Where Have I Been?

The past week has been very busy to say the least! I worked all week to get ready for the kick off to Apple Blossom here in Winchester for the Wine & Fine Arts Festival in old town. It was lots of work but, we pulled it off. Here is one picture of the booth but if you want to see more click on the cherry blossom picture or ttp://www.plateitupinwinchester.blogspot.com/.

My friend Julie joined me and sold yummy treats along with her beautiful bags, baby clutches and aprons. I was also next door to one of my other neighbors who sold beautiful sterling silver bracelets. We had a good time and got some good laughs together. Hope everyone is enjoying the warm / HOT weather. Somehow I don't think our AC is keeping up!

MS Walk

Yesterday we participated in the 3 mile MS walk at Sherando High School. We were part of the Friends of John Ferrulli Team which helped raise over $1600. John is a member of our bishopric in our ward and we have been privileged to get to know their family. In this picture you see John, Karla, his wife, Christina & Justin. Their other kids are off at BYU Idaho and will be home later this spring. While it was a long three miles with both Justin & Max we were glad to have helped supported this walk. We hope that a cure will be found sooner than later and that all who suffer from MS will have help sooner than later.

The Big Park

Today I would have to say that Max gave us his first off-the-cuff funny joke without any promptings or help. Mark and I are still laughing about it. Here is the scenario:

Max: Let's go to the park - the big park.

Mom: OK - let's all get showered and cleaned up and we'll all go!

After lunch, showers, etc. we all finally get in the car and we were off. Then I decide we should get some gas in the car, run over to the bank, check in on a store, etc. Then Mark decides before we go to the park, Max should have a little nap in the car .... poor Max ... will we ever get to the big park?

Mark: Max, you need to have a little nap before we go to the park so once I see you sleeping and hear you snoring, I'll know you are napping in the back seat.

Max: (Without hesitation) leans his head over and starts making a snoring noise repeatedly. Then he says, "I've had my nap dad - lets go to the big park!"

Mark / Stephanie - crack up laughing for the next 20 minutes.

Finally after driving through a couple of neighborhoods, we look in the back seat and Maxs head is now bent over and the real snoring begins. After a good 40 minutes we finally make it to the big park. Our day was now complete.

Happy Easter 2009

After church yesterday, our friends came over to enjoy the afternoon with us. We had a really tasty dinner (the BEST ham I have ever had) and then we had the boys search out some eggs in our backyard. The kids were so fun to watch - especially once we decided we had "recovered" all 30 eggs and let them just sit in the grass and eat their treats! Then we colored eggs and enjoyed a bowl of strawberries and ice cream! Yum! Here are a few pictures from the afternoon.

Max searching out eggs!

Sweet Evan going to town on that plastic egg!

Julie took this picture - cool to have a black & white photo!
Easter morning ... fireman hat & more cars stickers!

Maxs' new pirate hat!

Easter Open House

For the past two years, our ward along with the other two wards in our building have put on an Easter Open House. We change our cultural hall in to a small exhibit where we depict the Life of Christ and our beliefs. The event has been successful both years and many non-members / part-member families have come to learn more and even join the church. Much effort is given by many members and my part is to help contribute the pipe and drape from Freeman so that the booths are created. After 45 minutes with the exhibits, President and Sister Moody (Mission President of the Baltimore / Washington Mission) spoke briefly along with a choir number. Here are a few pictures from the event. Refreshment table.

Family History / Temple Booth

Restoration Booth

Other Sheep I Have / Missionary work worldwide

The Atonement

Christ Teachings / Ministry on Earth

Birth of Christ

We Believe in Christ.

My handsome boys ... Mark helped in the We Believe in Christ Booth. Some of these pictures were taken early but, over all it was a great turn out.

A fantastic video was shown that is also available to view on YouTube. Click on the link below and it will take you to it. Amazing - how thankful I am for our Savior and His sacrifice for all of us.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpFhS0dAduc

Thursday's DC Tour

Thursday morning started VERY early for us. We left the house around 6 am so that we could be down at the Capitol by 9 am. We took the metro down to the East Capitol stop and made our way over to the visitors center to pick up our tickets. We had a few challenges along the way with finding the NEW visitors center and getting our reserved tickets but in the end it all worked out. After the tour at the Capitol we took the underground tunnel over to the Library of Congress and walked around the public areas there. I did ask one of the workers how many people came to the library and asked to see the "Book of Presidents" from National Treasure! She gave a small laugh and said they had a few requests! Afterwards we walked and walked and walked and made our way to Air & Space Museum for lunch and a quick tour .... the White House ... the World War II Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, a glance over at the Korean Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial, back past the Washington Monument and back to the Smithsonian metro stop. We walked so much .... we all decided we would have made lousy pioneers! Last summer my camera died as we entered the Capitol and again this year the same thing. We found batteries once we were at the Lincoln Memorial but Angela's camera held up until the Lincoln. So I'm sure we'll be sharing photo's but, after a long day of walking we came home, ate some leftovers and watched National Treasure .... which Mark pointed out is not a true historical movie but still fun to watch after seeing so many sights first hand!

Washington Monument

Nurses / Vietnam

Vietnam Memorial Wall

Lincoln Memorial

Enjoying some ice cream!

First shote before the camera died - Rotunda ceiling - Capitol.

National Zoo Day

Wednesday was our trip to the National Zoo. We went via the metro and kids loved taking the metro or "train" and had a great time exploring! Here are just a few shots from the day!

I can't remember exactly why Max is pouting - no doubt because we were leaving the zoo!