Washington DC Birthday Trip

Shawn wanted to celebrate his 30th birthday by taking a trip to Washington DC.  We actually went there last year, but Shawn enjoyed it so much he wanted to go again.  It was a busy trip, but we really wanted to do a whole bunch of things in only a weekend.  We actually saw a ton of things and our feet are a bit sore from all the walking, but it was worth it.

First picture of the day, and Kiley was a grump.  She did not want to smile.  Not only did she refuse to smile, but she made a point to look grumpy in the picture.  gotta love her.  If you look really hard, you can see the capital building in the background.

In front of the White house bright and early.  We saw the 1st dog on the lawn doing his business.  Shawn spotted him and even informed other White house visitors about the dog sighting.  haha.  some people we actually pretty excited to see the dog.

Also at the White house, we were able to witness a man asking White house security where he could go to make a formal complaint against President Obama.  love it.

We went to the Museum of Natural History.  We also went to the National Aquarium (no pictures, it was pretty dark inside)

We went to the National Zoo.  Shawn and I might have enjoyed it more than Kiley.  She was tired and a bit grumpy at this point, but we liked it!  You can see the elephant behind us.  Kiley refused to take a picture with us in front of the elephant.

 

We saw the Lincoln memorial.  Initially Kiley didn't want to go to the Lincoln memorial because we told her Lincoln was a vampire hunter.  Kiley sometimes thinks she's a vampire.  But we convinced her that Lincoln was a vampire hunter turned vampire, so it was OK.  She's so gullible.

 Last year the reflecting pool was under construction, but it's all finished now and looking lovely.  

Here's Kiley and me at the WWII memorial.  

The next day we went to the Marine Corps museum in VA.  Really great museum, interactive and quite large.  Kiley says this museum was her favorite museum of the trip.

The museum is shaped like the famous photograph of the 6 marines raising the american flag on Iwo Jima.  (the museum has the actual flag that was flown, but you cannot use flash photography in that area)

Halloween

This year Kiley dressed as Little Red Riding Hood (costume by Stephanie Sundquist!)

We painted and carved pumpkins.

Kiley's friend Aidan was Captain America, her friend Haley Brown was a witch, her friend Leia was cinderella, and her friend Aliyana was a girl from Monster High.

Kiley's school had a little costume parade.  They all wore costumes and paraded through the entire school (classrooms and all).

We went trick or treating with her friend Haley Brown.  They got TONS of candy...way too much for a 5 year old.

Happy 30th Shawn

Shawn had his 30th birthday this year.  We celebrated at home with cake and gifts and then spent the weekend in Washington DC (post to follow shortly).

 Shawn got: A CD, a new watch, a wallet/cell phone case (looks like an old book), and Kiley drew him a picture of our family and framed it.

New Bern Mum Fest

New Bern has a Mum Fest every year.  It's basically a fair.  And shockingly, there are NO mums.  Just lots of vendors, games, food, etc.  But no mums.  Kiley got her face painted.

She also played a few games, went on a few rides, went down a giant slide.  It was fun.

 

Happy Birthday Kiley

Kiley turned 5 October 11th!

The 3 of us opened gifts on her actual birthday and had cupcakes.  She got a bike!

Then we had a birthday party for her on the weekend.  We did a double party with a friend of her's from school.  Her friend Aidan Miller turned 5 the same week.  We celebrated with a Jake and the Neverland Pirate's party.  The two birthday kids got Jake and the Neverland costumes to wear at the party.  Aidan was "Jake" and Kiley was "Izzy".

 

We had a bounce house.

We did a pinata

Here's some of the decorations.  Turned out pretty cute!

 

Here's a pic of some of the kids who came.  Some were camera shy :(

Trip to Utah

This October we went to Utah for Troy's wedding.

We had such a fun time and are so happy for Troy and Casey.

Kiley had a great time playing with her cousin Leila.  The swings were an every day activity.

We took the kids to the movie Hotel Transylvania.  Great movie!

We went to the zoo.

Shawn and Gus tobogganed down a staircase in a hotel.

We went to the Ford cabin in Heber and had a birthday party for everyone with October B-days.  

Soccer Fun

Kiley's been participating in a soccer training program.  The program is 100% parent participation, but there is a coach as well.  Kiley has been learning to kick, dribble, trap and throw the soccer ball.  Where we live, you have to be at least 5 years old to play soccer on a team, so this program is the best we can do for now.  Kiley has a blast.  She's learned a lot and does pretty well.

8 Years

It's our 8 year anniversary today!  I have an incredibly thoughtful husband.  He has been working with my aunt Rita to create a necklace for me for an anniversary gift.  

Shawn came up with the concept and Rita helped him bring it to life in the necklace.  Basically the design is 2 hearts shaped like an infinity symbol.  It's vertical so that it looks like the #8 (for the years we've been together).

It was such a surprise, I didn't think he'd be getting me anything this year because of the whole Afghanistan deal, but he's such a great husband.  LOVE HIM.

06-12-04

Gymnastics

 Kiley's still going strong with gymnastics.  She loves going every week.  She currently goes to Crystal Coast Gymnastics in Morehead City, NC.  Her coach is Coach Danae.  Her coach told me that after the summer she would like to move Kiley to a more advanced class! 

Kiley is in the pink leotard below.

Trip to Utah

Kiley and I went to Utah for a week.  We went for the main purpose of having a baby shower for my sister Teri, but also to visit all of our family.

We split our time and stayed with Shawn's family 1/2 the time and my family at the cabin the other half.

Here's a few pictures of the weekend.

 Kiley and Leila hanging in the Sundquist's backyard.

Kiley getting a much needed haircut

Group photo at Teri's baby shower

Kiley and I after a ride on the 4-wheeler at the Ford cabin in Heber, Ut