Washington DC Day 3

These are out of order and not much commentary because I'm tired from a big day at the Capital visiting legislators then night tour of city. So here are some of the highlights...




At the Wall of the Vietnam Memorial



In front of the White House



Yes, that's our Senator on the left




Taken from back lawn of Capital




Jefferson Memorial

Washington DC Day 2

Today was an amazing sight and information filled day. We started with meetings at 8:30 at the Farm Bureau offices here in Washington and were updated by staff on the farm bill, death taxes, energy tax incentives, strengthening rural communites, and alternative energy tax incentives. Very interesting but Zack fell asleep, he just couoldn't wrap his mind around it all. After our morning meetings, we went on a very long tour. We went across the Potomac to Arlington cemetery where President John F. Kennedy is buried. This is a picture of his gravesite and headstone and his wife and two children who died early. You can see in the picture the eternal flame that Jackie Kennedy had put there. This whole cemetery is a very special place and out of respect for all who are buried there, it is very quiet, except for the artillery and guns shots that you hear quite ofte for the gun salutes.


This is a shot of the cemetery and in the distance is a caisson? They say about 28 funerals happen every day. Except for Sundays.



This is looking from Arlington to the east across the Potomac over the Arlington Memorial bridge to the Lincoln Memorial. So we walked from this point (the cemetery) down the avenue, across the bridge to the white building in the distance which is the Lincoln Memorial. It seemed like a couple of miles.


While we were at the cemetery, we saw the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldier. There are three graves which you can see in the picture below. This is as much ceremony as I've ever seen by our government. A soldier marches back and forth for one hour at a time. Then he switches with another. This continues 24 hours a day every day, all year long. Even through the night, on holidays, and in terrible weather. It was very impressive. The guard in the middle is the commander and he inspects the gun to see if the next soldier is ready for duty. It was good to see this ceremony.

This picture below is of the back side of the tombof the unknown soldier. There is a big amphitheater where speeches are given on memorial day, and other special times. It is a beautiful place. We are standing at the front of the amphitheater and you are looking out area in back of us.

This picture is of the Washington Memorial from the Lincoln Memorial steps. Remember in the movie Forrest Gump, when Forrest is at the peace rally and Jenny hears his voice and jumps into the reflecting pool screaming "Forrest, Forrest." And then Forrest runs down the steps and jumps into the pool and runs to Jenny and they hug each other in the water and everyone cheers. Between these two monuments it is so cool to see it in real life. I was struck by how many foreigners there were coming to see our beautiful capitol and surrounding monuments.

Here we are at the Lincoln Memorial. Probably my favorite so far. It was beautiful. I wish there had not been so many people there. It was very crowded, we had to really be quick to get a picture without someone walking in front of the camera. The outside of this building is beautiful and around the top of it are the names of all the states in order of their statehood.

As we walked toward the Washington monument, we veered off to the left and walked through the Vietnam War memorial. This is the statues of our soldiers who fought in Vietnam. I like this
monument a lot.

This is the Vietnam memorial. All the names of the soldiers killed or missing are engraved on this monument. I'm standing right in the middle of thelist of names.

This is the World War II memorial. It was beautiful. Very nice tribute to our servicemen who fought during that war. Each state's name was engraved under a wreath. Utah and Idaho were next to each other. We got some good pictures of this one.

Zack and I standing at the Washington Monument. This is taller than you think and bigger at the bottom too. Zack is being a poop and is insisting that I turn off the light so he can go to sleep. I wish you could all be here with us and enjoy this with us. Hopefully you will all have this opportunity to come here.

Here is another view of the Washington monument. Tomorrow will show more pictures. Love Shelley Alan and Zack

Washington DC - Day 1

After a long day of travel we arrived last night and enjoyed a good night sleep. This morning we had breakfast and short orientation meeting with our small Farm Bureau delegation from Idaho (about 25). We then had the rest of the day to go to Church and visit local sites. An interesting thing about church was that we attended the "Capital Hill Ward" and Marlo (Baxter) Parker was there and to find out her husband was the Bishop. For those who don't know her she grew up in Ashton and is just a little older than Morgan. She was very excited to see us.

We then went to some of the Smithsonian institute museums. Very interesting and we were overwhelmed with exhibits and information. Came home at 8:30 and soon after Shelley and Zack were wasted and asleep.

I will post some pictures etc. through the week.

March Birthdays!

Today is Ben's birthday. I've been looking at his picture that was from his sophomore year? I love that picture. I wish I had others. Other years it has been halfway decent weather in March at his birthday time. What is it like this year in Castle Dale? And also Happy Birthday to Gabe on Tuesday. Wow, the big 5! Another Kindergartener. The best of wishes to you on your birthday.

Here's To Reading

Thanks, everyone for your interest in my reading quiz. It was fun for me to choose quotes that would be recognizable, challenging, and fun for all ages. I know some of you thought your answers weren't posting, but we had fixed things so you wouldn't be able to see others answers. Hope you didn't get too worried that your comments weren't showing up. Here are the answers:

1.“I do love nothing in the world so well as you. Is not that strange?” from Much Ado About Nothing – Benedick
2. “Clam chowder for lunch!” from One Morning in Maine - Sal
3. “And my father dwelt in a tent.” from the Book of Mormon - Nephi
4. “You was always slow to see the point. If you fool with women you’ll get hit by a stove lid, sooner or later, whereas if you live with Mexicans you have to expect beans in your diet.” from Lonesome Dork, I mean Dove – Gus McCrae
5. “It’s all very well calling me, m’dear!, but odd’s life, I cannot come to you: those demmed frog-eaters have trussed me like a goose on a spit, and I am weak as a mouse . . . I cannot get away.” from the Scarlet Pimpernel – Sir Percy Blakeney aka The Scarlet Pimpernel
6. “Hello again, and now do you like my hat?” from Go Dogs, Go – the girl dog
7. “I’ve watched through his eyes, I’ve listened through his ears, and I tell you he’s the one. Or at least as close as we’re going to get. from Enders Game – Colonel Graff
8. “Do not desert me, Gabriel!” from Far from the Madding Crowd – Bathsheba
9.“Well, well,” said he, “do not make yourself unhappy. If you are a good girl for the next ten years, I will take you to a review at the end of them.” From Pride and Prejudice – Mr. Bennett
10. “Why Charles Hamilton, you handsome old thing, you! I’ll bet you came all the way down here from Atlanta just to break my poor heart!” from Gone with the Wind – Scarlett O’Hara
11. “Oh please don’t go – we’ll eat you up – we love you so!” from Where the Wild Things Are – the Wild Things
12. “Tricky customer, eh? Not to worry, we’ll find the perfect match here somewhere – I wonder, now – yes, why not – unusual combination – holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple.” from Harry Potter – Mr. Ollivander
13. “May I go out to my trough and see if I left any of my supper? I think I left just a tiny bit of mashed potato.” From Charlotte’s Web - Wilbur
14. “Thank you for my children, Arthur.” from To Kill a Mockingbird – Atticus Finch
15. “What is this meat that’s got the man?
It looks like Satan’s loose again.
How can we stand for what is true
When Satan tampers with our food?
I’ve got a burning deep inside,
But not from honor, truth, or pride.
This current burning isn’t great
Because it came from what I ate.
Because it came from what he aaaaaaaate. from Trust in Thelma’s Way – the song that goes with the dancin’ ham in the pageant- the pageant performers
16. “Compare these eyes with the red balls yonder – this face with that mask – this form with that bulk; then judge me, priest of the gospel and man of the law, and remember with what judgement ye judge ye shall be judged! Off with you now. I must shut up my prize.” from Jane Eyre – Mr. Rochester
17. Fool, you fell victim to one of the classic blunders. The most famous is ‘Never get involved in a land war in Asia,’ but only slightly less well known is this: ‘Never go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line.” From the Princess Bride – the Sicilian Dwarf
18.“I daresay you’re wondering why I don’t put my arm round your waist,” said the Duchess after a pause; “the reason is, that I’m doubtful about the temper of your flamingo. Shall I try the experiment?” from Alice in Wonderland at the croquet game where they are hitting the hedgehogs with flamingoes.
19. “Stitch, stitch, stitch, went the secret in the kitchen.” from Christmas in the Country
20.The last time I saw her she had a red nose, but I hope that may not happen every day.” From Persuasion – Sir Walter Elliot

As you can see, Jennifer was the closest with every answer correct except # 14 which is from "To Kill a Mockingbird." Atticus says this to Boo Radley the night Boo rescues the children. The quotes are some of my favorite lines from each book. As I said before, Thanks for tuning in.
Ohh, and my first songs are dedicated to reading. Go to the Library!