8 Years

Everyone,

8 Years ago today I married Juice. With all the cleaning we've been doing, I pulled out my scrapbooks and we looked over our wedding pictures together. We laughed at the picture of Flower (who was 7 at the time) catching the bouquet. I had fun remembering doing line dances with my friends, and watching my niece, Beautiful Rabbit (who was less than 2 at the time) dance along with us. I remember being left behind for the ceremony and seeing the relief on Juice's face when we finally showed up.

Our first year, I remember our tiny apartment at BYU and how I hated walking home to that place. It was all up hill. I remember doing a lot of studying and sleeping in front of Juice's classes. He did the same to mine. I remember graduating from college that year and trying to figure out what in the world I was going to do. I remember working at the MTC that summer and I just kept working there.

Our second year, I remember still being at that BYU apartment with the strange neighbors and the ward that I didn't feel a part of. I remember doing laundry and cleaning the whole place top to bottom on Tuesday, my day off. It didn't take me all day. I remember hanging our clothes to dry on our balcony even though we weren't supposed to. I remember working at the MTC in the cafeteria for 2 shifts, often breakfast and lunch. I remember working 2 Sundays a month and being happy I had an excuse not to go to church for those Sundays. I remember Juice doing A LOT of studying and me doing a lot of scrap booking. I remember he graduated from college that year, and I was chomping at the bit to leave. We spent that summer in my mom's house because grad school didn't start until fall and BYU wanted us out the day after graduation. That was also the year we drove across the country and ended up in Virginia.

Our third year, I remember loving our apartment in Virginia but being alone a lot. I had a full time job at an infertility clinic answering phones and questions. It was nice. I really liked it. Juice also had his first full time job and was going to grad school full time in the evening. His commute started at 6am, took two hours to get him to work (metro/bus rides all the way). He stopped on campus for his classes (which happened to be on his way home) 3 days a week. I picked him up at the metro stop about 20 minutes away from our apartment around 11pm those 3 days. We did this for about 7 months, and decided it wasn't worth it any more. Granted, he had great study time on the metro and hardly ever had homework when he was home. But it was just too far. We needed something closer. I was a little sad to leave because our apartment was by some really great restaurants and near Mount Vernon which I loved. We went there at least once a month. Our place also had work out machines so I used those every day. We moved to our current house in Maryland that year. It was the biggest place we've ever been in! We bought a puppy.

Our fourth year, I started this blog. I started being sick all the time. Oh wait, that was because Butterfly was on her way! My grandpa died that year. We flew to Utah for the funeral. We flew to Utah a month later for Christmas (the one Christmas we've spent there since. Holiday travel is awful.) and I had a baby shower with my family and friends there. Butterfly was born in the spring after I threw up every single day while pregnant with her. I quit my job. I totaled my car. We bought a new one. We took Butterfly to the ocean when she was 3 months old.

Our fifth year, we were busy. Juice graduated from grad school and I made him do the graduation ceremony. Butterfly was growing in leaps and bounds. We flew to Utah a few times that year. We had several visitors. We complained about the humidity in the summer and the lack of snow in the winter. I got a new washer and dryer after fighting my dying one for months. Butterfly took swimming lessons with me. Life move forward at a rapid pace!

Our sixth year, we went to Hawaii with my family. It was great. We took Butterfly on a cruise and had so much fun exploring Hawaii through a toddler's eyes. We became even more active (if that is possible) and Butterfly turned 2 years old. I got pregnant again. Butterfly and I went to Disneyland with my family. I lost the baby and got pregnant again. This time with twins. I spent the rest of that year being pretty miserable and sick. Juice got a promotion at work. I finally convinced him we should buy another car.

Our seventh year, we had the twins. We bought a van. We decided our house was too small for 5 people. We had visitors all summer long to help with the boys; Juice's parents, Flower, Bee. I spent over a month in Utah with my parents. We took the kids to the presidential inauguration. We moved forward with life.

Our eighth year so far, we've exchanged gifts. Sort of. Juice couldn't think of something to get me so I ended up ordering some movies for myself. I got Juice a video game that doesn't work (sad, have to take it back). We went out to dinner tonight while Flower watched the kids. Juice told me all about his performance review he had today and how his boss said that he spent the most time on his review. Why? Because he feels that Juice has the most potential of all his employees and Juice will be his boss's boss one day. Juice is feeling pretty good after that! We also spent a lot of time cleaning our room which hasn't been cleaned probably since our sixth year. Boy does it need it!

Happy anniversary Juice! Love you really really!

Safire

The Day's Been Disrupted

Everyone,

Who can name that movie from the title? Anyone? I've been watching too many movies lately, obviously.

Guess who else has been watching movies? Butterfly. Her current favorite is Bolt and My Little Ponies. And she watching them because she's sick. And we're watching them because the boys are laying on Flower and I radiating heat. These boys have some pretty impressive fevers. So impressive that I took them to the doctor's today to get their ears checked. I mean, why make them suffer if antibiotics will fix it?

Sadly, antibiotics will not fix this. Just a virus. Sigh...I was hoping it would be an antibiotic fix. It would make it easier on us. Especially since my cousin and his family are coming to stay with us this weekend and I'd really like to send them home without this virus.

The day did have a plan (beyond the doctor, the grocery store, the library, and the super big store because I have no qualms about infecting the rest of the town). The day had a plan written in big capital letters in ink on my calender. BEACH. Last year Flower loved the beach so much that this was our first plan made for her visit. This year we were planning on actually getting to the ocean. You know, being on the border and looking across the water knowing that on the other side is Europe. Last year we had a great time on the Chesapeake Bay. This year I thought we'd be a little more adventurous and show Flower the ocean, which she hasn't ever seen before.

We still have about 2 weeks left with her. So we have time to get to the ocean. I figured everyone would be happier if we were healthy at the beach. I hope they sleep well tonight and we get healthy soon!

Safire

Sick Sunday

Everyone,

I think Butterfly is a little better. Professor is happily staggering around the house with a sample bottle of shampoo in one hand and a play dish washing sponge in the other. Pirate, however, is burning up with fever. Around 102. He spent most of the day today sleeping and laying in our arms sucking his thumb. Needless to say he did not go to church today. I was the only one who went. I only went to teach my class and then head back home.

We've been having fun with Flower here when the kids are sleeping. She hasn't seen many of our favorite movies so we've been slowly working through them. Today has been a Back to the Future marathon. I still can't believe she's never seen these! Of course, it also makes me feel old too. These movies (among others) were important in my childhood. I remember being so excited to pull out the mattress in the couch and sit on it with my brother and watch movies and eat popcorn before bed. I remember watching this one, along with The Princess Bride, Goonies, Ghostbusters, and all sorts of other 80s movies. Watching them now as an adult I get a lot more out of them. It's been fun!

We were planning on going to the beach this week but I think we'll wait until the kids are better. Busy week for us!

Safire

Ward Picnic

Everyone,

This is the social event of the year for our ward. We have so much fun swimming in our bishop's pool and playing with all of his camp equipment. It's like a mini ward camp. Check out last years visit here. We have gone every year we've lived here and I couldn't find any other time I wrote about it. Huh.

This year I was really excited about taking all the kids there because we always have so much fun. I was worried the night before that we wouldn't be able to go because of Butterfly's fever. It was basically gone so we planned on going. Besides we couldn't miss out on our yearly picture on the alligator!

During the boys' first nap we cleaned another section of my room. I now have a scrap booking table available to use every day. I'm so excited! I also threw out a big trash bag of garbage, found a bunch of unopened mail (oops) and put more things into the attic. Gotta love this cleaning I'm doing. I hope to have this all done by this weekend.

The party was a lot of fun. We did a lot of swimming. The boys really loved wading around in the baby pool. Butterfly and her BFF Vinny stuck together like glue until his family had to go home. I'm sad he's going to be going to school this year! We're going to miss him. I think the highlight of the day was finding a grey tree frog. It was so cute! It had yellow legs and curled up in Juice's hand. We both wanted to keep him but figured having another creature in the house was just asking for trouble.

Butterfly and I went down the slide again. And she told me again that she didn't ever want to go down it again. Crazy girl. I had a good time with it! The boys were done walking around the pool a lot sooner than Butterfly was done playing in it.

We enjoyed eating bbq and Butterfly and the boys spent about an hour playing in the sand box. I was able to help out another mom rinse out her little boy's eye (he is about a month older than my boys) because another kid threw sand in his face. It was nice to help out a little. And it was nice that the boys were so entertained with the sand!

While I helped with the other mom and the kids played in the sand with Flower watching out for them, Juice played street hockey with all the other guys in the ward. You aren't really a part of our ward until you've bled at this game. It's a serious thing. Juice plays goalie a lot, and this year was no exception. He could also barely walk after the game.

Everyone had baths when we got home to rinse the sand off. That's when I noticed both of the boys seem to be sporting fevers as well. Looks like our house is sick!

Safire

Three Day Weekend for Daddy

Everyone,

Juice finished his work early this week and has a 3 day weekend for himself. Yay! We decided to go all out for his day off and let him sleep in until about 10am.

Juice and I were able to clean up our room a little bit and put at least 4 things in the attic and threw away one big garbage back of stuff. I am amazed at how much stuff has just gone into our room and stayed there. We dusted, straightened and de-cluttered for almost 2 hours today.

After the boys' first naps, we took everyone over to the big warehouse store for lunch and grocery shopping. It's sad when you run out of toilet paper.

As we were coming home, a HUGE rainstorm hit. We sat in the car in our parking lot feeling the car being pelted and blown around. I wished for a garage. Juice was kind enough to run inside and grab our big umbrella and took everyone inside.

Once inside, we had another round of naps. This time Butterfly actually took a nap. She woke up on the wrong side of the bed and was grouchy and cross all evening. Finally Juice gave her a kiss on the forehead and announced she was burning up. Yup, 103.4 degree fever. (She took the thermometer under he tounge and kept it there!) She went to bed early and Flower and Juice and I stayed up watching movies from Netflix.

Safire

Like A Turtle on his Back

Everyone,

Today we met up with my twin mommy group for a bit of park time. I'm new to the group. This was actually my first visit with them. They have been meeting every other week or so, starting the week before we left for Utah. So needless to say, this is the first time I've really been free to hang out. There were about 6 or 7 moms (I can't remember who all came...it was a park after all, and we all have multiples) all with twins 12-18 months old. A few of us have older children as well. I'd say there was between 14-17 kids there at one time. That's a lot of kids! Everyone has been taking turns doing things near their houses. I guess my turn is coming up.

Today we drove into DC to go to Turtle Park. This is one cute little park! They have what they call a "sprinkler area" which is just a big fountain in the middle of a fenced in place. It was very cute for the boys. Butterfly got a little bit bored and tried to block off all the water. She did love it when it came back up!

Pirate sat next to the fountain and tried to fill up a bucket with water...even though his bucket was upside down. Even though he got so cold he shivered. Even though he couldn't open his eyes because of the water spraying around, he still tried.

Professor walked around and around that little enclosed area. He yelled in anger or frustration every time he got remotely wet. It was really funny.

The day ended with a picnic with the other moms and Butterfly cried when we had to leave. I, for one, was so happy to go home. Even with Flower helping, parks are getting to be too crazy to go to. Unless I am the only one there.

Safire

Walking Day!

Everyone,

Today is the day that Professor has decided that he is going to walk. There was basically no crawling done at all today. He was walking. By the end of the day he was pretty steady too. I can't believe how fast they are growing up! In no time he is going to be running!

Also today he has decided to start talking. Remember at our last doctor's appointment they thought maybe he wasn't hearing everything because he wasn't saying anything? Well he now says more than Pirate. "Wow" was his first word. Followed closely today by "bye" "woof" and "mom". Mom comes out more "maaammmm?" but it's super cute.

Here is a video of him walking...if I can get it to load. I wish our family could see this in person.



Pirate is not walking as well as Professor but he does walk some. He is still in the drunken salior mode and fall often. It's hard to get long limbs to do what you want them to! Still, he is as happy as can be. We love these boys so much. And their walking talking big sister too. Today she was jumping over Juice's basketball telling us she was the cow jumping over the moon. Too cute.



Safire

DC Museums

Everyone,

Today we went to DC again this time to see some of the museums. Last year Flower and I took the kids to the Natural History Museum and the Portrait Gallery. This year we decided on the American Indian Museum and the American History Museum. Mostly we went to the American Indian Museum because they have good food at the cafeteria.

After we had good food (Navajo tacos yum!) we looked around there for awhile and then left. Of course, we had to pick the two museums the farthest away from each other. Plus we had to basically run the last little bit because Butterfly refused to go to the bathroom at the American Indian Museum.

The American History Museum is newly re-done. The hallway is beautiful. The rest of it...eh. It had very small exhibits I thought. The hall connecting the wings is huge! But the exhibits were cramped and had very little displayed. We were able to see the first lady's dresses while the boys screamed...did I mention they didn't nap?! and I got a lot of dirty looks. Because the room was small and Professor has a strong set of lungs. We also saw the ruby slippers and a Dumbo ride which happened to be on the way to the ruby slippers.

One other thing we did that I thought was very cool is they had a kid's area. They had a bunch of things displayed and encouraged the kids to touch them. They also had an idea lab where you could go and play with different experiments. They also had an area for kids under 5 with little chairs and toys and blocks. The boys loved that. Professor went around with two noise makers chirping happily. Pirate had to sit in ALL 4 chairs and cried when I took him away. Butterfly cut paper, tried to wind surf and built a pinwheel powered motor.

We stopped for ice cream on the way back to the metro (because it is really hot and sticky here lately!) and the boys climbed all over the place on the train. I never noticed how dirty the floors of the trains are until my boys wanted to climb on it. Ugh!

Still, a very fun day downtown. I realized today that I have not seen every museum downtown and should probably do that. Soon.

Safire

Store Monday

Everyone,

Today I was on a quest. A quest for new drinking glasses. My parents are laughing at me right now because I have a perfectly good box of glasses I got for my wedding in my closet at their house. But those glasses are in Utah and we are in Maryland. The need for glasses is great since I've broken 2 since I've been back. One of the boys grabbed and pulled one out of my hand and yesterday the crock pot lid fell and hit one and broke it.

So. New glasses needed. Check.

I thought I'd try the thrift store today and see if they had anything there I needed. I needed several things. A new chair for our kitchen table because we don't have enough for our family. I don't want a new chair because we won't have this table forever. I want an old chair that looks like our chairs. No luck though. With the chairs or the glasses. We were only a few minutes from Ike*a so we went there. We had a yummy lunch and bought glasses. And kid plates. And kid bowls. And kid silverware. And meatballs. Yum!

On the way home, 2 of the glasses broke! Seriously I can't catch a break with glasses lately.

Then off to the grocery store.

Then off to Tarjay for storage.

I am trying to clean my room. I just spent 3 hours cleaning my book case. I think I may have too many books.

Safire

Lazy Sunday

Everyone,

I slept in today. We were very late for church. I gave the boys to Juice during the last hour and spent that time outside in the hall gabbing with friends (shhh....) although it was a spiritual gab.

At home I put the boys to bed and then slept for over 2 hours on the couch. Bliss!

We had a crock pot meal for dinner so I feel like I barely cooked anything.

And now we've spent the last hour and half or so playing the Wii. I've decided I need a new Wii game. And I have 50 dollars at Amazon thanks to a point website I'm a member of. So free game here I come!

I love days like this.

Safire

Watch Out! Wild Animals!

Everyone,

Guess where we were today?
I will spare you the details of how HOT it was today...92 and no breeze. I will also spare you how footsore and tired we all are.

Safire

An Adventure!

Everyone,


A Friday adventure downtown!



This time we stuck with monuments, although we were all hot and sweaty all day long. Nothing a little ice cream by the tidal basin couldn't fix. I love living here.

Safire

A Thursday in July

Everyone,

Today has been fun. We all desperately needed a down day, the boys especially. They went down for their morning naps without a fuss and then I went and took one too. Professor woke up about 4 times last night and I am beat. We all woke up about 2 hours later (too soon for me...I was still tired!) and had some lunch.

After lunch everyone had another nap (Butterfly included) and I got things ready to walk to the farmer's market. Once Butterfly woke up (after having an accident on my bed...again!) and I cleaned her all up and got the boys up, we were able to go. Lala and Vinny came along. Flower pushed the boys in the stroller and Lala and I took turns pulling Butterfly and Vinny in her wagon. I bought apricots, nectarines, and green beans today. Half of the apricots didn't make it home since Butterfly and Vinny and even the boys ate at least 4 each. It was really muggy with storm rolling in so we were sweaty and hot when we got home.

We ran the last half mile or so in big fat rain drops and made it inside just as the storm hit. Once Lala and Vinny went home, I tried to get our dinner started. We are trying to learn how to cook in our dutch ovens and I thought today would be a good day to do that. Well, it's no fun to try and keep a fire going in a deluge, let alone cook in it!

Juice came home and tried to get it going again, only to create a big ball of flame and singe his eyebrows, hair, and take all the hair off of his right ear. I was watching and he looked up at me with a very surprised expression on his face, his hair smoking. Good thing it was raining and it put his hair out!

We gave up on cooking outside and cooked our dinner in our dutch oven in the regular oven. Dinner was about 2 hours late. Juice had gone by then to help one of my book clubbers move. Once dinner was done, it was very good!

The coals were still burning after dinner so we decided we should roast some marshmallows. Yummy! Butterfly had a great time and we saw the biggest slug I have ever seen. Juice came home and joined in the fun.

A great day!

Safire

One Busy Day

Everyone,

I feel like I've been running at about 90 mph today and haven't had to stop to rest...even though I took a nap today! So here is what we did:

The blueberries are ending their season so we went back and picked some more in lots of humidity. Lala and her family joined us again. This time we picked about 7 pounds of berries and have probably eaten about 2 pounds already. My kids just adore blueberries. We got home just in time for naps.

While they were taking their naps, I went to the eye doctor. I haven't been in over 2 years because I could just never find the time. My prescription has changed in my eyes so I needed new glasses and contacts. The doctor gave me some contacts to take home and I picked out some very funky square plastic glasses. Something very very different for me. The contacts weren't all that comfortable but the doctor told me to wear them for a few days and then call about ordering them when they get comfortable. I wore them home (after a lunch out by myself..shhh...) and they still hurt. I finally had to take them out because I had a huge head ache. I'll try again tomorrow.

I cleaned my house because Jeff asked a friend from work over to dinner tonight.  Flower and I cleaned, made lemon pasta, blueberry muffins, and scones. The boys happily played in their high chairs for some of that, slept for some, and cried at our legs for awhile too. Butterfly had a very long nap in my bed this afternoon. She also had a very bad accident and so I'm washing my sheets.

We had a good time with Juice's friend and I'm glad he has one at work. His last friend moved away (hi Kelly!) so he's been a bit lonely. It was fun to meet someone from his work and finally put a name with a face.

Now Juice and Flower are playing the Wii and I'm waiting for my sheets to dry. I hope I can stay awake that long.

Safire

Pictures from Today

Everyone,

We spent the day at Cunningham Falls State park. HOW FUN!
Safire

15 Months Old!

Everyone,

Wow time is flying! The boys turned 15 months old this weekend. They are such big cute fun boys. We are so lucky to have them in our family!

We were able to go to the doctor's office for their 15 month check up today. We took the whole crew (as I always do) and the nurses and doctors commented on everyone being there with me. Yep, we all come. Besides, Flower is a big help!

Pirate is doing great. He weighs 21 lbs 1 oz which is 2 pounds up from last visit. He is 31 and 3/4th inches long. One inch longer. Head is 18 1/2 inches around. He is tall and skinny, as always. He is also very curious. He had a few shy smiles for the doctor while she was poking and prodding him. He tried to grab all of the tools she used. He got 2 shots (HIB and Prevnar) and only whined a little bit at the second shot. Everyone cooed over him and his stoicism. He's so cute!

He is standing on his own and taking a few steps. He really loves to be walked around and cries for your fingers whenever you walk by. He is also a champion whiner and has started to hit just a little. Mostly he hits Professor but I think he gets frustrated with Professor. And vice versa. He loves to scribble with pens and thinks the phone is totally amazing. He says, "uh-oh!" about 300 times a day. Our little "uh-oh" bird. He loves to eat pretty much anything and is starting to master using a fork. He favorite thing to eat is any kind of fruit. Boys does he love blueberries and raspberries and bananas. Yum!

He had his first haircut in Utah and boys does he look different without his big long forelock. He looks so much like a little boy. He loves to climb up and down stairs, standing up. He hangs from handrails as much as he can. The other day we went to the park and there was a small staircase with a kid sized hand rail. He climbed up and down that about 40 times, each time jumping up and down because he was so happy. That little happy kick and developed into a happy little jump and it's completely adorable. He screams really loud. Butterfly gets him going and then he just ramps it up. His laugh is infectious, and he smiles and laughs because you do. He doesn't want to miss out on the joke, even if he has no idea what's going on.

Professor is my little lap bug. He loves to sit in your lap. If you are on the floor, your lap is his! He loves to be held, carried, or walked around. He has the most adorable little chirp when he sees something that interests. Especially if it's a ball. He loves balls. And sticks, and dirt. And his binkie. He does the toddler squat all the time and stands in the middle of the room without any help. He started taking a few steps in Utah, and seriously started walking here. He took about 24 steps in a row yesterday and he is starting to prefer walking to any other mode of transportation.

He weighs 19 lbs 11 oz and is 31 inches long. He has completely dropped off his growth curve and is now into the 1% for weight. The doctor (who was not very good...she was very distracted!) says I'm supposed to feed him more high calorie food...but what that is I have no idea. He is just a mover! He is not supposed to be forward facing in his car seat and I got yelled at over that. Seriously, he is 5 oz away. He probably drinks more than that at a meal. So I'm not going to turn him back around. (My scale puts him at over 20 pounds with his clothes on. Since he's not going to be riding in the car seat in his birthday suit (hopefully) I think we're safe.) He is the only one of my kids that likes Pedia*sure so I guess that's a good thing. He's going to be getting that for awhile.

The doctor was concerned that he is not saying anything. Yes he chirps and babbles a little bit but no words are forming. He should say at least 2-3 things. He does say, "uh-oh" a lot but it often sounds muffled or from down a long tunnel. He doesn't really respond to his name and you often have to tap him to get his attention. They are having me call First Start which is the county run physical therapists. They want him to be checked out for hearing and speech. I have yet to make the call but tomorrow that's my goal. I honestly don't think much will come from it but if there is a problem, then he'll get help early.

I am seriously loving this stage of the boys. They are so curious about everything. They fight, they help, they make messes, they love their mommy, and sleep well. What a great time of life!

Safire

Sunday Pictures, take 10 Sleeping in Hotels

Everyone,

 

So this is what I dealt with the last hotel night.  First it was Butterfly who was sharing the bed with me.  Then Pirate joined us and slept sideways.  Why do kids do that?  Then Professor about 5am because he was so cold.  But adding Professor kicked me out of bed.  I managed to snap this picture before they woke up.  So cute!

Also, getting into the hotel we were quite the spectacle.  Who wouldn't be with these cute kids though?

Safire

Sleepy Day

Everyone,

The kids woke up at 5:30am this morning. Well, the boys did anyway. They were screaming and hungry and wanted their mommy. Juice got them out of bed for me and brought them to me so I could nurse them in our bed. I was too tired to get up. (Did I mention that we have addicted Flower to Rock Band? No? Oh. Did I also forget to mention that we were up till almost midnight last night playing Rock Band? Yeah.)

Well they thought it should be time to get up once their bellies were full. They poked me in the eyes. They shoved their fingers up my nose. They pulled all the books off of my bedside table to the ground. I finally picked them up and deposted them back into their cribs with some toys. Just as they were being put down and crying about it, Butterfly woke up screaming.

Seriously, she went from peacefully asleep to screaming her head off in about 2 seconds. I heard it ramp up even. She did NOT want it to be morning. Fine, I said. It's not morning. Then she went on and on about how the sun wasn't up and how that means it's not morning. Yep, I agree. Go back to sleep.

I went back to my bed. She kept screaming that it wasn't morning. The boys were screaming. I felt like screaming. Finally I stomped into the kids' room (everyone is in the same room while Flower is here so Flower has a place to sleep.) and pulled everyone out of their beds and stomped them downstairs to play. They were happy. I was not. Ugh, I was so tired.

Juice and Flower got up around 8:30am or so. They seemed refreshed and happy and ready to start their day. I was cross and moody and ready to go back to bed. So I did. I slept until almost 1pm and was feeling much better.

Juice and I were supposed to go on a breakfast date this morning but didn't because I was mad at him. (How dare he get to sleep in?!) And I was sleeping. So we went on a lunch date instead. We had lunch in the tiny cafe in town here and then went to buy him new work shoes. No luck in the store near the cafe. We did a little bit of geocaching but no luck with that one either.

Then we came home to a sleeping house. Butterfly is napping in our room so the boys can actually go to sleep during nap time. She locked the door and fell asleep. Good thing my husband is an engineer and can open the lock without the key.

We cleaned part of our room and had 2 big bags of garbage to take out. We are still not done but at least we have some stuff out of there.

Now Pirate is screaming so I better go check on him. And maybe go back to bed myself!

Safire

Photo Friday, road trip

Everyone,

I just downloaded my 117 pictures I took from the car last week. I got some pretty good ones...and some not so good ones. My favorite one is this one:

It is so beautiful and amazing that I took this looking out the back side window (Professor's window, Butterfly would say) in a car that was moving about 75 mph. This was somewhere between Indianapolis, Indiana and Columbus, Ohio. The sun started to set and we just drove past fields and fields of mist. It was very beautiful and peaceful. (Probably because the kids were asleep.) More trip pictures to come.



Until then, go visit my friend Lolli's blog for a great picture giveaway!

Safire

Boring!

Everyone,

I am a boring blogger! Seriously can I be any more boring? I would stop reading me if I was reading this. I chalk it up to being out of the writing groove. Utah really threw off my groove. Will you stick with me while I get back up to being semi-interesting? Pretty please?

Today we decided to stick close to home and go to the Amish market for lunch. I made Butterfly cry three times. She was a princess today and "princess twirl mom. You should know that." Well, my Miss Butterfly is not the most graceful child. Poor girl is going to be long and awkward for a long time. Anyway, twirling + awkwardness = disaster in a small shop. She was incredibly well behaved at lunch. All the kids were. Pirate was flirting with the waitresses, Professor was picking the cheese off of his grilled cheese sandwich and eating only that. And Butterfly was just eating. We bought bread and candy. We also all sat down at the table I really want to buy and I drooled over it again. I even found a china hutch that matches it with hand carved flowers and vines all over it. Beautiful.

We stopped by the farmer's market as well. Boy I missed the farmer's market here! It's small (3 booths) but the fruit is amazing. We got blueberries which are almost all gone. And the peaches are so flavorful! Yum!

Book club was tonight for me. It was the last one for a member of ours and I'm going to miss her! She is moving far away (okay, to Utah...but it is far! I just drove it. I should know.) and we just needed to have time to be with each other. I love book club.

Safire

Day At Home

Everyone,

It seems like every time you go on vacation you come back and have to jump back into real life. I was gone for 6 weeks. I had a lot of jumping back to do. And today was the day to do it. I had a big list of 16 things to do today. I got 8 things done. They included bank, post office, going through stacks and stacks of mail, and making some doctor appointments for me and the boys. I figured since Flower is here I'll be able to go to the eye doctor by myself. Also, the boys will be 15 months old on Saturday. Can you believe it?!

We also went outside and played for awhile. Flower took Butterfly over the park behind our house. Professor walks more outside than he does inside. He took 12 steps in a row carrying a big stick yesterday. He also walked across my living room by himself this afternoon. He is so close to walking on his own.

I started up Netflix again and we're off to enjoy a movie!

Safire

Back in Maryland

Everyone,

We made it back to Maryland safe and sound. It was a long 4 days in the road. But I'm so proud of us because we fit 6 people and our stuff into Fern Tree the van. Oh, and a dog and her stuff too. Which was bulky. Next time I'm taking the travel dog crate that is soft. If there is a next time that is.

I'm trying to get back into the habit of blogging every day so you'll have to forgive me if these posts are a little sparse/travel log-ish for awhile.

Yesterday I took my dad to the airport and got my car fixed. It squealed almost the whole way home. Apparently the new belt I had put in it before we left had bad tension and it broke one of the pullies. We also went to the library and signed everyone, including Flower, for the summer reading program.

Can I just say I love having Flower with us? Seriously, I need a nice helpful 15 year old of my own. :) Juice and I were able to go out on a date last night (to Target for soap and m&ms and then to my friend's house to fix her computer) and it was fun just to be us. We didn't have to worry about getting anyone out of the car or herd people around the store. It was nice. So yay for Flower and all her help!

Today we met up with a lot of other Maryland mommy bloggers in a park about 40 minutes from here. My friend Lolli and her son AJ came along. It was fun to see everyone in person, although I don't know if any of them read this. Mostly Lolli knows them. It was nice to have some adult conversation and Butterfly played really well at the park.

Professor has decided that he can take 4-6 steps in a row! Both the boys had their first steps in Utah but just today Professor is starting to walk more and more. It's only a matter of time before he's off running!

See ya tomorrow!

Safire

On the Road

Everyone,

I have stuff to talk about from my trip (lots and lots of stuff) but right now we are on the road going home.  I am sad and happy at the same time.  I loved being in Utah but I miss Juice and my house and all my friends.

We are about half way home in Missouri.  We stopped here so my Dad could get some BBQ and we could have a little bit of time outside the car.  Because yesterday, we traveled over 900 miles in one day.  We left at 7am (2 hours late...had to pack the car) and stopped in Nebraska at around 11pm.  My legs were so tired of being cramped up in the jam packed car.  This is Flower's first long road trip.  I don't think she finds it as glamorous as it is in books.  Still, she's been a big help.

Today we were able to stop in Far West and get out and walk around the temple sight.  We got there right before a huge tour bus of teenagers.  We found 2 baby birds on the ground and took some nice pictures.

We got to the hotel early tonight and took the kids swimming.  The pool was really cold but the boys loved in.  Butterfly even more.  We're off to Ohio tomorrow and then to Maryland on Sunday!

Safire 

Utah Days Too Many To Count

Everyone,

We really have been having so much fun here in Utah.  We've been really busy and I'll try to add some pictures in this post.  We'll see if I have enough time though.  This is going to be very very long and I understand if you just scroll through the pictures.  Also, a big announcement at the end!

The zoo was fun.  We went with my very very good friend Zuke from high school and his family.  (Zuke and I were stand partners in orchestra.)  Their boys get along really good with Butterfly and they ran the zoo like it was a race course.  We saw lots of animals and even had the thrilling moment of the cougar really wanting to eat their baby girl.  Apparently bringing a cougar out of it's den, having it hiss and snarl at her, and try to pounce on her happens with every cougar they've ever seen.  She better not go to BYU.  (Mascot is a cougar.)

That day Juice and I were able to get to the temple and out to eat for a date.  I love hanging out with Juice.  He's fun. 

Also that day Juice's nephews came over to my parents house and played rock band in my dad's theater.  They had a great time!

Thursday I watched my nephew Cappy in the morning and then we spent the day with Juice's family.  We took his nephews (minus one) geocaching.  We took family pictures (everyone, minus my sil Splats and her family) and Juice stayed up talking till 6am with everyone.  I took the kids home around 9pm.

Friday we had all of our friends over for a BBQ and had a great time!  At one point there were 13 kids at my mom's...all 5 years old and under.  You'd think we all had babies at the same time!  :)  Here are all the kids, minus 2 who left before I thought to take a picture.  All the older kids enjoyed playing in the sprinklers outside and we all sat and talked about old friends, houses, jobs, etc.  I had a great time.

Saturday we went on our annual trip to Cabela's for all you can eat breakfast.  We fed the fish, saw some animal dioramas, shopped for shorts, and saw some more fish.  Juice and I were able to find some shorts for him to wear since he ripped a hole in his only pair.  I was able to go to a birthday party for my BFF Mink's little girl Fair.  (She was born a few days before Christmas and so she's celebrating her half birthdays in June.)  It poured cats and dogs that day.  Juice went up to the hospital to see Seraph who was not doing too well.  She is better but still needs your prayers.  We also went out to eat with my family.  I had 3 people come up and pat me on the shoulder and tell me, "Bless you."  I must have seemed a little harried that day.

Sunday was Father's Day and we went to church with Juice's family.  I am starting to count down the time until nursery because these boys are driving me crazy in church.  We also went over to my Nana's house.  My aunt counted and out of 39 members of my family, 37 showed up.  My cousin S (who fixed my tire last time) had to be taken to the hospital because a bike tire blew up in his face and he hurt his eye.  He's alright.  The paramedics were a big hit for the little kids...and some of the big "kids". 

Monday I met up with my old college roommates at a park.  We had a picnic lunch and I think I aged 3 years trying to keep the boys from killing themselves.  At least they aren't going to die but I think I am!  We did the same thing last year, only this time around there were 2 new people in the picture.

We took my family pictures that night and they turned out pretty cute.  If you'd like to see them...just email me safirecat at gmail dot com and I'll send you the link.  We also went and visited my sister in law Splats and her family that evening.  We had fun playing!

Tuesday I went to see my cousins and their kids.  It was fun to have 8 kids (Butterfly being the oldest) and 3 cousins and one cousin in law.  We had a blast at the park near the house and had a very nice lunch.  I was glad to get Butterfly to meet some of her second cousins because they are all her age and love princesses, just like she does.

I raced home to put kids to sleep and also get to a whale movie with BFF Mink.  I think we only missed the first few minutes which is good for me.  Poor Mink...I feel bad making her late ALL THE TIME.  The movie was in 3-D and I only got a few of the things in 3-D since I apparently have a hard time seeing artifical 3-D.  It was fun to hang out with her without our kids and walk around Thanksgiving Point.

My brother and sil came over for dinner again and we had a nice time being together.  This was Juice's last night in Utah.  He left at 6am the next morning.

Wednesday I was supposed to go see another cousin but things kept getting in the way.  Instead I took Butterfly horseback riding and out for ice cream.  (Her bribe for being good for the photographer on Monday.)  She had a great time and road Bailey, my uncle's horse in his pasture and in his yard.  My feet have apparently changed since my pregnancy and my boots gave me HUGE blisters on my heals.  They hurt so so bad.  But we had a great time with the horses. 

Thursday I spent the morning with my Nana again and no disasters at her house.  That evening Mink and I went horseback riding with my uncle's horses again...but without kids.  We rode 2 miles down the trail by their house and back.  My horse was very skittery, but I had such a good time.  I love riding.  I wish I could do it more often.  I think I may need new boots though because my blisters were oozing blood after this ride.  Worth it.  :)

Friday morning Mink and I drove to This Is the Place Hertiage Park for a breakfast they were having there.  Well, the breakfast was over by the time we got there and it was 20 dollars a kid!  No way we were paying that!  So we drove up the canyon to a little tiny diner for breakfast.  Well, they couldn't seat 7 (how many we had...kids and all) so we left.  But as we were leaving, a big group left too.  So we went back into the diner and took the table for 6 and held baby Fair.  The biscuts were amazing!  We left with pretty much everyone crying and a huge mess on the floor.  Back to the park for some pony rides and baby animal petting.  We also had really good ice cream, rode the train, bought things at the general store, and didn't spend nearly enough time there. 

Saturday we were supposed to go to Promintary Point but recieved a phone call from my other grandmother's nursing home.  She had been taken to the hospital unresponsive.  My dad went out there to be with her and my mom and I went to the BYU bookstore.  Their toffee peanuts are amazing!  We got ice cream at the creamery and dinner at our favorite sandwich shop in Provo.  My grandmother is doing fine but she had a bad infection.

That night my dad and I did go out to the Great Salt Lake and stayed until almost midnight taking pictures.  We almost got eaten by bugs but luckily my Dad had bug stuff in his camera bag.  

Sunday (yesterday) we went to hear my brother and sil sing in church.  It sounded very nice!  I spent most of the meeting walking the boys in the hall with my mom.  Zuke and his family came over for dinner and the kids played.  We had amazing steaks (thanks Dad) and stayed up talking way too late.  But it was fun.

Today the plan is for me to go out to lunch with Mink for our annual girly lunch without kids and then Bee (remember Bee?) is taking Butterfly ice skating.  I will not be skating because my blisters are still really bad.  My mom has this whole week off so I'm really looking forward to doing some fun things with her.  I do miss Juice and I'm getting anxious to see him again in about a week.  I can't believe our time here is almost over!

If you've made it this far...congrats!  Here's the annoucement.  Remember this girl?

Guess who is coming to stay with us for the rest of the summer?!  I am SO EXCITED!  I love Flower.  And I love her family for letting her come with us on our driving and for letting us keep her for over a month and then put her on a plane by herself to come home.  We are going to be able to do so many cool things this summer now.

Safire 

Utah Day 9-14

Everyone,

It's sad.  I was trying to write every single day for a year but it just didn't happen.  Oh well...here is a catch up post.

Friday we spent the day with my grandparents and enjoyed their company and their lunch!  Thanks Nana and Grandpa!

Saturday we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house with my grandparents and my bro and sil and Cappy.  Fun but cold outside!  We also took all the kids to get their hair cut.  The first cut for the boys!  Professor screamed through the whole thing (while dripping saliva from his sucker all over the drape and getting hair plastered to his face because of it).  Professor had a bell he was focused on (the place had little cars for them to sit in) and he stood stock still.  Ah, life with twins.  Butterfly also got a trim and a princess hairdo.  They had a slide in the hair cutting place and Professor loved it so much.  He got so excited at the top bouncing on his knees.  He then pitched forward to get on his hands to go down the slide but didn't realize the edge of the slide was right there.  He bashed his head pretty good and had a huge goose egg.  I think he cried more that we were leaving the slide than the goose egg.

Sunday we spent at Juice's parents house, going to church with them and eating a ton of fruit.  I fell asleep in the mother's lounge with one of the boys.  I think I might be tired.  We also raced downtown to see my brother sing in the Mormon Tabernacle Choir that morning.  I love to see him up there doing what he loves to do!  We also saw a good friend's drawings and were able to see our Prophet.

Monday we went hiking wth BFF Mink and her girls.  We had a great time until we had to run home so we wouldn't be caught in the thunderstorms that are happening every evening.  It has rained every day since we've been here.  Juice's BFF J came over that evening and we went for yet another hike (this time without the kids).  We also went geocaching which I always find fun.  We found one we had been looking for for over a week so I was excited.  Juice and J stayed up until 1am talking and playing Rock Band. 

Today was another day spent at my grandparents' house for me and a day spent with Juice's family for Juice.  Juice had a great time with his nephews who are visiting from Idaho...mostly because we are here and they have never met our kids.  Their youngest was a baby when we moved to Maryland so it's fun to see how grown up they all seem.

My kids decided to knock over a fake tree of my Nana's and break some glass orniments she had hanging on it for decoration.  They also decided that the orniments should be eaten!!  Ack!  I have no idea if they swallowed anything (probably) and we left soon after that.  I also got a flat in BOB's wheels from a thorn I probably picked up while hiking yesterday.  My awesome cousin S (who is 14?) fixed it for me.  I kind of miss being around my family.

I also got my hair cut today.  Yes, cut means really different.  I have bangs.  It's short.  It's seriously different.  Pictures later since I haven't taken them yet.

Cappy is spending part of the night with us and it's been fun to have all of the cousins together.  They are actually all sleeping (yes, they are asleep) in the same room.  We took some pictures of all the boys in their pjs together and it's so cute!  It has also reinforced that I'd really rather not have triplets.  My boys are running me pretty ragged these days and adding another one to the mix changings the whole dinamic.  Triplet moms are amazing.

We're off to the zoo tomorrow so I'm off to bed!

Safire 

Utah Day 8

Everyone,

Today we had nothing scheduled. It was a weird day for us...we often have every day scheduled. We did think that Juice could paint my parents' deck today but with the weird weather and rain Utah has been getting we figured today would not be a good day for deck painting. (Good thing too because there was a huge thunderstorm this afternoon.)

We thought a movie might be something fun to do instead. We had been wanting to take Butterfly to see "Up" for awhile. What better time to take her when we have built in babysitters for the boys! Because really, movies for them are no an option until they are older. Juice's parents watched the boys this afternoon while we took Butterfly and my mom to see "Up". It's very cute but very adult in places and pretty scary at the end. At least, Butterfly told me it was kind of scary at the end. If the screaming and crawling up my arm to bury her head in my neck wasn't an indication of being scary, I don't know what is.

We spent some time with Grandma and Grandpa (thanks for a fun afternoon!) and got the most awesome grape juice from Grandma to help with our sickies. Yes, we are still sick here. Everyone has runny noses (except for me, I have a sore throat and ear pressure) and Juice seems to be coming off the worst in our little family. Sadly, my dad has pneumonia AGAIN (I think this makes 4 times in a year?) so we are trying not to spread the love.

No one got a good night's sleep last night so I'm hoping that tonight will remedy that. I'm off to bed!

Safire

Utah Day 7

Everyone,

It's a dinosaur! Today we went to the dinosaur museum with my BFF Mink and her two girls. We had so much fun looking at all the dinosaur bones and playing in the wet sand exhibit. (Which Professor promptly ate and grossed Mink out.)

Still it's an awesome museum for around here. We have been to several museums in the past considering the Smithsonian is close for us in Maryland and this one is good.

Juice has been going to the Draper Temple every day in the morning. It's so amazing to be able to walk to the temple. I can see it out my window now and it's very beautiful.

The kids took good naps this afternoon and Juice and I played Rock Band. It's fun to have so much time with him during the day. And our days aren't terribly crowded with things to do so we can spend some actual time together.

It also hailed here this afternoon and I had to explain to Butterfly what the "little balls that are coming out of the sky" were. She's observant.

Safire

Utah Day 6

Everyone,

I've been in Utah for almost a week now. The time seems to be flying by. There is so much I'd like to do and see and I'm anxious to get out and do it. But the kids need time to adjust. I think Professor needs it the most. He has been cross, cranky, clingy all day today. They all have small colds (lucky us, sick AGAIN) but he is really unhappy. Poor kid.

Today my SIL Angel (married to my only sibling) and I went shopping. I don't think I've bought clothes for myself in about 2 years. My church skirt I brought along has a huge hole in the back right across my butt. So. I need something else to wear. We went out shopping today and I think I found something fairly cute. It's knee length and I never wear knee length stuff. My legs are so long I always think that I am showing an insane amount of skin. This one isn't too bad. My mom watched the boys and Butterfly and Juice spent the afternoon at his parents house. It was fun to get out with just Angel and no kids. She got a skirt too.

My mom went through her closet and was cleaning out a bunch of stuff. And hey, I fit into a bunch of stuff she was planning on giving away. So I got a few new capris and a new pair of shorts, a skirt, and a shirt. Nice! Shopping without money is always the best kind of shopping, don't you think? :)

Safire

Utah Day 5

Everyone,

Today was just a down day for us. I thought the kids could use a day at home playing instead of being in the car for a week. The boys took their two naps and went to bed at about 6:30pm. Of course, they screamed for awhile before they fell asleep, but we're getting back into our normal schedule.

My best friend Mink came over with her two kids, Spider and Fair. This is the first time I met Fair and she is so cute! She is 5 and a half months old and so smiley! I love smiley babies. Spider and Butterfly were playing okay together. They are about a year apart. It's interesting to see the difference in age. Butterfly wants to play with Spider but Spider wants to play with whatever Butterfly is playing with. As in she wanted to take the doll that Butterfly was playing with. Still, we had a nice time together and enjoyed our lunch together.

Juice and I were able to get out of the house 2 times today without the kids. It's so nice to have baby sitters in the same house. We went out geocaching but didn't find it. Tonight we went on a date to get some ice cream and found another geocache. We also went to buy dog food. We are so romantic. :)

Safire

Utah Day 4

Everyone,

Views from the road. Literally. I took these while driving. Please excuse the bug splatters on the windows.

A pretty sunset in West Virginia.












I think this is Indianapolis.












The biggest cross I have ever seen.












St. Louis Missouri (my dad took this one, I was driving).












Colorado!

The landscape in Utah.

It was interesting to see the world change outside our windows. We went from mostly tree lined roads to fields then to more fields and flat then to rolling hills then to mountains then in the mountains to the desert. It was fun to see the progression. I have more field pictures but I'll spare you the monotony.

Safire

Utah Day 3

Everyone,

Why is it the last few miles of a trip always seem to take the longest? At least this time the last few miles brought us Juice and a place for the boys to run around in. They found all the toys at Nana's house and are happily sleeping in the same room. Happy for the boys, not so happy for Butterfly. They had baths and turned the water a pretty pink color. All that red rock dust from southern Utah makes a nice color when mixed with water.

This morning we spent the time loading up the car (a lot more involved than you think) and driving around to see Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point. We did some geocaching in Dead Horse Point and saw a very cool arch in Canyonlands. (Yesterday we hiked through Arches...it was windy and the hikes we went on were always longer than we thought they'd be.)

I got some great pictures, I think. I haven't really looked through the ones I got today.

The kids were okay until we got on the road to get home. I wanted to drive but that lasted maybe 10 miles. The kids are just used to me being back with them and so I fetched toys and broke up fights between Pirate and Butterfly or Pirate and Professor. It's hard to be the kid in the middle car seat.

Now we are at my parents' house with their really nice soft bed and we are all beat. More tomorrow!

Safire

Utah Day 2

Everyone,
Safire

Utah Day 1

Everyone,

We made it to Utah today.  We are in Moab for a few days to see the arches and then we are headed up to Salt Lake.  Butterfly calls this the "Shiny Rock Place" because we've been talking about being here to look at pretty rocks.  My mom met us here tonight and I love having her around. 

We got here earlier than all the other days of driving (we got here around 4pm as opposed to 7 or 8pm) so we had some free time.  There was a miscomunication with the kennel where Soot was supposed to stay tonight (this lady has to have an hour with me and the dog to get her "acclimated" to her place.  An hour!  She says it's for the good of the animal and I have to counter with it's just an animal and one night!)  We went out to eat at a pizza restaurant (not great) and did a little geocaching in town.  I'm going to have to buy a souvenir t-shirt I think.  Butterfly had her first bright blue snow cone.  Pirate has fallen off the bed about 4 times in an hour so he's no longer allowed on the bed with no supervision.  As in, you have to be next to him at all times.  They are currently sleeping and I hope they will stay that way.

Professor slept in bed with me from about 2:30am on last night.  I did not sleep well and was pretty cross today.  Pirate was also really cross and cried a lot.  Poor kid.  We are all feeling a little done with the car.  Good thing tomorrow we are going hiking. 

I'm going to have to get some new toys for the trip back.  Everyone is tired of what's in the car now.  And we still have a 5 hour drive on Saturday to Salt Lake.  Ugh...I am looking forward to being at my mom's house and just being in one place for awhile.

Safire

PS- Kelly, I got the message...will call you when I get to my mom's house.  :)

Colorful Colorado

Everyone,

This hotel does have high speed internet but I can't figure it out.  So I'm just going to type this online and post it when I get the chance.  Like yesterday's post.  Edited: my dad got it working.

Today was our big driving day.  We went over 700 miles today and made it to Denver around 7pm.  I was excited about getting here for two reasons.  One, mountains!  I love to see the mountains and this is a skyline I know well.  Two, I lived in the Denver area until I was 12.  Well, a month away from being 12.  We got a hotel room near my old house and were able to go by it.  I saw my old elementary school and a few of my old haunts.  My old house looks old.  My parents built it when I was a baby so I guess it's almost 30 years old.  Still, it looks run down.  The trees my dad planted are still there.  And I still remember where all my friends lived. 

Things are also a lot smaller there.  I think I grew a little.

We talked about where we wanted to go for dinner and one place jumped to my mind.  Casa Bonita.  This is a really fun place to eat.  They have cliff divers, mexican dancers, and a mariachi band.  They also have Black Bart's cave which is just a little path through a man made cave.  They have a bunch of scary stuff in it now (which I don't remember) but you can walk through the dragon's mouth, past it's heart (which was beating when I was there...poor Ignacio must have kicked the bucket) and out the other side. 

I remember being terrified of going through the dragon's mouth.  I always took it at a run so I wouldn't be caught in his mouth when he decided to close it.  And I was sure he was going to do it at any second.  I also remember my dad pretending to drop me into the world's largest abyss.  It's a black floor with a bridge 6 inches above it but I was convinced that it was really the abyss and I was going to fall and fall and fall until I grew up and then hit the ground.  Funny what you remember.

Butterfly had a grand time.  She barely ate anything because she was too busy watching the cliff divers, listening to the music or talking about going to the cave.  This could be the reason why she went to bed tonight complaining that her tummy hurt.  Sorry kid...dinner has to be eaten.  She was terrified of the dragon and walked the last half of the cave with her head buried in my back.  She also got a flasher, and watched a puppet show.  Dad wanted to get pictures done in the old picture place but I figured the boys wouldn't let me put them down for one.  I can probably figure out how to do one in photo shop anyway.

The boys were okay.  Considering it was late (after 8pm MST which is like after 10pm for them) and we woke them up to get them inside.  Professor decided half way through dinner he was scared of all the people and the noise and the clapping and curled up in my lap with his head on my chest.  Pirate's eyes were as big as saucers at everything and he just soaked it up.  I'm sure it was a nice change to being in the car all day.

I just fell asleep typing that last sentence so I think I need to go to bed.  Good night!

Safire

A Day in Missouri

Everyone,

I can't find a free internet to post this so I am writing it offline and will post it as I get the chance.

We are in Missouri and two of the three kids are sleeping soundly.  Professor's eyes are red rimmed but he is insisting that I play peekaboo with him over the edge of his pack an play.  I worry that he is stepping on his brother but not enough to go over there and check.  I imagine if Pirate was being stepped on he would protest or move.  I think Professor was the one kid who actually got good sleep in the car today.  Butterfly did not nap at all.  Pirate only napped while I had my hand on him so I spent the day in a very awkward position.  Beyond that, it was a fairly good day.

We left Kelly's this morning after a lovely breakfast of waffles and muffins and cereal.  We made good time across the state, only having to stop once for a pit stop for Butterfly.  She is loving her "magic" markers and her dry erase board.  I am also really really glad I bought some new toys to bring along because she is doing fine with those.  I also bought her a little lap table thing so she could eat on it and play on it.  It's been very handy.  I bought her and the boys some head rests so they could sleep a little more comfortably.  I bought Butterfly a different one than I bought the boys and I love hers so much more.  Links to come, just not right now.

We met up with my friend Karen for lunch.  I told Karen the wrong day and I am feeling very ashamed at myself.  Granted, I keep calling today Wednesday anyway but still.  I am SO SORRY Karen.  Forgive me?  And thanks for the pizza and dog sitting!

We went to a few church history sites today.  I'll talk about them in another post when I can actually put up pictures of all we saw.  It was beautiful.  Peaceful. 

With all that beauty and peace came grass and dirt and rocks and clover flowers to pick.  The boys were filthy.  Butterfly was no pretty picture either.  I decided that since tomorrow is our longest driving day yet, everyone needs a bath.  So, hotel bath here we come!  Butterfly was NOT happy about taking a bath with no toys.  But sometimes you've got to do what you've got to do.  And let me tell you, bathing three kids by myself and getting them all ready by myself is no fun.  I miss Juice.

I am having a fine time but I am looking forward to being at my mom's house and not sitting sideways in the car for hours on end.  Mountains tomorrow!!

Safire

Hello from St. Louis

Everyone,

My good friend has graciously opened her house for us tonight and I have a moment to update you all on our progress.  Let me just say that it's the biggest help for the kids to be able to get out of the car today and run around in a house with other kids and new toys.  Amazing!

Anyway, last night we got into Ohio late and the kids slept amazingly well.  Although Butterfly kept hushing the boys as they cried.  She wanted it to be quiet!  Professor woke up at 4:30 or 5am to eat and went back to bed around 7am.  The hotel was nice...a big room with a fold out bed for Butterfly.  The boys shared the pack and play and they are not going to be able to do that much longer.

We had a really nice breakfast with my cousin and his family who live in Ohio.  I had never met their girls (one is about the same age as Butterfly) and we were on the road by 10am.

Then we drove.  And drove.  And stopped.  Several times.  Butterfly kept having to go to the bathroom about every 20 minutes.  I think because she wanted to get out of the car.  We were about an hour later coming into St. Louis than I wanted but we made it here.  The boys screaming the last hour or so.  We didn't stop because we were close and I knew they would be happier running around the house.

They were.  It's been fun to be here.  We're off tomorrow for some sight seeing and a little bit of an easier day.  I'd like to take Butterfly swimming at the hotel.  I'd like to take all the kids swimming if I can convince my dad to go with us.  I think we would all benefit from a small break from the car. 

Safire