More pictures from the trip...

I literally took hundreds of pictures on our trip back east. Here are some of my favorites...

Marine Corps Sunset Parade





Photos I took during my "photo safari."


Vietnam War Memorial


Portrait my instructor, David, took of me.

Korean War Memorial

At the National Cathedral

(Cool sculpture hanging off the side of a house.)

Views of the city





Mount Vernon




Philadelphia

Celebrating 15 years...

(The text formatting is being weird and sadly I lack the skills to fix it. So sorry!)

I’m not quite sure how 15 years passed so quickly, but they did. In June, Ken and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary and we wanted to do something fun to celebrate. We decided that I should join him for his business trip to Washington DC and then go north and explore Philadelphia for the weekend. Many thanks to Holly and Brian for being willing to watch our children for almost a week so I could join Ken and we could get away together!

Ken headed out on Sunday while I stayed behind for an extra day to pack up the kids and take them to Holly’s, do some errands, and get the house clean. (It is always so much nicer to come home to a clean house!) I flew out on a late flight on Monday. I had a great book so the time flew by quickly and finally reached our hotel at almost 2:00 in the morning. I was lucky, I got to sleep in a bit, but Ken had to get up and go to work. I took my time getting ready and deciding what to do for the day. It is so decadent to be just in charge of me and get to do what I want to do – what a treat!!! I ventured out to get some lunch and then walk over the Natural History Smithsonian. I spent several hours exploring and then went to meet Ken.

One of my best memories of living near DC when I was younger was attending the USMC Evening Parade down at Eight and I and I wanted to share that with Ken. We made arrangements to meet Naomi, my former roommate, and her children to see the Sunset Parade at the Iwo Jima Memorial. The parade was just as cool as I remembered with the drum and bugle corps and the silent drill taking. The setting was majestic and I was so impressed with the presentation. Ooh rah!

On Wednesday I was really excited! Online, I had found a photo safari tour around Washington DC and was excite to take some postcard pictures of my own – or at least try to. It was tour taught by a professional photographer and our group started out with some basics of photography and then David took us around the city as we got to practice our newfound skills. Our morning group had about 14 of us for the half day tour and then four of us continued on for the full day excursion. I think I got some good shots and I truly enjoyed getting to know the others in the group.

That night we got tickets for the musical Oklahoma that was opening at the Arena Theater. It was a fabulous production done in the round and I was really impressed the singing, especially Curly’s voice, and the dancing. We thoroughly enjoyed it!!! Afterward we went to a new restaurant near the theater called Station 4. We loved the yummy food and swanky décor. It simply is a treat being out for a nice dinner together! About halfway through our meal about half the cast from the play came in for some dinner and drinks in the bar. So of course we took the opportunity on our way out to let them know how much we enjoyed the show. They were all super nice and it was fun spending a few minutes talking with them.

On Thursday I got to have another slow start while waiting for Naomi to pick me up. We took her kids down to her sister’s house and then we headed out to the inspection of the new home they were planning to buy. I was giddy that I was able to spend time with her AND get to see their new home. It was gorgeous and on 10 beautiful wooded acres in Virginia. Amazing! After exploring and talking through furniture placement and decorations, we spent the rest of the afternoon talking out on her wrap around front porch. I love Naomi so much and I loved every minute I got to spend with her!

After picking up Naomi’s kids, we drove back to the city and picked Ken up. Naomi, and her kids were fantastic sports and were willing to drive us around to see a bit of the city at night. She was even patient with me when I wanted to jump out of the car and get some night shots of the Lincoln Memorial. She then drove Ken and I into Georgetown where we had dinner reservations at Filomena Ristorante, a delicious Italian restaurant. (I still have dreams about the salad I ate there! It. Was. So. Yummy!) The night was beautiful as we took a romantic stroll together through the city.

Friday morning we both got up and moving. I rented a car and drove down to Quantico. I was thrilled that they let me on base and it was so cool to see where I had lived 22 years before – what was still the same and what was different. I had forgotten how beautiful that base was with tons of trees, the Potomac River, and rolling hills. My old neighborhood was totally changed -- they had even redone how the roads were! But the PX and my old schools seemed exactly the same. I was sad to see the old Officer’s Club pool filled in. I had so many memories there. All in all it was just fun to drive around and remember. I must admit, I even had a tear or two in my eyes just thinking about all the people and experiences I had while living there that did a great deal to make me who I am. I was so blessed to have that time there and that I still have friends from my life then.

I picked up Ken from work and we took a beautiful drive down the Potomac River to Mount Vernon. We loved spending the afternoon strolling the grounds and learning more about George Washington. A couple of years ago I read 1776 by David McCullough and I recall how many times Washington talked about how much he loved Mount Vernon and longed to return there. Walking around the beautiful grounds and seeing that stunning view of the Potomac River I totally understood why he would want to be back at his beloved Mount Vernon.

Mount Vernon

After the wonderful afternoon at Mount Vernon we got in the car and started driving up to Philadelphia. Neither Ken or I had been then before and we were really looking forward to seeing the sights. We stopped at a Cheesecake Factory in Delaware for a delicious dinner. I am always amazed by all the trees back east! Out here in the west you can often see restaurants from the freeway, but we would have been up a creek without navigation on our phones. We also used that navigation to find a theater and stop for a late night showing of Harry Potter. With our delays we rolled into Philly about 2:30 in the morning.

Over the next couple of days we saw the Liberty Bell, Betsy Ross' home, Christ Church, Benjamin Franklin stuff, the US Mint, and Independence Hall. I loved seeing all the historical sites and I was ever more appreciative of our nation's humble beginnings and her Founding Fathers. We were also able to get some last minute tickets to see Miss Siagon at the Walnut Street Theater, one of the oldest theaters in the country. We were even able to cross having an authentic Philly cheese steak off our bucket list. :)

Besty Ross house

In front of Independence Hall

In the very room the Declaration of Independence was signed!

It was a fantastic trip and it was so good to spend time together! I can't imagine a better companion for both this adventure and my life journey. I love you Ken! Happy 15th anniversary -- here's to many, many more.

(More pictures to follow...)

Adair Family Reunion 2011

We were so excited for the Adair Family Reunion that took place in Durango, CO over 4th of July weekend! It is always a great time with tons of aunts, uncles, and cousins. I especially look forward to hanging out with my awesome cousins and it is so fun now watching our kids play together.

Our drive down to Durango was breathtaking and the scenery as we drove down the middle of the state was gorgeous! Makes me so grateful for the beautiful state we live in. It was without incident until just over an hour to our destination and then Trevor threw-up. Poor guy! Makes me also grateful for leather seats and lysol wipes! We finally got my cousin, Lauren's, home where we would be staying. The younger generation, ie. those that had young children, stayed at Lauren's while the older generation stayed at my Aunt Fay's house. It made for some tight quarters, but it was even more fun being all together and talking late into the night.

On Friday, those of us that had arrived, to a trek to Bluff, UT and the nearby San Juan Hill. San Juan Hill was the last big hurdle of the pioneers of the Hole-in-the-Rock expedition. It is amazing to see where the wagon wheel ruts are still in the rock and see where the pioneers carved "We thank thee oh God" into the rock face. After hiking to the top, you can't but wonder how they did it with covered wagons! We then went a little further down the river to explore some Native American cliff dwellings. Before heading back to Durango we toured the visitors center at Bluff Fort. It was a day that made me reflect on our family's heritage. What a great activity for a FAMILY reunion!








Saturday started out with a delicious waffle breakfast. Of course we had to have plenty of energy so that we could have another great expedition and floating down the river fit the bill perfectly! The sun was shining and the water was cold; a great combination! Then after cleaning up and a quick rest we headed our to the Bar D for some great food and great entertainment.






Sunday we almost doubled the size of Aunt Fay and Uncle Jack's ward. :) It was wonderful to partake of the Sacrament and to feel the Spirit. After church we had a barbeque and had time for all of us (close to 50!) to visit. We spent much of the afternoon and into the evening talking, playing a killer game of kickball, taking a family picture, eating popsicles, and celebrating Jessie and Cody's upcoming wedding. Of course there were tears and hugs when we had to say goodbye. We are a crazy crew, but there is nothing that feels as good as being with family.




On Monday we headed out to my grandparent's old ranch. My uncle Ken and his wife, Julie, now live there and they were kind enough to have us out for some shooting and lunch. Uncle Ken has great stories, cowboy puzzles, and he is always fun to be around. I was sad to leave and start the journey home. I am already looking forward to our next reunion in the summer of 2013! I love my family!!!

Good friends!

It was an absolute treat to have my former roommate, Naomi, and her family come for a visit to Denver. We were able to have her family over for dinner. So many of our children's ages match up nicely and they had as much fun as the adults had. It was fantastic to catch up! Whenever we get together, which is never as often as I would like, it always feels like everything is just the same. I LOVE friends like that!

Cheeseball at the reservoir

Every summer we love to go to the reservoir near our home. There is a "beach" area, plenty of sand to play in, and a park. We bring a picnic and spend the afternoon soaking up the sun. Sometimes friends are able to join us and sometimes we it is just our family. Cooper is not a huge fan of the water, but he loves to play with his trucks in the sand. On this particular day, he found my camera in the swim bag, gave it to me, and started saying "cheese!" Of course I started snapping pictures! It is not every day I have such a cute and willing model!

My wild "Stallion"

This summer Trevor chose to play (coach pitch) baseball. It was even more fun having his friends Jude and Ross on his team. Trevor loved batting and usually was able to hit off the pitch. His focus was better than last year and he was a good help to his team. I admit, that I loved going to his games, other than the ones that we got rained on, and we had a great time cheering his team on. Go Stallions!

Playing catcher

Ready at first base

Hiking with the Allreds

While the Allreds were visiting, Ken and Shane bravely took Morgan, Lynlee, Reid, and Trevor on a hike up Rattlesnake Gulch in Eldorado Canyon State Park. They hiked up to the ruins of Crags Hotel, a luxury mountain hotel that burned down in 1912. It was a beautiful day and there was scenery to match. Even with all the grand views, the kids were most excited about the oreos they got to have for snack.