Washington DC Spring Break trip 2023

Spring break 2023 was a fun-filled trip to Washington DC for myself, Sidney and Grandma Jan. 

It started out a bit rocky with a snowstorm in MN (side note: one of the worst storms I have ever driven in), and a cancelled flight. 

Thanks to an amazing Delta agent, and a flexible job, we rebooked and in 36 hours we were on our way to sunny, warm DC! 

Photos below from the trip are in absolutely no particular order. 

We spent our time with Ben as our tour guide and he did not disappoint! Sidney picked out all of the places she wanted to see before we arrived and he pieced together several amazing days. There was a lot of walking during the day, and a lot of playing with his furry dogs and soaking in his hot tub in the evenings. We made some amazing memories and I'm so grateful to have this time with family. 

We made it to the back-side of the White House, and then decided we should try to walk to the front. After a quick question to the FBI on the side of the House, we learned the park across the street was open and we could get our best pictures from there. I'm so proud of Sidney for letting us know she wanted to see the front, we had nearly given up on the side of the House. 

My phone is filled with pictures of Sidney holding Gizmo and Lokkie. 

This cutie below prefers to be held like a baby, and would sleep in our bed each night. Sidney was in complete heaven! 

WWII memorial. It's more massive in person than I had remembered. All the way across on the right side is the MN statue. 

Every. Single. Night. 

The Baltimore Aquarium was filled with some amazing creatures. It was a nice break for Sidney who was pretty tired from all the reading at monuments, memorials and Smithsonians. 

Our last day in DC we walked nearly 9 miles. In order to keep pace with the day, mom grabbed a bike and enjoyed the view on wheels instead. 
smart lady

While it was windy and cold and snowy in MN, we had sun and heat (and even humidity!). Us Minnesotans loved the change of weather. 

The orchids at the Botanic Gardens were a-m-a-z-i-n-g! Mom loved looking at all of them. 

Although peak season for the cherry blossoms had passed, we managed to find some still in bloom. And even captured some cool pictures of them.

Pretty sure this was Day 1, and Sidney was already tired of all the reading. HA! Mom and I would read something and give her the cliff notes so she could just look at artifacts and not have to read. 

My failed attempt at a picture with all of us. I set up my camera on the grassy hill (Ben and Jon were sure someone would come along and steal it). The idea was to get a photo with the Washington Monument behind us, clearly I didn't succeed. 

Ben and Sidney posed nicely for me with the Lincoln Memorial beyond the reflecting pool. 

Jon took us to the Van Gogh Experience while Ben tended to an emergency dental issue. We learned so much about his short life and it truly was a mesmerizing experience.

Mount Vernon brought us back to the beginning of it all, pretty amazing to walk through the grounds and see the actual home, bed he died in and desk where he worked.

 There was so much more that we saw beyond these photos: Vientam Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Holocaust Museum, National Archives (Declaration of Independence/Bill of Rights) Air & Space Museum, African-American Museum, National Mall, etc. We spent our time as complete tourists, yet knowing the great eating spots, oh and some pretty great coffee shops too thanks to Ben and Jon. Safe to say, I think we'll be back, and hopefully sooner than 10 years from now. 

Dancing like his papa

A year ago, when we were thinking of non-toy Christmas gifts, Grandma Jan asked about gifting Lincoln virtual reality. My dad would have loved this Oculus VR she gave to Lincoln. And when I watch Lincoln play Beat Saber, getting his groove on to the variety of songs, I have to laugh thinking about my dad dancing around too. 

💕💕

December 2022 recap

December came and went in the blink of an eye. As per usual, it's an incredibly busy month, consumed with shopping, gatherings and all things Christmas. 

This year we had a few extra inches of snow, making for some beautiful morning walks. And despite the cold and snow and ice, I continued my mantra of "no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing" as I layered up for my daily morning walk in the amazing winter wonderland. 

Ellie our Elf and her side kick Olaf returned, up to no good as usual. Lincoln was eager to wake every morning and search for her. Whether it was hiding in the tree, or somewhere in the fridge, he always got a good laugh out of her antics. 

Lincoln's hockey team had a few events he sadly had to miss out on. The first was a real tournament. We made it out for the final game and he/Ryan got to join the team on ice for the obligatory final picture. 

To help cheer him up about missing out on so many fun things, Lincoln and I had a date night with Subway and a local light event. He loved this place so much, we had to walk through a second time and take it all in. They even have a train with teddy bears, a ferris wheel and more! 

Eventually as the month wore on, he started to use his arm more. I caught him helping wrap a present one day and couldn't help snap this picture. We had the kids exchange names for Christmas and he was so proud as he wrapped up a gift for his sister. He even made a crown for himself! 

Christmas morning was a quick pivot due to a recent snowfall. Grandma Jan was too nervous to head on the roads alone, so we brought Christmas to her instead! 

Grandma Jan made Ryan's dreams come true with an entire TOWER of grilling spices! 

Lincoln's hockey association does a 3rd graders vs Varsity game/pizza. And it was the one thing he had been really looking forward to, even shed a couple of tears knowing he couldn't get on the ice to play. But we sat in the stands and watched the game, and then he was able to find his Varsity buddy TJ for pizza afterwards who was also nursing an injury. Lincoln actually is classmates with TJ's little sister. And TJ actually goes to school with Regan. 
Small world. 

Eventually we got back on the ice, and I couldn't help but chuckle when Lincoln took his first few steps on the ice and said "oh yea, I can do this". Turns out, he had thought he would forget how to skate completely! Good thing that's not really how it works. 

New Years eve we got to spend with some dear friends who have recently moved back from to MN from Germany. Regan's boyfriend-Jack made this wonderful arrangement I had dreamed up. And it looked great! I'm bummed I forgot to take a picture until we started digging in. 

We are so thrilled to have Paul and Renata closer so we can get together more often. We rang in all sorts of New Years, knowing not one of us would make it to midnight! 

HALIFAX! 

And this little guy might be the #1 reason we didn't make it to midnight. 

But our girls want so badly for him to love them so they enjoy any moment they get to play with Max. 

Regan was all smiles at the end of December, having Jack visit made her month completely! 

 

A Christmas visit

Uncles Ben and Jon came for their annual Christmas visit in early December. It was a whirlwind weekend with a lot of softball, a little shopping, and missed hockey (thanks to a broken collarbone). 

But we had a great time spending extended time together, shopping, eating, games and more shopping. 

Lincoln decided against most shopping and opted instead for experiences, even with his bum arm. They had a lot of fun at Build-A-Bear and he dragged Ben into the VR experience at the MOA. Building some fun memories for sure. 

Their visit happened to coincide with Lincoln's annual "art" event at school so they got to see Lincoln's self-portrait and hear a few music songs too. It was fun for them to be part of Lincoln's special day at school. And even more exciting as it was Lincoln's first art/music program because all of them previously have been cancelled due to the pandemic. 

He did great and loved having a few extra audience members!

Thanks for a fun visit Uncles Ben and Jon! 

 

Easter weekend 2022

And WE'RE BACK!! After spending 2 Easter's in isolation, minimizing risk and exposures, we finally decided to once again hold an Easter celebration. They aren't big, just adding 4 people to our home, but we also got to add one special 4 legged friend for the day...and night! 

My good friend from work always joins us for Easter and she was delighted to be back this year. It was our first Easter celebration with her newest service dog-Pepper. And boy does she love our kiddos. 

She was happy to roam the house, hoping for any dropped food, and eager to play ball in the backyard. She's so well-behaved and we loved having her. So much that she even stayed the night for a sleepover! 

I think Grandma Jan was pretty happy to not spend another Easter alone too; and boy do we love her too! She and Sidney have been exchanging books throughout the pandemic and it was time for another book exchange and a quick "book club" gathering. Such a fun memory for the two of them to share.

Although we held Lincoln off until 10am so the girls could join in on the Easter egg hunt, he still was the only one who participated. Despite a bribe of money, they still declined gathering up any eggs. 

Their loss 

No one was pleased to take this picture, but they took it nonetheless and someday will be happy I forced family photos 

And although he won't admit it, even Ryan enjoys Pepper's company. She really is a super sweet dog and the kiddos wore her out she slept the entire next day! 

 Here's hoping to future Easter celebrations! 

Thanksgiving Eve

 As I seek to find gratitude and teach the kiddos the same, I know we have so very much to be thankful for. Even when we weren't living through a pandemic, the hospital setting where I work is a constant reality of how much we should all appreciate our health, our families and our lives each and every day. It is never lost on me just how grateful I am for all that we have. This week we tend to express that even more, and I found myself in a constant state of 'thanks'. 

A bit of thanks in the form of photos 

Our favorite fur-neighbor. She holds your arms when you pet her and makes it incredibly challenging to get any yardwork finished.

My amazing suite-mates/team at Abbott. I only get to see the other 2/3 of my team in a virtual platform most of the time, but I'm grateful for this amazing group! They are dedicated and work tirelessly but most of all, make work more enjoyable.

My favorite 4 legged suite-mate that I get to dog-sit every once in a while. 

A new team for Sidney that she has embraced and loved and they have welcomed her with open arms. These girls are fantastic and just what she needed

My AMAZING mom who is there for me every morning when I call; and who loves up on the kiddos with all of her heart. 

This group of friends from freshman year in the dorms at SCSU. We created a bond that we never have let go and the memories just keep coming. 

Lincoln's gathering his own group of buddies, and though they are l-o-u-d and crazy, they are a fun group of boys! 

I am forever grateful that Sidney has finally found a love for reading books. Her dear friends introduced her to a romance author and she is hooked. 

Bonus, she puts her phone down for hours at a time when she gets going on a new book. 

We are all thankful for Regan's friend group. She is in the midst of some challenging years and making the safe choices can sometimes be hard. So so grateful for that head on her shoulders. 

Much of those good decisions are influenced by Regan's strong desire to play softball at a higher level. I am grateful for the opportunity to chase her around the state as she attends prospect camps and tours colleges, searching for the perfect fit. 

But I am even more grateful to that woman on the bucket below, and the countless hours spent together.

 Coach Becky loves seeing Regan's passion to put in extra work and is always willing to stay late after practice whacking balls at her, or giving Regan private lessons.

They spend hours together and never tire, and I'm so thankful that she shares her talents.

We thought we were going to lose her at the end of the last season, and man were there tears! Lucky for us, we're still together :) 

But most of all, I'm thankful for each and every one in this picture. 

Yes, we have our moments. And yes, occasionally we need a break from one another. But they are my everything and I love them to pieces. 

Find ways to give thanks and wishing all a Happy Thanksgiving!