Virginia is for Visitors

The past few weeks have been CRAZY! We are all moved into our townhouse, with only a few boxes to unload and pictures to hang. A week after moving in my sister Mikelle and her boyfriend Kyle, flew from Idaho to visit us for their Spring Break. We were true tourists, who wanted to experience everything. We made it everywhere except the capital, and the top of the Washington Monument. We decided that will be the first thing we do next time.

The first thing we did when they arrived was walk around the National Harbor. We took some great picture of "The Awakening", walked through the Gaylord Hotel, and even did a PEEP scavenger hunt.





Mikelle and Kyle tried the famous "Cake Love" cupcakes, and wasn't impressed. They described it as dry with no taste.



Arista didn't mind the cupcake...



The next day we headed downtown to look at the Washington Monument, World War 2 memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Veterans Memorial, and of course...the cherry blossoms.











We also walked to the White House.





President Obama came out and invited us all into the Oval Office, he even agreed that we'd make a better president. ;)









After a lot of walking and pictures we headed towards home on the Metro. I told Kyle all about how Chris and I met on there. The story never gets old.



We ended the night playing some serious rockband and watching a movie. A perfect ending to a great touristy day.





The following day we woke up and went to the National Archives, unfortunatly they no longer allow photography inside. Afterwards we headed to the Air and Space Museum. We spent a lot of time there, and I saw things I had never seen before. We even did a simulation ride.









After the Air and Space Museum we went to the American History Museum. This was my first time visiting since it had been closed for renovation for a few years. The museum was MASSIVE! Our favorite part was seeing the first ever American flag. There is no photography aloud, but the image is engraved into our minds. We also saw Dorthy's ruby slippers, Kermit the frog, and Julia Child's kitchen!







After a lot of walking we decided to take a day off from touring and we drove to the Potomac Mills Mall. It is a huge outlet mall about a mile long, with a ba-zillion stores. After the mall we met Chris and his Dad for dinner at this pizza place. Chris had a coupon for it, so we tried it out. We weren't that impressed...











The next day we relaxed at home and hung out. Our legs thanked us! That night we celebrated Chris' birthday, since he was going to Texas for the Final Four tournament. I ordered Chris Chris' Outrageous Chocolate Cake from the Cheesecake Factory. We couldn't even finish our slice because it was so yummy and rich.









The next day Chris flew to Texas, and we drove to Arlington Cemetery. There were 4 funerals while we were there, and we heard the band play some songs. We saw the changing of the guard, and General Lee's house.







After visiting Arlington Cemetery we played more Wii, watched movies, took naps, read stories, and played with dollies.











The following day we hopped onto the metro and visited the Natural History Museum, where they have the Hope Diamond. Arista loved looking at all the stuffed animals, while Mikelle and I LOVED looking at all the jewlery.











My favorite part of the museum was the live butterfly exhibit. They have over thousands of live butterflies flying in this little habitat that you can go into.







Kyle put a butterfly on Mikelle's nose. She was terrified! It made for a neat picture though. I didn't stop talking about the butterflies for days. Arista and I are going to go back and visit there really soon.





After the museum we took the metro back to the car and Arista crashed. We went to Outback for dinner, and Arista slept the entire time. After dinner I drove Kyle and Mikelle to the Jefferson Memorial, FDR Memorial, Air Force Memorial, Iwo Jima Memorial, and Pentagon Memorial. They were exhausted afterwards!

















The next day was rainy and wet but that didn't stop us from visiting my new favorite place Mt. Vernon. Kyle took a National Treasure tour, where they show you secret tunnels from the movie. Mikelle, Arista and I toured the museum, and then we all went through Washington's house.











It was neat to see Washington's old and new tomb, as well as the slave memorial. Arista's favorite part was all the animals.





After Mt. Vernon we ordered pizza and watched movies. Arista was EXHAUSTED. She just loved laying next to Kyle.



The next day we drove downtown to Ford's Theater. It was the first time I have been in, and it was really neat. It was cool to see the booth Lincoln was shot in. Mikelle and Kyle saw the gun that shot him too!





After Ford's theater we walked to the Holocaust museam. There were no tickets available but Kyle worked his charm and got us some! After 5 minutes of being in there Arista had enough, so we walked around while Mikelle and Kyle went through.



From the Holocaust we walked down to the tidal basin to take more pictures with the Cherry Blossoms.









After a long walk back to the metro we stopped at a frozen yogurt place called Fro-Zen-Yo. It was awesome!





On their last day of visiting Kyle got really sick, so Mikelle and I went to breakfast at Panera then took Arista to the National Zoo. It was a beautiful day!





After a drive through Georgetown we picked up lunch and went to pick up Kyle. After a tear-filled goodbye and many tears shed after we said our fairwells. Arista and I spend the rest of the night cleaning the house, reading stories, and getting ready for Daddy to return home the next day. Chris had a great time in Texas celebrating his birthday, going to the basketball games, eating good food, and being a part of our nephew Andrew's baby blessing. He even won a signed basketball!





It has been a fun filled couple of weeks, and we miss our visitors already! We can't wait to see Mikelle and Kyle again in May! We love and miss you guys!! Okay, who wants to come visit us next?

It's Official...

I just have to take a minute and gush about my amazingly awesome husband Christopher...after much hard work, dedication, and endurance Chris has been offered a long term position as a junior Attorney at NAIMA. Chris has been working with them since June on contract, as a legal consultant. Chris has loved the work he has done, the employees, his boss, and that he only has to work from 9am-5pm. NAIMA was very flexible and supportive while Chris studied for the bar, and has been looking to keep him long term for quite a few months. The CEO and General Counsel were beaming when they came into the office to give Chris the good news. An associate even jumped up out of his chair during the executive board meeting, because he couldn't wait to tell Chris.

This has been a huge answer to months and months of prayers, and we couldn't be more thrilled. We have found a beautiful 3 bedroom townhouse to rent, and new furniture to fill it with. We look forward to buying a place within the next year or two. It's funny how the Lord works. When Chris and I first started law school I told him numerous times that I NEVER wanted to end up living back in VA/DC, and now I couldn't be happier.

This next week is going to be filled with the delivery of our POD, furniture, unpacking, and moving out of our in-laws. Luckily we aren't too far away(still in ward boundaries) so we can visit often. I am excited to decorate and have all of our things back, as well as my old clothes that I thought I could never wear again. After next week my sister Mikelle and her boyfriend Kyle are coming for 9 days to visit! I can't wait to show off our new place, and the amazing surroundings.

Dear Chris,
I never have really liked when people gush and goo on blogs about each other, but I wanted the world to hear how much admiration I have for you. 2 years ago when Preslie died you could have thrown in the towel and given up. Many people thought you did, but you returned to school 2 days later and worked your tail off at the same time. Throughout our 5 years of marriage you have continually worked hard to support me and our family. We have had many speed bumps along the way, but you always knew that things would all work out in the end. You are one of the hardest workers I know, and everyone who works with you loves you.

When the world tells you to give up, you don't. When I am lacking in faith, you build me up. When the future looks bleak, you still hold on. You are a rock, and an anchor, and I am so lucky and blessed to have you in not only my life but the lives of our daughters as well. You were amazing with Preslie, and held her with such care and admiration, despite the circumstance. You are such a great Dad to Arista, and she loves all the time you spend playing with her. You are a great Uncle, Brother, Husband, Son, etc... Most importantly, you are a valiant and faithful son of God who was put on this earth to spread your strength, forgiveness, and faith with all those around you. I can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for you in the future. Congratulations!

We love you so much!

Love,

Rylie

Disney On Ice

On the 18th of February Chris took Arista and I on a fun date to see Disney Princess' on Ice. We started our date by going to dinner at the Pentagon City Mall to pick up some Panda Express. We ate it in the car since Arista fell asleep. We then parked the car and rode the metro into the city to the Verizon Center. When we walked into the VC it was filled with little princesses with Mommy's and Daddy's. There were booths set up with toys, lights, and photo booths. We had a family picture taken together with Ariel. Chris got a hat with his purchase of cotton candy, and we thought it fit in real well with our picture.



After browsing for awhile the show began. The first hour Arista was mesmerised by the characters and lights. After intermission she became tired and was ready to go. There was a woman and her daughter sitting next to us with a huge bucket of popcorn, Arista kept trying to sneak her hand into the bucket for a piece. Silly girl!



The show was fantastic and so magical. This is the second time we have seen this ice show, and we loved it again. We are excited to one day take Arista to Disney Land or World. Chris and I both noted that the night would have been perfect had Preslie been there with us. She would have loved it!



Thanks for the amazing date night Christopher!

Lost and Found

Arista and I went to our ward's playgroup yesterday morning, and when I was getting into the car I saw I had a voicemail message. I got into the car and started listening to the message. It was an officer, I figured he was going to tell me that they were still working on our case. Instead he said that my weddings rings have been recovered, and that I could pick them up in a few hours at the police station. I started screaming, Arista started screaming, I had to pull over the car so I didn't get in an accident I was freaking out so badly. I called Chris at work and screamed! Of course he thought something horrible happened, but I slowed down and told him the rings were found he was just as ecstatic as I was.

The officer called me back 30 minutes later to give me my property number and told me that the rings were found in an envelope on the fitness directors desk, after he had returned from a break. We are thinking the robber got spooked since the police were going around asking residents about it. We are not sure if they will continue to search for the robber or let it go since the rings have been given back.

Sue, Arista and I went to pick them up and sure enough they are the right rings. I am going to take them in to get cleaned, and have the diamonds checked before I wear them again. For now they are sitting pretty in their comfy box safe and sound.

Our faith has been restored and strengthened throughout this ordeal. The Lord really does watch over us, and help us even in things that seem hopeless at times. We are grateful for the guilt the robber felt, and for his/her honesty in returning them. Miracles do happen!