Evening in Washington D.C.

Today after work we drove into Washington D.C. Attempted to goto Mt Vernon but arrived a little after 5pm. Park must close at 5pm. Then drove to back to Alexandria and Crystal City along George Washington Memorial Highway. The highway goes along the banks of the Potomac River. A very wide river at this point. Makes you wonder how strong George Washington must have been to throw a coin across the river. We ate in Crystal City at Don Pablos. It was good but left me feeling way full. After our dinner stop we headed into Washington DC. Across the bridge and onto the mall. We drove past many of the Smithsonian museums. Then we found a place to park as close as we could to the Washington Monument. We walked up to and around the base of the monument and then over to the World War II Monument. It was then back to the car. This turned out to be a nice long walk. I tried to drive around the White House but the streets were barricaded several blocks out on all sides. We were however able to get the best view from the back side. I then drove around the Lincoln Memorial and over the the Jefferson Memorial. Found a place to park and walked to the Memorial. There are some very nice quotes on four of the walls. I remember that there were a bunch more quotes around the top ring. . . . . but could not find them this trip. Still took pictures of those I could find. We walked back to the car and drove out of D.C. This was an enjoyable adventure into the city. I really do need to find a way to get some more of my family back here. I love all the history in this area.

Below are some pictures of my adventure. Sorry these are all of places and things so no people stuff here.

Drive toward Mt Vernon, VA

Washington Monument

Sunset
(with plane landing at Reagan National)

Lincoln Memorial

World War II Monument
(Fountain)

World War II
(Gold Stars)

World War II
(Plaque)

Washington Monument
(From Jefferson Memorial)

Jefferson Memorial

Jefferson Memorial
(Quote 1)

Jefferson Memorial
(Quote 2)

Jefferson Memorial
(Quote 3)

Jefferson Memorial
(Quote 4)

Washington Monument
(from Steps of Jefferson Monument)

Visit to see Kaylee

McKenzie, Sarah, Alexa

McKenzie, Alexa, Sarah, Kaylee

Alexa, Kaylee

Grandpa, Kaylee

Kaylee, McKenzie

Kaylee

Kaylee, Alexa

Sarah, Kaylee

McKenzie

Alexa

The Absolutes of the Gospel

"Hearing the words of the Lord lifts us out of spiritual blindness 'into his marvelous light' (1 Peter 2:9).

". . . Much of that light comes from our discipline, dedication, and consecration to some important absolutes. The foremost of these absolutes is that there is a God who is the Father of our souls to whom we account for our actions. Second, that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer. Third, that the great plan of happiness requires obedience to God's commandments. Fourth, that the greatest gift of God is eternal life (see D&C 14:7)."

Topics: happiness, spirituality, truth

(James E. Faust, "The Light in Their Eyes," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 21)

Sunday night -- Alyssa finally sees Kaylee

Alyssa and Kaylee

Mostly Kaylee

Saturday Night at the Rays

Brighton, Alexa and Kaylee

Brighton and Kaylee

Alexa

McKenzie

Kaylee

Evening visit to see Kaylee (Can't get enough)

Sarah and Kaylee

Tyler and Kaylee

Kaylee

Kaylee

Cara and Kaylee
(After a long night and day)

Kaylee joins the family today 6/01/2007

The fun that precipitated this announcement started at just before midnight on the 31st. Tyler was called to spend the night at Jeff and Cara's. They were headed to the hospital. About 12:50am on the 1st I received my first call letting me know they were checked in at the hospital. My next call would be as things progressed and it looked like the baby was eminent. I received that call at about 1:45am. I got up and showered (hoping that would wake me up) drove over to the hospital. Significant progress had been made but things seemed to slow down. I spent a couple of hours in the waiting room and then went out to the suburban in the parking lot to sleep. Was able to get a couple of hours of sleep and received another update call at 6:30am. The doctor was supposed to be coming in at 7:00 and was to break the water. I took the opportunity to run home and make sure Alyssa was up and driving Sarah to school. After I was done with these things I got a call from Jeff announcing that Kaylee had arrived and both the mother and daughter were healthy. Didn't take me long to get back to the hospital. Don't think I am being biased when I say she is about the cutest baby on the planet.

Proud Papa Jeff with Kaylee

Gray haired Grandpa and Kaylee

Kaylee

Kaylee's first diaper change

Kaylee all bundled up after first bath

Additional pictures may be seen by clicking on this link:
Kaylee Photo Show

Memorial Weekend Trip to Lund, Nevada

Sarah with choir teacher after concert 5/24/2007

Sarah, Teacher, Ressa

Sarah is developing a wonderful singing voice. You would think that someone would get her voice lessons before it is too late. In case you could not tell it is a current project. We have put some feelers out but as yet have not found a place for her to be instructed. Still she has a voice that is developing well. I love to hear her sing around the house and many times in the car as we travel.

McKenzie draws a picture for Alyssa

Alyssa and Granddaughter McKenzie

The Temple Is a Place of Tranquility

"The celestial room in the temple is especially a place of peace, tranquility, and beauty. It is a quiet haven where one can reflect, ponder, pray, meditate, and feel the love of Heavenly Father and the Savior. As we ponder and meditate in the temple, our thoughts naturally focus on members of our family."

Topics: temples, peace, family

(Richard H. Winkel, "The Temple Is About Families," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 10-11)

Friends

“Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose.”

*Tennessee Williams

“A true friend is someone who thinks that you are a good egg even though he knows that you are slightly cracked”

*Bernard Meltzer

“I'd like to be the sort of friend that you have been to me, I'd like to be the help that you've been always glad to be; I'd like to mean as much to you each minute of the day, as you have meant old friend of mine, to me along the way.”

*Unknown

Strengthen Fathers (I really like this one)

"In order to strengthen the father in the home, I make two simple suggestions: first, sustain and respect the father in his position; second, give him love, understanding, and some appreciation for his efforts. . . . In terms of giving fathers love and understanding, it should be remembered that fathers also have times of insecurity and doubt. Everyone knows fathers make mistakes--especially they themselves. Fathers need all the help they can get; mostly they need love, support, and understanding from their own."

Topics: Fatherhood

(James E. Faust, "The Father Who Cares," Ensign, Sept. 2006, 4)

Acting on the Knowledge That God Lives

"It is not enough to know that God lives, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that the gospel is true. We must take the high road by acting upon that knowledge."

Topics: knowledge, obedience, commitment

(Elder Dallin H. Oaks, "Be Not Deceived," Ensign, November 2004, 46)

Dad visits daughter in LOGAN

Needed to run to Logan today to visit my friend Ali, so took the opportunity to take Brighton out to dinner. A good time was had by all.

Cultivate Family Relationships

"Let us not live a life . . . that would bring regret. . . . It is not going to matter very much how much money you made, what kind of a house you lived in, what kind of a car you drove, the size of your bank account--any of those things. What is going to matter is that dear woman who has walked with you side by side as your companion through all of the years of life and those children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren and their faithfulness and their looking to you . . with respect and love and deference and kindness. . . .

"The only things you will take with you, when all is said and done, are your family relationships. . . . God bless us to be good fathers, . . good parents, and good husbands to our good wives."

Topics: Marriage, family, parenthood

(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Inspirational Thoughts," Ensign, Mar. 2006, 3-4)

The Lord Will Ultimately Bless Us with All He Has

"Giving careful attention to covenant making is critical to our eternal salvation. Covenants are agreements we make with our Heavenly Father in which we commit our hearts, minds, and behavior to keeping the commandments defined by the Lord. As we are faithful in keeping our agreement, He covenants, or promises, to bless us, ultimately with all that He has."

Topics: covenants, commitment, faith, blessings

(Paul E. Koelliker, "Gospel Covenants Bring Promised Blessings," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 94)

Marriage Is Nurtured by Honoring Covenants

"As a husband and wife are each drawn to the Lord (see 3 Ne. 27:14), as they learn to serve and cherish one another, as they share life experiences and grow together and become one, and as they are blessed through the uniting of their distinctive natures, they begin to realize the fulfillment that our Heavenly Father desires for His children. Ultimate happiness, which is the very object of the Father's plan, is received through the making and honoring of eternal marriage covenants."

Topics: Marriage, covenants

(David A. Bednar, "Marriage Is Essential to His Eternal Plan," Ensign, Jun 2006, 86)