Play Dough

Kayt and Sherie played with play dough just before she left.  Kayt created this hairy crab.  I thought it was so cute, and she was so proud.  A picture had to be taken.  The clay looking thing hanging from it, "his pincher claw" - Kayt

A surprise visit!!!

Is there anything better than a surprise visit from family?  In my world, NO.  Scott's mom called about a week ago and asked what we were doing for Labor Day.  Scott is in another busy season so we had zero plans.  She said that is great because I am coming out?

I love Scott's mom.  She has a knack for knowing what you need before you know.  If that makes sense.  After she left, I realized how timely her visit was for our little family.  It has been a roller coaster month, to say the least.  It was so nice for both Scott and I to be 1) taken care of and 2) have an excuse to step out of our normal routine.  My girls especially needed some grandma love. They always do, no matter how much they have gotten!

I think it was especially good for Scott to connect back to home.  I really feel like he needed his mom.  He has been worn ragged trying to take care of me, our girls and then also work.  He got a little behind playing Mr. Mom for a bit and had to catch up last week.  No matter how old you get, there is nothing like having your mom around.

The visit gave us an excuse to get outside.  We went to Old Town Alexandria and met up with Tiff , Kurt and Kylie  Linford.  We also played at the park, multiple times and went swimming (of course).

Thank you so much for making the quick trip mom.  It was what we all needed!

Old Cemetery in Alexandria.  The Revolutionary War tomb of the Unknown soldier is here.  And it was also the church were George Washington had his funeral.

Playing by fountain in the town square.

Tomb of the unknown soldier.  I thought the inscription on the top of the tomb was so beautiful.  I am going to share it.

Here lies a soldier of the Revolution whose identity is known but to God.

His was an idealism that recognized the Supreme Being, that planted religious liberty

on our shores, that overthrew despotism, that established a people's government,

that wrote a Constitution stting metes and bounds of delegated authority, 

that fixed a standard of value upon men above gold and lifted

high the torch of civil liberty along the pathway of mankind.

In ourselves his soul exists as part or ours, his memory's mansion.

And yes, Ella made it to the top by herself!!

My Mom Has Come!!!

So, I was asked to be part of girls camp this year on a stake level.  I was so excited and my wonderful mother came out to watch my kids.  Well, that was the excuse anyway.  She came on a Wednesday and camp wasn't until Monday!!!  I have never had my mom visit my home by herself so I was super pumped.  All of my excited was justified.  I love being around my mom.  I love just hanging out and talking with her.  Doing things to together etc.  My mom and I are so similar in many ways it makes it easy to be around each other.

It was so nice to just be together.  Chatting, playing with the girls, watching old movies while eating popcorn, touring around, cooking.  All the good stuff!!!  Scott especially enjoyed the good food (mainly breakfast!, he never gets it at our house.)

My girls were dying with anticipation.  They asked everyday for a week if grandma was coming.  My mom got in around 11:30 and Kayt refused to go to bed because she wanted to pick her up.  When she say her, she just sprinted down the terminal yelling "GRANDMA!!"  I love that my girls have such strong relationships already with their grandma's.  My grandmothers are so special to me.  And my childhood is filled with so many fond memories with them.  I want that so bad for Kayt and Ella.  That closeness is a huge reason we are going to be moving back to Idaho soon.

We had such a great time while my mom was here.  I was so torn going to girls camp.  However, because of some issues, I was able to spend the last two days of her trip with her too.  Thanks so much for being here when I needed you in so many ways.  I love you mom!

Natural history museum

 Butterfly house at the museum.  I actually had one land on purse.  Thank goodness for the obnoxious double doors.  I would have walked right out!

One of our favorite spots in the city.

No Work and All Play

So, I just finished up my summer course teaching government and I am feeling like a new woman.  I don't teach again until November.  It has been two days of getting caught up and just being with my girls.  Some crazy things have happened in our world the last couple of weeks and once again I have gained so much comfort from just watching and being with Kayt and Ella.  While I hate to have the reminders I am grateful for how much more I love being a mother after each little trial. 

It may get old sooner rather than later but I have just loved taking care of my husband, my girls and my house the last few days and having nothing else to worry about.  I really do find joy in being a stay at home mom.  Scott has had a crazy schedule the last week and I love that I can cook him a good meal and make the house feel nice and welcoming after his long crazy days.  I love that my patience is increased by not stressing about students.  I love that I have to bring my girls with me to mutual.  I am just oozing with happiness right now!  I am so blessed.

I also wanted to jot down a few things about the girls as well.

Kayt:
Kayt can swim!!  I am not just talking keep herself floating but she can full on swim in very deep water and for long distances.  She swim the entire width of the pool!  Her new trick in jumping into the deep and end and swimming back to the side by herself!

The girls have resorted to stuffed dogs.  After many months of convincing me they should have one they finally gave up.  Now Hoewa and Sadie go everywhere.  I keep telling them stuffed dogs are better because they can go more places.  Kayt keep reminding me that she still wants a real one someday.

Ella:
Ella came to Scott the other day while I was sleeping and said, "I'm tired"  Scott "okay go get your Jammies on and I will read you stories."  Ella disappeared for a moment and came back "Daddy can I hold you?"  It melted his heart and mine when I heard the story. 

I came into the room yesterday while Ella was watching Elmo and she was doing the hokey poky with the show.  She has never done that before but she really got into it.  I watched inconspicuously and she put her whole self and shook it all about.

There is more, but it is late and time for bed!! 

Funny E-mail

I recieved the following e-mail today from our relief society president.  While I should be bothered and probably a little paranoid, I am just laughing!!

"I've been asked by a sister in the ward to send out an e-mail informing parents of Primary-age children that her Primary-aged children have lice."

I guess they need to include a sign outside of the primary, not just the nursery, about keeping children with bugs growing on their head home.  No really, honest mistake I am sure but I will be digging out the number two pencil, sharpening it up and combing it through Kayt's hair this week!

You gotta love church!

Funny Girls

The other day I went down stairs to our court yard to pick up a seashell the girls had lost over the balcony.  Not paying attention, I locked myself out.  The girls were sitting up on the balcony watching me retreive their precious seashell so asked them to come downstairs and let me in.  They both jumped up and I thought headed down stairs.  Ten minutes later I could hear them giggling in the living room.  I called to Kayt to come out and tell me what was going on.  She appeared on the porch, now fully dressed (she was in her P.J.'s before), and explained she was trying to help Ella.  I thought she was trying to help her get her shoes on so I responded, "Ella is fine, just come down and let me in.  Another 10 minutes later they finally show up at the door.  I started laughing so hard I nearly wet my pants as Ella came penguin walking down the last stair and to the door.  She had put on a pair of her pajama pants, only both legs were in one leg hole.  It was the funniest thing I had seen.  She tripped several time in the short space to the door.  I don't know how she got down three flights of stairs without killing herself but thank goodness she did. 

I looked at Kayt who was also laughing and said, "no wonder you thought you needed to help Ella!"  They are the silliest little girls ever, who love each other so much. They just melt my heart!

On another note, yesterday was the first day in 4 years and 8 months that I have not changed a diaper!!!!!! (and the crowd goes wild!!!!!!!!).  Yes ladies and gentleman, Ella K. Smith has decided to potty train herself.  All I had to do was buy some Jelly Bellies.  She just decided it was time to start peeing on the potty.  This all started last Friday and the last two days have been nearly accident free, (just 1).  I did not have to pry, bribe, coerce, beat my head against a wall, nothing!!  She just decided to do it.  How did I get so lucky!!!

I keep waiting for her to change her mind but as long as I keep the Jelly Bellies comin' she is game.  My baby grew up on me : )

The best has part has been to see her Kayt interact with it all.  Ella could care less if Scott and I are proud, it is Kayt she is aiming to please.  She wants Kayt to see every time she goes and comes running to her yelling, " I did it."  Kayt has been so sweet to respond with a lot of enthusiasm and praise.  She will go and sit with her and read her stories and go running in after her to encourage her.  It has been so cute to watch. 

Happy 4th of July

For the 4th this year we decided to do the American thing and head into the nation capitol and watch the fireworks. We made the 6 hour (20 mile)round trip journey and joined 1 million others to salute our country. We found a great spot on the lawn of the Lincoln Memorial and had a great time. Getting out of the city was the craziest thing I have ever done but we made it and enjoyed it.