Washington D.C.

We have ventured out into "the city" a couple times now. We walk a little bit to a bus stop, jump on the bus and go to the Metro (subway) station. From there we take the Metro into the city. It is about an hour trip to get into the city. I am getting more confident with the Metro system. The first day, I made sure I left the same time Chris did so that he could show me the ropes to get into the city and then we split so I could go sight see and he could go do research. I didn't really have any idea what I was going to do that first day, I just wanted to get to Washington D.C. Chris and I went our separate ways and I just walked to a castle looking building. I still don't even really know what building I went into. However, I figured out that we went out the wrong door to leave. I had Allison in the stroller and Matthew walking. I opened the door and there were about 20 steps. I was just going to turn the stroller around and go down. Before I could do that, Matthew was walking backwards and fell down the first couple steps, as I went running for him, I didn't really look as to where I left Allison, she could have very easily fallen down the stairs as well, in the stroller. Luckily though, Matthew only fell a few steps and Allison didn't fall at all. I was very grateful for that. A nice man helped me carry the stroller down those stairs. Then as I got to the bottom of the stairs, to my right I saw the Capital Building and to my left I saw the Washington Monument. I didn't realize that the Washington Monument is so tall that you can basically see it anywhere in the city. There were more stairs to go down and once again another nice man helped me carry her down.

There were a lot of people going into a building across the street so I decided to be a follower. It was the Natural History Museum. I put the diaper bag and my sling on the handles of the stroller and tightened the sling. Then I made Matthew hold on to the fabric of the sling and he could walk around a little bit but not get too far from me.

Matthew and Allison in front of the big stuffed elephant

Matthew and Allison in front of the giraffe

Matthew and Allison in front of the zebra and giraffe drinking water.

Matthew standing next to a penguin

We had lunch on the lawn of the Natural History Museum. Then I loaded up the kids and off I started walking. I didn't really know exactly where I was headed next. I found a big map and it didn't seem like the White House was too far away so I decided that was my next destination. After I walked for a little bit, Allison fell asleep in the sling. I turned down the street before the White House and decided to walk a little bit and then I could turn left and be right at the White House. Apparently, the president was doing or going somewhere that day because it seemed like everywhere I wanted to turn, I couldn't. I kept hearing, "sorry mam, you can't go down this way." So I ask, "Could you tell me how to get to the White House?" the cops say, "sure, JUST go down to that block and turn left." Hopeful, I go down the next block to encounter the same thing. Grr! I had to bypass the White House by numerous blocks. I thought this was the back of the White House but after doing research on the internet I now realize that this is the front of the White House.

Matthew in front of the White House

Matthew, Allison (sleeping), & I in front of the White House, it just isn't in the picture. lol

Matthew, sleeping Allison, and I in front of the White House

White House

(You have got to love the sign that is right there: Live By The Bomb, Die By The Bomb)

I loved seeing the CIA, FBI, Secret Service, whomever they are, up on the White House.

After we took pictures I decided I was going to go around the other way so I didn't have to walk as far. It looked like a straight shot.....just kidding as I encountered another guard, "sorry lady, you can't pass this point, you need to go up and around" of course I do. As I was walking so much, Matthew fell asleep as well. As we were out I kept noticing red dots on Matthew's arms and legs. They looked like chicken pox to me. They just kept getting brighter and brighter red and I just getting more and more worried. As I was walking, Matthew foot was dragging, which I was unaware of. A lady passing by, let me know about his dragging foot, then she asked me if I needed help with anything or if I needed to readjust my baby at all. There were so many people that were so helpful to me.

I was ready to go home. However, before we got on the train, I wanted Matthew to go pee first so I woke him up. He was not happy but as long as I gave him food, he was cooperative. Luckily as we sat on the train going home in the AC his spots started fading. Definitely made me feel relieved.

The very next day, Saturday, since Chris was off we went into the city again. We walked out of the subway station and I was trying to figure out exactly where we were. As I was looking around for street sign, a lady asked me if she could help me. I told her I was looking for the Lincoln Memorial. She said, well if you want the prettiest route, go this way until you hit the river and then follow it down, but if not then just go diagonal from here. Chris couldn't believe how helpful and friendly people are to me. We started walking, and walking, and walking. We walked and then we hit a concrete wall and started walking the opposite direction we thought we needed to go. We knew that we were no where close because there were no tourists around. We were the only ones. As we started trying to make our way back, we noticed that there were a quite a few homeless people around, however the crazy thing about seeing this one homeless lady was that she was talking on a cell phone. We thought that was an odd combination.

We kept walking, and walking, and walking. We finally found a police officer and asked him for directions. After walking numerous miles, we finally made it to the Lincoln Memorial. The lady that told us where it was must have had her bearings mixed up because the scenic route was in the complete opposite direction and we could have just gotten to the Lincoln Memorial if we just stayed on the street we were on. Oh well, it gave us more exercise. There are lots of steps to the Lincoln Memorial. It was fun to look out from the LM to the reflecting pool and then to the Washington Monument. This is the scene in Forrest Gump when Jennie goes running to him and runs through the water.

Matthew, sleeping Allison, and I in front of the Lincoln Memorial

The view from the top steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

(Scene in Forrest Gump)

Matthew, Allison, and I standing on a ledge that is located towards the bottom steps of the Lincoln Memorial

Matthew, Allison and I standing in front of the reflecting pool with the Washington Monument in the back.

As we were walking to the Washington Monument we came across the WWII Memorial. It was really cool looking.

Matthew and I standing in and in front of the WWII Memorial.

They had a stone that had every state on I believe. We found the Montana and had to get a picture in front of it.

We then went to the Washington Monument and had lunch on the grass.

Our family eating lunch in front of the Washington Monument.

There was a very friendly squirrel that came very close to us for food. Matthew enjoyed feeding him his sandwich. I think he was trying to see just how close he would get.

Our very friendly Washington D.C. squirrel eating Matthew's sandwich crumbs.

Washington Monument

Matthew, Allison and I right in front of the Washington Monument.

Chris and Matthew standing close to the Washington Monument with the reflecting pool and Lincoln Memorial in the background.

(Sorry, I got it to turn in my pictures but for some reason it won't turn it here:(

Off To Virginia

Since I didn't play ahead of our trip, I had a very hard time finding a rental car to drive from New Jersey to Virginia where we were going to be staying. It was only a 3 hour drive but many companies don't do one-way rentals. After spending numerous hours on the internet and many phone calls, I finally found a car we could rent. It was about double what I originally thought we would have to pay but that is what I get for waiting so long. Hopefully, I will do better the next time we have to rent a car.

We left and couldn't believe that we had to pay over $10 in tolls to drive 3 hours. One of the places we had to pay was even an interstate. We don't normally carry cash on us but being in the east you definitely have to or you may get stuck somewhere.

We were told that the Washington D.C. Temple was pretty (but what Temple isn't) and to keep our eyes open for it. Chris said that he wasn't going to look because too many people get in wrecks that way. However, we came over a hill and he definitely did not have to look anywhere to find the Temple. It was dead ahead of us. It was a really pretty surprise. I guess the church has to either turn the lights down or off at a certain time because it is so amazing there were too many wrecks.

Washington D.C. Temple in the distance

Washington D.C. Temple

When we arrived at our destination Chris took everything in the house and was checking the car to make sure that we didn't leave anything. He looked in the little compartment in between the seats and there he found an EZ Tag, that would have saved us over $10 in Tolls and lots of time. I can't believe the company didn't tell me that when I picked it up. They knew I was returning the car in VA and I had a TX driver's license. Grr. I bet that is a standard in rental cars on the East because you have to pay so many tolls everywhere. So for anyone renting a car in the east, ask if there is an EZ Tag or look to find one before you leave.

The End of Fun with Family (for this time)

Have I said how much I just love this family? Well...I do I loved spending time with them and seeing such wonderful examples of love, patience, joy, and everything else in between that is good. I can't wait to visit them again, much sooner then 4 years.

My most favorite thing to do with my family is sing. I definitely wanted to sing so Sunday night we got to do it. The kids sang for us before we all sang. I loved listening to Kenneth and Shannon sing solos. They obviously have had lots of practice. Matthew wouldn't sing a solo but he would sing a duet with me. He would also sing in their little trio. It was too cute.

Monday night was Family Home Evening. It was so fun to be there with them. Though it wasn't a huge production, it seemed like the family enjoyed it more then when I finally get around to doing a big production. The lesson was telling a story out of the scriptures. It made me realize that FHE doesn't have to be big just educational and help the children learn the stories of the scriptures.

Before the lesson, the kids lined up in front of Mike and recited (or repeated in Matthew's case) an Article of Faith. Then they got a candy. I loved it. What a great way to help them learn the Articles of Faith.

Matthew repeating the First Article of Faith:

"We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost."

This is such a cute picture of my Incredible Sister-in-law and niece

Wendy and Vanessa

Then after our lesson about Daniel and the Lion's Den we had our activity.

This was such a fun activity that the kids and adults loved. It is called.....

"Don't Eat Pete!"

Mike put out 9 chocolate chip cookies in a grid and someone left the room. Another person would point to which chocolate chip was going to be Pete that round. The person that left the room would come back and started eating the chocolate chips. As soon as they picked up "Pete", everyone YELLS, "DON'T EAT PETE". It was so fun. I loved watching Kenneth and Shannon just grin from ear to ear savoring every chocolate chip that they got to eat. On my turn, the very first one I picked was "Pete".

Shannon, Kenneth and Matthew watching as Mike sets out "Don't Eat Pete"

Allison already would stick out her tongue but she started moving it all around while she had it out. We thought it was kind of funny, especially when she starts licking herself.

Allison moving her tongue all around.

11 months old

BTW: She now has 3 teeth. Two on the bottom and one on the top on the side, not in the middle. She likes to grind them so she has to move her jaw over to touch them.

Unfortunately, we didn't get all 5 cousins together since Vanessa was sleeping. But, we at least got 4.

Allison, Matthew, Kenneth and Shannon

Wendy, Shannon, and Kenneth

Wendy and I

Mike and I

(FYI: Mike is the fourth child and I am the seventh...we are ten years apart.)

Thanks so much guys for such a great time and wonderful examples that you are to us.

We Love You!

New York City

WOW!!

Crazy whirlwind!

Mike and Wendy used to live in NYC when they were first married but we never got to visit them while they lived there. Now living in New Jersey, they said it was only 2 hours away and we had to go since we had never been. On Saturday when Mike was off of work, we drove two cars to New York City. After taking wrong exits we finally got to NYC but had to readjust our parking plans, to make our Statue of Liberty boat. Seeing the Statue of Liberty in real life is just breath-taking. I couldn't believe that I was actually in NYC. My whole life I had only seen pictures of it and it seemed SO far away I would NEVER get to go to NYC.

We waited in line and went on a boat to go to the Statue of Liberty, got to walk around it and then wait in another line to get back on the boat.

Chris, Matthew and Allison looking at the Statue of Liberty

Our family in front of the Statue of Liberty

Mike, Shannon, Kenneth, Vanessa, and Wendy McNiven

On our boat ride.

These look-alikes were fun to look at.

After the Statue of Liberty we walked to a subway station. We heard the subway coming so we had to run down the stairs and get on. I have never been on a subway so I wanted to experience it, especially in NYC. We all made it on but then we realized that Matthew's hat fell off by the steps. I decided to run with Matthew to go get it but I was SO scared the subway was going to take off without me and then I would have no idea where my family would be and I would be lost in NYC. I was brave though, for my son's health and ran off and picked up his hat and thankfully made it on the subway, with the rest of my family.

Chris and Allison on the subway

Matthew and I on the subway

Chris and Allison on the subway

The train-car that we got in had absolutely NO other person on it. It remained that way for a stop or two. I was so surprised.

Proof that no one else was in the car with us. Later when we got more north I also got to experience the subway completely crowded, where you just squeeze in enough to get the doors shut. Crazy New York Subways.

We rode the subway and got off so that we could walk to Times Square. It was really cool to be there. We found a street vendor, which wasn't very hard, and got lunch.

Our family in Times Square.

New York City has blocked off Broadway and put lawn chairs out so that people could enjoy being there. It was just a first come first serve basis on chairs and we were able to snag enough seats for our whole crew. Apparently, NYC is going to replace these chairs with more permanent ones. It was really nice to have a place to sit and eat our lunch.

Chris, Allison and Mike sitting in Times Square.

We then went to the Natural History Museum and then Mike and Wendy took their kids to go get the car since it had to be out of parking at a certain time. Meanwhile, Chris and I ventured off on our own to find Central Park.

HOLY COW!! CENTRAL PARK IS HUGE!!! I have heard and seen so many things in movies that are located in Central Park but I never understood how a park could have all of those things. I heard that it is 60 blocks long, but just googled it and it said 51 blocks. Either way that is a GIGANTIC park. As we were walking, I forgot that we were actually in NYC. Many places, there are so many trees and they are so high that you can even see any of the skyscrapers, nor can you hear the traffic. It was SO cool. What an experience!

Not only have you heard of the ice skating rink in CP, which we didn't go see, but we did see a small amusement park, with rides and games and food, the whole works. You can even hear all the music and stuff until you are pretty close. There was a HUGE playground that was just covered with kids, ice cream and drink vendors many places, roads that you can run on, and even a big pond.

Allison and I laying in Central Park

Matthew, Allison, and I in front of the pond in CP

Another part of the pond in CP, Matthew, Allison, and I.

Allison and I in pretty flowers in CP

Matthew and I standing on the bridge of the pond with skyscrapers in the background.

Matthew and I on the bridge over the pond in CP in NYC

When my brother got close to CP with their cars, he called us to find out where we were. They needed to meet us as if they were our taxi driver. There was so much traffic there. Holy Cow, it really was NYC traffic. I don't believe they actually have lanes on their roads. A normal road probably would have had about 4 lanes but the drivers here don't worry about lanes. If you can squeeze a car in, by golly, you do it. It seemed as though there were at least 6 cars across. It doesn't pay to be nice driving in this city. A few streets up from where we were picked up, Mike just stopped in the middle of the road, so then there was only one lane that went by us but if needed I am sure 2 or 3 cars could have fit across. Baby Vanessa had a dirty diaper and Mike decided, this is NYC, we are changing this diaper right here. Wendy popped her trunk and there they changed her. It was pretty amazing.

We started driving home about 7:30ish and all the kids fell asleep on the way home. It was so fun, such a whirlwind, and tiring, but a great day.

Philadelphia, PA

Mike came down with strep throat when we first got there so he wasn't able to do much at the beginning but since we didn't have a car that fit both families, Mike stayed home with Kenneth and Shannon and Wendy took Vanessa and us to Philadelphia one day. It was cool to see so many historical places.

Our little family right before we went into see the Liberty Bell.

The sign said if you have an urge to touch the Liberty Bell then to please touch this replica instead.

Our family in front of the Liberty Bell. Allison is in the stroller we just didn't get her in the picture.

In an old court room - they would actually have the accused in the cage, they were standing trial.

Chris wanted to eat a Philadelphia Cheese Steak from Philadelphia so we found a street vendor. I don't ever eat Cheese Steaks to begin with, too much meat for me but I figured I would get one anyways. Chris wasn't really impressed with a Philadelphia cheese steak. I, like normal, thought there was too much meet. We went indoors and found tables to sit and eat.

While we were eating I got some cute pictures of Allison. I love taking pictures of babies at this age because they give you such genuine smiles.

This is my cute 7 month old niece, Vanessa

Wendy took Matthew to look at different things while we finished eating. He loved turning this coin souvenir machine.

My wonderful husband and I going up an escalator.

Wendy told us that the World's biggest organ was in the mall in downtown Philadelphia. Wendy dropped us off and we ran into the mall to check out this organ.

Apparently this organ has over 29,000 pipes. I don't know where they keep them all but that is a lot of pipes.