July 2023

INDEPENDENCE DAY 

We took a small break from moving prep to celebrate on the 4th. The teens made pancakes and a fruit flag for breakfast. 

Fun with all our favorite people!

Glow stick train

The Tiltons really know how to throw a party! Swimming, sparklers, and fireworks!

MOVING

The Navy dragged their feet giving us medical clearance for our move to Japan, so we were forced to move all our stuff into a rental unit while waiting on the military to move us. Luckily ward members, friends, and family stepped in to help.  

Breakfast for all our helpers!

We had to take a couple trips with the U-Haul.

Unloading at our storage unit.

Almost done. We barely fit, but made it work thanks to Jared's mad 3D Tetris skills. 

GOOD-BYE

The girls said good-bye to their friends Sarah and Hannah. 

We'll miss their mom Laura Ryan and their grandma Pat Tepper too.

Catching a firefly on one of our last nights. 

Good-bye Keats Terrace house!

BARLOWS

Sarah was such a gracious hostess despite recovering from foot surgery. Here she is shopping with her cool electric cart. 

The Barlows were kind enough to open their home to us while we waited on our flights. One of my favorite things was seeing the girls make music together with their cousin Emily. 

The little girls loved our daily hikes in the woods behind their house.

I don't have pictures, but we also spent a lot of time swimming together. One of Sarah's neighbors let us use her pool for free, and I was able to give the kids swim lessons. We also spent a lot of time at the library getting books and reading. The teens worked on getting in shape with hot girl walks and ab and arm workouts. Emily also did a good job getting them to start writing in their journal more. 

BALLET

We got free tickets from the summer reading program to see a ballet at Wolf Trap. It made for a fun date night!

Ballet dancers amaze me with their strength and grace.

MOUNT VERNON

Sarah and I did the adult summer reading program at her library, and one of the prizes was free passes to Mount Vernon. We decided to go together without kids so we would really take our time and thoroughly enjoy learning the history without anyone complaining about being hungry, hot, thirsty or bored. We spent about 4.5 hours and did everything (watched all the videos, visited every site, read every placard, toured the mansion, did the whole museum, and talked to the live interpreters). We had a fantastic time! 

The mill

The Potomac River is so beautiful!

Washington's grave

Live interpreter who played the part of one of Washington's slaves who ran away. Her story was very interesting.

Slave quarters

Blacksmith

The kitchen

Inside the manison

What a view!

URBAN AIR

Brooklyn and Audrey have been troopers during this move. Once we were out of the rental house, I decided they needed a day of fun and Mom’s attention. They have complained that we just do boring stuff in Maryland (historical sites and museums), and they have missed all the fun stuff we used to do in Arizona (Pogo pass activities—water parks, ice skating, bowling, rock climbing, trampoline parks), so while the older kids were at a 6 hour temple activity, I used a 40% off coupon and took them to Urban Air where they spent 4 hours jumping, climbing, and zipping around. They had a blast!

TEMPLE!

Our last trip to the temple visitor's center as a family when we picked the teens up from their Stake youth activity. 

READING PROGRAM PRIZES!

The kids had fun with their free paddle boat rides

The train ride

Fun on the carousel. 

Practicing their swing at the driving range

THE WASHINGTON MONUMENT

We had to go in super early to get a pass, but it was worth it. We were actually the last group to get to go in. 

Breathtaking views from the top of the monument!

THE OLD POST OFFICE TOWER

The second best view of the city.

The Post Office tower had great views of the monument.

THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM

The museum was heartbreaking to visit, but important to learn about. 

One of the fishing boats used to help the Jews escape, like in the book Number the Stars.

Part way through the museum Emily fainted! We were able to get her rehydrated so she could continue.

Emily rehydrating and eating

THE NATIONAL CATHEDERAL

The National Cathedral and gardens were beautiful and inspiring.