Washington DC -Day 2

Gettysburg


Even though it is only the 2nd day of vacation, it was by far my favorite day! We got up and drove for a while. All the way up to Gettysburg. It was really pretty along the way but I fell asleep yet again. Once I woke up the sights were astonishing! The tree leaves were changing colors. Some were green, some were red and yellow, some were orange and brown.









Then we arrived to Gettysburg around 3 O'clock. We went to the museum on the battle field. In the museum we watched a film and saw the cyclorama. The cyclorama was my favorite because I didn't want to go at first; because I had recently learned about it in History class. (Cyclorama- 360 panoramic; painted in 1884, 20 years after the battle took place;painted in less then a year)

My Experience:
Learning about History in a book makes it seem unreal. But, once you go on a trip, and experience it it becomes a story. Learning about everything today made me realize how much I don't listen to my teacher or what the books tell us. Standing and looking at the cyclorama made me understand all the casualties of war. The bombs were fired left and right, gun powder so thick you couldn't see in front of you face, men falling down by the thousands, general shouting orders, horses strucken dead bu bullets. Once the 3 gruesome days were over the wounded crowded into homes; turned into hospitals. Over time many died from infections, many survived though too. The war continued, but we were once again a Union.



We made our way to Washington D.C. later today. As the clock stricks midnight it is time for me to get to bed. *Turns off lights*

Steps walked today: 3873

GOODNIGHT MY BRAVE SOLDIERS!

Washington DC -Day 1

Pennsylvania- Steelers game

We left LAX Airport at 10:45 on Saturday night. I was really hyper at the airport but as soon as we got onto the airplane I hit a state of exhaustion. Me and Kody say next to each other on the plane (our seats were across from the bathroom). As soon as the pilot took away the seat belt sign away...A never ending stream of light hit our face. Door open, door close, door open, door close, almost asleep, drunk guy hits our chairs, uses bathroom, doesn't close door... common sense people. I mean really you can't shut a door?

Kody feel asleep on my shoulder, It made me feel important and needed. We landed in North Carolina at 5:30am. We had a 2 hour lay-over before we got on our connecting flight to Pennsylvania. Sure enough we fell asleep on that 1 hr and 30 min flight.


Once we got our rental car we drove for 20 minutes (I fell asleep once again) to Heinz Stadium (Pittsburgh Steelers). Once we there, we saw thousands and thousands of people. The tail-gate parties were crazy! There were over 20 LARGE parking lots filled with them. Everyone attending the game was dressed in their own personal take on the Steelers attire. People had their face's painted (including Kody),
crazy suits, hats that even made them look crazy.

We sat in front of this family, they were "true" fans as you could say. Every call they had some input. Bad Call- "Boo ref you suck" or "Dirty Raiders!" Plus, their daughter would repeats the mom's EVERY word. Good Call- "Finally ref" or "Go Steelers!" It got old really fast.


As we were walking to a restaurant after the game for dinner, My dad dropped his "terrible towel" and these drunk ladies grabbed it and ran up to him. The ladies kept repeating and slurring the words, " Sir, sir, sir! You, you dropped your to-towel." We get it he dropped his towel. Is it really that hard to ask you to stop drinking beer so you can talk! But, it was really funny and I thought they were going to fall over.

We walked to "Jerome Bettis Grill 36", which was packed (no surprise there). We ended up eating dinner at a steakhouse called "Hyde Park." My dad said (quote) "This is the best steak I've ever had!" And we all tried each others food; which made it all the better. Dinner was delicious!


As the day comes to a close, we are all worn out; the 3 hours time difference sucks, the football game was a blast, and dinner was great! So good night California and hello Washington D.C.

Step walked today: 5890

Civil War Re-enactment

Had a fun day with the family today! We went to Moorpark for a Civil War re-enactment. We saw all the guns, sabers(swords), and canons; blare for hours at a time! We got to see Abraham Lincoln
gave a speech called the Gettysburg Address and General Custer
talked about his great triumphs and failures. For a man who failed in the act of trying to free our country; is a pretty decent man I would say. Even though he lead thousands of men to their death and will be considered a fool in the History books for the rest of time; he will be a hero for the dedication and effort he put in.








Today was such a good day for me to take pictures! I took some great pictures that showed the simple facts of war. War is a place where men and women are fighting for us. We may have been to scared to fight oursleves but the sacrafices they make for us show the heart the have for their country. Whether they return home or not they will know what they have done for us and I hope we can all realize how important they are to us. Please, come home safely <3

My Photography:

Santa Monica Pier

Today we went to the Santa Monica Pier and while we were there we went on a 10 mile bike ride, walked around Venice, played in the ocean, and went to the Pier. We got to the beach around 10 in the morning and it was cold and cloudy and then we went on our bike ride and on it we say a poke-a-dot house, AND Barbies Dream House! They were the 2 UGLIEST houses in the world! I would never ever let a family member live there! So very ugly!

Then went we got to Venice we had lunch and saw some creepers. My friend that was there with us was freaking out and hyperventilating because druggies were yelling and cursing at each other. She thought they were gonna pull guns out and shoot her. I got a kick out of it. And then we went back to the Pier.

When we got to the Pier we went on a roller coaster, Farris wheel, and bumper cars. Before we did all that we just stared out into the ocean and watched the gentle ripples in the ocean move up and down. It was to gorgeous! Then after we finished going on all the rides we got these HUGE ice cream cones!

After we got our cones we walked back to the front of the Pier so we could go play in the water. As Kody and His friend played in the water, my friend and I put are feet in the sand because it was starting to get cold again. And as we got bored we had a race down the beach....guess who won...her the track star or me the volleyball star. I did, because she twisted her ankle earlier in the day. I still say i won though.

After spending about 45 minutes goofing of down by the water we had to get back home so Kody could get to football practice. We all wish we could have stayed longer. Even though we couldn't it was definitely worth the trip!

Aquarium of the Pacific

I had a blast with the family today at the Aquarium! We got to pet/touch sharks, sting rays, and bat rays. They felt like velvet and were really slimy. I didn't want to touch them at first but, I am glad I did it at the end. I'm glad I didn't miss out on that once in a lifetime opportunity.

As we went through all the exhibits the had this emboss thing-a-ma-jig so you could get stamps for your program. That entertained me a lot! We also went the seal show. It was the most crowded thing in my life, we had to stand in the back. We could barely see anything...except Dad because he is so tall.

After we visited the Aquarium we went and sat on a patch of grass to look at the Queen Mary. Yes, that is the "HAUNTED" ship.
Just to sit there and stare at the ship, was amazing. You heard the crashing of the waves against the pointed rocks. The sound of the moter boats going against the wind. The roar of their engines. It just made the view that much more spectacular!

For lunch we went to Bubba Gump and ate lots and LOTS of shrimp! It was really yummy but, so incredibly filling. After we stuffed or stomachs we drove home and the traffic was a beast. All in all, I love hanging out with the family.

Horseback Riding

Wake up 7 in the morning, get dressed and jump in the car and of to Sunset Ranch we go! The ride there through the hills was a pretty view, we saw the Hollywood sign in the way up through the million dollar homes and everything! That view is something that I will never forget!




So when we got to the Ranch in the hills we, got on our horses and rode for 2 hours. So much fun! I rode Boomer, Kody rode Galaxy, and mom rode Ace. The horses were so much fun to ride. But, after riding horses for 2 hours through the hills past the Hollywood sign, Grifth Observatory, and the top of the

mountains to see over all of Hollywood. That view was by far the most BEAUTIFUL thing ever! I want to go horseback riding again!

While we were also on the ride 1 of the 2 tour guides was being super funny and asking us all the these horse trvia questions that I knew the answer to some of them. Kody knew way more than me. Its all because of that show he watches called "Deadliest Warrior". The mentor was very impressed with Kody's knowledge on horse's, war, and kingdoms of the old days.

Well, I had so much fun with the family and I can't wait to spend more time with everyone!

Aunt Sherry

This week Aunt Sherry visited from Washington, just after Uncle Brian passed away. I'm so glad she came to visit us for a while, it was a blast. We went to so many places you couldn't imagine!

When we first picked Aunt Sherry up from the airport we went to pinks! Yum! The best hot dot place in California (agreed by everyone). So we ate some pretty wacky hot dogs, guacamole-dog, polish-dogs, and the big leaguer (everything on it...thats right EVERYTHING). Then after that we went to the Guinness book of World Records building. We saw the tallest man,











fattest man,smallest women, and Elvis! "Ahhhhh!" For what it was worth it was a lot of fun!

Then we went to Venice Beach another day! There were some really funny pot-heads there, that screamed at us about random junk. We laughed and walked away! I thought is was the funniest thing of my life! And then as we walked around Aunt Sherry bought Kody a metal man and she bought me a new bag. Yes, a new bag for me...the bag-a-holic. Thank you so much!

Then in our free time we played lots of Monopoly. And I beat her once out of 4 games. Kody never won once. Sucker! And Kody also had a baseball tournament when Aunt Sherry was here...they won all there games and Aunt Sherry enjoyed watching him play! Oh, and the girls(mom, Sherry, and I) went to the Camarillo Outlets. Got some new clothes and that is always fun!

I'm so glad you came to visit us Aunt Sherry, we had a blast with you.




"Other things may change us but, we start and end with family."