Part 1: Breaking Ground

After WEEKS of waiting on the city to approve our house plans, we finally started excavation today.

WIND!!!!

I think we could safely call the Tri-Cities the windy cities. It blows out here!

Here is a wind equation:

Slightly slanted parking area + no parking brake + WIND!! =

(By the way, wasn't me. And it's a good thing there was a tree to stop the truck from going into the lake!)

Tree eater

On my way to work I pass a cherry orchard. This past week I noticed that all the trees have been ripped out and there is this giant machine that eats them up and spits them out! It was pretty impressive to see. Brandon and I went for a bike ride and I got some close up photos.

Seattle!!

Last weekend Brandon and I went to Seattle. He had a continuing education conference and I went along for some fun. We looked at different tile stores, visited with friends and I got the chance to go visit my grandma and aunt. Brandon was happy that we made it to Chipotle-twice!

They say having a baby changes everything . . .

But just try an iphone/iPad- that will change your life!

Brandon and I just got "smartphones" a little while ago.

I also was fortunate to get an iPad with my work and they are amazing!

We can now navigate around "Fintucky", find out answers to questions almost instantly,share photos and much more that we probably haven't figured out yet.

Washington DC

We recently took a trip to Washington DC to visit Brandon's brother Josh, his wife Jenn and their children: Annabelle, Isabella, David, and Christian (left to right).

 Josh works as a Congressional Liason for the Army and took us all on a private tour of the Capitol.

On the "regular" tour you don't get to see this Italian Marble bathtub that early

congress members requested to be added to the Capitol. That was WAY back when

politicians weren't so dirty.

We had beautiful weather while we were there and after the Capitol tour, headed over to

the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.

Fortunately, we didn't go at night when everything becomes ALIVE.



We also spent a day walking the "mall" area and saw lots of monuments and memorials.



Notice the "dome" theme.

 Jefferson memorial

We also had a great time with Kelli Jo, my long-time friend who also lives in DC.

Kelli's united!

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorial.

Martin Luther King Jr. memorial

World War II memorial



Lincoln memorial 

Josh also took Brandon, myself and Kelli Jo on a private tour of the Pentagon which was amazing. No pictures were allowed inside but we happened to meet Josh's boss who said he was doing an excellent job. He works very long hours to ensure our troups are well taken care of.

We really appreciate Jenn taking such good care of us at their home and making us some delicious meals!

Christian and Annabelle kept us entertained with their cuteness.

Brandon played football with David (nomitated MVP of his football team) and

Isabella showed Kelli her bow-making/tree climbing skills which rival Katniss Everdeen.

Our trip home we got bumped off our flight so ended up getting a couple of free tickets from it.

Where to next?

May the Force be with you!

Princess Leia and Han Solo happended to come to our ward Halloween Trunk or Treat party!

Someday George Lucas will make another trilogy of movies

 and this is what Leia and Han's son would look like.

They would name him Tyler Castaneda.

There would be all kinds of strange characters in the new movies.

Like Rosie the Clown.

She would help the Rebel Alliance by

capturing Emporer Palpitine's thugs in her trunk

And they would all live happily ever after!