California and Justin's birthday

So far so good in the California department. It's super pretty here, we love our little (not actually little...We have a Costco 5 minutes away...My Texas friends can probably hear my joyous shouts from here) town, and it is really amazing how 10 months of Justin being gone basically all the time has helped us be really grateful for him. (sap, stop dripping from my fingers...it's making the keyboard sticky)

Henry is really, REALLY glad that Grandma and Grandpa let him borrow their train set. This kid is in LOVE.

Opening birthday presents...Andrew and Henry got to pick out one (dollar) present each. Thus, the lacing beads and water guns. Indian givers? I think so. (Sorry, after typing that, I thought, that's probably not PC. But, I don't know how else to describe their gift giving.) 

We have an awesome lake about 3 miles from our house. We went and saw the fish (maybe tadpoles, I don't know...) and geese and ducks today. The boys want to run there every day. I think we might.

At the incredible farmer's market our town has every week. We found paella and neopolitanas de chocolate. Happy birthday to Justin! The boys ate two pints of strawberries in like an hour. 

See? We're all so happy.

Here's a post Justin won't read

Justin hates blogs without pictures. And blogs with lots of words. So, here it is.

Utah was super fun. I didn't take pictures of all the best parts of the trip. Why? Because I hate taking pictures. Because I couldn't find my camera half the time. And because I think it's ridiculous to try to capture the un-capturable moments. I know, blogger, that's not a word. Whatev.

So, here are the undocumented moments:

1. Hanging out with Molly, shopping with Molly and Libby, and wishing I had more time with my two besties.
2. Hanging out at Cassie's after church. Another best friend moment not captured.
3. Watching FNL with Chase. And crying at the end. And him laughing at me (but I know he was really wiping tears).
4. Hanging out with my in-laws. I sincerely don't know why they pretend like they enjoy having us...my kids are loud, never sleep, and Henry gives absolutely no validation to anyone. We make a mess of their house and disrupt their schedule, but we love being there.
5. Sean putting Henry to bed. You have no idea what that does for me. :)
6. Watching many Little League games...Kimball's team won the championship!
7. Swimming with the kids.
8. Not seeing Andrew for hours at a time because he's outside playing.
9. Having someone to watch the boys so I can actually hear what people are saying.
10. Everyone being so determined to get Henry to like them. Makes me feel good.

That is all.

We're coming to a town near you...probably.

I am pleased to notify everyone that after one full month of travel, we have made it to our temporary final destination. Meaning, the kids will be sleeping in the same place for about ten weeks. Huzzah.

After Washington, D.C., Justin flew directly from Dallas to Sacramento to begin his internship. The boys and I headed back to College Station for a couple days to tie up some loose ends and then headed to Salt Lake to visit the family. Due to weather/typical Denver delays, the boys and I were stuck in the airport for about 11 hours. Thanks to my mother-in-law who truly just jumped on a plane the second she heard we'd be there for a while, we actually had a fun adventure. Also, thanks to the nice couple who shared their iPad with Andrew and helped entertain the boys. And thanks to the Angels, some old friends I ran into at the airport. Super fun.

We spent our days doing a million fun things in Utah, and basically wearing the kids down to emotional stubs with not an ounce of reason left. I blame myself. (Name that movie)

Elena basically just babysat Henry the whole trip. 

We had loads of fun with all the cousins (all my friends, says Andrew) and just being back in Utah where we can walk on the grass, stay outside for lots of hours without getting heat stroke, and see multiple family members within an hour's drive. It was awesome.

Lots of trampoline time... The babies loved it.

Lauren, Lucy and Andrew playing drums on their bellies. They did some strange things together, these three.

These two little wingnuts were SO cute together. 

Doris, Sarah and I went to see Les Mis. Oh, wow. It was probably one of my most favorite nights ever.

Chase for Uncle of the Year...He brought the Mav truck home and the boys were just freaking out of their minds.

Andrew and Eddie were cute little buddies.

This is the view from Troy and Jamie's street. Jealous much? I am.

Made a quick trip to Vernal to see my grandparents while my in-laws watched the boys. It was so wonderful to see them. My sweet grandpa doesn't remember who I am, but he held my hand and wouldn't let go. Very sweet.

 As I said, Henry and Lyla were quite the pair. Henry was always super excited to see Lyla. Lyla, perhaps not as much. Someday, they will be best friends. I hope.

Big fans of the USA

As a celebration of surviving the first year of Justin's MBA, we decided to pay a visit to the nation's capital. And by that I mean, Justin had a class on public policy in D.C., and the boys and I came along to visit my sis. Let's just say, this was one of the best trips we've taken so far in our lives. Justin was in class all week, but Kates and I just played our ever-livin' guts out. Hopefully we can someday live in the same state, time zone, neighborhood...Whatever. I'll take what I can get.



Andrew with his buddies MJ and Whitney. These are two of Katie's friends, and we owe them big for getting the biggest laugh from Andrew that I've ever heard. Whitney taught him to headbang while MJ jammed on her ukelele.



At the farm. Henry loves animals of all kinds. As you can see.



This is what I get when I say, "Say cheese!" Cute.



Andrew at the temple's visitor's center. I did shed a mom tear at this moment. I said, "Andrew, are you ready to walk around the temple?" and he said, "I just need to stand by Jesus for a minute, Mom." Good answer, kid.



Kates and I went to a baptism, and this is what we saw in the parking lot. Oh, man. Mormons are SOO awesome.

Kate's artistic photo of the D.C. temple. These flowers really were very beautiful.

We the Pizza. Holy smokes. This was good food. We also hit up Good Stuff next door (on the same day). Thanks Spike. Toasted marshmallow shakes...I'll probably be dreaming about those for a while.

Lots of brother love on this trip. These two were so darling.

On the metro. The boys LO-OVED the metro.

Andrew took a picture of us. Pretty good. And I'm pretty limber.

National Harbor. Boys couldn't believe all the boats and planes they got to see.

Ford's theater. This was way cool. I've never been before. We're glad Ry could come too. It makes everything more fun.

Henry and Kates at the theater. Henry warmed up to Katie and Ryan through the week...Which was a pretty impressive feat for anyone who's met/tried to hold Henry.

At the Capitol. I will probably never get tired of this place.

Just realized that not a single picture included Justin...Sorry babe. We'll invite you next time. :)

Fun things I didn't take pictures of...seeing Kayleen, sushi, Justin Bieber, seeing the Holtkamps, George Washington Parkway, trying to give Kates singing lessons, The Carlyle, questionable police activity, wearing Katie's clothes...

Henry, Henry, Henry

I think this is the one where the train has been edited out. Or else he was saying, "step off, brotha." Either way, I can see it.

I don't know why, but this picture is so cute to me.

Pretty standard Henry. He looks like he is about to get in trouble, so he gives this blank look, like he's totally innocent.

Height of happiness. Train in hand, running away from Mommy.

As close as we could get. So silly.

Once again, pretty standard.

Gig 'em! What a kid.

Droopers

I think this kid has the cutest, naturally devious smile ever.

Okay, REALLY? Can I get a Dar Peterson YOUTH FACE?

I love him. And I love that he had a boogie on his finger and wanted to wipe it on me in this picture.

Seriously. This kid is a BOY... Thanks to Natasha and Taylor for lending us the froggie. :)

I know, right? He's totally getting voted Best Personality.

How to not make friends 101

I have a lot of friends who are photographers. And oddly, I lose one friend a year...This is because I have them try to take our family pictures. And then they don't want to hang out ever again....I wonder why?

(I'm totally joking about this. My friends are all really nice. But I would understand if they decided not to hang out with us. Honestly.)