SEPTEMBER 2009: Lessons of Liberty!

OUR FIRST, HISTORICAL Adventure: Thomas Jefferson's, Monticello. This was his favorite place in the world. He grew up here as a boy then eventually decided to study architecture a bit so he could build his own house. This more well-known view is the back where guests would roam the lawns and gardens.


After a short video, we chose to walk 0.5 miles up to Monticello. The trees were so dense, old, and felt full of history! An enchanting walk.
Thomas Jefferson's head stone--I love how it was the brightest one in the sunlight! He is surrounded by family members and friends

This man studied much more than I knew. The thirst for learning is inspiring. Jefferson had gardens galore! Here's an attempted photo. This garden was wide and about 1/4 mile long at least.
Ah, how lovely and romantic is a LONG trelace of beautiful flowers and sweet peas?

An overlook built along the edge of the garden into the valley below.
A better view of where Weston was sitting
The back porch of Monticello
A favorite. Weston and Monticello reflected in the fish pond (catch a bunch of fish, stick them in a pond close to the house, then get the one you want for dinner! Brilliant! Now-a-days that's a 4-star restaurant)
AT LAST, our first trip into our Nation's capital: WASHINGTON, D.C.! We took the opportunity to extend our temple trip and train it into the city the following day. It was so amazing and we can't wait to go back! It would take weeks to really see the "ins and outs" of this inspiring place.

The Washington Monument pictured behind the beautiful WWII Memorial
Hmm, until the kids are grown or people are close by, most our pictures will look like this. Weston's really good at getting the object behind our hugemangous noggins.
Learning from Amelia Earhart
The Spirit of St. Louis! This tiny thing flew non-stop across the Atlantic--without cruise control.

Wow, how things have grown!
One of my favorites. The Lincoln Memorial was a reverent and inspiring place. It was easy to feel and see the Lord's hand in instituting this Nation for His eternal purposes.
View Lincoln Memorial from the Washington Monument
At last! The White House! There was some kind of even going on it seems, so of course the tent was bam, right there :) We could see the bee hives and garden that Michelle Obama put in. Pretty amazing to be there!
The World War II Memorial was another very inspiring place to be. Some veterans of that war were visiting the same day. Very touching.


The Sculpture Gardens. This serious bunny-thinker was my particular favorite there. Ah, it makes me happy!
WOW oh WOW!! We had no idea the Art Museum at the National Mall was so HUGE and contained so many incredible works of art. Weston, the painter, was in art history heaven. We could spend hours there, so we just stayed in the French art section. MONET--"I've seen paintings of that painting"--here it is!
One of my favorite Monet's. A cottage in early morning. Beautiful flowers. Country. A pregnant wife saying goodbye to her husband for the day. Beautiful!

AUGUST: Arrival and New Beginnings

Our second weekend here we went up to the temple in our district: Washington D.C. Our Bishop invited us to drive up with him and his wife (nearly 5 hours one way!) for our first trip. The drive is worth it in every way. It was beautiful to again feel the peace and joy of the temple. We felt right at home and so grateful to be as near as we are.


Virginia Tech campus: Founded in 1872 (Blacksburg was founded in 1798).



Weston's first day of graduate school. Hurray!

First thing to come together (almost): The kitchen of course...er extended closet...Everything at arms reach! Yea for cooking!

It took a few days for the truck to arrive, but when it did, along came 13 people from our Ward who heard of our need to help us move! They made us feel so welcome and supported! Together, it only took an hour to move in our boxes. Without them, it would likely have taken us 2 back braces and 2-3 days!

Road Trip!

Moving from Utah to Virginia was a 35 hour road trip, but it went surprisingly fast! Everyday there was something beautiful to see (in addition to a LOT of corn).
The St. Louis Arch!

Due to unfortunate events, I had to wear Weston's shorts and apparently, they were too short (though sadly, they fit :P )! So don't judge me. Eek, that was a long day...! No, this pod did not take us to the mother ship. We couldn't resist a picture. This tiny white pea-pod thing took us up to the top of the arch!

We visited Kanesville, Iowa which holds historical reference to my life (where England immigrant, great-great-great Grandpa George Whitaker married his wife as they were crossing the plains), but to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (where Brigham Young officially became second Prophet and President). Pictured is the side of the tabernacle (a genius structure for its time and circumstance!).


Winter Quarters Visitor Center (where Weston's sister is serving her mission), the temple grounds (right off the Winter Quarters cemetery which is beautiful), and Liberty Jail are other places we had the privilege of visiting. Each place had a very reverent, solemn, and peaceful spirit. We were very touched by the many known and unknown lives that lived with faith, love, and believing hearts. One can't help but want to live a more devoted, Christ-like life.

A Time to Play and a Time to Pack

VIRGINIA OR BUST, August 2009: After our wonderful first 3 months of marriage, it was time to say goodbye to our first home and our loving family and friends to move back East for Weston's graduate program (Architecture) at Virginia Tech.

Our first happy home. Thank you for your help Grandma Richards! We miss living close by!

Moving took more time and work than expected. We could NOT have finished in time without the help of our amazing family (special thanks to my Mom and Diana who came and did what I could not when I was sick), and beautiful friends! Casey Gleave, Laura and Scott Bowles, Jessie, and my Alta wonderwomen were literal ANGELS in our messiest hours--THANK YOU!
Don't work too hard boys!
Before the move...Home Sweet Home.
Gotta love the furnishings--and borrowed at that! :)Spoiled with a great big kitchen AND a husband who is always surprising me by impromptu dish washing! So sweet!

SUMMER VIGNETTES: This was the summer of family, friends, and reunions! In short: Absolutely amazing! It flew by insanely fast. It was also a summer of funky health for me--ah adventures! Weston has been an incredible support at new and often hard things. These pictures come from Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah.

Goo~ There are more pictures I has added, but my computer is being funny. So, imagine more amazing family and smiling faces...

West and his Nacho Libre smile Our brave 3 yr. old niece LOVES this thing! "Again?"