Washington D.C ....... part 1

Okay, so when you spend 11 days in Washington DC you take a gazillion pictures. So here are a few from our little trip.

Capitol / Supreme Court

Tomb of the Unknown

Arlington Cemetery / Eternal Flame / JFK Grave site

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

My uncle Bruce was killed when I was 8. He was a DPS officer in Northern Arizona. It was really neat to see his name and to get a few rubbings of it. Very special experience for me to have. One I will treasure forever.

Washington Memorial / Jefferson Memorial / World War II Memorial / Nations Capital

Lincoln Memorial
This was AMAZING. I have always wanted to see the Lincoln Memorial, and it was nothing less than breath taking. The size of the statue was amazing and the view down the National mall was breath taking.

Vietnam Wall

Smithsonian Museum of American History

Michelle Obama's Inaugural ball gown / The ruby red slippers/ Kermit/ Julia Child's Kitchen


So there. A few pics from out trip. I have more to post such as Mount Vernon, the Washington DC Temple, and pics with our friends the Browne's that we went to visit and stayed with.

Moving

So, I haven't blogged in for-ev-er. With my new found love of Facebook, I've gotten lazy. Not like I have a million followers, but still.

Any who, a quick update on us. We went on an amazing 11 day vacation to Washington, DC. LOVED IT! I would love to go back with out the kids and spend more time, but none the less, the kids were amazing and were the best behaved they have EVER been. It was nice. I see more big vacations in our future!

(Yes, I took this photo)

Abram turned one. My baby is one, I can't believe it. He has so much personality, and a permanent bruise on his forehead from his clumsiness.



Tiffany turned 3. Wow. I can't believe this little thing is this big!

(Tiffany and her cousin Abbigale)
(Yes I took this photo too)

Ashlee got baptized. That was neato spageto. She looked ever so beautiful in her white dress, and has seem to be rather well behaved since this event.


Aaron and I quit our jobs and have decided to take on the Obama plan of not working and having the government pay for everything. Just kidding. Actually, we are moving to the beautiful White Mountains, to a quaint little town called Eagar. It's beautiful. It actually has 4 seasons and we will wake up many a mornings with snow on the ground. I can't wait. Aaron is working for the Round Valley School District. Go Elks! He started last week and has been loving it. I, meanwhile, have been stuck in the valley playing single mom and packing up the house. Not cool. We have had kinda a rough time finding a home to rent, but finally, after we have looked and looked, cried, got frustrated, prayed, and fasted...... we finally have a home (fingers crossed) we have to formally tell them tomorrow we want to rent. Ahhhhhhh success. I just want you to know that I am calling the style of this house (FYI I haven't seen it yet, only the pics Aaron took) ehm, I am calling the style of this house Brady Bunch Chic. Yellow carpet. White sandstone brick walls. Smoke glass chandeliers. Jealous. Thoughts so.






So that's it in a nutshell. I hope to be better at updating this blog since we are moving away from our friends and family. Okay, off to packing. *Sigh*

p.s. I plan on doing a little more in depth blog on each of these events. Just let me get moved first!

Mesa Main Street

On the 2nd Friday of every month down town Mesa has 2nd Friday. It's great, free, and tons of fun for the family. Here are some pictures that we took while crusin' main. We ate dinner at Mangos.....Yummy! Hope you enjoy.

I can't believe that February is almost over! Where had the time gone? We have been very eventful this month, it was Elle, Aaron's and My birthdays. My brother Michael got hitched, and we are making vacation plans for our trip to Washington DC. Someday..*cross my fingers*..I will finally get a break!!

Goofy Golf with friends for Elle's birthday party!!

Laser Tag at the birthday party

Seriously?! Cutest little man in a tux!!

Beautiful girls!!

Click....take a pic

So my sweet little Elle has found a love in running. She didn't get that from me, but none the less, it's something I will support. This pass weekend Elle and Ashlee ran in the PF Changs Rock and Roll Kids Marathon. Here are some pictures from that fun time.

They had so much fun that in March we are doing another kids run at the Phoenix Zoo.

Totally excited!!

Apparently a horse's number two is heart shaped...never knew that...then again, never looked.

Here are some pics from December. First is Ashlee and Tiffany chillin with the chickens at Grandma and Grandpa's compound.

THE CAST (dum dum dum) nice dramatic sound huh?

Mama's Boy

When I found out a year ago that I was having a boy, everyone kept telling me that there is something special and different about having a son. I figured it was because you have to be totally alert when you change their diapers, other wise, you'd get wet. Nope. There is something truly different and magical about having a son. Now don't get me wrong, I love my girls. Each one is unique and brings something special and amazing to our family, but the little man, sheesh, it's hard to to put into words.
When I look into his eyes, my heart swells with love. I see the future prom dates, the future heart breaks, and the future missionary. And even thought a little part of me gets scared, a bigger part of me gets excited. I have already forewarned Aaron that little man is going to be able to get away with murder in my book, so be prepared. I truly understand the meaning of Mama's boy now, and I think it's awesome!!

New Year

I haven't blogged in a long time, well, I haven't blogged anything of substance in a long time. I've been in a funk. A bad one. I was allowing other worries to over run my life and assist me in digging a deeper well of depression. In fact, to many surprise, I've actually been seeing a counselor to help me figure out why I turn to food for love, why I am obsessed with having a perfect house, and why I am the person that I am. It has helped out A LOT!! I see me returning, a better me, a new and improved model. Watch out world I'm back!!

Its days like today where I am thankful for the life I have. For many, today would have been a day from hell. A sick baby that has a temperature, keeps vomiting, and wants to beheld and rocked. A two year old that has the eye of the terminator and is hell bent on destroying any and everything. A 9 year old who has the attitude of a 16 year old, and a 7 year old who loves to help out, sometimes a little too much, oh and likes to sneak food she isn't suppose to have. Then to top if off, a husband who left to work early in the morning, only to return 13 hours later, with his new jeans ripped and his knuckles gashed. Ahh, it's a beautiful day.

So tonight, I sit here, in my messy house. Christmas decorations still up, dirty dishes in the sink, floor screaming to be mopped, and a toilet that I just unclogged because a certain 2 year old got into the bathroom and flushed a WHOLE roll of toilet paper....I sit here thankful. Thankful that the 2 year old survived the odds of being born 11 weeks early. Thankful my 9 year old is healthy and has friends. Thankful my 7 year old has the motherly instinct and self confidence I never had. Thankful I have a son, who is healthy, happy, and has killer blue eyes. Thankful that my husband has a job, and the fact he loves his job is a total bonus. And thankful that I survived today, that I survived 2009, and that I'll survive tomorrow.