White House trick or treat

I don't even know where to begin. Today was such a BIG day filled with so many firsts and awesome experiences we will never forget. We rode the metro for the first time today. Jeff was the only one who has been on one before this. Maddie was super excited about taking it down there. She had a hard time sitting down. It took a lot longer than expected to get down there, but it was a fun trip down. 

Our whole reasoning behind going down there was for trick or treating at the White House. Our command was able to get some tickets and we jumped at the chance to go. I have never had the chance to go to any of their functions and was excited to be able to go to this one. We didn't quite know what to expect. We watched a video from a couple years back and it showed the President passing out candy along side his wife. 

It was so much more than that! We get in there and there's instantly deportations all around. Everyone is in costumes and passing out candy. There are people on stilts doing cool things and people playing around on rope twisting around. A group of singers. I can't even do it justice. I snapped some photos really quick when we were walking up to get in line. 

When we got in line to say our 'trick or treat' to the President, First Lady, and the staff, Maddie couldn't stop from admiring all of the detail and the people playing around on the tight rope and the swinging bars. We got up there and we moved pretty quickly. It was such a neat experience to do that. The First Lady commented about how cute Jackson was. I didn't get to hear anything with Maddie. She was quick. 

After going through that line, we continued to walk around and see what all there was. I mean..  There were things to see everywhere and people all around passing out candy. We stopped and took a few pictures with things Maddie really enjoyed. We were able to see some pretty cool performances and snap some great pictures to add to our memory. Maddie was having too much fun at this point and didn't want to leave, but we were all past hungry and eating candy wasn't an option. 

Once we left and started to look for a place to eat, I saw some really pretty scenery I had to get a few pictures of. We talked with Maddie about how cool that was, how not too many children get to do that sort of thing and how lucky she is, and that it was such an awesome experience  and do as a family. 

We sat down at Potbelly and I felt warm. I knew right then and there that Jackson had peed through his diaper and onto me. Sure enough, he did! I not only had to sit through dinner with pee on me, but now have to walk back blocks to the station, take a ride on the metro home, and then drive him before I could get out of my clothes. Who doesn't love smelling like pee?? Ha. 

After dinner, we were walking back and saw the front of the White House. So, we stopped and took a few pictures. My pictures didn't turn out great, but I will always remember what it looked like. Then we stopped in a White House gift Shop and looked around. We collect ornaments from places we've been, so I snatched up an ornament. It only seemed right. :) Maddie took some photos at the desk of the president a podium where he speaks. She was loving it all. 

We finally made our way back to the metro and got there just in time. We got the kiddos home, changed over, and in to bed where they passed right out. I'm sore we will all sleep good tonight. :) 

Enjoy the pictures 

My little Repunzel and Super Man

She was beyond excited for a new experience. 

Making our way to the White House 

Posing with a guy on stilts

Waiting in line to see the President

 

She's so close! 

A minion!! 

The Presidents Band 

What a treat that was!! 

The President giving Hershey kisses to Maddie 

Jackson's turn! 

The First Lady! 

Some of the staff passing out candy 

Else in a bubble 

Family shot in front of the Oval Office 

The candy that the President and Forst lady passed out 

Maddie wanted a picture in front of it. 

The department of Treasury building 

Maddie practicing to be president one day. 

Did you hear her speech? 

A selfie on the way home 

He was in a good mood. 

I hope you enjoyed all of the pictures. It was the coolest thing to do. I still can't believe we were able to go and do something like that. 

Maddie was walking home and she kept saying " I'm so lucky to be able to do that. I am so lucky. That was cool. I have the best parents. I met the President. I am so lucky to be able to see all of this history down here."  

I don't think she quite grasps how cool or special that moment was, but one day she will. 

Until next time... Have fun, be safe, and enjoy life. 

Lori 

The Pumpkin Patch

Every year around this time, we head up to Gaver's Farm. You can easily spend a full day up there and not be bored. They have so much to do for the kids. Madison loves going up there. I had planned for us to spend the whole day together up there, but Jeff's college teacher changed the due date on his paper (pushing it up a week), so we could only spend a few hours there. 

Reguardless, we all had a ton of fun seeing as much as we could in the short time we had up there. We may not have been able to do a lot of things that they had to offer, but we made a lot of memories that I know we will never forget. At the end of the day,  we all came home and crashed afterwards (except Jeff who did homework). 

Enjoy the pictures and descriptions of what was going on. 

Our traditional photo with a new member in it :) 

Maddie having a blast on the jumping pillow. We can never get her off of it. I waited to go that day when her sling was off and she was completely healed up. 

My boys while we wait for sissy to jump it out. 

Another yearly picture! Just shy of 4 feet!! She needs to slow down. 

She loves this slide and was waiting in line before we could even get there. 

Daddy took Jackson down the slide. Poor little man had no clue on what to think about it. 

My model wanted to take a picture with everything possible. 

She was so excited to do the corn maze.  She 'knew' exactly where to go and led the way. Ha. It turned out to be an adventure. I'm just glad we convinced her to do the kid one and not the regular. We may still be in there as I type. 

This is a scenery shot while I waited for Maddie to play on the pirate ship they had. It doesn't do it justice with all of the beautiful fall colors. It was simply gorgeous. 

Again, my model wanted a picture of a huge chair. :) 

Feeding the goats. -all by herself I feel the need to add-  

The alpacas were too cute to not get a picture of. 

Sometimes she thinks she's too big to hold her daddy's hand in public. I'm glad today wasn't one of those days. 

Our attempt at a family photo.  

We were on our way to the pumpkin patch to pick our pumpkins. 

Our view while we rode to the pumpkins. 

Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of us picking pumpkins. Maddie found one for Jackson right away, but kept picking up and putting down hers to go find another one. After I found ones for Jeff and me, she finally found one and we made our way back. At that point, I had no hands to take pictures. I guess I can't win them all. 

Just a picture of Jackson and I while we wait around. 

One of the main reasons I go up there. ;) apple cider donuts. Yummy! 

We made so many memories up there and I can't wait to see our masterpieces on our pumpkins. 

I thank God for days like those where I can appreciate the time I get with my family and see the smiles on their faces. Jackson may not remember all of these things we do, but we have pictures and our memories for him until he can do it himself. 

Until next time... Have fun, be safe, and enjoy life! 

Lori