Girl's Trip!

A couple of weeks ago I took a little trip to Maryland 

(oh, yes I did!)

with these three fabulous women

Emily - Amy - Patti

We stayed in this beautiful home in Potomac

that belongs to Emily's wonderful parents, Anne and Jim

(who took such good care of us!)

While we were there, we drove down to Huntingtown, MD
to check out the house Patti's family just bought
and will be moving into very soon

We also found the nearest beach and took a little stroll
"Hello Angels"
(this picture totally reminds me of Charlie's Angels! :)

and then stopped by the Washington D.C. Temple on our way back to Potomac

Since we were in town, of course we had to spend a day in D.C.

where we visited the Library of Congress

(on a very breezy day)

and soaked our hot feet in the cool pond of the
Sculpture Garden

It was so much fun to be able to spend some time with these
wonderful, inspiring, and talented ladies
I feel SO BLESSED to know them and
to be able to call them my friends.


(can't wait for next year's Girl's Trip!)

Visitors

Mom and Dad came to spend a week with us just in time for 

Logan's 12th Birthday

and to see him ordained a Deacon.

It was really, REALLY good to have them here

and so nice for me to have someone (other than Teddy) to hang out with.

It's great when we have visitors (hint, hint) for LOTS of reasons,

but one is that it pushes us to find new things to see and do in New England,

which means we stay busy.

We have our old favorites...

Walden Pond

(I love this)

(and there's just something about stacked rocks)

and our new favorites...

Newport, Rhode Island's Cliff Walk

(aren't they cute!)

- It was ALL good -

we loved having them here

and we're sad that they're gone

but now we're counting the days until SUMMER.

See you soon!

Twelve!

Logan turned 12 today.

(yes, I said twelve!)

I won't tell you about how I seriously can't believe that he's 

TWELVE YEARS OLD,

 or how sad it makes me that he's growing up so fast,

or of how I want to burst into tears 

when I think of him going to Jr. High next year,

 but I will tell you about what an EXCEPTIONAL boy he is...

Logan is one of the happiest kids I know.

He has great confidence in who he is and the things he can do.

He's not afraid to speak up for himself

or for a situation that he sees as not being right.

He loves music -- to play, sing or listen to -- and will find a song he likes

then listen to it over and over and over again 

until he decides on a new favorite

and then repeat the process with that one.

He loves to put things together -- especially Star Wars Lego kits.

He loves to read.

(even in bed at night with a flashlight when he really should be sleeping)

He is very interested in airplanes (jets) and can tell anyone who wants to listen 

all kinds of information about them.

He likes to help me cook and seems to do it best 

when he's wearing a chef's hat and apron.

He has a spectacular memory and

 often surprises us with his ability to recall things he's read or seen or heard.

He is probably the only Sixth Grade boy in five states 

who will still give his mom a hug when he sees her in the hall at school.

He is kind to others and friendly to everyone he meets.

He tries to always do the right thing and expects the same of others.

 He has a great understanding and love of the scriptures.

He is so excited about becoming a Deacon and 

being able to pass the Sacrament and

will take his responsibilities very seriously.

He loves his big brother, Collin.

It makes my heart so happy that I get to be Logan's mom and I am grateful

 EVERY SINGLE DAY 

that Logan is my son.

Happy Birthday, Logan

We ALL love YOU!

The Russells Go to Washington

We spent a few days of our Spring Break in Washington DC last week

where we did A LOT of walking 

and saw A LOT of interesting things

which means 

there are A LOT of vacation photos to look at (or not)

Washington Monument

World War II Memorial

Logan enjoying a bit of that freedom

On our way to the Lincoln Memorial

Korean War Memorial

Vietnam War Memorial

We stopped by the White House with a few suggestions

(no luck)

and Capital Hill

(still no luck)

We went to LOTS of museums and the National Archives 

where we saw 

The Declaration of Independence

The Constitution

The Bill of Rights

and more...

(no Nicolas Cage, however)

The Natural History Museum

The American History Museum

where Collin tried to catch a trolley

(I don't think he'll have any trouble getting ahead of these people)

and Logan tried to flag down a bus

and a train

and I tried to point out interesting things to anyone who cared

We went to Arlington National Cemetery

and saw the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

and the Changing of the Guard

The view from Arlington looking towards DC

and finally... 

Ford's Theatre

and the house across the street 

where Lincoln died the morning after he was shot.

(Logan said this should be a non-smiling picture because something sad happened there)

There were so many other things we could have seen and done in and around DC

but we'll have to save those things for our next visit

we could only do so much in three days.

I think the boys are hoping for Hawaii or a Cruise next Spring Break - 

more swimming

less walking

and not quite so educational! :)