Nothing too exotic

the first friends we met when we moved to Washington DC were the Smiths and the Hammonds. It is amazing how much we have done and been through since then! We have been on many fabulous trips together.... West Virginia, Outer Banks, Pocono Mts., Hawaii a few times, and the list goes on. So it is funny to be hanging around in Utah these days! Both Tara and Ally have moved to Utah since our DC days- and like usual we are the loners on our own adventures so it is great to have been able to get together here.

alls- thanks for this picture of us on the carousel-



Somehow on our "girls day out" we didn't manage to take many great pics... but we did manage to have a great day. A delightful breakfast- with no kids- and a day of shopping. Loved it!


And what else do you do in Utah when it is cold than take a trip to "donalds" and Braden likes to call it. the kids were in heaven playing on the play place.

family fun

those who know my family know that my mom has one brother and seven sisters.. making eight of them. When they get together they are wild! This past weekend my mom's "baby" sister Melanie and my 10 year old cousin Jared came into town and we partied it up! We made a fabulous trip to the bounce house where Braden and Jared bounced themselves silly. Places like that are great for my "slightly hyper" Braden (ok lets be honest, extremely hyper). Jared was a good sport and put up with Braden following him around all weekend. We also did some shopping, hit some parks... and best of all celebrated my moms birthday. Happy Birthday Mommio - we love you!

too much to blog!

*a small disclaimer* I don't know how this has happened- for all the good friends I have seen and spent time with since i have been home... i somehow haven't taken pictures of it! So i promise I love you all and don't mean to leave you off the blog and will be better with the camera.

Troy- this one is for you to see because Braden is so proud of the train he has put together and pulls all around the house. Thanks so much to brooka for loaning us the leggos- they have been a huge hit.



A very sad goodbye. The time finally came when Millie just wasn't doing so well. She had quit eating so it was time to say goodbye. She will be missed.... although in her old age I don't think my parents will miss her being blind, deaf, and peeing on the carpet when she felt like it :) I know many of my friends will miss the little rat dog that she was :)



nana and papa's hot tub has been a huge hit. We are in it everyday. I love these pics with the steam coming off. I am sure the neighbors think we are nuts but Braden would live in the "hot swimming pool" if I let him.




Although a little chilly out, we decided to brave the cold and headed to the zoo. this is such a great zoo in utah. A lot of the animals were away for the winter, but we still were able to see plenty and both kids had so much fun. Braden was a little obsessed with the elephants and our first time around they weren't out. Thank goodness they came out before we headed home. I think we would have heard about it for the next week if we hadn't seen them.









Troy came in for a quick weekend trip. It was so great to see him!! The kids had a blast with him here (well maybe sledding wasn't so much Camirons thing). We had a great time catching up and the weekend went way to fast. Now we have to be patient until we see him again at the end of march. Try telling a 2 year old to be patient! Especially Braden who does not have a patient bone in his hyper body!








There has not been a lack of snow since we have been here. If it wasn't so cold... it would almost be fun. At home Braden loves to shovel rocks- in Utah he doesn't seem to let the cold get in his way and is out shoveling snow any chance he gets. I will claim my work on the snow cave though. after a huge snow he had me out there with him at 8 am- ugh!








the kids- hanging with the grandparents. I just love those captured moments!





We visited Clay and Sharon and had a great time with their baby lambs and tractors. Braden was in heaven. He was so excited to go to the "petting zoo" as he called it. Thanks Clay and Sharon!

Happy Birthday Camiron

Camiron you have become such a beautiful little girl! you are at such a fun stage and just loved the attention for your birthday. We had a little birthday celebration at Grandma Pam's house with the cousins. you loved the cake...
On your birthday we had another celebration at nana and papas house. You dad sent a big bouquet of balloons for you since he can't be here. They have been a huge hit!
Here are a few things that I love about you- and that you can do by one.
* You were walking by 10 months... so you are busy busy busy.
*Even when Braden pushes you down, you still follow him around looking for fun.
* you love food. You sift through my diaper bag until you find a bag of snacks and bring it to me and scream until I open it and give you some!
*You follow around Grandma Pams 5 huge dogs like you own them and think they are your personal toys.
*You have such a dainty clap- and are happy to give a clap and smile for any attention.
* you love books, anytime you find one you bring it to me and if i won't sit and read it, you just keep handing it to me over and over until i will read with you.
there is so much more... but we just want you to know we love you and happy first birthday!