{Pioneer Day}

Each and every year our Church celebrates Pioneer Day on July 24th. It happens to be the day in 1847 that the Saints arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. After years of persecution and hardships they had finally made it to a place that they could live in peace and worship God how they saw fit. This year July 24th was on a Sunday. We are blessed to live close to a temple here in Maryland. For the first time in Ryan and I's married life we are closer than the usual 1.5-2 hour trip it would take to get to a temple. Another blessing is having a visitors center right by the temple. The visitor center is for people who come wanting to know more about our beliefs and people who come to enjoy the spirit on the temple grounds. For our family on Sunday we got to go watch the movie Legacy, which chronicles the experiences of the Saints from the organization of the Church in 1830 until they made it to Salt Lake. The kids loved it and then once the movie was over we were able to go walk around the temple grounds for a little while (it was still too hot to hang out for long). It was a perfect way to spend a Sabbath day and celebrate those long ago Saints and the sacrifices they made so I can enjoy the blessings of the gospel today.

{The Great Trampoline}

When we found a place to live out here in Maryland back in April we told our kids that they could get a trampoline because the yard was big enough. It was suppose to get them excited about moving clear across the country and to give them something to look forward too. So the day after we arrived here in Maryland we headed to the closest Sears. We thought we could get a tramp and that would give the kids something to do while we waited five days for our household goods to arrive. Unbeknownst to us Sears doesn't stock trampolines so we had to but in an order. The kids were bummed, we were bummed but what could ya do.

Originally it was only suppose to take about 15 days (double that and it was about right). After waiting that amount of time and not hearing anything from Sears Ryan went to the store to find out what happened. Well our initial order actually didn't get placed even though our credit card was charged the fee. We had horrible customer service from then on and the kids lost faith that it would even show up. Finally our long awaited trampoline arrived on Friday, a month after we placed the order. Ryan brought it home and the kids were so excited!!! It was starting to get dark so they had to wait one more night before they would get to jump on it. So bright and early Saturday morning the trampoline set up commenced. All available hands helped even though poor Ryan got the brunt of putting in all 108 springs because none of the rest of us were strong enough. Once it was all set up the kids were on it faster than flies on you know what and it was hot enough already that they busted out the sprinkler and swimsuits to break it in right. We have some happy campers around here I tell ya!!

{Getting There}

We are slowly but surely getting settled into our home here. Just a few days ago we finally got rid of the last of our moving boxes and paper. You should have seen the stack we left out for the recycling guys. Thankfully they took it all and so now my living room is empty. Hopefully it won't be empty for too much longer. Our couches have shipped but they are coming from California, so they are probably still a few weeks away. We were quoted 15 business days. We really are getting tired of watching tv in folding chairs or reading a book at the table. Not the end of the world just uncomfortable.
We have found the grocery store, the library and our friendly neighborhood Target (Wal-marts are sparse out here). I guess that is all we really need, right? The weather has been hot but thankfully our A/C works so well that unless I leave the house I don't notice the blistering heat. We are still (not very) patiently waiting for our trampoline to arrive that we ordered the day after we got to town, almost a month ago now. We have had the worst customer service with our local Sears store. They have refunded us $100 and gave us a staggering 5% off our next purchase for our inconvenience. We'll see if we every order something through them again. The kids are losing all hope that they will actually get to jump on the tramp before the winter weather sets in.

Ryan is loving fellowship. It is better hours and he gets to do something that he really enjoys. We are loving getting to have him home much more. We really don't know what to do with him home this much. He has been finding some back roads from work to home so that he doesn't have to take the beltway all the time. When it is bad traffic it is really bad so Ryan likes to have alternatives. Although one morning this last week he tried out one of his new found alternative routes and took the wrong turn....he ended up at the University of Maryland. For those not familiar with our geography, that is ways from Walter Reed, especially in rush hour traffic. Thank goodness he leaves earlier than needed he was only 15 minutes later than usual.

We have met several of our neighbors and out of all the places we have lived this is the first where our neighbors have come to introduce themselves to us. I met one yesterday, Mrs. Pike. She is Korean and brought us a box of Korean popsicles. Red Bean popsicles. Ryan tried one last night, if you can imagine what red BEAN would taste like in frozen form then you can imagine what this "dessert" tasted like. But she was thoughtful and generous so we won't hold it against her.
The kid's rooms are some of the finished ones in our house. Although I am wanting to do something fun with their bulletin boards and a few pictures they are pretty much done. The other rooms need rugs and pictures and such. All in good time Ryan likes to remind me. I am learning more and more that this was really the house we were suppose to rent. Our landlord is wonderful and the neighborhood is great. I am thankful for the small blessings.

{Independence Day 2011}

We spent Independence Day in downtown Washington DC this year with my Cousin Hannah and had a great time. We had planned to stay the whole day and watch the fireworks too but it ended up being a little too long for our kids. Sorry Hannah!!! But for the time that we were there it was great. The kids loved the parade and probably their favorite thing was getting to ride the Metro for the first time. We also enjoyed the Museum of Natural History too which is gigantic and so we only hit a few of the exhibits. We'll have to go back and see the rest another time. It was great to celebrate the birth of our Nation in the Nation's capitol. I am so thankful for the country that I live in and for the men and women who protect the freedoms I enjoy!! It was a great 4th of July!!

{We survived}

I know family and friends are wondering how we fared on the trip across the country. I have to say that we actually managed quite well. My kids are troopers and were so good on the trip. I don't have one picture from the trip though. I was too busy driving and when I wasn't driving I was relaxing in the hotel pool or sleeping. We made the 2800+ mile trip in 7 days. We went through 10 different states, ran from several storms and made a "few" potty stops. Overall it was uneventful, thankfully and we are glad to be here in Maryland all safe and sound. We had to camp out in our new home once we got to Maryland for a few days waiting for our household goods to arrive. Once they did we were crazy busy unpacking everything. We were missing two boxes that got mistakenly put into the shipment ahead of ours. We are still waiting for those to arrive. Other than that our home is somewhat put together. We are also awaiting some new couches (yeah after 12 years we are finally upgrading beyond hand me downs) and we have to put pictures up on the wall but at least things are somewhat workable around here.

The kids are getting used to the heat and humidity. On the second day here Meysa had a revelation about the sun and clouds. She stated that even when the sun goes behind the clouds it is still warm!! Yeah not so much in Western Washington and it is a new thing for her to experience. The humidity hasn't been too bad but it is something we are all adjusting to. We love having a backyard that is bigger than a postage stamp and to celebrate that fact we have a trampoline on order from Sears. The kids can't wait.

Ryan officially started Fellowship on Tuesday, although he has been busy for the last week or so getting oriented around the hospital and figuring out what he is suppose to be doing!! He says he is going to like it and we are already enjoying the better hours he has to work!! So far everything is going well and we are happy to be here!!

{Surprise}

My Dad is famous for saying, "I love it when a plan comes together!" Well I have to say it this time. Over a year ago my siblings and I started planning a surprise for my Mom's 60th birthday, which happens to be in July. Knowing that I would be moving somewhere this June we hatched up a plan to surprise my Mom when I came through Idaho on my way to where ever I was going to end up. My mom knew I was coming and going to stay a day in Lewiston, but what she didn't know was that we were going to have a few surprise guests as well. We timed every ones arrival into Lewiston to be at the same time and then we all arrived at my parent's home at the same time. We all drove up their hill together to make sure they didn't get tipped off to something going on.
Surprise #1- Tessa. My sister Airica came down out of Alaska to visit for several weeks and she had already been at my parent's home for a few weeks at this point. Tessa had just graduated from high school and had gone to visit a friend out east. My mom thought she knew where Tessa was....
Surprise #2- Aina. My other sister Aina, who lives in Alaska, flew down to be in on the fun too. My mom knew Aina had tried to come down so she could see me when I came through but it just didn't work out....or so she thought!!!
Surprise #3- Alan. My brother Alan lives in Portland and hadn't been home in three years. He is usually gallivanting around the globe or stuck in studio trying to finish his degree in architecture. I think my mom about fell over at this point.
Surprise #4- Austin. Austin had just transferred to BYU-Provo and was supposedly up to his eyeballs in work. Is lying to your mother in order to surprise her really wrong?!! I hope we will be forgiven for all the stories we told!!!
I loved the look of utter amazement on her face. She couldn't believe that all of her kids plus most of her 35 grand kids were standing in her home, when she was only expecting me and my little family!!!
Gotcha Mom!!!
The surprises didn't end there. As we did with my Dad when he turned 60, we made my Mom a video of her life and a book as well. My sister Airica did the video again and I did the book. We smuggled pictures out from underneath her nose to scan for both projects. My favorite thing she said while watching the video was, "where did you find those pictures?"

We wanted my mom to know how much we loved her and how much of an impact a righteous woman can have on her family and friends. So we had each person in our family write a letter to her tell her just that...what she meant to them. We also invited friends and extended family to do the same. The end product was amazing, because frankly my Mom is amazing. I had so much fun putting her book together and I hope she can look at it and have tangible evidence of our love and appreciation of her.
We stayed the next day to take some more pictures. My mom had wanted to have pictures of all her girls in white aprons. My family lives in aprons, we are always wearing one and so it was perfect for us to take pictures in them. My mom hired a gal to come and take them and I can't wait until we can see the end product.
That night we had another surprise for my mom. We had a party where we invited all of our friends and family to help celebrate her birthday. It was so nice to see people come out to wish her Happy Birthday and to let her know they loved her. I don't think my Mom is going to trust anything we say ever again. We pulled so many fast ones on her in just a few days her poor little head was spinning!!!
I love you mom, and I'm so glad your mine!!

{Farewell}

{snapshot of Mt. Rainier on a cloudless day}

The day had finally arrived for us to get our home packed and loaded. I wasn't necessarily impressed with the packers, but the movers did a great job and were nice guys to work with. Our home was packed Monday and Tuesday and the truck was loaded Wednesday. Wednesday evening Ryan and I had planned a surprise for the kids. We got tickets for a Mariner's game for our final hurrah in Seattle. While it was crazy trying to get everything done I am really glad that we planned for the game. The kids had a blast and Ryan and I got to relax a little before leaving the next morning to start our trip.




We didn't realize how good our seats were until we got there and we were in the 14th row up from the first base line. Once the sun went down and we weren't blinded the kids were happy. After a few innings I took the little ones to the playground behind center field and watched the game on the big screen. Ayden and Meysa enjoyed hanging with dad and watching the action. It ended up being a really good game with the Mariner's winning.

Thanks Seattle for a wonderful 4 years we'll miss ya!!

{Preschool}

To say Lauryn loved preschool this year would be an understatement. She blossomed and became a self assured little girl. She loved her teachers too. Miss Crystal (pictured above) and Miss Rachel were wonderful with Lauryn. Sadly because of when we were moving Lauryn was going to miss the little graduation that they were putting on and she missed the bike rodeo. Missing the bike rodeo made her very sad. The other kids got to bring their bikes and decorate them and do an obstacle course. So to appease her I let her decorate her bike one afternoon before everything was packed up and she put one her own bike rodeo. The older kids were the audience and we cheered for her and she loved it.
She made her own sign, which stated who owned this wonderful bike. She is quite the little thing.
Yes I am aware that she was not practicing bike safety with no shoes and no helmet. We didn't do any off roading and she does know that helmets are required and so are shoes!!

I can't believe she will be starting school this fall. Of all my kids I am having the hardest time sending her off to Kindergarten. I don't know why but I just can't get my head around the fact that she is old enough to go. She is pretty excited about it too plus the fact that she gets to ride the bus makes kindergarten that much more cool.

{The Big 10}

One of the major things that happened before we moved was Ayden turned 10!! No more single digits for him, he is almost pre-teen by golly and "lucky" for us he is starting to act his age!! :) Major mood swings, Dad and I are dumb and we for sure don't know nearly as much as he does. All that aside we do love this kid.
(I know the candle says he is only 1, sadly I didn't have a zero candle and Ayden was fine being "one" for a night. What a trooper!!)
Among the extensive list of things that Ayden said he would be happy to get for his birthday, he listed a ripstik.
He loves riding it around and thinking he is pretty cool. I like it because he is outside and being active. I say a win-win for both of us.
Ten things we love about Ayden are:
1. He has a great sense of humor
2. He loves to be active doing something all the time
3. He does well in school and enjoys it
4. He is a good athlete
5. He has a good heart and really wants to do what is right
6. He is creative and can build anything, even if it doesn't really exist, out of Legos
7. He has a good imagination and can entertain himself for hours just playing
8. He is a good brother and a good friend
9. He is always willing to help me when I need him to
10. He is all ours and we love him to pieces
Happy Birthday

{Another Goodbye}

Goodbyes are not my favorite. Especially when you have to say goodbye to people you really have grown so close to. My dear friend Heather is one of those people. She has been my neighbor for the last four years. Our kids are best friends and we talked just about every day (if not a couple of times a day). We swapped babysitting, food, advice and sympathy for one another (her husband is an OB too). We have been each other's family away from family. She is a blessing and I am going to miss her more than I can tell you.

Heather knows how to throw a party, the kind where everything matches and there is a cute theme. She was a sweetheart and threw me a going away party. I got to see some of my good friends that I have made over the last four years. It was so thoughtful of her and it was so good to see everyone one last time as well. I know there are new friends to be made here in Maryland but I really will miss these ladies. Thank heavens for Facebook and blogs, they won't feel so far away!!!

Thanks so much Heather for a great party and for being a wonderful forever friend!! Love ya girl-

{Goodbye}

I know it has been almost a month since I last blogged. I have been kinda busy with a few things, one of which was moving clear across the country. So I have a little catching up to do with all the things we did before we left Washington. We sure packed a lot in the last few days. Bear with me as I get the blog up to date with our family happenings.

The day after Ryan graduated his mom threw our family a going away BBQ at his grandparent's house. It was also going to be a celebration of Ayden and Ryan's birthday since this was the last time getting together before the transcontinental voyage. Most of Ryan's extended family came as well and it was so good to see everyone one last time.
What wonderful grandparents Ryan has. We have been blessed to live by them for the last four years. If we ever needed anything they were the first to help. Papa always took us out for ice cream on our birthdays and we loved sharing several dinners and holidays with them. The kids love going to their home because they always feel so loved.
Ryan's Dad and Stepmom were also there for Ryan's graduation and stayed for the weekend so we got to have them at the BBQ as well.
After we had a delicious dinner of hambugers and ribs the gift giving commenced. Ayden was excited for a few new DS games and books and a new camera from Papa Don.
I think as well as turning ten he has also hit the socially awkward stage too!! Lucky us!
Ryan got a Kindle for his birthday and graduation and was really excited about his orange case (trust me it is orange)!!!
Unbeknownst to me I was also getting something. Ryan's stepdad started by having me come sit in front of everyone. Being the center of attention is not one of my favorite things to do. Then he proceeded to make me cry...another thing I don't like to do!! He wasn't being mean, he was in fact being very sweet and thoughtful. He felt like I deserved a graduation gift as well. Seeing as how I had been at Ryan's side over the last eight years of medical school and residency and had put in my share of hard work and long hours, he felt I should also be recognized for it. It is nice for someone to recognize what you have done even though you are mainly in a supporting role.
Some more crying......
...ok enough of all that crying!!!
I could have never guessed what they were going to give me. A new camera, a REALLY cool camera!! I love it and I love them for being so thoughtful and generous!!!
The kids enjoyed playing in the pool and the hot tub, running around the yard, playing football and just enjoying the day with family. It happened to be a beautiful day in Western Washington, which for the time of year was a welcomed surprise.


As a final goodbye we had to ride in Papa Ralph's wagon. The kids love getting rides and I think the adults like giving them almost as much.

Lauryn got lucky and got a chance to drive it herself. Papa is an excellent teacher, hopefully she is paying attention.
Thankfully we have several years before she is actually driving!!! :)
Family really is the best and we are so thankful for ours. We don't know what we would do without their constant love and support. We are going to miss them for sure!!!
Until we see you again....