1 mile walk from our apt. to the stadium.
2 free tickets from craigslist.
6 hilarious drunk people.
16+ sexy cheerleaders.
Amazing seats in the end zone.
A few touchdowns.
A lot of tackles.
A little rain.
Some major fun.
And a win for the redskins.
Can’t beat that for a free date!!!
I took my last trip to Canada this summer (yes I’m still posting about summer adventures!! lol) in August. I flew home for a Hartford family reunion - my mom’s fam. Unfortunately we couldn’t make it work for Ry to come so I ventured off alone. It was so fun to reunite with my Aunt Diane & Uncle Doug & my cousin Makayla. I lived with them for a half year up in the Northwest Territories back in 2003 and I’ve only seen them a couple times since. And of course it’s always the best hanging out with my fam. Here’s some silly pics from the trip…
Top Left: Makayla & I enjoying the trampoline in my parent’s backyard
Top Center: Mom, Me & Vano in the back seat on the way to the reunion
Top Right: Vano, Josh, & I decided to join the 3 legged race as a 4 legged team. It didn’t work out so well…
Middle Left: Vano & I hanging out with Aunt Di
Middle Center: Getting a lil aunt & uncle lovin’
Middle Right: Family pic @ the church
Bottom Left: My mom’s entire family {parents&siblings}
Bottom Center & Right: My mom and her siblings being very silly!
This makes me cry every time. I hope I can be half the person this father is.
To learn more about Team Hoyt click here.
I’ve heard this song a million times before but I’ve never really paid attention to the lyrics until right now.
It hit me and it hit me hard. It describes everything I feel so perfectly.
I often wonder why I have the trials I have. How does God choose who gets what? A dart board? Drawing sticks? Maybe I drew the short stick? I know it says in the scriptures that God gives us trials, He knows we can handle. But sometimes I wonder if I really can handle it. I don’t think I’m even close to as strong as maybe He thinks I am. Lately it seems like I’m getting every possible trial dumped on me too. Is there an end? Sometimes I just get so worn out, my faith starts to diminish. I wonder - does anyone really care? {I promise…I’m not being depresso, there’s a happy ending!}
BUT in those moments when it seems like my whole world is crashing down and I can’t go on, I always have a patient, loving, most perfect husband to pick me up, hold me close and tell me everything will be okay. In those tender moments, I realize that “Love is all that matters after all. It sure makes everything else seem so small.” Isn’t it so true though? If my whole world really did come crashing down and we were left with absolutely nothing, I still have the love of my life…and that love we have is all that really matters.
I know we’re all facing trials – so hang on to the ones you love. And listen to Carrie Underwood’s song. It makes it all seem clear…
“’Cause sometimes that mountain you’ve been climbing is just a grain of sand
And what you’ve been out there searching for forever is in your hands”
Now go check out the rest of the stuff HERE!
I bought a seasons pass to Six Flags because it was literally 5 miles down the street but this was the only time I used it…
My Grandpa and Grandma Musson came to visit in between here but I don’t have the digital pictures. It was so fun to have them with us for a week and to show them around DC. Thanks for spending time with us and spoiling us. We love you!
I took Dani to the Holocaust Museum. I love it because it leaves such an impact on you when you leave.
We went for a stroll to the Jefferson Memorial after the Holocaust Museum and discovered these paddleboats. It was $10 for an hour and you can paddle the Potomac River. SO FUN!
The Library of Congress was gorgeous. I wanted to go back because we only made a quick stop but I never got a chance to.
Checking out Union Station. It’s a really cool building and had tons of yummy places to eat…but I didn’t!
The National Cathedral was absolutely beautiful and ginormous. 
I discovered this by the metro station on the way to the National Cathedral. Remember this? Ya, it’s just like it and I was in HEAVEN!
To be continued…
I was lucky enough to go home to Brantford 3 times this summer. The second time, Kapri and I took a road trip after we bid our husbands farewell at the airport (they went to Kansas City for a week). I was sad to be without Ryan but excited to see my fam and have Kapri be my partner in crime.
The first full day there, we took Kapri to St. Jacobs to check out the Amish life. Kapri was in heaven loving every bit of it. We had a lot of fun looking around the shops and eating yummy bakery food.
We followed up our day of Amishville with a trip to Dairee Delight…a must when you visit Brantford!
And then we went to see UP! in 3D on the discount night. It was so cute! SO CUTE! If you haven’t seen it, you should! 
The next day we went shopping and then went to the Toronto Temple with my parents. It was my first time being back there since Ry and I were married. I loved being back there!
On Thursday, I introduced Kapri to the magic of poutine (cheese curds and gravy on fries…oh my!) and played some Guitar Hero with dad.
The next day Kapri and I made a stop at Niagara Falls on the way to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant in Palmyra. My family met up with us later that evening to watch the pageant. Good times!
I know I am Canadian, but being in DC on the 4th of July gives me the greatest American Pride! I went into the city earlier in the day to check out the parade with some of the wives. It was a very random parade with everything from the Back to the Future car to Arthur to the Dalai Lama or something.
After the parade we went to the National Mall to save a spot for the fireworks. We just hung out and read books and chatted for a few hours while we waited for our husbands to get off work.
While we were waiting, there was a concert by the US Concert Army Band and the US Army Band Downrange followed by country singer Mark Wills (my favorite part of the concert, obviously). It was so much fun! Yes…I got up and shook my booty a lil bit. I mean, how can you not?
This is the crew waiting for the fireworks to start…
I’m pretty sure I said this last year but seriously…if you ever get the chance to go to DC on the 4th, GO!!!! You will not regret it. Promise!
On the last weekend of June, Dani, Kapri, and I decided to take a quick trip to Atlantic City, NJ and enjoy the beach. We had a blast hanging out on the boardwalk the first night. We found this yummy candy store that had absolutely everything. It was so cute! We had to stock up on a little candy for ourselves…
That night we stayed in a hotel and were rudely awakened at 1am with prank phone calls from an unknown number. At first, it freaked us out but it was obviously our husbands. The next hour turned into some major girly sillyness. Good times!
The next day we spent at the beach laying out in the sun and playing in the ocean. Naturally, I burned myself to a crisp and couldn’t move for the next few days but it was so worth it! Thanks for a great time girls!!
it’s been over 2 months since I last updated.
Yes, we’re still alive.
Yes, I feel overwhelmed because I have so much catching up to do.
No, I’m not in DC anymore.
No, I’m not updating today.
Soon. Promise.
