Our love for the National Arboretum continues to grow!

The National Arboretum is my new favorite place for a leisurely stroll. We all enjoy being outdoors in the beautiful weather, the gorgeous flowers & trees, and the birds we see at every visit. 

This was the first time Tyson had ever been to the arboretum and it didn't take long for him to declare "I want to come back again!" 

Don't mind that sassy guy who refused to smile for photos. Actually, I kinda love these photos of him...makes me laugh because that's exactly what I was doing behind the camera with all of his poses. 

Taryn has really taken to Photography. We let her take our DSLR and go crazy with it. I love the perspective I gain by seeing the world through her eyes. 

Not bad Taryn! We were chuckling because she kept saying things like, "Move your arm...no...like this..." and "scoot over just a bit....right there!"

I wonder where she gets it from ;)

This pose Haddie threw out for Taryn had us busting at the seams. Not a soul told her to pose like that. That's just pure Haddie- ness right there. 

Tyson posing for Taryn's last photos before we got in the car :)

I really love the everyday scenes she snapped. Buckling in Haddie like I do several times a day.

The Azalea Gardens were just blooming to the brim when we visited. 

Another sassy Tyson photo ;) I'm pretty sure the girls were catching his feelings of not wanting to stop for photos either. 

On our 2nd visit a week or two later, we let Tayrn have the camera again and the photos we got back didn't disappoint. 

<3

Picking wildflowers, seeing the bald eagles that nest at the Arboretum every year and running into friends. A perfect stroll indeed.

I love how small we seem compared to the last lands that is the Arboretum, and especially with the old Capitol building pillars in the background. 

In her element. 

We wandered for hours and had the best of times. My family thrives with constant outdoors time. I love what we discover and how we interact with one another. 

Nature has my heart. 

It became a great outlet for Tyson during some pretty stressful work events. He would wait for the weekends and we would get outside as much as possible. It was great therapy for all of us. 

Spring Tulips at the Farm

Tyson found this Farm months ago and we anticipated their Spring opening for weeks! 

The crazy Spring/Summer then back to Winter weather we had in March/April confused the tulips and daffodils so we had to wait a long time. 

We waited for a weekend where we could all go together which was tricky to find with other scheduled activities. So the one Saturday we had was raining on and off. We must have checked the weather at least 100 times for the days leading up to Saturday and that very day. It gave us great anxiety hoping the rain would actually clear. We finally just decided to go for it with out rain boots and jackets in hand. 

I'm so glad we arrived when we did because the first 20-30 minutes we had there was rain free! 

Taryn and Haddie loved the idea of picking their own flowers and were quick to fill their baskets. 

The rain soon started up again and it was freezing cold, but the kids were having fun with friends and didn't seem to mind for a bit. 

Friends together again! It's always a party when we're with the Williams :)

This is one of my favorite pictures of Taryn!!

We loved this little adventure even though it was cut short because of the freezing rain. I would love to go back again when the weather is better. We all got to the car shaking from the cold and wanting to dry off especially after the girls jumped on the soaked Jump House and slide on the wet blow up slide. It was worth it! We warmed up, eat some food and put our beautiful tulips and daffodils around our home. 

The Smith's Easter Weekend

Our ward's Easter Brunch is always fun and we've learned that we have to arrive early so that we can be there for the Easter Egg Hunt. Taryn really wanted to wear those cute little bunny ears the whole time and I loved it! 

 I was also super proud of Taryn. There were lots of kids who came later and didn't get a chance to hunt for eggs, so Taryn hid her eggs from some of them and also put her eggs in the little children's baskets. My mama's heart was super proud. 

Haddie enjoyed collecting her eggs and instantly eating half the chocolate in them. And that skirt?! Yup, couldn't leave the house without it on :)

Olivia and Haddie are such great besties! 

(Colin and Ethan are pretty cute too!)

There are two days a year that I REALLY like to get a family picture with everyone dressed in their Sunday best. Easter and Mother's Day. 

This Easter was HOT! Very unusual for early Spring and the girls were melting down but I was so happy we got my photo!! 

I requested that we go to the Netherlands Carillon near the Arlington Cemetery because the beautiful tulips were in bloom. 

When we arrived Tyson instantly understood exactly why I wanted to go there. I love him so much. He understands how much I love a good photo! And I have to say that he is really good at taking beautifully framed photos of our family too! 

Tulips and the Washington Monument. 

Taryn and Haddie were troopers! They really did love all the beautiful tulips we saw during this quick outing. Taryn enjoyed wandering on her own through the flowers and taking them all in . 

Each girl picked their favorite color of tulip and asked for me to take a picture of them with their specify tulips. 

Letting them take a break from smiling. Also taking a break from the sun. It really was hot hot hot. 

See their red faces?

Taryn had a blister on her foot, Haddie needed food and Tyson & I both were trying to get back to the car without everyone falling apart. Tyson even took to recording the girls and their complaining, which we listened to back in the car. It was pretty funny once all was said and done but man, getting to the car was like walking 5,000 miles for the girls (and it was only 5 minutes in reality.) 

We had Easter Dinner at our house with the Mellings and the Haleys. I love having them over for dinner and how the kids all play and have fun together. 

Brittany and Seth were asking about our girls scooters (Mini Micro scooters are simply the best ever!) so we all headed outside to test out scooters and have fun. Our neighbor was kind to take our picture. Such a fun group! I'm thankful I have a sister who lives close and such a great friend like Lynne! I'm one lucky girl. 

I love the kids table! Cute little kids having their own conversations and cracking me up! 

These kids are the best. 

Taryn and Haddie had a so much fun dying their Easter Eggs this year. We did it outside (thanks to my friend planting the idea in my head. ) It was so much better for my nerves to not have to worry about the dyed water spilling or glitter & paint getting every where. 

I was able to really relax through this process and the I could tell the girls loved it. 

Tyson did a great job at incorporating the real reason we celebrate Easter into Easter week.We read daily scriptures and watched special Easter videos made by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I loved the Spirit it set for the week and teaching our girls the great gift Jesus Christ gave us by dying on the cross for us. We're grateful for the Atonement, the Resurrection and the ability we have to Repent. 

I'm thankful for Tyson and his desire to help our family each and every day be more like Christ.