Memorial Day

Incorporated in 1995, Rolling Thunder®, Inc. is a non-profit organization with over 80 chartered chapters throughout the United States and members abroad. Membership is comprised of men and women with 40-45% being non-veterans with the balance being veterans from all wars and peace-time. Although many of its members ride motorcycles, a person does not have to own or ride a motorcycle to be a member, just the time and willingness to be an advocate for troops, veterans, and POW/MIA’s. - information taken from official Rolling Thunder Website

Bikes, Bikes, everywhere!

Local news stations estimated 300,000 Rolling Thunder
participants this year!

Bikers buying pins

Every year, on Memorial Day weekend, the Rolling Thunder participants ride from the Pentagon to the Vietnam War Memorial. We happened to be there right during that time. There were SO MANY bikes! It was a lot of fun to watch, even though it was noisy!


Rolling Thunder from kaylaj on Vimeo

Support for Troops

Patriotic Musician

Concert at the Capitol

Unfortunately, a storm blew in a couple hours before the concert at the Capitol was scheduled. We had just gotten through security and were sitting on the lawn, waiting. However, the Capitol police ended up evacuating the area just before the rain hit. We waited for a bit under the shelter of a nearby building, but eventually just went on home. The concert did go on, however, as the storm was short lived. We just ended up watching it from our comfortable couch and not sitting on the wet grass!

Shall We Go For A Walk Today?

Sabbath afternoon in the park...a family of geese!

Geese In The Park from kaylaj on Vimeo

Graduation Weekend!!

May 9-14.

I had a GREAT time seeing family and friends.

I FINALLY got my diploma! Yipee!! (It's about time!)

The family - aren't we cute?! Thanks for coming!

With Grandpa and Grandma at Sabbath lunch :)

My marching buddy and awesome pal, Lisa. We did it!

Little "bro" and fellow North Dakotan, Jeremy.

My 4 best sisters - reunion!

Yee-haw!

The National Zoo

Ice cream, anyone?!

Thank goodness! I don't like salamanders!

This emu was slightly hostile...

We were really lucky and were able to see the Pandas in action that day. This panda was happily eating bamboo :) It was exciting (and very cute) to watch!
Picnic Time for Panda Bears from kaylaj on Vimeo


My favorite zoo animals! The Timons! (meerkats)
Meerkat Manners from kaylaj on Vimeo


The prairie dog exhibit was fun to watch! They are so cute!
This prairie dog found a snack it shouldn't have been eating!
Don't Eat That! from kaylaj on Vimeo

I was TOO TALL!! SO THERE!

The lions were also out and roaming about.
This one was relaxing in the afternoon.
Julia, myself, and Beth at the small mammal house.

Cherry Blossom Festival

The National Cherry Blossom Festival annually commemorates the gift of cherry trees from the country of Japan. In 1912, Mayor Yukio Ozaki of Tokyo gave the USA 3,000 of the trees to enhance the growing friendship between the United States and Japan. By 1915, the United States government had responded with a gift of flowering dogwood trees to the people of Japan. The trees surround the Tidal Basin of the Potomac River. In 1981, the cycle of giving came full circle. Japanese horticulturalists came to take cuttings from the D.C. trees to replace Yoshino cherry trees in Japan which had been destroyed in a flood. With this return gift, the trees again fulfilled their roles as a symbol and agent of friendship. - information taken from the official website

Gorgeous Blossoms!

Around the Tidal Basin

The Jefferson Memorial

From the steps of the Jefferson Memorial

FDR Memorial

Me with "Fala" Roosevelt

At the FDR Memorial

Korean War Memorial

Reflecting Pool at the Korean War Memorial

The Lincoln Memorial

From the steps of the Lincoln Memorial

Looking back at the Lincoln Memorial

Remembering Nurses

The Washington Monument

The Vietnam Memorial

Vietnam Memorial - Fallen Soldiers

All 50 States surround the central pavilion

Look which two states are right next to each other!

People enjoying the blossoms along the Potomac River.