking pans.

Combine flour, salt and baking powder in a bowl.

In a separate bowl, beat butter for about 30 seconds. Add sugar & vanilla. Beat until well combined. Add eggs to butter mixture, one at a time, beating mixture after each egg. Add dry ingredients & milk alternately to butter mixture, beating after each addition. Pour into pans.

Baking Time:

two 8-inch rounds - 25-30 minutes

or 9 x 13 pan 35-45 minuets

Cool 10 minutes before removing from pan.

NOTE: if i made this cake for the same purpose again, I would use 1 and a half times the cake recipe. I had to handle my layers with TLC because they were on the thin side. They only needed to be a little thicker.

My friend found this cake recipe from the web when she was looking for a sturdier homemade cake to use to make a dinosaur cake for her son's birthday. So, this cake is a little denser than your store bought cake, and oh, so delicious!