Spring Trip to Utah

Here are a few pictures from our pit stop trip to Utah in between moves from Arizona to Maine. We were able to spend almost 3 weeks there and it was so nice to soak up some time with family before moving so far away. 

Maddie, Nathan, Davis, and cousin Harper at the Christus statue at Temple Square. Isaac was old enough to see "Music and the Spoken Word" in the actual conference center that morning so he wasn't with us. 

Grandpa Mike knows how to create a memorable afternoon. On two separate occasions he drove the grand kids to 7-11 in his tractor. It's something I'm sure they will never forget.

A unique view of the Salt Lake temple while visiting Grandpa Lynn at work. 

We had the best weather while in Utah and spent many many hours in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard.

Nater and his look alike taking in a view of the city on the top floor of the COB.

We spent a day at the Museum of Natural Curiosity with a bunch of cousins. The kids had a ball. 

A Pi party with the family on March 14th was a must. 

When aunt Sara babysits you, she gives you Fanta and doughnuts--all you can eat. We love Parker!

Did you know that Kneaders bakery marks down their sweets to half price every Saturday at 8pm? We stocked up two separate times on that screamin' deal. My dad is the most fun to go with because he buys just about one of everything. 

Sister Selfies. I'm pretty lucky to have them in my life. 

And just like that, our Utah time was up and we were off to the east coast.

Family Pictures in Cape Cod

While we were in Cape Cod for Ryan's family reunion, my sister-in-law took a few pictures of our family on the beach.

This one is my favorite.

Sometimes I still can't believe I have four kids---four freakin' kids!

Thanks, Becky! We love them!

Labor Day Weekend in Upstate New York

When we moved to New England, Ryan and I made a bucket list of sorts, places that we wanted to visit while living on the East Coast. Palmyra and Niagara Falls have been on that list for the past two years, so we took advantage of Ryan's three-day weekend and headed out of town. 

 Don't the kids look thrilled to go on the Maid of the Mist boat ride? It was especially humid and crowded while we waited in line, and the plastic ponchos didn't help cool us off, but the boat ride through the mist felt great It was definitely worth the wait and the heat.

 It is hard to do the Falls justice in a picture. We were all blown away by the sheer size of these babies and the amount of mist they created.

 American Falls and Bridal Veil falls. Horseshoe falls was so big and created so much mist that I couldn't even get a picture of it!

Standing at the top of American Falls.

The Sacred Grove.

 I know I have too many pictures of these two holding hands, but before I know it they will grow out of it and I'll wish I had more. Davis got tired in the Sacred Grove and would only walk if Maddie held his hand.

Ryan pretty much carried Nate around like this all weekend long. 

The kids at the Palmyra Temple. It's not very often that I attend a session at the temple but thanks to Ryan watching all the kids I was able to do so on Saturday.

A few things I want to remember about the trip:

• Isaac came home from school on Friday before we left and exclaimed incredulously, "Mom! Vikram (his buddy at school) has never even heard of Palmyra! or the Hill Cumorah, or Joseph Smith!" "Well, did you tell him about them?" I asked. "Yeah I did!"
• Traveling with kids (at least our kids) is always a lot of work, but this was one of my most favorite trips we have been on together. We stayed in a charming little house right across the street from the Sacred Grove. It was called "The Palmyra White House" and it was the perfect size for our family. Davis has been asking since we left, "Mommy, can we go back to our white house?"
• While we were visiting the Printing Press where the Book of Mormon was first published, Maddie leaned over to me as the sister missionary was giving her tour and whispered, "Mom! Now I get it! It's called The Book of Mormon because Mormon helped write it!"
• The night before we headed out of town, Isaac asked me if we were going to be able to stay in a hotel. I told him that it was like a hotel, but it was a white house. Gasping, he excitedly replied, "The White House!! You mean the place where that Bishop man lives that we've seen on TV? The man who takes care of the whole valley?" Realizing that he was referring to President Obama, I explained that it was a white house, but not THE White House. Maddie, who had been listening to our conversation, chimed in, "The White House?? I thought we were going to New York, not Washington D.C.!"
• I went for a Monday morning run right through the Sacred Grove. How cool is that?
• We missed the pageant but were still able to climb to the top of the Hill Cumorah. 
• Even though the ride home was a little rough (let's just say Nater wasn't the only one who messed his pants), I loved having that time with Ryan to talk and just be together. I can't wait to cross more destinations off our East Coast bucket list!

Christmas 2012

A Myriad of Pictures from Christmas Break (in no particular order)...

Maddie playing with the Lego dollhouse that her grandparents sent her. One of my favorite pass times is listening to her  role play with her new toy. It is nothing short of hilarious how she has the different characters communicate with one another.

The kids at the Air and Space museum in Washington DC. Ryan had some time of the week following Christmas and we took the kids on a little road trip. There were definitely  highlights and lowlights, but it was so so nice to have him around so much.

In front of the Vietnam Memorial in DC.

The East Coast Temple Square at the Washington DC Temple. Though the lights were on a much smaller scale than the ones in SLC, I felt like it was a little piece of home seeing all the Christmas lights around the temple. There was a display of nativity scenes from around the world inside the visitor's center and it was amazing. One of my favorite parts of the trip.

A peek at how we found Maddie and Isaac sleeping in the hotel one night at 2am. I love how Maddie is clinging to the night stand, even in her sleep.

A favorite Christmas present that the whole family benefits from, an indoor trampoline. 

Ryan and Maddie building a castle for Maddie's My Little Pony with the new magna tile blocks from Grandma and Grandpa.

Eating at Cafe Rio in DC. I was in heaven.

Davis refused to dress up as anyone but a ukulele-playing batman for our annual nativity on Christmas Eve. A terrible picture but I had to document it anyway.

Other Happenings:

• We found out the gender of our upcoming addition--even Maddie is excited about having another boy!
• Maddie cut her own hair...and Isaac cut Maddie's hair...and now she has some very noticeable layers that we will have to take care of soon. Ryan tried to convince me that he could even it out himself...that's not going to happen.
• Ryan bought me tickets to see the new Les Mis movie with a friend over the break (loved it!)
• While we all missed being close to family for the holidays, it was so nice to be at home as well. We were able to spend Christmas Eve with friends, and on Christmas day the kids never even got out of their pajamas.
• Ryan was able to be home for all of it. If I have learned one thing over the past 18 months of residency, it's that I no longer take for granted the time that we get to all be together as a family. I hope I never do. 

Grandma and Grandpa in CT

After their jaunt in the northern New England states, Lynn and Mary-Ann made their way to CT to spend the final days of their vacation with us. 

Here we are all anxiously waiting for them to drive up in their rental car. 

They spent a lot of time reading books and playing with the kids. Grandpa especially loved getting them worked up right BEFORE bedtime.

And teaching them new things, like how to turn an apple into a water lily.

We explored Yale's campus one morning and ran smack dab into the Caseus Cheese truck. I'm pretty sure it was the best sandwich of the D-man's life.

Enjoying the view from East Rock Park.

Climbing on the rocks at Silver Sands Beach.

Checking out the sea creatures along the shore with Grandpa.

Our guests left Sunday morning and tears were shed (mine). We can't wait until they come back again next year. We had such a great time Christmas shopping for the kids, eating delicious seafood, cheese, and pastrami, spending the day at the beach (minus the crazy-aggressive seagulls), and playing with toys. I am so thankful for the loving families we have been blessed with. What good examples they are to us and our children.

Boston with the Inlaws

Ryan's parents have been vacationing in New England for the past couple of weeks. While they were in Boston a couple of weeks ago we met up them so we could spend the day together. 

We started out at our very favorite children's museum. If you are ever in Boston it is a must-visit with kids. 

One of the many qualities I admire about Mary-Ann is her ability to find teachable moments with the kids so often. It is a gift of hers. She is constantly taking opportunities to teach them new things. 

Maddie at the museum with a view of the Boston Harbor behind her.

Ike-a-Lisa at the museum.

Dunking the ball with a little bit of help from Gramps.

Building some muscle strength with Dad.

Like most two-year-olds, this boy has some pretty animated expressions.

After spending our morning at the museum, we headed to Faneuil Hall for some seafood lunch. It was a beautiful day and we were able to eat outside. The kids were then treated to a carousel ride by their grandpa.

We ran out of time and weren't able to visit the inside of the Boston Aquarium, but Dave still enjoyed coming face to face with the sea life outside. We did, however, make time for gelato and Italian pastries (you know how I love me a sweet lobster tail from Modern Bakery) in Little Italy. 

Mary-Ann kindly took care of the three little ones for the night while Ryan, Lynn, and I headed to Fenway Park for a ball game. Here they are on Yawkey Way. 

Seeing a Red Sox game at Fenway Park was at the top of Lynn's bucket list, so it was really fun to experience it with him, even for someone like me who isn't much of a sports fan. 

Proof that I was there. 

Thanks for a wonderful day and some great memories, Lynn and Mary-Ann!