Events

So, Laina is three now. I've heard from a few people that three is worse than two, although they don't say why that is the case. I can't say three was especially hard with Kaleb, but then I must confess that I don't remember Kaleb specifically at three. I have included a couple pictures from her birthday here. There are more of them, but you will have to look at Facebook if you care to view. We celebrated on the Friday before with her cake and presents from Ryan, Kaleb and I and then we celebrated in minature on her birthday as Ryan and I headed to D.C. that day, but Grandma Gayla was there to celebrate with more presents from her and Grandpa and uncles, aunts and cousins. She loves her birthday and was looking forward to it. It is so fun when they hit that stage. The second picture is of a princess cape made by Grandma Gayla worn with her new long princess gloves.

The weekend before her birthday one of my best friends from college got married in Colorado. It was a short trip, arrived Saturday night and flew out Sunday night, but well worth the trip. I loved spending time with old friends and acquaintances who I don't get to see very often, some of whom I hadn't seen in close to a decade. I know it's hard to believe I am that old. :) Here is a bubbly picture of them leaving to head to the reception. Again if you want to see more, you'll have to look on Facebook.

Ryan and I headed to D.C. the morning of Laina's birthday to talk to our representatives about issues in the dairy industry. Yes, that is called lobbying. It was a great experience. It was a little nerve wracking at first, but once you start the nerves subside and you realize that these are just people who happen to live and work in Washington. For the most part, they were nice. We also got to see some of the local attractions, monuments mostly, which was interesting. Our tour guide was knowledgable about the sights and history and was fun to listen to. The first picture is of me in front of the Lincoln Memorial and the second is of the Korean War Memorial, which has a lot of symbolism within it's design. If you ever get the chance to see it, make sure you find out what they are.

Finally, today we finished putting together a playhouse for the kids that my parents got them as part of their birthday presents. They LOVE it. It is the focus of much of their passion and time and scheduling of their days. Already they have planned to go back out to play in it tomorrow after Laina's pictures. This last picture is of them in the playhouse after we got it assembled.