The District part 2

I am fully aware that it has been a month since I posted about the first week of my trip back east. We have been a little busy, but more on that later. Here is the (much delayed) conclusion of our trip! Enjoy.

Day 9

Day 9, the 9th of July to be exact, just happened to be my 25th birthday. It was a little tough for me to away from Justin but on the bright side, I had not been with my family on my birthday since I turned 17! My parent's spoiled me and so did my hubby. I woke up to balloons, had the most amazing cake from an authentic German Bakery, got tons of presents, went to dinner, and last but not least went to see Mary Poppins at the the Kennedy Center. It was an amazing day. I also happened to be 25 weeks pregnant on my 25th birthday.

Day 10

Had a fun girls day with my mom and sister. We went to Babies R Us, and spent a nice long day at the mall. My little sister took me to Build a Bear since I had never been there, and we made the cutest little bunny for the baby.

Day 11

We went to the Missionary farewell of a few of my little brother's friends, and then we came home a took Julie to the airport. It sure was quiet when we got back to the house and it was just me and mom and dad.

Day 12

Day 12 was the start of our vacation within my vacation. My mom, myself and a few of her friends decided to take a girls trip to see some sites in Pennsylvania. We drove to PA and checked into our hotel and got a late night snack at good ol Mickey D's. We wanted to get to PA so that the next morning we could wake up early and start the fun!

At the same time we were on our road trip, Justin was backpacking with his brother Shawn at the Wind river range in Wyoming. He looks forward to this trip all year, it's like his Christmas!

Day 13

This was an amazing day! We started the day off by fulfilling a dream of mine! We went to see Fallingwater, a home designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. I have always been fascinated with him and have seen a few of his other homes, but this is the big one! It was amazing and totally lived up to my expectations. The house is built right into the side of a hill, right on top of a waterfall.

After Fallingwater we went to the memorial site of United Flight 93 that crashed on 9/11. It was very humbling and those victims on the plane were so brave in making the decision to fight back against the terrorists. They are just starting to build a permanent memorial so for now they have a make shift one. It was still interesting to read about the events of the day, learn of the victims, and see the field where the plane crashed.

After we left the flight 93 memorial, we drove to Johnstown PA. I was unaware of the events that took place here until my mom read a book and saw a documentary on the great Johnstown Flood. In 1889, Johnstown was devastated by a flood that killed over 2200 people. The flood was caused by a faulty dam that was owned by some wealthy men up on the hill who ignored warnings of the dams weakness. Johnstown is a valley and the flood waters and debris filled the entire valley. It became the site of the first disaster relief project by the American Red Cross. There is so much more to the story, it is truly fascinating. I would look into it if I were you, I learned so much on our trip.

In this picture you can still see where the dam used to be. The fenced lookout point is at one end, and you can see how the land is still curved from a dam that broke in 1889!

After Johnstown we headed back to DC. It was a long day, but it was an amazing day and I am so glad that my mom, Denise, and Elaine let me tag along.

Day 14

We spent the day unwinding from our trip, unpacking, and getting excited for Justin to arrive! I had not seen him in 2 weeks, which is the longest we had been apart in 5 years! It was so fun to have him arrive!! Molly may have been more excited then I was. She followed Justin around the entire time he was there, and she would just sit and stare at him. It was so funny.

Day 15

My parents both went to work in the morning, so Justin and I headed out on the metro and went to the Smithsonian museum of American History for a few hours.

Then we stopped by the old Post Office building which has a tower you can go up for some cool views of the city. I love how DC doesn't have huge skyscrapers so can see the whole city from up high.

Then later that night we went with my parents to the Pentagon Memorial for the victims of 9/11. It was really neat at night, and such a beautiful tribute to those lives that were lost.

Then we went and got some ice cream and sat outside the airport and watched the planes fly in over us. They get pretty close, it was cool to have them fly right over our heads.

Day 16

In the afternoon my dad took us on a tour of the Pentagon. It was Justin's first time going in. We even went in the press conference room and Justin gave us a little debriefing on the war.

Later we all went to dinner at a nice italian place and then decided to head into Georgetown and maybe get a Georgetown cupcake but the line was SO long. So we went and walked around the National Cathedral, and then went and got some amazing gelato. It was our last full day in DC, and I was not ready for our trip to be over yet.

Day 17

We spent the morning finishing our packing and getting ready to say goodbye. My parents were incredibly generous in giving us a car, yeah thats right, a car! We loaded up our new Santa Fe and headed out. I had a really hard time leaving. My dad left a short time later for Afghanistan and so it was hard to say bye to him, and I think the realization that this was my last trip home as a kid really hit me. Next time I see my parents I am going to have a baby and it will be so different. I was a little emotional after leaving, but on our way out of town we stopped by Shawn(Justin's older brother) and Krystal's house. It was so good to see them and our little niece Victoria. She had gotten so big and was talking up a storm! She had all these cute little bracelets and jewels that she was showing us. Krystal was also pregnant at the time, and we also were wearing the same shirt. They now have another little girl named Nora who arrived on Aug 26th.

That night we made it to Kirtland, Ohio where we were able to quickly see some of the Church sites. We showed up a little after hours but the President of the Kirtland mission offered to give us a private tour of the Newell K Whitney store. It was so special being there, and so many amazing and important events in church history took place there. I am so glad that we made the stop to see it.

After Kirtland we were put up for the night by our friends Scott and Kara Mortenson. They are also originally from Logan and lived out here with us in Minnesota until they moved to Cleveland about a year ago. It was so good to see them again! They have a beautiful home and it was great to have such a nice place to stay the night.

Day 18

The last day of our trip. The entire day was spent in the car. About 12-13 hours to be exact. We listened to many podcasts, filled up at many gas stations, and went through a few states we had never been too. The highlight of the trip was getting my hands on some fresh Krispy Kreme donuts. We don't have any in Minnesota. The low point was the terrible traffic outside of Chicago. We got to sit and look at the skyline, knowing that the best pizza ever was nestled among those skyscrapers while we snacked on granola bars (and Krispy Kremes!)

Eventually we made it home. 18 days was a long time to be away, but part of me was still not ready to go back to my normal routine. It was nice to sleep in our comfy bed again though!

And I would like to mention that spending two weeks with your mother when you are pregnant with your first child can be a little dangerous.

Example A: Closet before trip

Example B: Closet after trip

I see one spoiled girl in the making!

The End!

(finally)

5 years

A lot can happen in 5 years.

5 years ago today, I met Justin at Utah State University. Little did I know on that day, that that boy would become the love of my life, my best friend, eternal companion, and soon, the father of our baby girl. In 5 years we have created a family, and I am thankful for today to remind me just how lucky I am that I was at the right place at the right time.

And thanks to Justin for giving me a beautiful life that is never without laughter. You are seriously the best husband ever and I am glad that you are mine. What other husband would be so much fun shopping, and let his wife take embarrassing pictures of him?

But for the record, both of these events were of Justin's own doing with no motivation by me. That's why I love him so.

I thought he was trying on work slacks, he came out in these very nice Levi shorts instead.

He just might be wearing the fake belly that you can try on with clothes at Motherhood Maternity.

Yeah, he makes life very fun.

I love him.

The District

From July 1-18 I was able to take an amazing trip to visit my family in Washington D.C. Over the past few years my family has been meeting up in Utah for most of our visits, so I had not been back east for over 2 years! It was long overdue, and an incredible few weeks. One of my big reasons for going out was saying goodbye to my baby brother Jacob who left on his mission to Guatemala City, and my dad who is leaving tomorrow for Afghanistan for 9 months.

Day 1

I flew out on the first and I was greeted at the airport by my parents who I had not seen since Thanksgiving and my siblings who I had not seen since last August, almost a whole year! We went back to my parent's apartment and I got to see our little dog Molly. She just might be the funniest dog I have ever met and we all love her to pieces.

Day 2

We went to lunch, did some shopping with my mom and sister while my dad took Jake to his final interview for his mission. Then we all went out to dinner and then we saw Toy Story 3. It was seriously adorable, and by this time I was already feeling very spoiled! Out to eat twice in one day, shopping, and movies are not exactly part of our daily routine in Minnesota!

Day 3

We went and saw the movie Grown Ups, it was pretty funny. Then we all went to a Washington National's baseball game. It was looking pretty dismal until some amazing plays in the 8th and they ended up scoring the winning run in the bottom of the 9th. After the game my mom and sister and I hit up the mall and did some major clothes shopping. I actually have lots of cute maternity clothes to wear now!

On a side note, my little sister has a boyfriend back home in Provo and my little brother has a "friend" that he dated for a while until he came home to prepare for his mission. The girlfriend title may not be there, but the sappy attitude and constant texting still were!

On another side note, last year after my little brother moved to provo, my parents put their house up for rent and moved to a one bedroom apartment in the city. It works perfectly for them, and having three extra people there was a little cramped but really fun.

It did however pose a problem for two of the people in the apartment. The lack of privacy led my younger siblings to extraordinary measures. The only two rooms you can be alone in are the kitchen(which has a door) and the bathroom. They each took turns using the kitchen to skype with their significant others.

Yes that is an air mattress my little brother pulled in the kitchen, and both of these pictures were taken after 1 in the morning! This is what I dealt with EVERY night!

Day 4

The 4th of July was an exciting day for us! We went to church and then after my little brother Jake was set apart as a missionary in the Guatemala City South mission. It was a wonderful blessing and I am so grateful that I was able to be there with him.

Later that night we went downtown to see the fireworks. It was a madhouse! The fireworks were great though, and my parents live close enough that we decided to bypass the crowds and the metro and we walked home after.

Day 5

We spent most of the day packing Jake up. We went out for a last meal with him to the Cheesecake Factory, and mostly tried to enjoy our last day with him for 2 years!

Day 6

The bittersweet day was here! We took Jake to the airport and said goodbye to him for 2 years. It was a hard day but an exciting one as well. These next two years will be the best of his life so far and I am so proud of him for making such great choices. I still can't believe that my baby brother is a missionary!

Good lucky baby brother! We love you!

Day 7

My sister and I relaxed, and watched a lot of terrible/awesome tv. Why are there so many shows about Jersey on these days? We also brought out our inner nerds and played some awesome computer games. Oh yeah my parents apartment building caught on fire! We thought the alarms were a drill at first but while going down 16 flights of stairs we started smelling smoke and then firefighters passed us and I got a little nervous. It was a minor fire and taken care of quickly, but there were about 6 fire trucks and ambulances outside. At least we got some fresh air!

Day 8

Sister Spa day! Julie and I went to lunch and then we went to get manicures and pedicures. We had a delightful time being pampered and having some bonding time.

And we can't forget about our other sister that we played with a lot that day!

We love Miss Molly

Jake also entered the MTC. My brother Jordan, his wife Aubrey, and their son Kaden took him along with my grandparents. We all wanted to be there but we were glad that Jake had family in Utah to take him.

Lets end there for today shall we. I will post days 9-18 soon!

DC

I know ,I know it has been forever since I last blogged! I am currently in the middle of a two week stay with my parents in Washington DC. We just sent off my little brother Jacob on his two year church mission to Guatemala City. I just celebrated my 25th birthday tonight by going to Mary Poppins at the Kennedy center, and we have been keeping very busy with many adventures. I am apart from Justin who had to stay back in Minnesota for work, but he is flying out here to meet up with my on Wed night. I am feeling great and I have to admit that I really love being pregnant. I just can't believe that I am 25 weeks already! I have been posting lots of pictures of my trip on facebook but I thought I would post the link to the album on the blog so here it is

Jessica's trip to DC

And I guess it is time for a shot of my pregnant self so here you go

I just happened to turn 25 years old and I am 25 weeks along!

That is all for now! More to come soon!!!!

It's A ......

I have so many things to blog about like the awesome trip to Chicago we took last week, camping with our friends, being pregnant, the LOST finale, etc... but this is too fun not to blog about first.

We went in for our first ultrasound today. It was so amazing to see our little baby moving around! Everything was there and in the right place, and everything looks really healthy. We were thrilled to finally be seeing our baby but of course we also were dying to know the gender. We were basically convinced for some reason that we were having a boy. Everyone thought it was a boy and Justin and I just sort of pictured ourselves with a boy, but we really had no preference, that is just what we were thinking. Low and behold there were no boy parts to be found, and our baby is a little GIRL! We were both pretty surprised but we couldn't be happier. We can't believe that we are going to have a daughter! My emotions have already changed so much just knowing about our little girl and dreaming of princess dress ups, barbie dolls, and playing house. I am all girl through and through so I can't wait for a little play mate. After the doctor's we went a picked out a little something for our soon to be very spoiled princess. All in all it was a fabulous day and we can't wait to meet our girl. And no, we don't have any names picked out yet! We are very indecisive and we might just let her pick when she turns 5!

Here is our baby girl

Here she is facing down, and a view of her spinal cord.

Here is her first little dress and shoes.

(getting them on a great sale helps too!)