EMULATE the SUNFLOWER

I dont get to post to often of doing things with family since both sides live so far away. Being from Chicago and having everyone there and Ryan being from Seattle and having pretty much everyone there makes visits and time together few and far between. I am so thankful that my brother had the opprotunity this summer to take a lot of time off and take a car full of five kids across the country and get to visit Ryan and I! When you only have one sibling and you live so far from them at times when you need them a phone call, web chat, or email just isnt enough. Sometimes you need to have them with you in person. My brother made a trip and got here when I needed him to be and it was so nice to spend time with him, Amy ( my sister n law) and my five adorable neices and nephews. We didnt have a lot of time together due to Ryan and I still working and they ready to head home but I think it was time well spent! When anyone comes I want it to be perfect and want them to feel at home and everyt...

Ryan's mission companion wanted us to be in Washington D.C for his wedding so we decided to make it a REAL vacation and have a nice getaway for our Anniversary. I dont think it could have come at any better time! I so needed to let my emotions go and enjoy being with friends and just some alone time with Ryan! Here is our trip day by day. I did it that way so the pictures could be in order. We really did a lot in such a short amount of time and that is probablly why I am in my bed sicker than a dog blogging!!! O well. It is what happens when I am really stressed out and I allow my body to relax! Something that I continue to work on! I hope you enjoy our little trip! July 30-Aug 3, 2009

After the wedding dinner Ryan and I met up with the groom ( Ryan's mission companinon) and his family for a fun night at the baseball field. The Red Soxs were in town at the Baltimore Stadium but you would have thought we were at Fenway! So many Red Sox fans it was ridiculous! It was a lot of fun though! We love baseball games! Ryan and I after the game! Ortiz up to bat! You either heard lots of booing due to the steriod thing or lots of yells since there were so many Red Sox fans! Ryan and Rob the groom and companion

Saturday morning we woke up early and left for the Washington Temple so that we could do a session before the sealing at 12:00. Since Ryan and I have been doing so much traveling lately our goal is if we go anywhere where there is a temple and we havent been to it we would go. It has been really fun to do sessions together in so many different temples. The Washington D.C. Temple is so beautiful. It is right off the freeway like the San Diego Temple but of course is way different. It looks like it is floating above the big green trees. The session and sealing were amazing! I am so thankful each time we go for the blessings of Eternal Marriage!!! Night view of the temple coming home from the Baltimore Game Ryan and I out front waiting for the Bride and Groom! So pretty! Warning: Humidity= WILD HAIR!!! I felt like Monica on Friends!:) First Kiss outside!! SO Happy! This temple was pretty special to Ryan. It was the first temple his mom went to and she had to drive a long ways from Detroit...