camera???

I had every intention of updating my blog today, and I can't seem to find my camera. Sorry, but I'm looking hard!

messy faces

We've been going swimming with our friends Fallon and London this summer. We have lots of fun! Lily and London decided powdered sugar is good for more than just a sweet treat!

Lily LOVES chocolate!

i'm trying

i'm really behind on my posting. sorry. but i'm not a scrapbooker at this point in my life, so this is how i'm keeping track.

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we spent the 4th of july weekend up in star valley, wyoming at my parents' cabin. we missed fireworks, but the thunder and lightening was more entertaining to us all! we played lots of cards, worked on some serious crafting projects (quiet books if you're wondering) and just relaxed!

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lily went on her first official 4 wheeler ride with grandma and grandpa. she really did enjoy it, she just wouldn't smile for the camera.

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this is what happened when grandpa set her on the ground. told you she liked it. the only way to appease her was to let her sit on the 4 wheeler again!

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the get-up. last year my mom and i came across these little boots at a store "in town." (that's the big exciting thing to do in wyoming--go "in town"!!)

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seriously, what can i say??? (and it's a hand me down-gotta love 'em!)

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we discovered a new passion lily has for corn on the cob. really, what kid gets this excited over corn?

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blowing bubbles with her cousin kenna (i was 12 when kenna was born, and kenna was 12 when lily was born...time flies!!!)

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she loves the swing! thanks for playing kenna!

We Really Do Live In Utah

We were lucky enough to spend the last two weeks of

June hanging out in Southern California. We drove to St. George and spent the night, then got up early the next morning to head to L.A. We didn't take into consideration the time change and just how quick the drive it would be. We ended up hitting Rancho Cucamonga around 9:45 and weren't planning on getting to L.A. until 2 or 3! (They're only an hour or so away!) So we stopped at Victoria Gardens, a wonderful shopping plaza, and Lily got to work! She LOVES fountains! We also got to see Lindsey and Macy who don't live too far away. We ate lunch and shopped around for a little bit, and then were on our way.

While in L.A., my aunt suggested that we visit the Getty. We both enjoy museums, and the architecture was AMAZING!!! They had an impressionist exhibit, and I got to see another of Monet's Water Lily collection. That's a big deal to me! We didn't stay long, Lily doesn't really love walking around in quiet places with nothing interesting (to her) to look at!

Then we drove down the coast and walked along the boardwalk at Venice Beach! CULTURE SHOCK!!! I know I live in this little bubble between the mountains, but I don't think anyone can be quite thoroughly prepared for the interesting sights there. We were trying to find something to eat that looked somewhat sanitary, and we came upon this little dive. It's called Whalers. YUM!!! We sat in the bottom level, but were were open to the beach. All the walls had large windows, but the glass was taken out, so the breeze just came in.

We had to be a little touristy, neither of us had ever really done this fun stuff.

Have you heard of this place? Sprinkles........take me there! Apparently it's the rage in L.A. Just this tiny little cupcake shop right on Santa Monica Blvd. and Rodeo Dr. Each cupcake was $3.50 and worth EVERY PENNY!!! I've heard they're starting to sell the mix at Williams Sonoma. I haven't looked into it, but if they do, I highly recommend!

Our anniversary happened to be the second night we were there. My aunt and uncle took us to Duke's right on the beach in Malibu. We had to die for fish (how can you not...you're on the coast?) and the view was amazing. The waves would hit the rocks and splash onto the windows. It was great. Thanks!!!

The next day we drove to Long Beach where another aunt and uncle live. We were treated to the Long Beach Aquarium, and Lily was soo brave. She practically wanted to jump right in to touch the rays.

They have a little bird exhibit and the birds will just hop right onto your hands and climb on you. This is my cousin Glenn showing off his bird likability.

And Buz. I graciously offered to take pictures, as much as I really wanted to touch the birds!! (ok, not really)

That night my aunt and uncle offered to stay home with Lily and we went out on the Pier. We walked to the very end to Ruby's diner and had shakes and fries. Then we got a little goofy. Glenn and I danced on the pier. (Buz and Bron were too embarassed...I say they're wusses.)

Then, before we headed out from there, my uncle (in blue) took Lily and Buz for a ride in his Triumph. Lily liked it a lot, and thought she'd take it for a spin too!

Then we were off to a week long stay in Solana Beach (just north of San Diego) with Buz's family. We had lots of much needed beach time. Lily loved both the sand and the waves.

We visited Balboa Park, and Lily went on her first carni rides. She had lots of fun on the train with her Daddy.

And she loved the carousal. She wanted to be strapped to the small one, and wouldn't let me hold on to her. It was a faster than normal ride, so she was a little woozy by the end, and sat on my lap for the last few turns.

We took lots of morning walks on the beach. That's the best!

And she had her first go at boogie boarding. Of course she loved it. She's our little thrill seeker!

The two little girlies, just hanging out.

Better Late...

...or maybe I just feel bad that I skipped over this VERY important thing that happened in our family. Buz graduated at the end of May with a Masters in Accounting from the University of Utah!!! He has worked sooo hard, and we're definitely enjoying our break between school and work and CPA study courses.

Love you!

15 months baby

my little baby seems to be quickly turning into a toddler. she's talking, running around, and really wants to be part of the big kids when she's with all her cousins. her current stats are: weight: 17 lbs 14 oz - 1% - that's right, on the charts two appointments in a row! height: 30 inches - 35% head: 20% - i can never remember that measurement sorry i don't have any recent pictures. we've been having lots of fun, but i've never been the one with the camera. i need to steal some pics from a few of you! p.s. i tried to center the words and put spaces in between some of the lines, but for some reason it's not working. sorry!

Meet Virginia

Long trip = Long post

I know there's a lot of writing, but don't feel obligated to read it, it's more for my own journaling!

Back in the middle of May we were lucky enough to fly out to Virginia to visit my brother, sister-in-law, and their little boy. We have traveled back east before, but never to their house. They're moving back to Salt Lake in July to go to graduate school, so we thought we should see the sights while we had great company (and a free place to stay)!

Petersburg

We flew in on a Thursday and hung around the house on Friday, settling in and just relaxing. Saturday we drove about an hour south of Richmond to Petersburg. There is a lot of Civil War points of interest, and this was one. We were able to drive around a bunch of different battle fields. It was really interesting, you could still see where they made mounds of dirt to hide behind. A little overwhelming to think of what people really did for our country.

This cannon, called "The Dictator" was the largest of its kind. The hole's diameter is 14 inches, and could shoot a cannon ridiculously far (I'm talking 2.5 miles! How could they aim?)

The little kiddos sitting on the grass in one of the fields. Lily and Carter are only 2 days apart and loved each other. Poor Lily was running a fever (hence the rosy cheeks) but she tried to be as happy as she could. She was a real trooper.

City Pointe

After Petersburg we drove north a ways to a place called City Pointe. This was a very large piece of land, where two large rivers meet, and was owned by a Confederate with the last name of Eppes. He went away to war leaving his wife and children to fend for themselves. His wife got wind that Union ships were coming up stream and she decided to abandon the home. She took her children and left. Union soldiers coming in on ships heard that some Union men had been beaten up by Confederates on the land, and shot at the house. They said it was like Swiss Cheese after they were done. Good thing Mrs. Eppes got out! It then turned into the biggest port for the Union throughout the Civil War.

This pictures captures poor little Lily's demeanor throughout this part of the day. I, being the bad mom that I am, didn't realize until right about now that she had a fever, and she had had it.

Amazing what Tylenol can do once it sets in! Mind you, this smile lasted for about a minute, but it was there!

Here's the home. Beautiful. We went in and learned a little about the history of the War there, and we got to see two rooms that were furnished with original furnishings (my favorite part!). There were bedrooms upstairs that I really wanted to see, but it was closed to the public. Bummer!

Sunday we were able to go to my sister-in-law's niece's baby blessing. We didn't hang around long afterward, since Lily had a fever all night and finally fell asleep at 5 that morning!

Monticello

Monday we headed West to Charlottesville, and took a tour of Monticello. This was Thomas Jefferson's home. Most people probably don't know that not only was he a President of the United States, but he contributed GREATLY to the world of architecture and interior design. This is why we went there. My one request the second we decided to go to Virginia was to see Monticello. I was mad at myself, though, that I didn't study up on it more before we went.

That's the home in the background. We weren't able to go upstairs, which was a bummer since I really wanted to see the rotunda, but oh well, what can you do? The pond we're standing in front of was used to keep the fish they caught until they were ready to eat it!

Thomas Jefferson was very resourceful, and grew all the food they ate. He encouraged his slaves to grow their own gardens and sell their produce to the home for supplemental food as well. He didn't believe in strict enslavement, he thought everyone should have the right to earn their own money. These pics are of the kids playing in the vegetable garden. They had manuscripts from Jefferson laying out what he grew and where they went. He had just about every kind of veggie you can think of, and I learned there are A LOT of different kinds of cabbage!

The kids looking out over the fruit orchards. Check out the view!

A point along the veggie garden that overlooks the fruit trees and the great view.

Jefferson's grave

People throw nickels onto the monument as a way of thanking Thomas Jefferson for all he did for our country. We threw some in as well. It was funny to see some people had thrown pennies in too. Didn't they get it?!

Maymont Park

Tuesday we let the kids take their morning naps, since Lily had another rough night with the fever still running. Let's say Motrin and Tylenol were a constant for these few days. We drove close to downtown Richmond to a place called Maymont Park. It was owned in the 1800's by a couple that were millionaires then. They had no children, and it eventually was donated to the city. It's over 200 acres, and it's amazing how well it is maintained, since most city parks are bar minimum.

Walking through the Japanese Gardens, you come across this waterfall. I'm pretty sure it's a natural waterfall too. I pictured Virginia to be flat...nope!

Apparently there were (or maybe are) black bears in Virginia. Lily thought this was pretty fun. The fever was finally starting to break. Can ya tell?

Washington D.C.

Wednesday we rented a mini-van (that's right!) and drove up to D.C. Buz and I had gone a couple of years ago and missed a few things. We always said we'd go back one day. We didn't expect it to be so soon! We started the day by going to the National Zoo...it was FREE!

We watched a cheetah pace back and forth...

Watched pandas eat bamboo. Neither of us had actually ever seen them before.

Fever GONE! YAY!

Lily LOVED to watch the birds.

The entrance to the zoo. Thankfully Lily napped pretty well in her stroller!

That evening we went to Arlington Cemetary. Buz had never been there. I lived back east when I was little, so I'd remembered it a little, but I was too young to appreciate it.

We watched the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Baltimore and My Birthday!

We spent Wednesday night at a friend's house in Alexandria, then headed east to Baltimore Thursday morning.

On our way there, we stopped in Ellicott City, where I used to live. Here's our old house. Isn't it cute? Buz and I decided we could live here.

We then spent the day at the National Aquarium in Baltimore. This is a reconstructed jaw of a megatadon (I don't know if that's really what it's called, but it was something like that!) but the teeth are real. Yikes!

Lily was enthralled by the fish. She kept saying "fishies" and smacking her lips together!

Lily and Carter checking things out.

There was an Australian exhibit and we saw this interesting fella. Looks like a cross between an owl and a toad to me!

Walking on the Inner Harbor of the Chesapeake Bay on our way to dinner. We came across this old light house that used to sit in the middle of the Bay.

Dinner! We looked online before hand to see if we could find somewhere different to eat dinner (my birthday dinner, that's right!) and we found this fun looking Irish pub. YUMMY fish and chips, shepherd's pie, and salads! And even better, both the kids were asleep the entire time!

Jamestown and Williamsburg

Friday we again let the kidlets sleep in the morning and then after lunch drove east to Jamestown. This was the first American settlement. You know John Smith/Pocahontas stuff? This is where it happened...in 1607! It was so overwhelming to see these ruins and items they've found from 400 years ago!

The kids thought the somewhat pointless memorial plaques were awesome.

The ONLY picture we managed to get of all of us our whole trip! That's a statue of John Smith behind us.

Standing in front of what was their walls of the settlement. We were facing the river here, about 20 yards away.

My cutie, fever free!

The Mayor's Palace at Williamsburg. We went here when I was young, and this is one place that I actually remember being. We got here too late in the evening to be able to see most of the shops/gardens, so Buz and I are going to have to go back. It's also my mom's favorite place, so I'm sure we can convince her to go too!

Guilty As Charged!

Being Goofs!

We were expecting to fly out Saturday, the following day, but the planes were too full (we fly standby, so if there's no seats left, we don't go!). So Saturday we went to a fun park not too far from my brother's house. I forgot to get those pictures before we left, but it was nice and relaxing, and I was able to get our laundry done too! We made it home on Sunday, and already miss Christian, Ashlee, and Carter. But we're excited that they'll be here soon! Love you guys!