I have an amazing brother. He has been through the army National Guard, he has been a Columbus police officer, he passed the Ohio Bar exam and is a lawyer, he is been thru JAG training, and most recently spent the last five months in Quantico, Virginia going thru FBI training. (David is not only just highly motivated. He is also funny, generous and good looking. I just try not to tell him that too often because I don't need him to get a big head.) He really wanted his family to
be at his graduation and we, as his family, all wanted to be there. It caused some figuring out on my part because I knew I would have to travel by myself with the kids because Evan had to attend classes. He already missed the first few because of our Hawaiian Christmas vacation. So, after traveling all night with no sleep from Hawaii, I then repacked and left early the next morning to Richmond, Virginia. Our plan was to rendevous in Washington D.C for two days before the graduation. Even though the kids were tired, they did amazing flying and driving all day. They truly are great travelers. We then spent the next day visiting Arlington Cementary and the National Mall. The changing of the guard was one of our favorites. We also had a three hour night tour of the Monuments. It was truly inspiring to me. I am not sure how much the kids got out of it but they at least liked riding on a bus and spending time with their cousins. Gareth really wanted to see the White House and since everyone else in our group was going to the Holocaust Museum, our plan was to see the White House and go to the International Spy Museum. It was just a few blocks to the White House but it was like I asked them to walk to the moon. By the time we got there, we were all grumpy. We had a few time outs and took our picture in front of the tiny bit we could see. You can see from the picture Gareth is not happy. The Spy museum was one of the only museums on the Mall you have to pay for, but it was so worth it.
The next day was David's graduation. The FBI is truly an impressive organiza
tion. It was a proud moment for us all to see David graduate from there. It was also great to be able to tour around there. We still had two days before we were scheduled to leave and so while everyone else drove back to Ohio, the kids and I headed to Williamsburg, Virginia. We had a wonderful time exploring colonial times and stayed at a fun hotel with a pool. We fed horses, visited a blacksmith who gaves us nails they just made, a gunsmith, and took part in a court proceeding, at least Joshua did. They kids also enjoyed playing with the stocks, which I think could be quite handy at times. It was a great time but the most important part for me was how much God took care of us. I truly had to let go and let Him take care of the details. I do not enjoy traveling without Evan. It can be so stressful, especially as Gareth throws major fits. And it was hard and Gareth did throw major fits. But I continually asked God for wisdom, and he continually took care of me. It was a great, amazing adventure and I praise God for it!
be at his graduation and we, as his family, all wanted to be there. It caused some figuring out on my part because I knew I would have to travel by myself with the kids because Evan had to attend classes. He already missed the first few because of our Hawaiian Christmas vacation. So, after traveling all night with no sleep from Hawaii, I then repacked and left early the next morning to Richmond, Virginia. Our plan was to rendevous in Washington D.C for two days before the graduation. Even though the kids were tired, they did amazing flying and driving all day. They truly are great travelers. We then spent the next day visiting Arlington Cementary and the National Mall. The changing of the guard was one of our favorites. We also had a three hour night tour of the Monuments. It was truly inspiring to me. I am not sure how much the kids got out of it but they at least liked riding on a bus and spending time with their cousins. Gareth really wanted to see the White House and since everyone else in our group was going to the Holocaust Museum, our plan was to see the White House and go to the International Spy Museum. It was just a few blocks to the White House but it was like I asked them to walk to the moon. By the time we got there, we were all grumpy. We had a few time outs and took our picture in front of the tiny bit we could see. You can see from the picture Gareth is not happy. The Spy museum was one of the only museums on the Mall you have to pay for, but it was so worth it.
tion. It was a proud moment for us all to see David graduate from there. It was also great to be able to tour around there. We still had two days before we were scheduled to leave and so while everyone else drove back to Ohio, the kids and I headed to Williamsburg, Virginia. We had a wonderful time exploring colonial times and stayed at a fun hotel with a pool. We fed horses, visited a blacksmith who gaves us nails they just made, a gunsmith, and took part in a court proceeding, at least Joshua did. They kids also enjoyed playing with the stocks, which I think could be quite handy at times. It was a great time but the most important part for me was how much God took care of us. I truly had to let go and let Him take care of the details. I do not enjoy traveling without Evan. It can be so stressful, especially as Gareth throws major fits. And it was hard and Gareth did throw major fits. But I continually asked God for wisdom, and he continually took care of me. It was a great, amazing adventure and I praise God for it!
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it really was a nice family time. We then headed to Kauai to meet up with Evan's side of the family. The kids had great time with their cousins. Julianna especially enjoyed showering attention on her newest and youngest cousin Evangelia. Evan's brother Trevor did an awesome job securing our Christmas palm branch and it was great fun decorating it. We spent almost every day at the beach. Evan took a few tries at surfiing and is proud that he can say he has surfed with skater Tony Hawk. Evan and I had one special 
day all to ourselves and even though it was quite rainy, we did see se
veral beautiful rainbows. Julianna is truly a girly tomboy and she proved it as she was the first one to catch a frog that had come out in the cool evening to enjoy our lawn. She then proceeded to carry it like a baby, patting it on the back and cooing to it. It was a very relaxing time with Evan's family and a great way to immerse ourselves in the celebration of our Savior's birth. 
