Congratulations Jan!

My friend Jan (middle) just finished her MA in Public Health. She has been diligently researching, writing papers, and doing an internship at a nearby middle school. All while caring for two small children while her husband is often working out of town. We are so impressed Jan! It was a fun get together to honor her and learn a little more about what she has been doing.

The sparkling pomegranate juice was a great excuse to break out the seldom used fancy glasses. Thank you Brad for all your help with the party, you saved the day.

BU Christmas Party

Last year my Dad came to the BU Dental Christmas party with us and won a sweatshirt. I must have been thinking it would be a happening party again this year. My friend babysat for us and I headed into Boston to meet Brad at the school. It had a lot going...the city views from the library were amazing, the food was catered and good, the atmosphere was nice with live piano and video of fake snow falling outside.

With a huge final looming the next morning Brad counted about 10 people from his class that dared to show instead of studying. I guess we aren't alone together all that much because we both kept looking for other familiar faces to talk to!! I left wondering why I was so excited to go.

Brad and I

With Bob, Emily and their little guy

Thankfully Bob and Emily saved the day at showed up at the end. We have not seen them in almost a year, they befriended us when we were seriously needing it during the great move of 2008. We met their sweet little boy Ezra who is almost one.

Do we go next year and take the kids with us or just forget it and have a date night to ourselves?

Ward Christmas Party

Absolute Torture?

Since Santa at the mall was a bust (read the train was much more interesting) we tried again at the annual Christmas party but this is the best we could muster. David likes anyone who gives him candy but that doesn't necessarily mean he'll pose for the camera.

The Nativity; our shepard is munching on part of his costume that fell off.

See our friend Nathan in the Cheetah costume?

The little shepard and the cheetah spent a good minute or two growling at each other. David was so excited to see Nathan's costume he couldn't contain the appropriate animal noises. At least they were sweet and friendly growls.

Putting the Empty Bag to Use

Dear Danielle,

Don't worry we are taking good care of your luggage while it is here.

Love,

David, Will, and our friend Nathan

Grandma Sends Christmas

Give my Mom one empty luggage bag that ships for free (courtesy of Southwest) and she'll spoil her grandchildren and kids in return.

You are looking at several handmade gift bags, all from Grandma Kathy. Chic, lovely, and eco-friendly they are sure to bring the Christmas spirit to a tree near you.

Thanks Mom, it was unbelievable to find a suit case filled with love from home.

Brad's Utah Trip

Brad headed out to Utah for his brother's sealing. He felt blessed that he didn't have classes on the chosen weekend and could attend without school hassles. He left for a whirl wind trip that included more traveling than anything.

Saying goodbye--thank you public transportation, we didn't have to take him to the airport.

The boys and I spent Saturday at the Pheasant Lane Mall in New Hampshire

Will's 9 month photos, Christmas cards, shopping and browsing, and of course a train ride kept most of the crabbiness at bay. I pushed David and Will about as far as they could go. After two dramatic diaper changes at JCPenny we headed for home; the snow was just starting up. Both boys were asleep before I pulled out of my parking space.

I wasn't thrilled to be the one cleaning snow off of the car on Sunday morning but we did enjoy a spectacular ride to church with freshly fallen snow glistening on all of the trees. Even I will admit it was breathtaking...as long as we were inside.

A friend and her husband helped me out during sacrament meeting and another friend and her husband watched David and Will while I picked Brad up at the airport and THEN fed us dinner. I was thankful for the helping hands.

Clay and Jorden

Another shot of the happy couple!

I felt sad I wasn't there when Brad mentioned how special it was for his parents to have all of six of their children (and all but two spouses) in the temple together. Congratulations Clay and Jorden; we are thrilled for you both.

Leaving Leesburg

This little girl was so interested in William! Probably because he is a baby, she is a little girl, and she'll have a new brother or sister in a few months.

I think he liked the attention

David is asking the dog to lick his tummy...he was in hog (or rather dog) heaven. Two dogs are twice the fun. We were a little worried he would love and feed them to death.

I can't remember anything too frightening to report about the trip back. It gave us a lot of confidence to travel with two small children but I don't think I'd be anxious to drive a trip much longer than this one either. We were sad not to see much of Gettysburg or the Crayola factory but decided we'll do those another time.