DC Trip

Hi, it is me again and my trip!
I failed to show a picture of Nathan in his awesome poncho! So so wet. Such a different rain then our dry desert! Loved it, just not so much after I got soaked through.


Little more about the capitol building. The painting inside the rotunda was awesome! It appeared so 3D! Little fact, it took 3 different artists to finish this painting. The first fell to his death while painting it.






I would love to have been a fly on the wall in this room at that time in early America! The stress tension these men must have felt, but yet worked through the feelings and as a result our freedom which we enjoy each day!









This portion of the vaca post is about the memorials. Each one brought different feelings.

Iwo Jima
My Dad (tour guide) told us we were going to raise the flag over the Iow Jima Memorial. I was confused, but understood as we drove around the Memorial the flag slowly raises. Pretty cool. This memorial shows sacrifice to our nation from the soldiers willing to give all for the flag. Around the Memorial lists all the wars. With their dates. We have really been involved in a lot of wars! The really neat thing, our nation's land has been protected through all this. (The land of inheritance as long as we keep the commandments??)










The World War II Memorial was cool. Each of those gold things are stars, each star represents 1000 soldiers that died.














The Korean Memorial took me away deep in thought. First we walked past this wall with the soldiers' faces etched in the wall then continue to find yourselves trudging to the 32nd parallel with these soldiers.
















Their descriptive faces and bodies leaning forward, their thoughts had to have been of home yet willing to serve their country. Their are 32 granite slabs as you keep walking up to the first soldier. This was my favorite memorial!









This Memorial depicted FDR and all he did with America during and after the depression.
A person intently listening to the radio. I am sure wondering what his future holds for him and his family.











The bread line with myself, Raquel and Kenzi waiting for our daily allowance.


















the Japanese gave The United States thousands of cherry trees. They were breathtaking!


to be continued!....

Travelog mania

All love to hear repeats of others vacations, so I will do my duty and share, every minute detail. KIDDING, not everything, almost.

Nathan and I went back east and toured with my Dad and his school group. Yes, we were technically chaperons, but NO chaperoning involved. We were two adults joining a group of pretty dog on well behaved kids. Went with my parents, sis in law Raq-a-toe and daughter Kenzi.

The week prior was full of extreme business, lots of schedule writing and meal preps and car pool rides set up ect. Plus, the house has to be clean so I can leave right? So happened, Spring Soccer started the week we were gone. Everyone knows how Spring Soccer is!

We went to bed Saturday night about 11 pm and woke up at 12:20. Met up with the bus in Honeyville at 3 am left on the plane at 6 am. Have I excited anyone yet?

Flew into DC area. First stop was a dinner theater and play of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. I liked it, but very very tired!

(still with me or have you decided this is a waste of time to read?)

Next day was a big day of walking and sightseeing. I loved every minute of it!
It poured buckets. Literally. Had no idea rain came down like that. My rain jacket did not last, I was chilled, Nathan's poncho kept him nice and dry!
First stop was the Capitol building. I loved the massiveness of it and the detail. Absolutely breathtaking, as well as linking it back to the founding fathers and first leadership of the country. I felt humbled as I pondered all the sacrifices they went through for the freedom we have. Amazing.

The White House was neat. Had fun watching the security and snipers. Same street lady, same spot rallying us to change because the country is going down!

And yes, you do like my new hat!

Nathan got a picture with him shaking Pres. Obama's hand. But, Pres. Obama is taller then Nathan (in the photo) and that is not true in real life, must be a $10.00 fake. (which by the way, was the only item Nathan purchased for himself the whole trip).

Other items of interest, super neat how the California statue in the 'hall of state statues' had crushed up Berlin Wall in it.

















To be continued....(lovin it!)

The big first bday

Baby Brycen is welcomed into our family

















Baby Brycen has cute chubby cheeks for his blessing day.

















newborn sweetness. I love the legs scrunched up (giving a full diaper look), tongue resting on the lower lip and peacefully sleeping. I want to pick him up and kiss those cheeks!













Brycen wonders what Corbin did to his forehead. (rubbed his forehead on the carpet as he pushed his trains). Corbin wonders what has just turned his life completely upside down!








being a 4th child is taxing!












Pretty cute little fella, our little Brycie Boy











Now he thinks he is all big and bad!
Latest joys, climbing on the table, driving the car (flipping on the window washing wipers), pulling out everything...books, pans, pots, glasses, every sandwich bag out of the box, one by one..., loves to drive cars and trains with his own unique sound, and LOVES Tanner!

















Happy 1st Birthday Bobby Bobby Boy

need your help

So, last night I jumped on my treadmill and tried to run. The belt was slipping horribly! I gave it a tighten here and a tighten there again and again. The last tighten and there was a snap. A horrible sound for a treadmill owner!
My dear life blood has been cut off and I am slowly dieing.
If I was a swearing fool, there would have been some nasty words flying!

Stayed up until 1 am reading about treadmills.

Today, went to Tanner's school and volunteered. Nathan was suppose to come home for lunch and be with the rugrats. Well, he double booked himself and boom, I was left high and dry. A mother of a young woman pulled through and sat with my sleeping baby.
Corbs came with and I told him on the way home "thank you for being such a good boy".
Corbs quickly replied: "I did not like being a good boy!"



Well, since Nathan left me high and dry, he felt obligated to join me on a date to Costco and Sears in search of a treadmill. Sweet! Plus a NY Burrito, yum!

So, here is my purpose for posting, need some tips ideas and such on treadmills. What kind do you like ect. Not what works best to hold up clothes. This is for reals and I may have to hold up the Little Caesars Pizza Pizza sign to buy it!







The ultimate treatment (not running on a treadmill) and enjoying a nice pedicure from his girl!


Speaking of that little girl. We have been watching the Olympics, awesome! She informed us she was going to be in the Summer Olympics in swimming. GO BOO! We are cheering you on!
She told her Dad she is the best swimmer in her class because the other two moved up to the next class". LOVE YOU BOO!

Racers of all types

This is our racing Savannah Boo Bug, at the Igloo Pentathlon. She brought home a trophy and a t-shirt. She claims that Dad needs to build her two big trophy shelves in her room to hold all her future trophies. She was so so scared when she walked in and saw so many big people and lots of swimmers. After a few tears she put on a courageous face and had a blast!



I had this next video turned, oh well, Tanner had a blast at the Annual Pinewood Derby night. He designed his own car and Nathan and I helped with the other stuffs. His was not the fastest.
But, what a great experience.

Tanner's sweet car received "Most Patriotic", now you guess which one is his!















So, here is Corbie's "race". He loves his dump truck! We FINALLY received some snow. (melted the next day, but hey we will take it!).
It was Sunday and the kids were outside so fast, they love it! As do I.
















Tanner's snowman. After he shoveled the neighbor's walk.












Savann's (as she want's to be called) snowgirl, complete with a hat and jacket to keep her warm. Fun snowy days!














this little guy could only watch and dream! But, he has mastered going down the stairs! Big day!

when Daddy makes Cooks

So, Nathan claimed he could make Snickerdoodles really well, he rolled up his sleeves and went at it, which means he is focused and works on the task at hand, regardless of the mess he could possibly be making!

Turned out to be a family affair.









I attempted to clean up Sunday dinner and Brycen was all about helping me, so in the sink
he went. Happy as can be!


















Yes, they are different outfits, same principle, always into stuff!











Corbin and Savannah patiently waiting and begging for cookie dough!


















Had to add one of Tanner, represents him perfectly! It was "When in Rome do as the Romans Do" he was a Roman God and I was his slave. He is motioning me for more food. He LOVED the idea behind it all!


Well, bummed I do no have a finished product of Nathan's hard (messy) work. But, just for the record, the Snickerdoodles were delicious!




Some Funnies:

Corbin pushes his trains all over this house, forehead down next to the ground or rubbing on the ground. I could hear him talking and pushing his train (Bill) to my bedroom he pushed it right up to the bathroom door "Mom can you see my buffers?"

Tonight, he was hiding behind the couch as I was feeding Brycen, I asked him why he was out of bed, "because Mom, it is just taking a really long time for the morning light to come".

During a cold of his, I told him if we eat Green Beans, it will help you get better (always trying to be tricky with this kid) and so now, whenever he does not feel well, he asks me for some beans to help his body get better.

I am sure there will be more to come from this kid!

Yes, we are here, we are here!

The New Year is upon me and I have made the Resolution (they just are meant to be broken) that I will blog more often. haha.

Lots of fun blah blah blah Family stuff the past couple months. I know all are so so interested in my kids. But, a few funny moments, biased from the Mom's point of view.

Nathan the human jungle gym. (I know I just put a picture on of him, but it is all too frequent)The kids pile and jump on him and he lays flat on the floor. I think it looks sort of relaxing. Right? He pulls them in and calls them his Kid Salad, then eats them up. I am usually cleaning up dinner and I love to watch.

Sometimes you just have to tower the kids on shoulders. Easier that way!






Brycen usually watches from a distance, and babbles at the kids, but this night he just had to join in.




The latest Lincoln Log production. Savannah, Nathan and I constructed the tower to see how high. Pretty cool eh?





So, the next kid-ism, if you will is Brycen and Corbs. See, we three are together all day while the older kids are at school. Corbin often "is a baby" and acts and does just what Brycen does. If Brycen goes by the stairs well, Corbs does too. I will say No No Brycen, so Corbs pipes up with "I am a baby too, so tell me" Sometimes it is a fun game for all of us, other times, well, drives me bonkers!

Here Corbs is the baby and Brycen is the "I am in for the free ride" boy!


did anyone notice the matching shirts. Two little blonde babies with blue eyes and matching shirts ahhh.

stay tuned for more kid fun! Right?