Must sees of d.c.

Trips down to the National Mall were very frequent once we moved from Bethesda, Md to Arlingotn, Va. It was literally a ten minute drive from where we were staying. It was kind of surreal to drive around the pentagon, cross over the Potomac and come park down by all of the Smithsonians, National Mall, Whitehouse, etc. I got to know Constitution Avenue fairly well!
However, on this day, Aaron and I were in Bethesda and thought taking the metro would be the best option on a Saturday. (we were greenies and didn't know about all of the free parking down there!) This idea made for such a long and hot Saturday. We toured around the National Mall and Natural History Museum. Did I mention how hot it was! There was about a fifteen minute video showing in the air conditioned Natural History Museum that Aaron and Emma slept through at least four times. Later in the afternoon, Aaron had a soccer game in such a sketchy part of town. We got off the metro stop we thought would be closest to the field, but the walk through town was definitely not an area I'd want to be in once the sun went down. Thankfully, after the soccer game, we bummed a ride off of Ryan (Aaron's friend from Reno) to a metro station. So, another hour metro/car ride home and we had made it. When we finally got home we asked Em's what her favorite part of the day was, and her response was "da ducks" in the pond along the War Memorials...of course!

Statue crush

This was in some random courtyard in Bethesda, Md. Emma loved to give this guy kisses, but of course I could never catch one on the camera.

Trip to the "farm"

One of Vance's college buddies lives out in Richmond, Va. He was very generous and invited Aaron and I out there for a weekend while we were in d.c. His property was absolutely beautiful. First we drove a few hours to his actual farm outside of Richmond. The pictures below don't really do it justice. It was absolutely beautiful. Then after a few hours out at the farm, we drove into town to his home in Richmond, which was another place out of a fairy tale. One of his daughters rides horses competively, so there were plenty of horses for Emma to "touch." (one of her favorite words at the time.)

Austin mapping out a trip for us to the beach.

This is a classic photo of Emma in the long car rides we had as we toured the east coast. Ice cream at the gas stations and the McDonald's playplaces were probably on her top ten things to do while traveling around D.C.

More water...

Austin took us down to the river that runs through his property. There was bird dung all over the place, but oh well, can't stop 'em from stepping in it, water is just too much fun. After Emma got her fill of the water, she was sopping wet and awfully muddy. Austin didn't care one bit, he continued on with our tour around his property with Aaron and I and our naked baby in his nice car. (must be a seasoned father!) Luckily, no accidents.

Virginia

This is Austin's "farm" outside of Richmond, Virginia. It was absolutely gorgeous. I couldn't believe how many green rolling hills went on for miles and miles.

Past Due

If I add up the many times I have THOUGHT about updating my little scrapbook, I'd have a novel by now. All of my cute little daily life stories over the past few months are nearly forgotten. Time to get my abnormally sized rear in gear (nine months prego and you tend to look awfully different!) and get my memory book up to date.

I've decided that President Monson's quote that "nothing in life is as constant as change" about sums up the way Aaron and I live our lives. Not that constant change is horrible, some days I just think I would really be ok with a little less. Aaron and I just completed our 7th move this past month of September. (keep in mind, we've only been married a little over 4 years) Our goal is that after this baby comes, we are going to decide on a place of permanent residence. I can't believe the time has actually come to decide where we are going to live long term... We've finished all of the years of school, internships, etc., it really flew.

As for sweet little Emma, she is such a feisty little red head with so much personality. I love it. She is actually one easy child to be with all day long, as long as she can do things "all by myself mama." She is the queen of projects, or making messes, depending on how you look at it. Lately, she loves to find the most random "toys" and put them in her purses. She has such adorable red curly hair that she still refuses to keep hairclips in all day long. Her love of new clothes and shoes is hilarious. She could spend hours in the shoe department...She definitely could not have gotten that from me.

The other day I went out to the garage and came back in to find Emma knee deep in a bag of extra thick sharpies. Luckily not too much damage had been done, except markings on her pj's and the pillow she was sittting on. I took the stuff that she had drawn on upstairs to spray with oxyclean, then came back down and asked her what she had done with the markers that I could have sworn I just set up on the counter and her response was "um...they're up high in the sky mom." Oh really, you sassy little thing.

As for our next little girl, I think Aaron and I have finally decided on a name just this morning at breakfast. The past couple of visits at the doctor's office have been great. This last one was my 35th week and I am already nearly a 3 and 75%. I can't wait to get her out of me...these braxton- hicks have been horrible. We are all in for a big change, but I hope it will all work out, especially within Emma's little world!

Great Falls

When Fay and Vance came out for a visit, we took them out to Great Falls again.

Pictures with the sun brighting out our faces are the kind I like to post when pregnant!

Great Fall Maryland

We lived in Bethesda the first month we were there and these falls were about fifteen minutes away. George Washington had built a lock system, hoping to float ships through here, but it was never really used because of the topography and currents of the river.

Emma literally ran from bridge to bridge, rock to rock. I was sure glad Aaron was around to chase after her b/c my speed, (nor desire) is not exactly up to par these days.

Boating along the Potomac

Sarah and Toby (family friends from Reno) took us under their wings while we were in d.c. They are members of a boat club and one Friday afternoon they took us out for a ride along the Potomac. The homes along the Potomac have quite the set up, to say the least. It was such a beautiful day--a little overcast and not too much humidity in the air. (Surprisingly, the weather was fairly mild most of the time we were there. It never got above 90 until the day before we left to come back home to Utah.)

Emma's version of Mt. Vernon

Seeing old buildings and historical sites was not Emma's favorite thing, but whenever there were animals or water involved, she seemed to enjoy herself. Mt. Vernon had both. She had just finished running through the sprinklers in the garden and now it was onto the stables.

Mt. Vernon

This is George Washington's Estate located in Alexandria Virginia, about 30 minutes outside of d.c (by car). He took the original property and made it into a 300+ acre estate. The views were spectacular.

This is the view from the backside of his house, looking out right over the Potomac River.

You can't really read the sign, but this is where Geroge and Martha Washington are buried.

Potty Training...

I should be updating my scrapbook/blog about our adventures in Washington d.c., but those will have to wait until I can figure out what's wrong with the camera.

In the meantime, I've decided to conquer one of my goals before this next baby comes, potty training Emma. So, Monday afternoon Emma and I went to the store to get some big girl underwear and potty training treats. She is a girl after my own heart, she picked out chocolate candies for her treat.

After dinner Monday we all went hiking in Big Cottonwood Canyon, so I figured it was not good time to start, as she would be sitting in the pack on Aaron's back. Then, Tuesday morning rolled around and we were out the door either in the stroller, carseat, or swimming pool...long story short, we had our first attempt last night, and boy was I glad when bedtime rolled around and it was time to put on a diaper.

Here's how it went...Aaron got her all excited when she put on her big girl Dora underwear, which stayed dry for about ten minutes, then another pair of Dora underwear...twenty minutes later she was taking them off again only to put on another pair. Tricky little girl...I think she would just mess in them so she could get a chance to model all of her new undies. Well, I put her underwear away and she spent the next hour and half bare bum, attempting to run to her potty in time, but never really made it. Her last accident took place as she sat in a chair next to me at the computer. As I tried to keep her entire mess from dripping onto the floor, Aaron came and picked her up and she decided to kick the liquid off of her feet right into my face. Too funny. Well after she went to bed guess who decided she needed a potty treat, I just hope there will be some left for her by the time she actually does it.

First couple weeks...

This is definitely going to sound like a journal entry, especially since I do not have any pictures of d.c. on this computer. I just thought I should record how it has been going thus far.
First off, Emma was a champ on the airplane. She played on the first 2.5 hour flight. in between planes she made her messy diaper, and then slept the other 2.5 plane ride, literally from before to take off to when we landed. It was wonderful!
The place we are staying at is definitely doable. I was impressed with Aaron's one-day house-finding skills. The first night here Aaron and Emma were having a 'horsey ride' and came across a chunk of glass on the carpet. Turns out, there were pieces of glass all around the apartment. Obviously the house cleaner before hadn't done the greatest job. Most of it was clean, it just needed a bit of a touch up. (I will admit though, that when it comes to clean, I'm a bit OCD.) So it wasn't really that big of deal, I'm just glad Aaron came across the glass before Emma did.
After I had been here a few days, I figured Aaron had dragged me out here to be his maid and taxi driver. It was rainy all week, all day and night, so Emma and I were pulling our hair out trying to think of things to do. Trying to figure out where I was going, stocking the empty shelves with food, doing all of his laundry, cooking...blah blah! Come Saturday I was definitely ready to go back home, I know I'm a wimp. And, it didn't help that Emma was asking to go papa nana's house, or Caden's house at least once an hour!
Luckily we had an invite to go to a friend's farm in Virginia that weekend, so we all got a little break. The farm we went to was absolutely gorgeous. It was like being in a movie. We spent a day at the farm, and then the next morning took off to the beach. Right before the beach, we stopped at McDonald's and if Emma could say what her favorite part of the trip was, I'd say the McDonald's play place would be in the top three. The beach we went to was definitely an adventure, but it served its purpose. Emma got to run around and wear herself out for the car ride home.
The next week was tons better. The sun decided to show itself, so Emma and I were able to get out and do. The parks here are huge. In Utah there's tons of mini parks all throughout the neighborhoods, but here I think everyone has such a massive yard, that they figure they don't need little ones. So when there is a park, everything is there. The one closest to us, Cabin John, is adorable. There is a huge area to play with all sorts of playground equipment for every age, picnic tables and walking trails, and Emma's favorite, a train that the children can ride. This is definitely our saving grace.
The sights here are beautiful, not to mention the landscape. It is so green, (since it rains all the time!) Aaron and I spent all day Saturday around the Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial, WWII, Korean War, etc. They have a walkway here called the National Mall that has all the views of d.c that you find on post cards. The greatest thing is, most of the museums are free (you just pay for 'em in your taxes!) So far we've been to the Natural History Museum and the National Zoological Park...fancy name for the zoo.
It's kind of a trek to get to these places if you don't want to pay for parking (who would, it's ridiculous) If you have a stroller, don't count on anyone letting you on the metro first. Everyone runs in front of you so they don't get stuck behind you, it's ridiculous. (gotta love the big city attitude) Also, the metro centers are not exactly wheel friendly places. For example, Emma and I went to meet Aaron for lunch downtown the other day, and when I got to the metro, the escalator to go down was broken, and I couldn't find the elevator anywhere, so I had no choice but to carry Emma in one arm and the stroller in the other down the escalator. And of course, not a single person offered to help, except for a lady behind me that offered to walk in front of me to make sure I didn't drop anything...uh, thanks! My face was one hot tamale by the time I finished, I just had to laugh.
This weekend, being Father's Day, we're going to venture down to Virginia Beach and spend a day at the beach. I can't wait to get out of this rainy city (it's been raining again, of course and will be until Saturday!) and veg on the beach. Emma is so excited. She keeps holding up the toys that we are going to take with us and pretend to take off to the beach.

Her little imagination has started to take off. Her latest thing is to get a grocery sack, open the door and say, bye mom, store for milk, soso(soda) appie(apple) juice and sometimes fruit snacks. She'll take off for a while outside in the hallway, then come back in and pretend to hand me the groceries and help put them away. Too funny. I love it when she thinks it's time to change her baby's diaper, she takes great care in choosing the diaper that has the sesame street character her baby wants. I just have to catch her before she throws the "dirty" one in the trash b/c it's still perfectly clean...can't waste those precious things.

All in all, this adventure of ours is turning out to be really fun. Not to mention, Aaron loves his internship at the Treasury, and I think it's convinced us both that we do not want to live in a big city. (phew:) More adventures are sure to come. The pictures, however, will have to wait until I get back to Utah.

Working hard this summer!

Happy 93rd Birthday Grandpa

Grandpa Robinson turned 93 years old this past Saturday, the 31 of May. How would it be?!

Ice cream is always her favorite part...a little bit of Grandma G in her I'd say!

This was the only group shot that turned out clear, of course. My Uncle James and his son David came into town from California for the celebration. It was so fun to get together and celebrate the birthday of your grandpa, especially when he turns 93! Long genes run in the Robinson family. His mom lived to be 102 and his dad was nearly 98. Being only 26, those numbers seem hard to imagine. Happy birthday Grandpa.

First day in d.c.

I figured I need to keep up on my scrapbooking of d.c. or I will forget it all. This was after Aaron's first morning at the Treasury. Emma and I are taking off tomorrow morning to meet up with him for the next 5-6 weeks. We can't wait.