Last Tuesday, we met some friends (Audrey, Owen & Will) at the National Zoo. We got there just in time to see them bathe the elephants! It was so fascinating to see how obedient those elephants were, just to earn a potato or apple slice. Have you ever seen the bottoms of an elephant's feet? Neither had I...but now I have!

When we joined the National Zoo, we were given a small stuffed Panda named "Tai-shan" and it has been one of Clark's very favorites from the start. So, when we saw Tai-shan right by the glass, we had to grab a quick picture. He's like a member of the family!

This is Clark & John's surprised face as they sit with the salamander. Don't worry, the REAL salamander is in the glass enclosure behind them.

Johnny was doing a silly laugh that was anything but real, but I captured a great picture from it!

We went to Hains Point on Sunday morning before General Conference. It's just right out on the tip of the Potomac River (?). This statue is "buried" in the ground, and the kids thought it was SO cool!

The kids were imagining what would happen if this giant came out of the ground, and starting squishing everyone!

Clark ran over to the giant and then happily ran back to exclaim "Dad, it's not REAL!"

Here's my cute family at the water's edge (sorry that I don't know what body of water this is! It's just across the bridge from our house)

National Book Festival

On Saturday, we went from Faith's soccer game to the National Book Festival downtown. It was very fun! The kids got to walk through the REAL "Magic School Bus", meet Maya & Miguel, Caillou, Clifford, and Curious George.
Grant read in the Cozy Corner, and we were given a few free books and some cool bags from Target.
It was fun to think that we were part of the annual tradition encouraging ALL to read. Needless to say, we spent the whole time in the Children's Tent, but I'm sure there were amazing authors and storytellers in the other tents as well.

Here's a funny thing...in order to get to the Book Festival, we parked at Andrew's work building. Faith noticed the giant picture of President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Secretary Mike Leavitt on the wall as we exited. Later in the day, we went to a work BBQ and when Secretary Leavitt arrived, Faith said "Dad! Dad! Look behind you!" It was the Secretary and she remembered his picture from earlier in the day. He was such a celebrity to her! The Secretary got a giggle out of that!

Here's a little plug for Jackie Leavitt's website: www.ikeepsafe.org It's an internet safety site and she is just so passionate about it. Check it out!

Faith was a STAR this past weekend in soccer. She wasn't hesitant at all, and even assisted with a goal! Everytime she did something great, she'd run to the sidelines and give Andrew or I a high five. It was truly a GREAT time and very entertaining!!

Here's our little soccer player-in-training. He's already shown an interest in soccer, so he'll be ready when he is finally old enough to actually play!

Grant wearing "The Armor of God"! Our home teacher & son came by last Sunday night and brought this to teach the kids about the "Shield of Faith" and the Helmet of Salvation (I think?). The boys were particularly impressed to think that this was a REAL helmet!

They all had to try it on for a picture! The home teachers gave them each a coin that has a a description of the armor of God, says "Pray Always" and Return with Honor.

Our home teacher is in the Military and I guess that it's a huge honor to receive a "coin" from a member of the military. Although the kids didn't really understand the significance, we decided to hide them away and send them in the kids' pockets as they leave for their first date!

Cute Faith and John sitting in my bedroom chair. Faith has found her smile and is so much happier as a "big kid" in kindergarten!

Sunday afternoon playdoh. Oh my goodness - is Johnny holding scissors? Oh boy...how embarrassing!

What's Bang-Clock, Mom?

We have been talking a lot about Mimi's blood clot, and what that means. I have also talked a lot about Aunt Mindy and Uncle Jeff who live in Bangkok! So, in John's world, they came together to be "Bang-clock".

Johnny walks around asking "What's Bang-clock, mom?' Each time he asks this, I must (and I mean, MUST) explain about Mimi's blood clot in her leg. My answer is basically "A blood clot is something in Mimi's leg that really hurts!" He'll ask the same question at least 4 times (requiring an answer after EVERY one) until he's satisfied. Then, he'll ask "Mimi's leg feeling better?" And, my answer is always YES...because, Mom, we hope it IS feeling better!

Another "funny" from Johnny today was in the van on the way to school. After we dropped Grant & Faith, he was singing "Follow the Rocket...follow the rocket (instead of "Prophet") and then giggling at himself! It was so cute!

The other morning, we fixed WHEAT for breakfast. Needless to say the kids are never excited for wheat cereal. Clark heard about what we were having, and came into the bathroom and said "Mom, I don't want MEAT cereal!" Neither would I.

Church yesterday was ROUGH! I was very overwhelmed by the otherwise "normal" Sacrament Meeting. I think I was banking on Andrew showing up at any moment, and then when he didn't (he was meeting with the Stk. Pres.) I was put over the edge. As we left the Chapel, and happened to run into Andrew, I just burst into tears! I hit my breaking point! I can't even really put my finger on why it was SO much harder than usual yesterday, but it just was. I made it through and we re-loaded our church bag with some different "readers" and "Friends", so we'll be ready for next Sunday, especially if Daddy needs to be out again! The Lords plan is to have TWO parents in every family! I am a firm believer in that! The kids need us both, and we certainly need each other!