Birthday Goodness

Saw a Silly Movie
Ate some dairy-free deliciousness (chili and cornbread!)
i have some good pals :)

The Trees in D.C.

The Christmas Tree in front of the Capitol Building

Julia and I in front of the Capitol Christmas TreeThe National Christmas Tree
Pretty, Pretty Tree!
Around the National Tree they have a tree for each state.
This is the best tree!Yep, it's the NORTH DAKOTA tree!! Yee-haw!
(I did not have to wait in a line of people for this picture..haha!)

Thanksgiving In NYC

Thanksgiving in NYC! An exciting adventure :)

Up EARLY to get a good spot in Times Square for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
We grabbed our spot around 6:15 am :) It was a good spot!

Times Square at Sunrise

The crowds at the parade - we never got on TV because we were in the spot where all the camera people also wanted to be. Oh, well, we had the best view!

My favorite show as a kid - there were several of the
classic Sesame Street characters on this float!

It was fun watching the balloon handlers - they all have matching outfits and vests. In between floats and balloons, clowns came over to the crowds. They told us jokes, threw confetti, and wished us a Happy Thanksgiving. We were right in the front, so we got a lot of clown-fives :)

SANTA!!!! Forget all the famous people we saw - here he is!!!

We walked through Central Park. It was a lovely, warm day!

5th Avenue - we looked at all the fancy, Christmas window displays.

The Tree in Rockefeller Center. We didn't get to see the lighting ceremony because it was scheduled for a later date, but we plan to see the one here in D.C. next week :)

In Rockefeller Center

Steven Curtis Chapman Concert

A few of us went to a Steven Curtis Chapman Concert in Virginia on Saturday night. Bethany Dillon and Sanctus Real were also there.

Before we got there, we stopped for food. The man behind the counter almost didn't sell me this kids' meal. Seriously. It was one of the only things on the menu that was dairy free. Silly man.


The concert was great! I was especially blessed by the Chapman family's focus on adoption and desire to help orphans.


Sanctus Real - The Face of Love from kaylaj on Vimeo.



Steven Curtis Chapman and his daughters from kaylaj on Vimeo.


Steven Curtis Chapman - Miracle of the Moment from kaylaj on Vimeo.

Renaissance Festival

Here I am preparing myself for the merriment...

Here is Julia preparing herself (hehe!).

We watched the jousting, which was fun.

There was a lot of really weird food....

Too bad I didn't have some of my naughty students with me -
I could have left them unattended....(just kidding!)

Julia and I enjoying the show...

Macbeth, A Parody, in 20 minutes or less...

BODIES: The Exhibition

Today Beth and I went to BODIES. It was extremely interesting and informative! Real human bodies have been specially preserved in order that we might see the actual bones, muscles, organs, and nerves that make our bodies so wonderful.

Though this experience, I was once again reminded of my belief in Creation. Our bodies could not have just "happened" to be made so amazingly! Anyway, though some parts were slightly creepy (like a human skin all laid out in a display case) it was tastefully done and presented in an educational and informative manner. It was a unique experience!

Labor Day Weekend

A visit from Mom and Dad and time to relax!! Just what I needed!

Dad and I at the Aquarium in Baltimore.

Dancing Dolphins from kaylaj and Vimeo.

Julia and I at the National Zoo

By the bamboo...at the zoo :)



Snacktime for Panda Bears from kaylaj and Vimeo.