Sew...like this is what I've been doing.

I know, I know, I really should be packing.

BUT...I found this scarf idea on a blog and couldn't get it off my mind.

It only took about 15-20 minutes so I figured I was okay.

Jeff LOVES this shirt. I'm not exactly sure why but he doesn't wear it very often. Every time he wears it I feel like we've traveled back to 2000.

However... there are 2 good things about this shirt:

-It's super soft.

-It makes a really cute scarf.

As soon as I saw this idea, I knew the shirt I wanted to use. Surprisingly, Jeff was more than happy/willing to let me dice it up and now we both love it. (I think I like it more now than him though. hehe)

I think I'm going to add to it. I only used the front of the shirt and once we get settled, I'll cut up the back and double it.
CHRISTmas for Kamden

It's a bean bag chair in the pattern of a baseball.

It looks flat because it is. :) I'm going to stuff it AFTER we move.

I made a minky blanket for Mac. He loves to suck his thumb and cuddle up with a blanket. Hopefully this can help replace the thumb. We'll see.

Washingon DC

Iwo Jima

My Favorite

Jeff and I read The Lost Symbol a few months ago and we realized that we lived within a few hours and not a few days. We decided that we should take a little trip.

Our first stop was just after we arrived in the city. We parked at the National Mall and walked around to a lot of the memorials at night. I had visited 2 times before and Jeff once.

You really do appreciate it more the older you are.

When I went in High School, the tour guide suggested that if we ever got the chance, we should visit the sites at night, especially The Korean War Memorial. The Lincoln Memorial was so bright. People were perched all around the upper level like little pigeons.

The Washington Monument

(up close)(Far away with the reflection pool)Korean War Memorial
WWII Memorial WWII Memorial lower levelIt had been a long day for all of us.The Capitol(inside the Rotunda)

Yeah, not really the most exciting place for a 2 year old.
The Crypt

Ford's Theater

(where Lincoln was shot)

Then we went to the Zoo.

You see that little speck just to the right or our heads?

Yeah, that's the "GIANT" Panda.

The Flamingos were by far our favorite.

Neither of us had ever seen one in real life.

(asleep)(awake and squawking...

They sound like geese)Classic Jeff Weirdo Face Kam loved this bear

DC Temple



All in all, we had a fun, short trip. We swam in a really cold indoor pool, accidentally parked in a handicap stall which lead to a little $250 ticket, got to take a double stroller on the Metro, and ate some really yucky pizza.

We also took a few wrong turns which led us to see some really old, amazing areas that we wouldn't have seen had we followed the GPS correctly. (that thing can cause some stress)

I know that it might sound like I'm complaining but it was an adventure and we are so glad we got to go.


One more thing before I go...
This picture does not do it justice. This is one of the elevators in the Metro. We had people tell us it would be really easy with a stroller. This is actually a really funny story.
We had lots we wanted to see so we left our hotel room about 8:45 which is pretty good for having the boys with us.
Started walking toward the station and felt super-de-duper out of place. We were the ONLY ones in jeans and most definitely the only ones with 2 kids, sporting a double stroller.
We had a hard time finding the first handicap entrance.
We bought our little day passes.
Couldn't get through the gate.
Couldn't find the station manager so we just helped ourselves and went through a side gate that was open.
Couldn't find the elevator so we took the escalator. This was seriously the longest escalator I have ever seen. I felt like we were plunging to the center of the earth.
We got some scuzzy looks too. People had to go around us.
The cars were jam-packed so we walked to the end.
People were looking at us like we didn't really belong there for some reason. (Which at the time I thought was so weird)
We got off and located the elevator.
Scanned our little day pass to get out. No go. It wouldn't open for us.
The station manager standing close by couldn't get it to work either. He looked closer and said, "This is a day pass. They aren't supposed to let you through until 9:30. I don't know how you got through."
Oopsies...hehe
We just kept awalkin.
We didn't tell him we just let ourselves through.
The reason we were so out of place and kept getting scuzzy looks is because we, aka "tourists", are not supposed to be able to get through. It interferes with the morning commute.
Silly us. What do we know?

Ohio???

Yep, we're moving.

For any of you that are thinking..."Didn't they just do that?"

Well, it's been about 7 months, so yeah, we did just do that.

Jeff's boss called a week ago and gave Jeff the option to stay in NC or relocate to Ohio. Long story short, we're heading to Columbus, Ohio the week after Thanksgiving. Yep, in about 3 weeks. We want to get there ASAP so that we can get a little settled and at least get our Christmas tree up.

We have LOVED North Carolina. Yes, it's about as far away as you can get from the other side of the country but it is such a beautiful place.

We're so sad to leave but we feel that this will be better for our family.

I don't feel ready to leave quite yet. I have made some really great friends here and there are so many little boys that are close to Kam and Mac's ages. However, I have learned from experience that there are great people wherever you are.

You can be as happy or as miserable as you want, wherever you are.

Everywhere has it's own, unique beauty.

Jeff and I have especially learned out here, the kind of people we are when we are faced with hard times and adversity.

I know that Heavenly Father is watching out for us. It has been such a blessing to know someone from home. Shena helped us find our apartment before we moved here and has really helped us so much.

When we decided to move to Ohio, Jeff jokingly said, "You don't know anybody in Ohio do you?"

"Well...I do actually."

A friend from home living in Columbus with his family, finishing up dental school.

It's always nice to have a connection. :)

The next few weeks are going to be pretty crazy so please keep our little family in your prayers cause we all know we could use the extra help and guidance.

60 Veteran's Days Ago...

...my dad was born. My Dad turns 60 today! Wow

He is retiring from the Federal Reserves this month as well. My side of the family is all getting together to celebrate his retirement and birthday. I am in a land far, far away and will be missing this fun celebration of my dad's accomplishments.

Since I can't be there to share in the fun, I thought I would share some of the reasons why my dad is so great.

-It's very fitting that he was born on Veteran's Day. I don't know anyone that is more respectful to America and what our country stands for.

-He has taught me through words and example what it means to be a hard worker and to stand up for what you believe.

-I have noticed over the past 10 or so years, he has really started to soften. I finally figured out what had caused that to happen...GRANDKIDS!

He is such a good Papa to all of the little ones.

-He can talk to anybody. I mean anybody. About anything.

-If you need something out of the fridge...get it out, shut the door, and go on with your business.

(The faster, the better.) "Are you trying to cool down the whole house?"

-Since moving to NC, I have really gotten to see what a great dad I have.

He has given advice, blessings, service, and so much more.

I feel so blessed to have such a great dad.

I feel honored to be able to say that my dad has served his country and helped prepare the way for future generations.

Thanks Dad

We love you

Family Pictures

We took so many pics and only got about 3 good ones. :(

Taking pictures of Kamden is NOT an easy feat!

It's so sad too cause I loved the boys shirts. Oh well.

Practically Perfect Parties

Yep, that's Mary Poppins!

This is one of my BESTEST friends in the whole wide world.
She has started doing parties for little girls and it's so cute.
She is super talented and makes this so fun.
She has a video on her site as Mary that includes singing, accent and all.
Check out her blog at
http://practicallyperfectparties.blogspot.com/

BOO!

This was the best Halloween EVER!

I had so much fun trick or treating with my boys. I think that by the end of the night, Jeff was beginning to wonder if it was MY first Halloween.

When I was little we would get all decked out in our costumes and then cover them up with our thick winter coats, get in the car, hit the grandparents houses and then drive from house to house. (they were very far apart you see)

This year, oh my goodness, was so fun.

Kamden was a LION! ROAR!!!!!!!! and Mac was a Giraffe (cutest one I've ever seen)The neighborhood we went to was SO fun. It was so nice outside, some people were sitting in their driveways handing out candy. This is pretty much how the night went...

Me: What do you say?

Kam: Peez

Me: For candy.

Kam: Twick or tweet.

Me: What does a lion say?

Kam: Roaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrr!

One house, the guy started to roar back and Kamden was laughing so hard. Kam would roar and then the man would roar back. They went back and forth and Kamden just kept giggling. It was such a fun night.

Carving pumpkins.

Even though we are across the country, Jeff still roots for BYU.

It took a lot of coaxing but Kamden FINALLY stuck his arm inside. Yeah, that lasted for a whole 3 seconds.

Trunk or Treat
This is Jeff's handy work on the trunk.
Pretty awesome.
I look so ridiculous here but I had to post the family pic. I was going to be a witch but on Friday about and hour before the trunk or treat when I went to get the costume, I realized that I left it at my sister's house...in Utah. Let's just say, the 80's weren't good to us.

Heading out on Halloween.

Kam going through his spoils.

Isn't it classic that when kids get home, they dump their candy on the floor to check out what they got?

Mac's Halloween treat.
His fist.

Ah Mac, you make me laugh.

I laugh right out loud when I see this picture.

Jeff was holding him on his lap just before we went to bed. McKay already has bed head too.
He was being so funny, making faces at us.

I have to share all of these pictures. I love this boy and he makes me laugh EVERYday.

He is growing so fast. He does the cutest sweet little things and sometimes it makes me so sad that we don't have any family around so they can enjoy this amazing little boy. Blogging will have to do.

He went in for his 4 month at the beginning of the week.

14 lbs 8.5 oz - 25%

25 inches long -50%

41 3/4 cm head circumference - 25%

I know I put this picture on my last post but I just love it.

Get comfy Mac.