DC 2011

Last week, I headed to Washington DC for a work conference. I was able to stay for the weekend and spend some time with my cousin who lives there. It was so much fun! My conference was on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning.

On Thursday morning, I took the metro and walked the monuments.

Washington Monument

WWII Memorial

Vietnam Memorial

Lincoln Monument

Me & Abe

Korean War Memorial

Let me just say, it is kind of awkward being alone and asking people to take your picture. One lady asked me, "So, it's just you?" Ha. (Unfortunately, Chad couldn't make the trip due to school.) Thursday night, I met my cousin for dinner in Crystal City.

After my conference ended on Friday, I met my cousin at the Air and Space Museum. We quickly walked through that and then headed home to meet Justin for dinner.

The Wright Brother's plane

Air & Space Museum

We went into Clarendon for dinner. We ate at The Burger Joint. After we went to Crumbs for a cupcake. I got a Cotton Candy cupcake and it was delicious! I wanted to get a picture, but eating it was so much better! (I need to figure out where I can get one in UT.)

On Saturday, we went to the National Archives, Natural History Museum, American History Museum, and the White House. We also walked up to China Town for lunch.

Natural History Museum

The Hope Diamond. 45 Karats of flawless, perfectly cut diamonds. It's on my Christmas list this year!

American History Museum

Dorothy's shoes in the Wizard of Oz. "There's no place like home."

The original Muppet's

The biggest Barbie House - AMAZING! I was obsessed with Barbie's when I was young. Me and my friend, Emily, played til we were in Junior High (no joke!)

The Star Spangled Banner exhibit. This had the original flag that inspired Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner. Very cool!

Michelle Obama's Inaugural Dress.

Me, Debbie, and Nolan in front of the White House

With with Nolan

We spent Sunday at the Tidal Basin. We went to the FDR Memorial, MLK Memorial, and Jefferson Memorial. We also stopped by Iwo Jima.

This dog is part of the FDR Memorial. It is a "Wannabe Miley."

MLK Memorial

I love DC! There is so much to do and there is so much history. A huge Thank You to Debbie and Justin for letting my stay at their house on Friday and Saturday night.

They were the best hosts! It was so much fun to spend time with them and see their cute baby, Nolan! He is seriously the best baby! He would just chill while we walked around.

Anna Lee Ralph Johansen

Anna Lee Ralph Johansen

1929 ~ 2011

Our beloved mother and grandmother returned home to her Heavenly Father on October 2, 2011.

Anna Lee Ralphs Johansen was born in Moore, Utah on July 16, 1929 to Mirl Ralphs and Blanch Cook Ralphs. Ann, along with her five sisters and one brother, was raised in Ferron, Utah, where she graduated from South Emery High School. She attended Carbon Junior College.

On June 15, 1949 she married her high school sweetheart and the love of her life, Kent Johansen, in the Manti Temple. They moved to Salt Lake where Kent attended pharmacy school. Ann was active in the Pharmacy Auxiliary and served on the Auxiliary Board and as President of the Utah Pharmacy Auxiliary. Ann was a member of the LDS Church and served in many capacities. She served with Kent in the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission where they touched many lives and made life long friends.

Her greatest joy was being a wife, mother and grandmother. She was an excellent cook, no one did it better. Good food was a treasure to her, and she loved being able to share it with her family and friends. She loved everything about cooking, including baking from "scratch", and preparing large family dinners. Birthday dinners at Grandma Jo's were filled with great food, love and laughter. She made every one of her children

and grandchildren feel loved and special.

Ann is survived by her six children and spouses, Rosemary (Russ) Sorensen, Richard (Paula), Kathy (Jeff) Wells, Cindy (Scott) Royall, Bruce (Leslie), and Kevin (Kaesi), 23 beautiful grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Chad's sweet, beautiful Grandma passed away on Sunday. Grandma Jo was one of a kind! She had the feistiest personality and always spoke her mind! She was the life of the party and always made sure there was enough food at these parties to feed an army! Chad's Grandma welcomed me into her family with open arms! I am so grateful to her and for the example she has set for us. I am sure she is happy to be with her sweet Kent again!

supercalifragilisticexpialidocious

On Saturday my parents took us to see Mary Poppins. It was so cute and so fun and the talent was awesome. Mary Poppins was so talented, I felt like I was watching Julie Andrews! I loved it!! I love when Broadway shows stop in SLC. It makes for such a fun night out.

Thanks so much, Mom and Dad!

TRI it...

Chad just competed in his first Triathalon! He is amazing and he did so good. It was fun for me to watch everyone. There were some interesting competitors (aka the guy who didn't wear goggles and didn't get his hair wet and the lady who did the bike portion on the beach cruiser.) It was so fun to watch him.

Killing it on the Swim

Moving onto the bike.

Chad is an animal on a bike. So, funny story. I had walked out to the street to watch Chad come by on his bike. When I could see him coming I started cheering and started taking pictures. The lady in the green thought I was taking pictures of her...she was totally waving, posing, and smiling!

Onto the run....he had already swam and biked and he still had a smile on his face! I would have been crying.

Coming into the finish line. So, kind of funny...in the background you can see the kid in the black outfit. Once they turned the corner these people next to me started going crazy! They were yelling at the kid "Catch him! Catch him!" Well the kid was at a mad sprint!! My competitiveness kicked in and I jumped up and was yelling at Chad, "Run, Run, Run!! Don't let him catch you!" Typically I'm a pretty low key spectator, but not this time! Good thing is, Chad beat him!

I'm so proud of you Chaddy!