Part 4

Another Day Another Adventure

We were leaving Washington DC and on our way out of town I was able to get this picture of the DC temple. Next stop Gettysburg!!

Before we get to the history I have to show off the colors

Now on to the history. I think this picture of a cannon is a good representation of the battle the took place.
We arrived in Gettysburg in the morning and the fog was still burning off the fields. I have just always imagined that is how it took place. It made for a very cool scene.
Throughout the entire park there is monument after monument for the people who fought. Most of the monument represent each state that had soldiers fighting those 3 days. This happens to honor the 11th Mississippi Infantry regiment.
This monument is in honor of the soldiers from Virginia. The man on the horse is Robert E Lee, and the soldiers under him represent those that left civil jobs to fight for the confederate army.
A closer look at Robert E Lee. Those who know me, know I am not a history person, but one person I enjoy learning about is Lee because he was well known and respected before the war and yet he lost everything because he chose to fight with his home state of Virginia instead of taking the job offered by the North.
Original building during the war. The hole is from a cannon ball.

It has been said that this valley looked like a river of blood.

Then to end the day I was able to catch this butterfly as we headed out of town.

Part 3

We are finally on to Day 2 Hooray!!!

We started with the National Zoo. Have to say I was a little disappointed in the Zoo. I even feel that Salt Lake has a better Zoo.

But here are some highlights:

These 2 lions were playing and fighting each other. Soon after I took this picture the bottom decided to attack the upper one. They were fun to watch.

Of course I had to take a picture of the beautiful leaves :)

One of my favorite parts of the Zoo and I think that Salt Lake should add an "O-Line".

The Orangutans climb up these towers and then climb on these ropes throughout the park. They have several houses that they can climb back down the towers and eat but most of them just go from tower to tower over your heads as you walk. It is very cool.

Silver back

After the Zoo we went to see the Iwo Jima Memorial. This has always been one of my favorite pictures and to see this huge memorial was amazing.

I like the picture below just because of how the sun is coming through the clouds.

Mom and Dad

TO BE CONTINUED.....

PART 2

Part 2

These pictures are still from day 1. We decided to start our trip out fast and furious.

I took this picture of the White House while sitting at the Jefferson Memorial.

Jefferson Memorial

I took pictures of all the sayings on the walls. I might post them later but I need to mess with them a little. I think all of our leaders in Washington need to visit these memorials and read the words that these people said and lived by because those our the type of leaders we need today.

While we were walking around the lake that is in front of the Jefferson Memorial this guy caught this huge gold fish. It was cool :)
One of my favorite parts of the trip was visiting in the tomb of the unknown solider. I love what the tomb says that we might not know the names of these soldiers but God does.


Video of the start of the changing of the guard. I didn't record the whole thing because I didn't know how long it was going to be. But I hope by the video that you are able to tell how serious the changing of the guard is.
Close to the end of the ceremony. Where the one on the right will take the place of the one on the left. The middle is their commander.
Lincoln Memorial
Washington Memorial. One of the cool things I learned that there is a law in Washington D.C. that no building can be taller than the Washington Monument. That is why there are no skyscrapers in Washington D.C.
Picture of Washington Monument from the Jefferson Memorial

TO BE CONTINUED :)

Trip Back East Part 1

So I finally took my trip back east that has been in the planning stages for years. I took over 1600 pictures. I promise not to post all of them but I will do them in a couple of segments. Just as an over view the trip was amazing. The leaves were changing colors and we had wonderful temperatures. How I always pictured Fall should feel like :)
So on to the best part the pictures

Wonderful colors just starting to happen. You will see a difference between this picture which was a the beginning of the trip to pictures at the end of the trip

Our first stop of the trip was the Pentagon. This is the memorial for 9/11. It was just dedicated this year. This ranks as one of my favorite stops on the trip.
Old vs New

The color of the bricks tell you exactly where the plane crashed on 9/11

You will notice that some of the "benches" are going different directions. The reason is the ones where you can read their names while facing the pentagon worked in the pentagon. The ones facing away from the pentagon just happened to be there that day.
Arlington Nation Cemetery

Kennedy's Burial Site

Map of Arlington

I am finally updating

Update on work is that I think it is going pretty well. I still don't feel like I have my feet completely under me yet. I am working almost 50 hours a week and that is draining. I am working on cutting down to at least 45 hours.
I have realized now that I am responsible for everything in my clinic and that makes me look at things differently. Things that didn't bug me before now irritate me because now I have staff and physicians holding me accountable for everything.
It is nice to have some great friends that I can rely on and confide in. I work with staff that for the most part is great. I am learning a lot and I hope I am doing a good job.
Now on to better things
In August the Powells gave me tickets to go to BIG the musical and it was great. Jen and I laughed and made comments about the 80's hairstyles and clothes. We had a great time.
My singles ward that I go to was also split into 4 different wards. My old ward covered 4 stakes, but the First Presidency wanted each stake to be responsible for the singles living in their stake. This makes my ward pretty small but it is nice to be able to learn everybody's name.
The best thing coming up is that at the end of September I get to go back east for a vacation for a whole 2 weeks. I can't wait!!!!!
Here are random pictures I have taken this summer:

HOME :)

I have to say I am pretty impressed with myself for the picture of the dagonfly