I just finished designing our family Christmas cards. They are very fun! I'd love to keep in touch with you personally. Please let me know where you are currently located and how you best appreciate Christmas cards (email or mail)
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Monday, November 5, 2012
Halloween 2012
We did in fact celebrate Halloween, but with our business with a new house we got very few pics. We went to a carnival/parade/ trunk or treat in our new ward. People were very friendly and kind. We are excited to get to know others more. We hopped over to our old ward's Halloween party. The food and fun were great! It is amazing to think how far we've come with friendships and relationships in just one year. It helped us to be encouraged about our new ward. Jackson wanted to go through the haunted house because his preschool friends were. Half-way through a ground crawling zombie scared him too much and we left. All his friends were talking about it later and in an effort to fit into the conversation Jackson piped in, "Yeah, it was scary! I was, like, totally crying!" I love seeing him grow up! Jackson was batman and sang the theme song a lot.
I absolutely LOVE Halloween in AZ. People are out on their driveways passing out candy, playing music, laughing, eating, partying. It is like the 4th of July in Utah. I love the feeling. So much fun. Jackson and I got a bit lost in our new neighborhood, so his bucket was filled to overflowing. There were so many kids out in our neighborhood. I think it will be a great place to raise our kids (at least until we have to move again :))
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Worst stand-by experience ever . . . (but good times with family)
It was bound to happen. With all the times we've traveled and rolled the dice in flying standby, we were bound to have a terrible experience. Sure enough, it came. Unfortunately, it happened on my in-laws FIRST stand-by experience :(.
Our parents and our family made the trip to DC without incident on separate flights (even though a lay-over in Charlotte was rough, it was short and endurable.) We were able to spend Saturday with Dave's brother's family in Virginia. We went to Harper's Ferry. There was an awesome bridge. One side was Maryland, the other Virginia and then yet another side that was West Virginia. This was a beautiful quaint little town with lots of history and a connection to our name. We enjoyed walking the town and seeing a bit of the reenactment of the history. This is where our stroller breaks which leads to future chaos.
We head home and watch the ultimately disappointing BYU game with great food and company. I really enjoyed the time we had with family this weekend. The kids were a bit stir-crazy (good thing they had a dog and baby toys to entertain them a bit).
On Sunday we had the opportunity to see Breckin be blessed. His birth mom and her family came which made it a special occasion. Once again, we enjoyed amazing food and family. What a fantastic day!
Monday morning, although my better instincts told me to just stay home and wait until a better flight on Tuesday, we decided to head to the airport and hope for the best in getting home. When we reached the closest airport the flight had ALREADY filled up. We called Rich to come back and take us to a different airport. With lots of hassle and an hour to wait, we got tickets to Charlotte. I have never been held up in security, but this time I had a pear that just HAD to be inspected and the lady refused to let me show her which pocket it was in, so it took so long!) We were delayed on the runway due to weather in Charlotte. We sat for an hour and finally took off. Luckily, the flights in Charlotte were also delayed so we had 2 hours to wait for a flight to Houston (getting to PHX was impossible, so we thought we'd spend the night with Lori in Houston and go home the next day). The layover was long and the kids were restless. Dave was working from 'home' this day so he went to the club and worked. My in-laws were great helps with my restless and bored kids. I didn't pack enough to do and we were all hungry. Plus, we didn't have a stroller to lock the kids in. Finally, we got on a flight to Houston. Jackson threw a tantrum in first class in the aisle and I was behind him carrying things, so I couldn't pick him up or move him. It was totally embarrassing and I wasn't the best, patient mom I should be. Finally, we were on our way to Houston.
It was great to be in Houston and have a home cooked meal and a comfortable house. My kids loved the toys and the room to spread out. We loved spending time with the Cole's especially since we missed being there last weekend.
We were planning on going home on the early morning flight. At 5:30 it had 15 seats available . . . at 6:00 there were only 2 seats (I guess an earlier plane was delayed . . .) So just Dave and his dad headed to the airport. My mother in law and I were hoping to catch a later plane, but the flights kept filling up and filling up . . . for 2 straight days. Normally, this might not have been such an inconvenience, but my MIL was planning on being with me at my house to pack and clean before our move this weekend. Unfortunately, we were spending all her time at Lori's house . . . enjoying ourselves, but feeling anxious over all we had to do!! I checked flights often and was disappointed time and time again. Part of the problem was that we fly lower priority without Dave (the employee) with us and there were quite a few stand-by's in front of us. After 2 days of waiting, we were ready to take the REALLY early flight out of Houston on Thursday. I couldn't sleep all night with the stress of making the flight and also of closing on our home the next day. I was an anxious mess. I woke up at 1:30 am PHX time and got everything in the car. Poor Lori had to drive us to the airport SO early. We waited in Security (usually I go right to the front and now I always will!! the kids were insane waiting in line!). When we finally got to the gate they said there were no seats . . . when I inquired further there WERE seats, only they were in first class or exit rows and I had children so she wouldn't let us board or change other people's seats. I asked 5 people to switch seats to exit rows so we could get on, then a group of 5 (who also had children) found that they were seated in exit rows and had to be moved to the seats I had just opened up. There were still 10 seats open on the plane but the gate attendants wouldn't upgrade or move other passengers so we could get on. They were so rude and terrible. I was LIVID at 6 am when the plane took off with 10 empty seats! After waiting 2 days to get on a flight, this was a slap in the face. I was still super anxious about making the next flight (luckily, only 2 hours away) Especially with how unhelpful the attendants were. The kids were a bit stir crazy (and SO tired) in the airport, but we survived 2 hours and FINALLY got on the plane. Even then, the thoughts of a delay or a mechanical problem haunted me, but finally we took off and were on our way. This was the second time I gave benadryl to my kids and they both zonked out for the entire flight - I am beginning to like this! I, unfortunately, was too hyped up on adrenaline to sleep, but I did start to relax and felt the baby move for the first time as the seat belt pushed against my belly. That was a happy feeling, to be on the plane, 2 kids asleep, feeling #3 for the first time :)
My MIL went straight back to Utah. After the early morning and long travels, she was exhausted.
I thought we weren't going to be able to sign on our house because the paper work was taking too long. So I took the kids to the park we I got home. At 12, we found out the paper work had gone through and we were ready to close . . . and thus the new madness begins. We had to get into the office to sign within minutes, so we rushed to find a babysitter and get a check ready and run into the office. We signed like crazy and hoped all the paperwork was right since we were first-time home buyers we weren't sure what questions we needed to ask.
Packing, cleaning, signing, moving, and taking care of kids (on VERY little sleep) was exhausting. I had LOTS of help. My friend watched my kids for several hours (2 days in a row), my visiting teacher helped me pack my entire kitchen, my parents drove down and helped for hours and hours. I got a babysitter while I cleaned the new house for a couple of hours (I could have used 12 hours to clean it though - - lots of dog hair everywhere!). We had several people from the ward help us load and unload the truck. We filled it to the brim. We were able to pack and unpack in only 2 1/2 hours. Then the real fun began. Unloading the boxes! We took a break to watch the BYU game and relax. Later, I was able to get the kitchen put together and the kids rooms were ready for the kids to go to bed by 8 that night. (Did I mention the kids were waking up at 4 am every morning since our stint in Houston . . . not fun!)
We are mostly moved in and are happy with our new place. Cleaning our old place and moving into our new place which was not clean, was not the ideal we had planned, but eventually it will all get cleaned and organized and I will be able to sleep again. We are exhausted.
Our parents and our family made the trip to DC without incident on separate flights (even though a lay-over in Charlotte was rough, it was short and endurable.) We were able to spend Saturday with Dave's brother's family in Virginia. We went to Harper's Ferry. There was an awesome bridge. One side was Maryland, the other Virginia and then yet another side that was West Virginia. This was a beautiful quaint little town with lots of history and a connection to our name. We enjoyed walking the town and seeing a bit of the reenactment of the history. This is where our stroller breaks which leads to future chaos.
We head home and watch the ultimately disappointing BYU game with great food and company. I really enjoyed the time we had with family this weekend. The kids were a bit stir-crazy (good thing they had a dog and baby toys to entertain them a bit).
On Sunday we had the opportunity to see Breckin be blessed. His birth mom and her family came which made it a special occasion. Once again, we enjoyed amazing food and family. What a fantastic day!
Monday morning, although my better instincts told me to just stay home and wait until a better flight on Tuesday, we decided to head to the airport and hope for the best in getting home. When we reached the closest airport the flight had ALREADY filled up. We called Rich to come back and take us to a different airport. With lots of hassle and an hour to wait, we got tickets to Charlotte. I have never been held up in security, but this time I had a pear that just HAD to be inspected and the lady refused to let me show her which pocket it was in, so it took so long!) We were delayed on the runway due to weather in Charlotte. We sat for an hour and finally took off. Luckily, the flights in Charlotte were also delayed so we had 2 hours to wait for a flight to Houston (getting to PHX was impossible, so we thought we'd spend the night with Lori in Houston and go home the next day). The layover was long and the kids were restless. Dave was working from 'home' this day so he went to the club and worked. My in-laws were great helps with my restless and bored kids. I didn't pack enough to do and we were all hungry. Plus, we didn't have a stroller to lock the kids in. Finally, we got on a flight to Houston. Jackson threw a tantrum in first class in the aisle and I was behind him carrying things, so I couldn't pick him up or move him. It was totally embarrassing and I wasn't the best, patient mom I should be. Finally, we were on our way to Houston.
It was great to be in Houston and have a home cooked meal and a comfortable house. My kids loved the toys and the room to spread out. We loved spending time with the Cole's especially since we missed being there last weekend.
We were planning on going home on the early morning flight. At 5:30 it had 15 seats available . . . at 6:00 there were only 2 seats (I guess an earlier plane was delayed . . .) So just Dave and his dad headed to the airport. My mother in law and I were hoping to catch a later plane, but the flights kept filling up and filling up . . . for 2 straight days. Normally, this might not have been such an inconvenience, but my MIL was planning on being with me at my house to pack and clean before our move this weekend. Unfortunately, we were spending all her time at Lori's house . . . enjoying ourselves, but feeling anxious over all we had to do!! I checked flights often and was disappointed time and time again. Part of the problem was that we fly lower priority without Dave (the employee) with us and there were quite a few stand-by's in front of us. After 2 days of waiting, we were ready to take the REALLY early flight out of Houston on Thursday. I couldn't sleep all night with the stress of making the flight and also of closing on our home the next day. I was an anxious mess. I woke up at 1:30 am PHX time and got everything in the car. Poor Lori had to drive us to the airport SO early. We waited in Security (usually I go right to the front and now I always will!! the kids were insane waiting in line!). When we finally got to the gate they said there were no seats . . . when I inquired further there WERE seats, only they were in first class or exit rows and I had children so she wouldn't let us board or change other people's seats. I asked 5 people to switch seats to exit rows so we could get on, then a group of 5 (who also had children) found that they were seated in exit rows and had to be moved to the seats I had just opened up. There were still 10 seats open on the plane but the gate attendants wouldn't upgrade or move other passengers so we could get on. They were so rude and terrible. I was LIVID at 6 am when the plane took off with 10 empty seats! After waiting 2 days to get on a flight, this was a slap in the face. I was still super anxious about making the next flight (luckily, only 2 hours away) Especially with how unhelpful the attendants were. The kids were a bit stir crazy (and SO tired) in the airport, but we survived 2 hours and FINALLY got on the plane. Even then, the thoughts of a delay or a mechanical problem haunted me, but finally we took off and were on our way. This was the second time I gave benadryl to my kids and they both zonked out for the entire flight - I am beginning to like this! I, unfortunately, was too hyped up on adrenaline to sleep, but I did start to relax and felt the baby move for the first time as the seat belt pushed against my belly. That was a happy feeling, to be on the plane, 2 kids asleep, feeling #3 for the first time :)
My MIL went straight back to Utah. After the early morning and long travels, she was exhausted.
I thought we weren't going to be able to sign on our house because the paper work was taking too long. So I took the kids to the park we I got home. At 12, we found out the paper work had gone through and we were ready to close . . . and thus the new madness begins. We had to get into the office to sign within minutes, so we rushed to find a babysitter and get a check ready and run into the office. We signed like crazy and hoped all the paperwork was right since we were first-time home buyers we weren't sure what questions we needed to ask.
Packing, cleaning, signing, moving, and taking care of kids (on VERY little sleep) was exhausting. I had LOTS of help. My friend watched my kids for several hours (2 days in a row), my visiting teacher helped me pack my entire kitchen, my parents drove down and helped for hours and hours. I got a babysitter while I cleaned the new house for a couple of hours (I could have used 12 hours to clean it though - - lots of dog hair everywhere!). We had several people from the ward help us load and unload the truck. We filled it to the brim. We were able to pack and unpack in only 2 1/2 hours. Then the real fun began. Unloading the boxes! We took a break to watch the BYU game and relax. Later, I was able to get the kitchen put together and the kids rooms were ready for the kids to go to bed by 8 that night. (Did I mention the kids were waking up at 4 am every morning since our stint in Houston . . . not fun!)
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Changes
Our life is in a transitional period of lots of changes. Two major things:
#1 We are buying a HOUSE!! It is about 3 miles away from where we live now, slightly bigger (it has a 4th room and another eating area). It has beautiful flooring, a entire wall mural of Winne the Pooh in a nursery, huge walk in closet, a big back patio and grassy back yard (although the front is still rock . . . easy maintenance though!). It is perfect for us and for our first time home ownership. The process has been stressful and a bit scary, but also exciting and unbelievable (I never thought we'd actually get to this point in our lives!!) We are hoping to move in before the end of October!
#2 We're having a baby!! We are due April 3, 2013. I am about 17 weeks along now.
Announcing: We had been trying for 3 months to get pregnant, so although I wanted to be pregnant, for some reason I didn't want to know I was pregnant. First of all, I was worried that I would NOT be pregnant and be disappointed. Then, I thought if I didn't know I was pregnant, the pregnancy might go faster (it seemed even slower on #2 than #1 . . . pregnancy is an eternity to me!). Plus, if I didn't know, I might be able to talk myself out of being sick. Dave was getting anxious to know for sure, but I was sticking to my guns that I didn't want to know. After several days of him begging me to take a test and me trying to avoid it, I gave Dave the test to satisfy his curiosity. I didn't look at the results. For several days, I tried to trick him into letting it slip, but I still didn't really want to know. Fast Sunday was coming up and I realized that I probably shouldn't fast if I was, in fact, pregnant. On Sunday morning, I got out of bed and found this on the kitchen table:
Doesn't it look like a little D in there? Dave announced that I was pregnant and we celebrated. How often does the husband get to inform his wife that she is pregnant? I thought it was a fun way to give some of the responsibility to him.
Sure enough, 3 days later I got sick. AND the pregnancy has been crawling by yet again. Too bad I can't wait longer! Plus, I start to show at 7 weeks. I had several people ASK if I was pregnant at 9-11 weeks along. I cannot hide it!
"How am I feeling?" It has been a very similar pregnancy that I had with the last 2. I feel pretty miserable from 3-8 pm at night. Making dinner is the pits. I get headaches and feel nauseous, but I have never thrown up so I can't really complain that much. Plus, I get lucky and have entire days where I feel good. I get tired and usually take a nap daily during the kids naptime. I am starting to feel better and don't have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, so that is my cue that I am entering the 2nd trimester and I am super excited for the 'eye of the hurricane'.
Telling the kids: I thought Jackson had figured out we were pregnant since several times he caught us talking about it. We took him to our first ultrasound to 'announce' to him. I laid down and the tech put the camera on my belly and started showing us on the screen. Jackson yelled out, "It's ME in Mommy's tummy!!" We tried to explain that it was a picture of what was there RIGHT NOW, but he was convinced it was him. After a long time and direct and explicit teaching, we convinced him that we are having a new baby. Hallie seemed to understand right away. She pats my belly and says, 'baby' often. I am so afraid of her poking the baby's eyes out, smothering with love, biting and cuddling forever. She is OVERLY difficult with babies ALWAYS (the store, playdates, daycare, etc, etc). But she also really loves babies. She has this game where she touches my chest and says 'Baby? NOOO!' and then touch my belly and yells, "BABY!!" I think she is the most excited for this baby and I just want to keep it in my belly for as long as possible so Hallie can't kill it.
Girl or Boy? I honestly don't care if it is a boy or girl. Each has its good things and bad things. Mostly for how it will affect our family dynamic and the friendships of the other kids. I have been feeling like it's a boy, and have never 'felt' anything with my other kids, but who knows. So the question is now . . .should we find out? What is your experience?
Funny kids: Several months ago Jackson was playing 'having a baby' often (pulling the doll out of his shirt.) One day he asked how the baby actually got in the belly and if it hurt or ripped the mommy when it came out. Luckily, I was able to take the second question and run with it. I tried to explain that the mommy pushes the baby out and it does hurt, but it doesn't rip her belly. He continued with more and more detailed questions until I had pretty much explained the entire female anatomy with the correct terminology. His head was satisfied and we never discussed it again. Fast forward 4 months, Jackson tells me he is ready for us to have another baby (I have no idea why he thought this . . .I guess it is just time!) I say, "Maybe Daddy should carry the baby this time, I carried the last two." He immediately argued, "Daddy can't carry the baby . . . He doesn't have a regina!!" Good point. This is one smart kiddo!
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#1 We are buying a HOUSE!! It is about 3 miles away from where we live now, slightly bigger (it has a 4th room and another eating area). It has beautiful flooring, a entire wall mural of Winne the Pooh in a nursery, huge walk in closet, a big back patio and grassy back yard (although the front is still rock . . . easy maintenance though!). It is perfect for us and for our first time home ownership. The process has been stressful and a bit scary, but also exciting and unbelievable (I never thought we'd actually get to this point in our lives!!) We are hoping to move in before the end of October!
#2 We're having a baby!! We are due April 3, 2013. I am about 17 weeks along now.
Announcing: We had been trying for 3 months to get pregnant, so although I wanted to be pregnant, for some reason I didn't want to know I was pregnant. First of all, I was worried that I would NOT be pregnant and be disappointed. Then, I thought if I didn't know I was pregnant, the pregnancy might go faster (it seemed even slower on #2 than #1 . . . pregnancy is an eternity to me!). Plus, if I didn't know, I might be able to talk myself out of being sick. Dave was getting anxious to know for sure, but I was sticking to my guns that I didn't want to know. After several days of him begging me to take a test and me trying to avoid it, I gave Dave the test to satisfy his curiosity. I didn't look at the results. For several days, I tried to trick him into letting it slip, but I still didn't really want to know. Fast Sunday was coming up and I realized that I probably shouldn't fast if I was, in fact, pregnant. On Sunday morning, I got out of bed and found this on the kitchen table:
Doesn't it look like a little D in there? Dave announced that I was pregnant and we celebrated. How often does the husband get to inform his wife that she is pregnant? I thought it was a fun way to give some of the responsibility to him.
Sure enough, 3 days later I got sick. AND the pregnancy has been crawling by yet again. Too bad I can't wait longer! Plus, I start to show at 7 weeks. I had several people ASK if I was pregnant at 9-11 weeks along. I cannot hide it!
"How am I feeling?" It has been a very similar pregnancy that I had with the last 2. I feel pretty miserable from 3-8 pm at night. Making dinner is the pits. I get headaches and feel nauseous, but I have never thrown up so I can't really complain that much. Plus, I get lucky and have entire days where I feel good. I get tired and usually take a nap daily during the kids naptime. I am starting to feel better and don't have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night, so that is my cue that I am entering the 2nd trimester and I am super excited for the 'eye of the hurricane'.
Telling the kids: I thought Jackson had figured out we were pregnant since several times he caught us talking about it. We took him to our first ultrasound to 'announce' to him. I laid down and the tech put the camera on my belly and started showing us on the screen. Jackson yelled out, "It's ME in Mommy's tummy!!" We tried to explain that it was a picture of what was there RIGHT NOW, but he was convinced it was him. After a long time and direct and explicit teaching, we convinced him that we are having a new baby. Hallie seemed to understand right away. She pats my belly and says, 'baby' often. I am so afraid of her poking the baby's eyes out, smothering with love, biting and cuddling forever. She is OVERLY difficult with babies ALWAYS (the store, playdates, daycare, etc, etc). But she also really loves babies. She has this game where she touches my chest and says 'Baby? NOOO!' and then touch my belly and yells, "BABY!!" I think she is the most excited for this baby and I just want to keep it in my belly for as long as possible so Hallie can't kill it.
Girl or Boy? I honestly don't care if it is a boy or girl. Each has its good things and bad things. Mostly for how it will affect our family dynamic and the friendships of the other kids. I have been feeling like it's a boy, and have never 'felt' anything with my other kids, but who knows. So the question is now . . .should we find out? What is your experience?
Funny kids: Several months ago Jackson was playing 'having a baby' often (pulling the doll out of his shirt.) One day he asked how the baby actually got in the belly and if it hurt or ripped the mommy when it came out. Luckily, I was able to take the second question and run with it. I tried to explain that the mommy pushes the baby out and it does hurt, but it doesn't rip her belly. He continued with more and more detailed questions until I had pretty much explained the entire female anatomy with the correct terminology. His head was satisfied and we never discussed it again. Fast forward 4 months, Jackson tells me he is ready for us to have another baby (I have no idea why he thought this . . .I guess it is just time!) I say, "Maybe Daddy should carry the baby this time, I carried the last two." He immediately argued, "Daddy can't carry the baby . . . He doesn't have a regina!!" Good point. This is one smart kiddo!
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Wednesday, September 26, 2012
A year of flights
We've been able to get to 10 states and a foreign country. I've been to Utah 18 times. We've been many places several times (a free place to stay or free transportation makes the trip easy and cheap!)
According to our estimates, we have these stats in a year of travel (not including road trips):
Destinations: 11
Trips: 31
Flights: 236 (Dave-55, Jamie- 71, Jackson- 54, Hallie-56)
Miles: 222,238 (I've gone 70,000 miles, the others are around 50,000)
Cost for flights taken if we would have paid for them: $40,000
Time spent in the air: 200 hours
For the amount of time spent on flights, I am surprised at the few number of photos we have. I guess you never take photos of regular everyday life, just the abnormal stuff. Plus, look how terrible they all turned out . . .not a great angle for photo shoots.
We still have plans and hope to get to many more places. We are hoping for Washington State, Albuquerque (there's got to be something to do there!), Denver, Durango, Portland, San Diego (Legoland), Boise, Alaska, New York, Florida, Kuaui, Oahu, the Big Island, Monterey, Grenada, Del Rio, and any other place we get invited. For the immediate future though, we just have plans to visit family for baby blessings, sealings and other holidays.
WELCOME HOME!!
Dave's Mom and Dad returned from their mission at the Frieburg Germany temple last week. We had the chance to go see them in Utah and help them move in a little bit. I remember how tired and out-of-it I was after our trip to Germany, but these two just worked hard putting their house back together, playing with their grand kids and talking with us. It is so fun to have them home. Jackson didn't skip a beat, it was like they never left. Hallie gave a few scowls (She hasn't seen them in person since she was 3 months old). But by the end gave her grandma kisses on the cheek, so it won't take too long to warm up to them!
Unfortunately, the only pictures we took were at the airport (The kids and I were FREEZING and Dave was bemoaning the fact that we are 'ruined' and will never be able to move to Utah again).
I also took photos of the kids at the park (I was the sitter while everyone else helped move in). Jackson is sliding down the pole in this photo.
We went to Lehi to be with my family for a Sunday birthday dinner. We attended the Brigham City Temple dedication. We were ALONE at church with NO kids! So enjoyable! I loved the spirit and reverence there. The temple truely does bring peace to this world. I got to meet my newest neice Brinlee (Carly's first baby!). She is so perfect and such a doll. It was a nice dinner with all the girls in my family.
Monday Dave worked from 'home' and so the kids were thrilled to have more time with Grandma A's cool toys, trampoline, swings, slide, etc. They sure love her house! And they love being with her too, she is so good to get down on the floor and play with them. We took an afternoon drive up the canyon and got to enjoy the beauties there. I tried to do MANY leaf activities for Jackson since we don't have the opportunity to have fall leaves in AZ.
We also got to go out to dinner with my parents and aunt and uncle. Although the kids got crazy at the end (we were expecting it), it was still so nice to eat yummy food with people we love. We took the late flight home and both Dave and I wanted to sleep, but the kids did not. Finally, they did fall asleep, in time to have to carry them through the airport.
Unfortunately, the only pictures we took were at the airport (The kids and I were FREEZING and Dave was bemoaning the fact that we are 'ruined' and will never be able to move to Utah again).
We went to Lehi to be with my family for a Sunday birthday dinner. We attended the Brigham City Temple dedication. We were ALONE at church with NO kids! So enjoyable! I loved the spirit and reverence there. The temple truely does bring peace to this world. I got to meet my newest neice Brinlee (Carly's first baby!). She is so perfect and such a doll. It was a nice dinner with all the girls in my family.
Monday Dave worked from 'home' and so the kids were thrilled to have more time with Grandma A's cool toys, trampoline, swings, slide, etc. They sure love her house! And they love being with her too, she is so good to get down on the floor and play with them. We took an afternoon drive up the canyon and got to enjoy the beauties there. I tried to do MANY leaf activities for Jackson since we don't have the opportunity to have fall leaves in AZ.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Boston (a NEW trip finally!)
Dave was suppose to go to Germany with his sisters. Unfortunately, due to strikes from Luftansa employees in Germany, US Air flights filled up and he was not going to be able to make it. With time off work and an adventure already planned, it is tough to enjoy staying home and 'doing nothing'. So we scoured the country for places to go, and came up with a plan to go to Boston. We called our friends Thursday morning and 12 hours later were at their house. We love spontaneous people :).
The flight was LONG (5 hours). I kept Hallie up hoping she would nap, but she didn't nap (although she did 'try' by laying down on the 2 seats we had.) She was so cute and obedient, even if she couldn't fall asleep.
Jackson did great on the flight with some new puzzles, school books, and looking out the window. Even though there were only 9 empty seats on the flight, we ended up with the last row . . . 6 seats for the 4 of us! Hallie fell asleep for the last 20 minutes of the flight. Jackson was SO hyper when we got there. He was bouncing all around the airport. I was just thankful it wasn't on the plane. I love how much he loves traveling and seeing new places even though he has no idea what he is there to see.
Our friends were so gracious to open their apartment to us. Our kids were not tired until 11 pm, and still woke up before their kids, but we survived.
Friday we headed in to town and saw the USS constitution and Bunker Hill monument. Jackson hiked to the top of the monument with us (294 steps!) and won a park ranger button prize.
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We forgot the lunch we so meticulously planned, so we headed home for a nap/rest time. Jackson just loved playing with their little girl Maia. This family has their 2 kids exactly the same time of our kids, so it was perfect playmaates for them. Jackson and Maia played with nearly every toy/book in their house and destroyed it. We cleaned up and headed out to go to the Boston Children's museum. It was fun to see the different things, but I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. I think Phoenix and Salt Lake's are better. :)
Saturday morning we ate incredible donuts and then headed back into town. We enjoyed the Gardens and the park with the kids even getting into the splash park a bit.
We took photos on Acorn street (the most photographed spot in America???) It is a really cool looking street.
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We fed ducks and listened to a one man band in the park. The gardens were so beautiful!
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All tuckered out!
We ended the night (in 2012) with pizza and watching the BYU game. Joe and Emily were great hosts and so amazing for having us at such late notice! The flights kind of filled up for the next day which means we got to sleep in!! Unfortunately, we slept too late and had to rush to make our flight.
We flew to Philly and then to Houston (this was our first layover with kids! they did great!) Hallie fell asleep for the last hour of the flight and slept through all the transfers until we got to church in Houston. When we told Jackson we were going to Houston he replied, "Wait . . . so we are going from one vacation to ANOTHER vacation?!?! That's amazing!" And it was. Lori was a great host and Michelle was there visiting so it was nice to visit all together. We had the most incredible Sunday dinner of shrimp and pasta salad. I took Jackson to school to visit his cousin for lunch. He was pretty scared of the loud chaos at first, but soon warmed up to it. It is always amazing to me that he doesn't like loud places because the kid is SO loud!! We caught the night flight home and Dave did an amazing job with the kids even though they were pretty difficult on the full flight. This trip seemed so LONG. I was glad to get home. It was fun to host Shel, if only for a night. I love having visitors, so come on over!
The flight was LONG (5 hours). I kept Hallie up hoping she would nap, but she didn't nap (although she did 'try' by laying down on the 2 seats we had.) She was so cute and obedient, even if she couldn't fall asleep.
Jackson did great on the flight with some new puzzles, school books, and looking out the window. Even though there were only 9 empty seats on the flight, we ended up with the last row . . . 6 seats for the 4 of us! Hallie fell asleep for the last 20 minutes of the flight. Jackson was SO hyper when we got there. He was bouncing all around the airport. I was just thankful it wasn't on the plane. I love how much he loves traveling and seeing new places even though he has no idea what he is there to see.
Our friends were so gracious to open their apartment to us. Our kids were not tired until 11 pm, and still woke up before their kids, but we survived.
Friday we headed in to town and saw the USS constitution and Bunker Hill monument. Jackson hiked to the top of the monument with us (294 steps!) and won a park ranger button prize.
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Hallie loved having the freedom trail line to follow!
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Jackson and Maia became good buddies!
We forgot the lunch we so meticulously planned, so we headed home for a nap/rest time. Jackson just loved playing with their little girl Maia. This family has their 2 kids exactly the same time of our kids, so it was perfect playmaates for them. Jackson and Maia played with nearly every toy/book in their house and destroyed it. We cleaned up and headed out to go to the Boston Children's museum. It was fun to see the different things, but I wasn't as impressed as I thought I would be. I think Phoenix and Salt Lake's are better. :)
Boston at night was incredible!
Saturday morning we ate incredible donuts and then headed back into town. We enjoyed the Gardens and the park with the kids even getting into the splash park a bit.
We took photos on Acorn street (the most photographed spot in America???) It is a really cool looking street.
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Cheers bar- we didn't take the kids :)
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All tuckered out!
I loved being in Boston. I went in 2006 to run the Marathon there and then my cousins all got together and explored the city. It was such a great trip then and I loved remembering some of the fun things we did together!
Cousins in 2006
Me in Boston 2006
So young and fun then . . .
We ended the night (in 2012) with pizza and watching the BYU game. Joe and Emily were great hosts and so amazing for having us at such late notice! The flights kind of filled up for the next day which means we got to sleep in!! Unfortunately, we slept too late and had to rush to make our flight.
We flew to Philly and then to Houston (this was our first layover with kids! they did great!) Hallie fell asleep for the last hour of the flight and slept through all the transfers until we got to church in Houston. When we told Jackson we were going to Houston he replied, "Wait . . . so we are going from one vacation to ANOTHER vacation?!?! That's amazing!" And it was. Lori was a great host and Michelle was there visiting so it was nice to visit all together. We had the most incredible Sunday dinner of shrimp and pasta salad. I took Jackson to school to visit his cousin for lunch. He was pretty scared of the loud chaos at first, but soon warmed up to it. It is always amazing to me that he doesn't like loud places because the kid is SO loud!! We caught the night flight home and Dave did an amazing job with the kids even though they were pretty difficult on the full flight. This trip seemed so LONG. I was glad to get home. It was fun to host Shel, if only for a night. I love having visitors, so come on over!
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