Nations capital

Last weekend Bryan and I flew to Washington DC. Darci Hallmark got married in the Washington DC Temple and we decided to go out and be there with her. 

She was one of my young women starting 7 years ago when I was pregnant with boots and I have loved her and her family ever since. 

After a delicious lunch at Dukes for sandwiches, We started out going to a small town called Fredericksburg which was so quaint and off the beaten path. There were several antique shops and little boutiques along the way. We stopped in a chocolate shop, a specialty oil and vinegar shop, and then grab a giant slice of pizza. After that we moved onto a little seafood joint were brian got some crab soup. It was just the most beautiful little town. After that we headed back into town and back to the hotel.

The next morning we got up bright and early and drove out to the temple. Although it is very close to Washington DC, traffic is horrible everywhere you go so it took us about 30 minutes to get there. We got to drive down the street full of embassies on either side. They are beautiful. Actually the architecture everywhere through this city is amazing! I absolutely loved it! Cary and Kelly Jones flew out for the wedding as well so we hung out with them. The sealing took place in the temple that morning and she looked gorgeous! A beautiful bride. After the temple we headed over to where the luncheon would take place at a little Mexican restaurant. We waited for about two hours while they took pictures outside of the temple. We even walked down to a party store and got four giant three-foot balloons to bring back for decorations. And after the lunch we headed into the city to do a little sightseeing with the Joneses.

We stopped at DC cupcakes for some less than desirable cupcakes. I was very underwhelmed. This is so disappointing for me as I love cupcakes and I love treats! Our rental car got a completely flat tire as we pulled into our hotel. Classic. Then we went and saw the White House and a few of the monuments. We walked around until dark and waited to get into a delicious restaurant. The weight was two hours long as they recommend that you get reservations weeks in advance. It was called the old ebbit and it was worth it!!  

The next morning we slept in and then went and got brunch at the tabard Inn. It is the oldest hotel in the city and it was beautiful! The leaves are changing and it was crisp so is a beautiful walk up to this quaint little hotel. The food was absolutely divine! They make homemade donuts that were to die for. Because we slept in so long and got brunch, we didn't have time to do anything else that day. The reception was about a 2+ hour drive out into the middle of Virginia. Again the countryside and architecture is absolutely breathtaking. We drove with the Joneses out to the reception and enjoy the beautiful night, although rather chilly, in a barn celebrating with Darci and Matt.

Our last morning we got up and had brunch at a different location. Scratch that, we wanted to get brunch at a different location but by the time we were halfway walking there we realized we didn't have time to do anything else. So we ended up going to the burger joint we found a New York City called the Shake shack and got some awesome burgers, fries, and milkshakes. And we went over to the Smithsonian museums and were able to walk around a few of those. We had a really fun trip together! He is my favorite travel companion. We always laugh and have such a good time together. Also we always eat way too much. I was supposed to be losing weight as we are going on a sailing trip this week, instead since we went to New York City I have put on several lbs... What's with that??? You only live once, so enjoy it right?!

Rangers vs Jay's

When I married Brian I knew nothing about baseball. My brothers played Little League but I never went to any kind of a baseball game and if I did I never paid any kind of attention. 

Enter the Texas Rangers. 

I fell in love with the team and the sport. I love the atmosphere. And this year the Rangers made it into the first series of playoffs against the blue jays. They lost, but we went to a game and had so. Much. Fun. It is one of my all time favorite things to do. The food, and the feel there just feel so chill. 

Next year guys, next year. 

9 years ago

I cannot believe this girl has been alive for nine years. I still vividly remember the night she was boring. She woke me up in the middle of the night and broke my water. Brian and I rushed to the hospital full of excitement and fear. We both cried as we spread all the way to grapevine Texas. She was such a cute Darling chubby face baby. She was not a very happy baby and she cried all the time but we sure loved her. 

Over the years she has brought us so much joy in her home. She's very sassy and she brings me a lot of frustration as well, but I hope one day she will learn how to put it to good use. She is an excellent big sister and takes care of poppy so well! She can't wait to babysit. She wants to be a teenager already and I guess been nine years old means she's getting pretty close.

 This year she decided to have a Harry Potter themed birthday party. It was a lot of fun to put together. She invited about eight girls and one boy. We made hand made magical ones with hot glue and paint, had a potions class and the kids each got to make and take home their own potion. It was a lot of fun and Natalie really loved it!

She is so beautiful,  sweet, sassy, feisty, fun, and I love her so much.

When I took her into the doctor this week for her yearly check up she was 4'7", weighed 77 pounds, wears a size 6 in women's shoes and is just growing like a weed. The pediatrician recommended that she be tested for dyslexia at school. I have sent off an email to her teacher to get her tested so we will see where that goes. She has always struggled with reading and now it is coming a factor with her spelling and her math so we need to get to the bottom of it.

But, happy birthday sweet Natalie all of!

No chance for slowing down

Life just gets crazier doesn't it?! Never slowing down. 

Work is nuts (although slowing down and I am loving that), kids school homework is non stop, the fall is crazy for birthdays in our house, lots of travel, soccer, baseball, church callings, and just life! I love to be busy but I am so tired. 

We manage to grab lunch with Brian when we can. I do a good job of convincing Courtney to pick my favorite restaurants. Chuys. 

A few weeks ago the kids put together a lemonade stand for a great cause. 

My friend Kelly in Houston has a not for profit company called student ties. She gets friendship bracelets made in Third World countries by the actual students who send them to her to sell. All the proceeds go back to them to help them go to school, build it destroyed schools, and school supplies. Most families can't afford to send their children to school so they end up not having an education. Our bracelets were from students in Nepal  who school was destroyed in the earthquake a few years ago. I love that we were able to be in bald in such a great cause and the kids loved it! Earned lots of money and we are still trying to sell bracelets here in there to get more.

Poppy girl is growing up way too fast. She will be one year next month and I just cannot believe how old she is getting. She crawls at lightning speed, is very curious and climbing stairs and loves to try and get a quick getaway. She stands up and takes 2 to 3 steps on her own. She cruises around the furniture and thinks she is so funny! She laughs at herself and tries to get the kids to laugh at her. She thinks it's funny to throw food on the floor, I however do not think that is funny. She points when you point at her, waves when you wave, she will blow kisses and give very juicy kisses on your lips. She can say hi, bye-bye, dad, Momma. She is always happy, she sleeps well, she eats well, and she pretty much is just the happiest read sunshine in our home. So blessed to have that little spirit.

These are two of our favorite girls. They are the twins that live just down the road. They moved here from Canada and we have become quick friends at their family. They are our number one (x2) babysitters and the kids love them like big sisters! They celebrated their 14th birthday and we had fun!

Pretty much we are just trying to have fun when we can. Love these kiddos of mine but life is sure getting away from me!

3 in a row?!

One of the hardest things to do as a parent is to see your child in pain. This summer while we were in Canada I noticed a little bump on Courtney in her groin. I did not know what it was but it was there all summer. As soon as we got home I made an appointment with her doctor to go get it checked out and the day we went sure enough there was no bump. When we went into see the doctor I explained the situation and she said it could be a hernia. She had her push out and sure enough it popped right back out. 

She referred us to a general surgeon and we went and had it looked at by him. Of course he confirmed that it indeed was a hernia and that quite possibly there was another one but he wouldn't know until he was in there.

We booked her hernia surgery and it was last week. She was very excited as they told her that she would be able to make a crown and then visit the popsicle room afterwards. 

She was extremely brave and did awesome in the hospital. After the surgery was over in recovery she was very groggy and grumpy. As to be expected. I know the times I have had surgery when I was a teenager waking up in recovery was the absolute worst.

They let us know that they went in with a scope and did the one side and checked out the other side where indeed there was another hernia. There was also an umbilical hernia on her belly button that was very small but he also repaired. Unfortunately there is a chance that they all could come back but it is rare.

The saddest part was when we were tending to her in her bed trying to get her to eat a little bit of her popsicle and she said through her tears "I didn't even want surgery!". It made both brain and I very emotional to see her so sad and so groggy and in so much pain. We brought her home a few hours later and she has just been recovering at home. We set up a bed in our bedroom beside ours for her to land in the first few days she literally couldn't even move. We had to carry her to the bathroom and even that she didn't want to do because of the pain. The doctor gave us a heavy pain medicine but it made her sick(vomiting everything) so we quickly switched to Motrin and Tylenol which helped a lot. 

Finally she has been on the mend it seems although there are still some times where it is very painful for her to move. It just makes my heart hurt to see her crying and in pain. I'm glad we got it fixed though because I know that it could have turned to something worse.

This picture was a few days before her surgery. Let's hurry up and get back to this point where she can move and lean over and play with her baby sister and be happy! We sure love you court.

Boots is the best

Boots turned seven in the summer and he is such a joy to have in our house. 

He is playing baseball this season ends on the Yankees. His team is not very good but he has fun! 

I have been so busy so far this year that I haven't even made it to one game. We also have so many trips planned for the fall I don't know how many games I will even be able to make it too.

I just needed to talk a little bit about how sweet he is. He just rode his bike home from school and when they get home they are always tired and hot.

I myself had just gotten home from the grocery store and had opened the trunk of my van to start unloading groceries. He rides up on his bike about a minute after I had pulled into the driveway and as he goes to park his bike inside the garage says to me in passing "hi mom! Can I come help me with groceries?" 

And honestly this is how he is all the time with his entire life. He is just the sweetest little boy and always thinking of others. In fact last week we move Courtney into his room instead of sharing with Natalie because we know how patient he would be with her. It's hard to share a room with a five-year-old but boots is just the right person to do it. 

Love this kid.