Washington DC part 2

On our second day in DC we went to the Pentagon and to Arlington cemetery. It was extremely hot and tiring. We walked everywhere. We started our day at the Pentagon. Mike's uncle Randy works there and was kind enough to give us a tour. It was amazing to see everything. Uncle Randy is the assistant to the assistant of the head of the army. When we walked in and said who we were going to see, we got some very interesting looks. We were told that the Pentagon is the size of three empire state buildings- its huge! The coolest part of the tour was when we got to stand in the room where the plane hit the pentagon on 9/11. The memorial inside of that room is beautiful.

Unfortunately we couldn't take any pictures inside or outside the pentagon so I don't have any evidence of our trip there so you'll just have to take my word for it. Its amazing- a lot of walking but amazing. If you're ever in DC, I suggest planning a tour of the Pentagon- if you don't mind walking :)


Arlington was......ok. If you have ever been to Arlington, you know that you have to walk everywhere and its huge. I wouldn't have minded the walking if it hadn't been so HOT! I was so tired by the time we got to this point that I wasn't too excited about walking everywhere but I went with everyone else. Mike, Josh, my dad and I went to see the tomb of the unknown soldier which is always a neat experience. My mom decided to trek up the hill and see Arlington House at the top overlooking DC.





We also got to see the eternal flame and the graves of JFK and Jackie Kennedy.



After Arlington we walked to the Lincoln Memorial. I was in the beginning stages of heat exhaustion at this point so I didn't enjoy this too much but as tired as I was...this monument still took my breath away. Its beautiful and I still say that Lincoln got the best monument in DC. Its huge and beautiful.





Overall, I would say that day 2 was definitely the hardest for me since we were out in the sun for the majority of the day and it was really hot. The trip was still fun though. The Pentagon was the highlight of the day but the Lincoln Memorial was definitely second (it probably would have been first if I hadn't been sick at the time).

Stay tuned for day 3 :)

Air and Space Museum

Mike and I just got back from a trip to Washington DC with my family. We spent a few days there and started our vacation with a trip to the air and space museum. Mike was super excited about this museum and if we had decided to go home after seeing the airplanes I think he would have been ok with that :) I have never seen Mike as excited as he was driving up to this museum. It was so much fun to see him so happy.

The Enola Gay
This was the airplane that dropped the atomic bomb. It is my favorite airplane in the museum. I could have stared at it all day.


The Enterprise: The US space shuttle
I think that seeing this was my favorite part of the entire museum. It was huge and amazing to see. It looked like it was made of paper and actually kind of fake. It has to be made of an incredibly light and yet strong substance which is what makes it look like its made of paper. Its amazing to see though.


Mike and I in front of the SR-71.


Mike in front of the Kingfisher. This is the airplane that his grandpa flew in WWII. This was mike's favorite airplane. This just one of about 10 pictures that mike took of this plane.








The Concord




This was an amazing museum and I highly recommend it if you ever go visit DC. In my opinion, this museum is 10 times better than the air and space museum on the mall.

More pictures and details of our trip to come soon :)

FYI

So I decided that since this is my blog, and really no one reads my blog..I know this because of the lack of comments...so I decided that I would talk about whatever I want. I realize that most of you could care less but that's fine. For the ten of you or so who actually read my blog, I hope you enjoy this post. I got this I idea from a friends blog and I wanted to do it too.

THE BASICS
1.Nickname: Nikki, shnukums (this one is only for mike to use :)
2.Zodiac Sign: Gemeni
3.Male or Female: Female
4.Elementary School: Windsor Hill Elementary School....Go Hawks!
5.High School: Fort Dorchester High School
6.College: BYU-I
7.Hair Color: Light brown
8.Tall or Short: Short
9.Sweats or Jeans: Jeans for every day. Sweats when I just don't care.
10. Phone or Camera: Camera. I love pictures.
11. Health Freak: I wouldn't exactly say "freak", but I do like to eat healthy as much as possible. I just let myself splurge every now and then.
12. Have a Boyfriend or Girlfriend: I've got my husband!
13. Eat or Drink: I love to eat
14. Eye Color: One blue, one green

HAVE YOU EVER
1.Been on A plane: Yes. I was only a few months old the first time...the next time was when I was 18 and headed to Utah.
2.Been in a Relationship: Um...yeah.....
3.Been in a Car Accident: Only little ones... nothing major...although one did involve a bear...but thats another story
4.Been in a Fist Fight: Not that I can remember....
5.Been Baptized: Yep! I was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when I was 8 years old.
6.Celebrated Halloween: Only every year since birth. My mom made my costume every year!
7.Had your Heart Broken: Of course. What girl who was a typical teenage female hasn't?
8.Went over allowed time on your Cell: Nope..thankfully my parents were willing to pay for unlimited minutes and texting
9.Had someone Question sexual Orientation: Heavens no.
10.Got pregnant: Nope!
11.Had an abortion: Not a chance.
12.Did something you regret: There are a lot of things in my life that I wish I could change. So I guess you could say that I regret them... but all of those things have made me who I am, and brought me to where I am. And I am in a great place and married to an amazing man. So, no. I don't regret.
13.Broke a Promise: Unfortunately yes....mostly to my little brother.
14.Told a Secret: Only if the person told me I could.
15.Pretended to be Happy: More times than I really care to admit.
16. Met someone who changed your Life: Yep.
17. Pretended to be Sick: A few times but it never worked
18. Left the Country: No but someday I would love to travel to Europe with my wonderful husband :)
19. Tried something you normally wouldn't and liked it: Hmmm...When I met Mike he took me out for Chinese food...which I had never wanted to try before...and I really liked it.
20. Cried over the Silliest Thing: Yes. Sometimes I cry for no reason at all...I'm such a girl :)
21. Run a mile: A few times...running isn't my favorite thing to do though. I would rather bike a mile.
22. Gone to the Beach with your best friend: Yes
23. Got into and argument with your best friend: Yes but they were minor things...nothing important
24. Dated someone: This is a ridiculous question.

FIRST AND LAST
1.First Piercing: Still waiting on this one. I just don't really see the point anyway. I don't really care if my ears look pretty.
2.First Award: I think it was Terrific Kid in Elementary School
3.First word: I have no clue. I know my first words were mama, dada, water or shoe but I don't know which was actually first.
4.Last person you talked to in person: Mike
5.Last person you texted: Katie!!! :)
6.Last Person you Watched a Movie with: Mike and I watched Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1
7.Last Food you ate: Stuffed shells....so yummy! Seriously...one of my favorites!
8.Last movie you Watched: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows part 1
9.Last Song you listened to: Sound of Music from the soundtrack
10. Last thing you Bought: A present for my friend Teisha...her baby shower is Saturday :)
11. Last person you Hugged: Mike :)

FAVORITES
1.Favorite Food: Anything Italian!
2.Favorite Drink: Cranberry and Sprite :) YUMMY!!!!
3.Favorite Bottoms: My new jean capris :) They fit perfectly and I love them!
4.Favorite Top: My blue and white polka dot shirt :) I love it!
5.Favorite animal: I love penguins!!!
6.Favorite Color: I don't know...can I have a top 5? Today I guess my favorite color is green.
7.Favorite Movie: I can't pick. I love too many of them! I have favorite movies of every genre!
8.Favorite Subject: Anything to do with teaching/education

CURRENTLY
1.Eating: Nothing.
2.Drinking: Nothing.
3.Listening to: The sound of the box fan in our room.
4.Sitting or Lying: Sitting
5.Plans for Today: studying math and sleeping
6.Waiting for: dinner to be ready...I'm hungry
FUTURE
1.Want Kids: Yes. I can't wait!
2.Want to Get Married: Already did!
3.Career: I would like to work in my field for a little while. But once Mike and I start our family I want to be home and take care of our children
DO YOU BELIEVE IN
1.Yourself: Not as often or as much as I should.
2.Miracles: Most definitely.
3.Love at First Sight: No. I believe in interest at first sight, but not love.
4.Dreams coming True: Of course!
5.Kiss on first date: Never!!!

STRAIGHT UP AND HONEST
1.Is there anyone you want to be with right now: I'm already with him :) although I also want to be with my little sister Katie Harley!!
2.Do you know who your real friends are: Yes, unfortunately it was a painful lesson to learn but necessary.
3.Do you believe in God: Without a doubt.

Driggs 4th of July Celebration

Usually we go to Idaho Falls for our July 4th celebration. However, this year we didn't have any family come to spend it with us and mike had a concert for band in Driggs, Idaho so we had a change of plans. We decided to invite friends to come with us instead and it was so much fun. Our friend Lisa came with us and kept me company during the concert since mike was off with the band. The band was amazing! The setting next to the Teton Mountains was gorgeous and the company was wonderful!

Their was a fireworks show after the concert that was amazing. I feel like most of the time July 4th is just about 'who can blow the most crap up'. I felt like this performance really captured the spirit of the holiday and celebrated our country and our freedoms...the way this holiday was meant to be celebrated. The fireworks were timed to patriotic music, which the audience sang along too and their were pauses after every song when they played videos of veterans from Idaho who talked about why they love America. They showed pictures during the show of the different battles we have fought and talked about the pride and spirit of America. It was an amazing celebration! The entire day was wonderful! It was great to be with Mike and with friends. We had a great time!


Mike with his trumpet before the show :)

Lisa and I waiting for the fireworks :)

Mike and I :)


Glenn Beck speaking on stage before the fireworks show :) Don't ya love the giant flag.


Flag raising and the Teton backdrop :)

Mike's New Bike!

So Mike's half-birthday was a week or so ago and he has been wanting a bike for a while now. It was getting really frustrating to go back and forth to the school to pick him up or drop him off and it was wasting gas. This led us to decide to get a bike for him since I have too much stuff to haul back and forth and use the car as my own personal, portable locker.

This was a long process. He did so much research trying to choose the perfect bike which actually makes me happy that he doesn't just buy the first thing he sees. He's had the bike for about a week and he loves going for rides.





Now all thats left is for me to get a bike too so that we can go riding together :)

The Children We Kidnapped!

Mike and I live next door to the sweetest family ever. They have three little girls: Claudia, Aeris and Summer. I should mention that Aeris is one of our sunbeams and just the sweetest three year old on the planet. Last Sunday Mike and I were outside in our 'back yard' and Claudia and Aeris were out playing. It took them a few minutes to get the courage to come over and talk to us. (I think they thought it was weird to see their teachers outside of church and in normal clothes). We had so much fun playing with them. We played tag, frisbee and colored with chalk on our patio. They were so much fun :)

When they had to go home for dinner, Claudia and Aeris invited us to come to dinner but her parents didn't have enough for two more people so the two girls went home quite upset that we couldn't join them for dinner. I don't think they understood the concept that they have food, just not enough for 7 people. It was pretty sweet though :)






Hopefully we can spend more time with them this summer. Aeris definitely liked bragging to the other kids in sunbeams that she got to play tag with the teachers :)

Happy Father's Day!!

I have some amazing men in my life. I'm a pretty lucky girl.
First, is my daddy. My dad always has been and always will be the strongest and smartest man on the planet to me. My dad was always the one I went to for help in science and math. He always, even when I went to college, made time to help me with my homework. He always pushes me to keep going and to do my best. He always reminds me that I can do anything that I want to do as long as I work hard. He drove me to seminary for the first two years of high school. Those were always fun rides to school because it gave us lots of time to talk. He always took my me to the park and would push me on the swing. He would talk in a silly voice in the car and it always made me laugh. My dad used to sing me to sleep with the song, "Give Said the Little Stream" in Spanish, to this day its the only song I know in Spanish and I sing it when I babysit and put the kids to bed. He still treats me like his little girl and loves me unconditionally. He always tells me that I am his favorite daughter, while I am the only daughter, I think I really am the favorite ;). Dad, thank you for the support in school and life, for all of the hugs, for being a friend, for the tickle monster, bedtime songs, for taking me to park, for reading to me and taking me to the library, for watching princess movies with me, for making me laugh and for teaching me what it means to be a strong member of the Church and to have faith in Jesus Christ. Thank you for being a powerful example and my superhero. I love you Daddy with all of my heart. Wish I could have spent today with you.

The next man in my life is my wonderful husband Mike...a future daddy! Mike is going to be an amazing Dad someday. I love watching you with our little sunbeams every Sunday. I love watching you hold Aeris and help Alaina with her coloring. It makes me smile to see how much they love you and how much you love being with them. You are so sweet and kind and I love that you make me laugh. I'm so happy that we are still in the "honeymoon" phase of marriage and I hope we never leave. I love that you are silly and that you remind me that its ok to play in the rain, to squeal with delight when something wonderful happens and to have pillow/tickle fights. You remind me that just because we are adults, doesn't mean that we can't be like children sometimes. I love that the little things make you happy. I love that you are strong when I can't be and that you remind me of all I am capable of. I love you and I can't wait until we have our own children and I can tell them how wonderful their daddy is.

Next, my father-in-law J Epperson. I'm still the newest member of the Epperson family but I know that J is a wonderful dad. Without you J, Mike wouldn't have grown up to be the man I fell in love with. So thank you J for raising such a wonderful son and teaching him how to be kind, how important the gospel is and much more. Thank you for your constant love and support. Love you.

Two other important men in my life are my two grandfathers. My Papa passed away when I was 10 but he was a great dad for my mom and a wonderful Papa. He used to take me to the park, out for my favorite ice cream and for cinnamon rolls as big as my head for breakfast. He got me out in the pool when I was scared of the water and he and my grandma came to my baptism. I know that he loved me.
My grandpa, dad's dad, is also a wonderful grandpa. I go to visit when mike and I are in Utah and he always wants to know how school is going and he really listens. He and I used to take the dog for a walk together all the time. It was our time. Both of my grandpa's were wonderful dad's, without them I wouldn't have the parents that I have. They also taught me many things. I love you Grandpa Williams and I'm so happy that I live close by so that I can come visit. I miss you Papa...I wish you were still here but I know you love me and I love you too.

Thank you to all of the other dads that I know. Without you, the people that I look up to and love might not be who they are today. I love you all and I'm grateful for your examples.

Love,
Nicole