West Wing Tour

Our great friend invited us on a tour of the West Wing of the White House and it was soooo neat! The interior design reminded me a lot of my grandmother's decor in her home. It must be the traditional east coast influence being that my grandparents are both from MD and PA. It was so interesting to hear all of the stories and history of the White House. The Oval Office was one of my favorites. I love that each President of the United States has their very own rug designed just for them to represent their roots or beliefs. I have yet to look online to see pictures of all the past rugs. I also loved that the photos are regularly switched to portray only the most recent photographs except for one hallway in which we could see the President doing "normal things." He was fishing, weeding, and even mountain biking...I was surprised to see his physique was quite impressive compared to the way he looks in his suit. We went to the press room, too! I had to get a photo of the seat where Fox News reporters would sit...that one is for you, mom! Anyway, it was a great tour...Thanks to Brian for that. It was an experience we will never forget! ( Here are some pictures. We weren't allowed to photograph everywhere, but did what we could.)

yes, I know it is almost Christmas...

BUT, I need to document my first Trunk or Treat success before I print all this past year out. This trunk or treat was really great. It was busy and a lot of people came, but I think everyone was pleased and satisfied with the turn out. We had cute googly eye wreaths in the center of the tables with buckets of candy. We had a photo spot. We had a costume contest after the parade and a jack-o-lantern contest. The chili and cornbread turn out was great too! I couldn't have done it without my sister who really was my right-hand woman. :) My committee didn't come together until much of the planning was finished, but they were awesome and really willing to do their part. Hopefully the Christmas party will be fun too!
I had to include the picture of Carys begging to be picked up...which happened half of the night.

Five More Things...

Five Things People may not know about me...

1. I hate the sound of my voice...like when you hear yourself on the answering machine or on a message. It makes me cringe and it sounds nothing like I think I sound...it is very disappointing and wonder why anyone talks to me on the phone. HA!

2. I absolutely hate, with a passion, to be hung up on or dismissed in similar fashion. It makes me kind of turn into a crazy person. I will call back until I get you...it is the height of rudeness in my book. I would rather be cursed at or yelled at than hung up on. I get mad even thinking about how infuriating it is. :)

3. I aspire to write a few books. I actually have titles and notes written on a few topics, but like most projects in my life they are left undone. I have so much to say...surprise, surprise! Maybe some day when I am Dr. Julie and have my PHD it will happen and you can say you knew me when I was up to my elbows in kid poop and had perpetual rings under my eyes! Hey, if you are really nice maybe I will put you in my acknowledgement. :0

4. I am petrified of spiders and really don't like most bugs. One time my mom and sister actually let a spider crawl on my shoulder without telling me because I was driving and they knew I would crash the car if I found out. Another time I screamed so loudly about a spider on the seat next to me that my mom nearly crashed the car. Now, I have grown up some and don't go quite as crazy (for fear of passing this fear on to my kids), but I still am pretty girly about it. One of me and Rob's first fight was about how he couldn't successfully kill the spider I saw in our bedroom and I thought was going to crawl up the bed skirt into our bed...I am a nut!

5. Once when I was 14ish I punched a grown man in the face...it was the most invigorating feeling in the world! We were both pretty shocked, but it was a real and steady punch. I have never done it since, but it was something I will never forget...showed me I was strong enough when I wanted to be. Sadly, it isn't much of a story though.


My TAG is to anyone who hasn't done this before.

Favorite Things Tag

I may have done this before, but it is fairly easy...


Five of My Favorite Things...
5 TV Shows I Love to Watch:
Grey's Anatomy
General Hospital
One Tree Hill
Lost
Gossip Girl
(i watch too much tv and sadly there are more shows I love)

5Favorite Restaurants:
Chipotle
My Karma (indian)
Chick Fil La
Tony Roma's
Japanese Steak House


5 Things That Happened Yesterday
Rob's Gma passed away
I bought milk shakes at chick-fil-a
I talked on the phone too much
I bought airline tickets
I made Cranberry Sauce

5 Things I Love About Fall:
Halloween!
Going to the pumpkin patch
The new styles of clothing in the stores
I love the changing colors of leaves
School starts!

5Things On My Wishlist:
to get in shape
a make over and spa weekend (is that two?)
organize my entire house
a new pot and pan set
my christmas tree decorated!

5People I Tag:
Katy
Courtney
whoever wants to!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This holiday was looming over me for weeks now. I procrastinated shopping (Rob went last night at 8 pm). I planned the menu on Tuesday night while we painted our front room, which is looking awesome by the way (pics to come soon). My house was in shambles until this morning. My plan was to grocery shop and clean yesterday. My kids are both pretty sick and we got some sad news that Rob's grandma Morgan passed away yesterday morning. I quickly switched gears and spent a couple of hours figuring out flights and schedules for Rob to attend the funeral in Utah. I was proud that I actually booked two one way flights to equal $364! That is a slammin deal considering it was two days away and over the worst holiday for travel possible! Unfortunately, it wasn't in the cards for me and the kids to go. This loss has been a bit more difficult for us since it was pretty unexpected. Rob lost his grandpa last month to Alzheimer's and that was difficult as well. Is it true that things happen in threes? I hope not. Two is enough in this short amount of time. They will be missed immensely and are loved dearly. After processing and getting through yesterday we made and survived Thanksgiving! I have to say it was one he*% of a bird, too! It was the first turkey we have made that was actually easy...it was totally thawed inside, it cooked evenly, didn't brown too much, produced a lot of juice for gravy, and wasn't dried out! The biggest success of the feast was that the bird was done early enough to make the side dishes and eat on time! Can you believe it?! I couldn't. Everything was delicious and we are truly grateful for our family and blessings this year. I thought I would list a few for record-keeping sake.
1. our great friends we have made while living out here without our family
2. our home that provides a happy place for us to raise our children (even if it isn't always at neat as it should be)
3. Rob's job and job security considering this economy
4. I am particularly grateful for the advances of technology so we can talk to all our relatives and friends away and never miss a beat.
5. My beautiful and witty children who make me nuts and make me alive all at the same time. They are my joy.
6. A wonderful and loving family near and far.
7. Our close relationship with our Savior and our testimony of the Gospel.
8. My sister has been able to be with us for the holidays!
9. our marriage and how strong we grow together with each trial and joy.
10. I am grateful you aren't ready to throw up at the sappy post this has become...:) sorry!

Our best to you on this day! Happy Thanksgiving!

Don't we look young?

It occurred to me that you don't really see the changes in yourself until you see a not-so old picture. This picture was only 3-4 years ago! I feel like I look sooo much older now, (and fatter but that is not for this post) yet in my minds eye I see that young girl not the reality. Why is that? Is it self-preservation? Don't get me wrong, this is not a pity post...I am not unhappy with the recent Julie...it was merely a thought I had while looking through my photos on this old laptop! I really shouldn't be posting this nonsense when I still haven't caught up on Rob's swearing in, my concert, or other recent family stuff. Oh well! Oh, and look at my little man...can you believe how round his little face was? Now it is longer and more angled...already growing up. Makes me sad in a way. I do love that picture of him, though. ( just over a year old)

Strike a pose!

We just had a great visit with Aunt Sarah, Rob's sister, over the past week. It was so fun to talk and catch up with her. The kids were CRAZY about her. Luke actually cried when she went to her conference and stayed in DC for a couple of nights. He said, "I don't want Aunt Sarah to sleep in a hotel." It was sad, but so cute. It always amazes me the difference there is in connection with family even when they don't see much of our family often. It is like they just know they are in that special category. It warms my heart.

Well, Carys had a great time playing with Sarah, too! Sarah snapped this picture before she left. Carys had just spilled on her pants and I took them off and she wanted her new ducky slippers on. Sarah told her to say cheese and this is her pose....TOO CUTE! She is such a girl. I love it.

"Are you serious!?"

This is the question I asked aloud with a giggle minutes after reading my good friend's post about how her daughter recently stuffed 4 pearls up her nose. I read their story and was imagining how I would feel if that were my daughter and wondered if I would've noticed the pearl. I was thinking, "phew...glad it wasn't me..."

UNTIL...

it was me and I again asked the question..."ARE YOU SERIOUS?!!" The difference being that I wasn't giggling this time and I wasn't reading about someone else's story! Yes, Carys inhaled a decent sized piece of Styrofoam into her nose (i just packed up some decorations and a piece must have broken off the box)! I thought I would use some of my newly acquired tips (thank you Kim) and I tried to make her sneeze. She did sneeze many times, but unfortunately she followed them up with a huge sniff of air that just took the piece farther up her nostril. I could see it, but couldn't get it out. We have new insurance and we haven't chosen the new doctors yet, so I quickly found someone and got her in. They couldn't get it out! They sent me across town to an ENT. The ENT nearly gave up. He told me she would have to go to the operating room if this last attempt didn't work. After a quick heart attack and an even quicker prayer, I tightened up my grip on her little head and they retrieved the Styrofoam. Her poor little nose.

Carys is a trooper! She marched into the first office, pointed to her nose, and said,"my nose! this side!" She was concerned that this process would hurt her so I told her it wouldn't hurt but it would just feel funny. She proceeded to tell the doctors how to do their job..."no hurt nose, juh fee fuyee. juh fee fuyee." (just feel funny) It was really cute how she was trying to maintain control in such a chaotic time in her little life. In that moment, it really became clear what a girl she truly...already a control freak! Oh, just a side note...my phone was dead without a charger (left in Miami) so it was difficult negotiating directions, places for luke, etc. I actually stopped at 4 different pay phones before finding a phone to call Rob for directions to the ENT! How did we live before cell phones?

Well, all is well that ends well! We have a clear nose...a new adventure to document and laugh at someday...and a happy girl that keeps sniffing now and exclaiming, "my nose...it betta!"

All in a days work!

my sentiments exactly!

My sister in law just wrote this post...very well written and pretty much how I feel. She is going private so this link won't work too long.

http://andyandkaty.blogspot.com/2008/11/well.html

SURPRISE!

We are in Miami! It was a last minute trip to surprise the family. Luke flew with my mom (who was visiting me) on Sunday evening. Carys and I flew Monday morning. The surprise was a success. Thanks to my mom for making this trip possible. We found amazing fares with Spirit airlines...although I have officially decided that it isn't my favorite airline. The kids are having a great time. I will post pictures of our trip.

Happy Halloween!!!

Halloween was sooo great this year! Stay tuned for pics from our ward Trunk or Treat! As you can see I actually got Rob to dress up this year!!! We loved trick or treating. Carys and Luke couldn't run fast enough to each house. It was great picking out their costumes. Luke completely chose his own this year and has loved every minute of his store-bought muscles. Carys has enjoyed barking like a puppy and chasing her brother around. I think her favorite part of Halloween was when I put a full face of make-up on her. I should've taken a picture of how still she sat and how nicely she puckered her lips for lipstick. What a priss! We were lucky this year to have Emom and Aunt Coursey here for Halloween. The kids especially loved showing off their costumes to them. Coursey had fun as a pink lady. Sadly, nobody knew who Rob and I were...Popeye and olive oyl, of course. Kids today only know sponge bob and bob the builder! oh well, we had fun!

Luke's crazy sleeping patterns strike again!

In an old post I wrote about Luke's crazy sleeping places. He went through a phase where he would fall asleep in the most random places...some of which were not very good. Recently he is back to his old antics. He has graduated from sleeping in the closet, hall, or under the chair. Now he manages to stay in his room, but he is usually outfitted in crazy attire, surrounded by piles of toys, or covered in books. One night last week we walked in and found him like this...
This isn't the worst we've found by far, but it was still funny! Check out his water shoes! Rob just informed me that he was just found asleep on the floor since his entire book shelf was unloaded on his bed. I guess the books needed the good sleeping spot! HA!

Where's my baby girl?

Carys actually let me play with her hair after her bath the other day. I managed to do two pretty good french braids. The whole reason I wanted to do the braids was to give her wavy hair afterwards. I was proud of myself. Then, I felt so sad because my baby didn't look like a baby to me at all. She looked like such a little girl. Sometimes it is hard to believe she is only 2! It really hit me when I looked at this picture.


Time sure flies and although she is still my loud screamer she is growing up to be a beautiful, smart, and funny addition to our family. I just love her to pieces.

French Braids
after the braids with wavy hair

Good News!

Just wanted to announce to all my friends and family that ROB PASSED THE BAR EXAM!!!!!
We are officially finished with law school! I can't begin to tell you what a relief it is. It is like we were holding our breath until today and now we can really take a deep breath and enjoy the feeling. I am so proud of Rob. He worked so hard and long for this. It is a great accomplishment and he did a lot of it for us...Thank you, babe!

Good bye blue carpet, Hello hard wood!

We have finally rid ourselves of the hideous navy blue carpet in our front room. I can't say I am shedding one single tear over it. If you didn't get the opportunity to see it for yourselves it was accented with navy blue crown molding and heavy swag drapes. We got a great deal on some wood flooring and Rob began our project this weekend. We couldn't have done as much as we did without the help of Mike (brother) and Shawn D. Plus the friends who loaned tools (Brian) and tips really made this doable. Thank you so much. I am very proud of Rob and this project. I love my new floors. (we still aren't finished, but almost!) I will post the finished room when I get there! (Oh and thanks to the wives who loaned us their hubbies so we could do this...we owe you!)

BEFORE: (these are the best I could find right now)

Demolition Night:





A work in progress...but looking good!

Carys caught a fish

My mother loves to fish...we all do. Rob took her and the kids fishing one day this summer after the bar exam. Carys got to "catch" (with help) a fish and enjoyed touching it. She really was pretty mesmerized by the whole experience.
They had a great time!

Things I Learned on my Alaska trip...

1. New Camera + Rob on a cruise = Japanese Tourist! Rob loves toys and this boat was a huge toy...he would've taken a picture of the motor if he could see it. He would run to the back of the boat just to check out the wake. He was contantly looking at our speed and the sea conditions. Combine that with a new toy camera and you have a little kid snapping pictures of everything! If you don't believe me you should see how many pictures we have! It was great because he captured a lot of our trip and it was one to remember!

2. There is such a thing as too much chocolate! ( I can't believe I am even saying it.)


3. I am very afraid of heights...just ask my zip line guide! I was the punch line of many a joke while on our expedition. I was the one hugging the trunk of the tree 150 ft in the air. I was the one visibly shaking as I stepped up to launch on the zip line. The actual zip line was not scary, but standing on the platform awaiting my turn was torture. I was particularly loony when Rob peered over the edge (we were hooked to cables in 3 places, but still!) like a darn kid! We did see bears and eagles as we soared through the rain forest. It was worth the knee knocking and nail biting and I have pictures to prove it!


4. We've aged a lot since our honeymoon trip 7 years ago. This realization came when we fully identified with this quote, "You know you are old when you have 2 choices and you choose the one that lets you go to bed earlier." That was us. I think we attempted the night life 2 nights on our cruise, but we literally could barely keep our eyes open through the illusionist show. I mean come on, you know Rob...do you think he is going to dance the night away in the cruise ship disco tech?

5. Everyone looks the same in a big orange life jacket! I am glad we now know how we would get off the cruise if there were an emergency, but man it was a hot and boring drill!


6. Even guys with mullets and tattoos seem to want to cruise to Alaska! (note our pal in the background...we must have seen him 80 times on the boat and we giggled every time)


7. It is OK to look like a complete dork when you are cold on a cruise to Alaska because the entire boat is too busy looking at glaciers to notice you! Luckily, my camera happy hubby didn't miss the photo opp!


8. I would love a career in towel tying...every night these cute little towel critters were waiting on our bed! I would eagerly go back to the cabin to check them out...way more exciting than piano bar music, right? (maybe it is the fact that I am a mom of two)


9. Glacier water does look blue and is very tasty! Yes, Rob actually drank it on top of the glacier!


10. Victoria was one of our most awesome stops! It was quaint and pretty and it had a really active night life! There were some hilarious signs outside of this soap store (they are names of the bars of soap). I thought it was too funny not to pose in front of...we were on a kid-free cruise!

11. I still think my husband is gorgeous! I loved our trip! I loved having no kids, no school, no work, no cell phones, no nothing! Alaska was worth the wait! I can't wait to go again someday when my kids will appreciate it.

(I am sorry this post is nearly 2 months late!)

"The Joy in the Journey"

This was a message in one of the talks in our recent Church General Conference. I have heard the saying before, but have recently talked about it with my mother and it really hit home this time. My kids have been pretty crazy lately and have been pushing my limits and patience. Just this simple phrase reminded me to notice the joyous moments each day that can help you move through the not so joyous moments. My kids always bring me joy in just being their mother, but you all know the hairy days/phases they can go through that make you feel like pulling your hair out. ;)
Here are some moments that brought me joy over the last few days.

1. Before bed Carys had to give each of her 4 babies a kiss good-night. It was so tender and sweet. You have to remember the world of boy I have been in for the past few years. For Carys it was all she needed to do to get ready for bed.

2. Carys wanted her big brother Luke to give her her good-night kiss instead of me. Luke balked and rolled his eyes, but smirked and said, "Aaaall-right...why does she want me to kiss her good-night?" (secretly honored to have the job) Then he leans to kiss her through the crib bars and Carys gives the most whole-hearted giddy giggle! It was so funny. Luke was embarrassed and ended up kissing her hand and foot instead of her cheek because she couldn't stop giggling every time he tried! They won't remember this moment when they are fighting in the backseat of our car more frequently than not.

3. Luke says, "Mom, I just love happy endings!" (me too, buddy, me too!)

4. Luke has been pretending to be superman and he touches his heart to change from "Luke" to "Superman." Every time he changes back to Luke I say, "Oh I am so glad you're back. I really miss you when you are superman doing super hero things." He responds, "Well, mom, I have to do super hero things...who else is going to do it? I will just stay Luke a little longer so I don't miss you." (SWEET!)

5. I found myself sitting alone in Chick-Fil-A, sipping my Coke, while my kids ran around the play area. I loved the silence and especially the wonders of Plexiglas as I couldn't hear the screams or anything kid...yes, that too, was a joyous moment in my journey. Hey, we matter too and sometimes it takes moments of silence to remember that!