Spring Break.

Scott had spring break last week and I must say it was just what I needed. He did have to study but it was nice to not feel too guilty about having him around more, since it was after all his spring break. Being a medical student and the family of a medical student is crazy sometimes...there's always some degree of guilt when Scott spends time with us...not just from his part, but from mine too...I want him to succeed and do well and time with us means less time studying...anyway, but last week was perfect. It was just what we all needed!

On Sunday, one of my favorite people came to visit us from Florida. Troy Samuels. He was my bishop in Miami and came to D.C. on business at the Capitol. To say that I was ecstatic to have him come to meet my husband and kids is definitely an understatement! I hadn't seen this man in 10 years!...and it was like 10 years hadn't passed! He was called to be our bishop and his wife, Jennifer was my Young Women's president, he was 28 years old and Jenn was 26...I am very fond of this family! They are amazing and made such a difference in my life when I was a teenager! I'm so grateful we got to see him...and especially that he got to meet Scott...they always wondered who I would marry...and I was glad to report that I did well!!!:)

The family with Bishop Samuels (he'll always be bishop to me).

On Monday, Scott spent the day studying and I spent the day doing some major spring cleaning!

On Tuesday morning, Scott went to the public library and about noon the kids and I surprised him and MADE him go have a picnic with us at the park...it was SUCH a beautiful day...I couldn't stand the thought of my poor husband being stuck at the library on such a beautiful day!

We enjoyed some peanut butter and honey sandwiches...

...and this man whom you see in this picture wearing a blue t-shirt played and played and played with his children as if he were a child himself...

They ran and they ran and they ran...

and then...they started to fight the "bad guys"... and then...they had to ran away from the sharks...

Brielle and Braden think they have the coolest dad...because he plays with them...he's actively there with them...he gives them quality time.

I love watching them play together, as a matter of fact, nothing makes me happier.

...and then poor Mr. Braden fell and scraped his little knee...he was sad, but then he got happy.

After a while of playing, Brielle said she was tired and she needed to take a nap...leaning on the tree.

Wednesday, Brielle had preschool and Scott studied some more. When he came home, he took the kids out to ride their bikes.

This little girl is getting pretty good at it...Braden still needs some help...but he's getting the hang of it.

Thursday, we decided to head to Harpers Ferry in West Virginia. We couldn't have picked a most beautiful day to go. It was heavenly...it was in the high 60's.

Harpers Ferry National Park is just amazing! I saw some pictures on my friend Val's blog a while ago and thought it was just the most beautiful place and only an hour away from here...so I convinced Scott to go and we enjoyed it so much.

We walked along the Shenandoah River.

The kids loved running around and discovering.

I had Brielle take a picture of Scott and I. She did pretty well. I didn't even have to crop it!

Brielle is making that face because she didn't want me to take a picture of her...

The little town is really charming.

There are a few museums, we read a few things but the day was so beautiful we just wanted to be outside.

This Catholic Church was built in the late 1800's.

I loved the architecture.

There are quite a few hike trails there. We picked really short ones because of the kids...

Along one of the trails, Jefferson Rock, we saw the ruins of one of the first churches built in Harpers Ferry.

We could have definitely spent all day there, from dawn until sunset...I think we were there for 5 hours.

We promised the kids we'd let them ride their bikes and so we did.

...even I rode Braden's bike!:)

...Braden, had to "fix" it for me before though...he found a "screwdriver" (a stick) and was getting everything tight before handing me his bike...he is always "fixing" things around the house...it is really cute...

We definitely will be coming back to Harpers Ferry.

On Friday, Brielle's preschool had a Donuts for Daddy little party. Scott LOVED taking Brielle to preschool that day and Brielle was so happy to have her daddy there with her.

Are they related or what?

Scott came home with a drawing of him by Brielle (which I will scan as soon as my scanner decides to start working) and on the back of the drawing he found these questions and answers.

Answers by Brielle:

What does Dad do at work?

He helps people so they don't get sick.

What is your favorite thing to do with Dad?

Play with my princess cards.

Why do Dad and I love each other so much?

I love to give dad hugs and kisses when he goes to school.

Scott came home with a HUGE smile on his face.

Saturday was another WONDERFUL day! We couldn't pass the opportunity to go outside. So, we went to the park again and had yet another picnic.

I think this park is one of my favorite parks here in Virginia...

We spent a long time playing by the creek.

There is seriously nothing in this world more wonderful than spending time outside with nature...

Showing off some sass...:)

We had the BEST week. A week like last week, reassures me that there's nothing more precious in this life than family.