Virginia Snow

It's ironic because just yesterday while I was on the phone I said, "I don't know if we'll get any snow (in Virginia) this year."

I was surprised when I looked out the window this morning -- we've had a few snow forecasts but only teeny flurries. This was enough to pull out all the snow clothing and enjoy it.

This was the first time Abby has worn her new pants and boots. Abby LOVES her boots and wouldn't let me take them off. She's wearing them right now while she naps.

Allen making an angel

Hair-cut

I finally cut Abby some thin bangs. I love my "little doll" and that fact that I can dress her up and fix her hair :)

Now it's time for Allen to visit the barber shop too.

Pajamas, popcorn and a parade...

We aren't going anywhere today. Downtown is completely nuts with countless roads being blocked off, blocks of pot-a-potties, and major security checkpoints (which restrict big bags, strollers, water bottles, umbrellas... you get the idea) which Ross saw unraveling last night on his way home from work. (Ross's office is closed to all employees -- in fact, they are banned from the office unless they have a special invitation to attend the Inauguration Activities at the firm -- because they are so close to the White House. (The people inside will have a great view of the parade!) But Ross has a deadline for a project so he will work here at home.) Today me and the kids aren't going anywhere -- we are staying in our pajamas, we will make popcorn balls and watch the parade/Inauguration festivities and be glad that we aren't there shuffling through the crowds and freezing. I also made a batch of southwestern pico de gallo (so yummy!) to go with tortilla chips that we can snack too.

Inauguration Eve

Ross took this video of Pennsylvania Avenue on his Blackberry from a conference room window at his firm yesterday afternoon. (And while he was filming he saw a protest group throw shoes at the White House.)

Allen, the toolman, Tucker

Lately we've spent many days inside playing. The kids enjoy our large playroom in the basement filled with a variety of toys.

• And last Friday Lance Dahlquist (a friend from Chicago) came and spent a few hours with us. The kids had so much fun together!

During lunch Allen and Lance are roaring like tigers!

Abby is enjoying her cheese pizza!

Silly Santa

The kids enjoy watching our grow-a-head. (We got it as a late Christmas present from family). Whenever Abby sees it she says "silly" repeatedly or even "silly Santa." Allen is very interested in the science that is involved. He asked a few times about how it works and know he will explain it to me. Seeing "silly Santa" makes coming to the table for meals a little more fun. We'll trim the hair when it starts getting out of control. I bet not too many people still have a Christmas decoration on their kitchen table -- I love it!

Year of 2008

I did it! I finished our family video for 2008. It's 20 minutes of fun memories put to significant music that remind us of events that year.

The West Wing

What an amazing evening!

We went on a special tour of the West Wing. Not only that but it was on the second to last night that tours were offered. (In order to take a tour you have to know someone who works in the White House. Luckily, there is a man in our ward who does and we asked back him back in September about getting a tour and he tried getting tickets but everything was booked. As the months rolled on we figured we'd never get the chance... However, early yesterday morning, his wife called me while I was on the dentist's chair I got a call about having 2 extra tickets for a West Wing tour that night.) Can you believe it?

I took the train to meet Ross (already downtown for work) and the group there. There were only 6 in our group (including our guide). We were allowed to bring cameras, but we couldn't take any pictures inside the building -- only in the press conference room and around the grounds.

Ross and I in front of the White House

The James S Brady Press Briefing Room

This is that famous podium you've seen on tv. We weren't allowed to stand behind it (because of the security features around it with the LED lights and such) but we got awfully close :)

The press conference room looks bigger on tv. Ross is standing near the back of it as he took this picture. All those seats you see have an engraved name on them as to who (press) is assigned to sit there. ABC, NBC, CNN, Helen Thomas, and AP were some I remember being on the front row. Other rows had reporters from big newspapers around the country. This is Glenn and Julie Roper. They are in our ward. Glenn works for the White House Counsel and he was our tour guide. And Julie and I were both Elementary Education majors at BYU and shared a few classes together.

We are just outside the west wing in the rose garden looking at the Executive Residence. The top right window is where the Bush bedroom is. While we were out in the garden Glenn pointed out that window and the light was on. Then he told us more about the grounds and architecture. Ross and I looked back up at the window and SAW the light turn off. "The light just turned off!" we told the group. Glen - "Yep," looking at his watch, "the President must be going to bed. It's 8:50pm and he always goes to bed at 9pm and gets up at 4am."

Ross took a video clip of where we were standing in the rose garden. He'll explain the walkway -- how the President gets to work. I'm sure the President he loves his 40 second commute.

Behind us is the West Wing and in the corner of the building (where are heads are) it begins to curve around and it the Oval Office.

These are the doors to the West Wing the President uses. I like the cool seal above us.

THINGS WE SAW THAT WE COULDN'T TAKE PICTURES OF:

• Oodles of black-framed photography. The large portraits get changed every few months. I saw hallways of Dick Cheney, George and Laura Bush (and a few with their dogs), and many significant historical events. In the entrance (between the West Wing and the Executive Building) I saw recent photos of Obama visiting George Bush at the White House.
• The Situation Room is right next to a fancy cafeteria that important people and staff use.
• Lots of staff offices
• The "million dollar hallway" featuring large paintings/sketches by Norman Rockwell of people who have visited the President.
• Model of the Constitution naval ship and artifacts from it
• The Cabinet Room
• The Roosevelt Room. We were told that this room changes its name according to whomever (political party) is in charge. Right now it's the Teddy Roosevelt Room and it's decorated accordingly and in a few days it will become the Franklin D. Roosevelt Room. :)
• The lobby right off Cheney's office that had a cabinet from 1799 filled with books containing former Presidents' speeches. Around that room were large paintings illustrating our country's history.
• The Oval Office. (You can view tour of the office by Pres. Bush if you click on the link and choose the second link on the right sidebar.) Each President designs this room to their liking. When I saw it I noticed the room was very bright. There really is a Resolute Desk (for you National Treasure fans) and the story behind that desk from the movie is true (of course, they didn't film it here though). The security guard showed us a photo of JFK's son peeking out from the desk when his dad was working.
• Throughout the buildings I noticed lots of paintings/statues of Lincoln. Lincoln was Bush's favorite president and he feels a connection with him -- president during time of war and unpopular.
• I've never seen The West Wing but a man in our group was continually disappointed that the set was nothing like the real thing.
• I found it interesting that when the President goes to bed at 9pm the White House is "having a party" with plenty of staff and security guards keeping it real for the tours.

After we left we walked to the front of the White House. Behind me is the Inauguration Grandstand (still being constructed -- you can see the equipment) and you can see the White House in the background. When I got off the train I almost didn't recognize this road. Pennsylvania Ave from the 15th and 16th blocks are lined with large grandstands on both sides of the street. That big main podium (glass) is right in front of the White House. See that copper building in the background, down the street?? That is where Ross works.

We had an unforgettable night!

We don't want really want to be anywhere near downtown on Inauguration Day. They are expecting 4 million people to attend. I remember doing Chicago's 4th of July fireworks with a crowd of 1.5 million with our stroller -- and that was crazy!!

The Donut Chef

The kids' favorite book this week is "Donut Chef" by Bob Staake. It's a clever story and the rhyming is entertaining for the reader too. Ross and I have read it countless time, but after reading today Allen asked if we could make doughnuts. ("Sure. I've never made doughnuts before, but they probably aren't hard," I thought). I pulled out my cookbook... I happened to find a recipe, and yes, I had all the ingredients... so we started. Allen loves to help in the kitchen and Abby was busy in the other room playing in her own kitchen. The kitchen became a mess, but the doughnuts turned out yummy. Here's the recipe we used if you are interested...

Brigham Young Doughnuts

2 c. buttermilk (you can substitute 1 TBS lemon juice with cup of milk), 1 1/2 c. sugar, 2 eggs, 3 T. butter, 1 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, 1/2 tsp. soda, 1/2 tsp. baking powder, 1/2 tsp. salt, 6-7 cups flour (enough for a soft dough). Roll out, cut and fry in oil. Frost/glaze, or sprinkle powdered sugar over.

It's been a busy day. Besides doing donuts, this morning I got a crown at the dentist (thanks Ross for watching the kids), I cleaned the stove and straightened the house, someone came by to inspect our place, and I made lots of phone calls about getting a babysitter because tonight we got tickets to a special West Wing tour of the White House! (A man in our ward works in the White House and has been trying to get us tickets since the fall.) I'm so excited!! I'll be sure to take my camera. (Thanks again Holly for being willing to babysit.)

Got glasses?

Today we went for a walk around our neighborhood. It's cold, but sunny! We love sunshine in January! In Chicago we saw too many gray days between Oct-May.

Christmas toys, today's joys

Allen and Abby really like their Christmas toys: big blocks, Marble Works, train set, kitchen. (And since we were in Utah for a few weeks, the toys are still NEW to them). They played with them all day and I snapped a few pictures because I realized I never posted what they got for Christmas. Here's some tidbits from our day: I built a "little house" for Allen this morning. He sat in it for almost ten minutes telling me all about his house.Before Ross left for work today (yes, on a Saturday) he built Allen a "chimney house". It stayed up for a while until Allen saw Abby getting near it and then he, of course, demolished it before she could.

Allen and Abby and me (I have to admit) really like this train set because it has a remote control. It's fun to stop the train, put the people in, and even watch it go in reverse. Abby was very interested in Allen's underwear today. (She brought it to me saying "uuuwa uuuwa" and I thought she was saying Allen. Then when I said, "underwear?" she nodded and said "wear it, wear it." She happily wore it over her clothes. I had to laugh -- she really wants to be just like her brother. Abby even wanted to wear it after her bath so she wore it to bed over her pajamas, of course.)

And in Abby's hands is a pink pancake. It was a perfect side dish going with our noodle/hamburger dinner. (Allen wanted to make cookies for dinner. He forgot about that when I told him we should make pancakes and he could pick the color.) Everyone was very happy about it.

Here is Abby playing with her new kitchen, wearing Allen's Bob the Builder underwear, of course. She cracks me up.

I have to admit -- today I really enjoyed playing with my kids. Some days come and go -- and I do what I need to do, (change kids, clean, do dishes, run errands, keep appts., meals, provide play experiences) -- and then I'm happy when it's bedtime so I can have ME time. (You other moms understand, I'm sure.) I usually try to do too much and don't give my kids the attention they need. (Another New Year's Resolution). But I decided to try leaving the dishes, letting the toys stay out longer, allowing playdough on my nice clean table/mopped floor... and I really listened to the kids, played with them, and watched how they expressed their ideas. I re-discovered three things: 1. Allen and Abby are HILARIOUS!! especially when they interact with each other, 2. They are better behaved when they get all my attention, and 3. I love being a mom and being able to stay at home with them (thank you to my wonderful husband, Ross, for working so hard) and I'm lucky to have these 2 crazy kids!!

Tumbling Tumbleweeds

Allen just started a tumbling class last Friday. (And, yes, that is the name of the class.) He LOVED it! He followed all the directions/games perfectly with a smile on his face. Abby and I sat on a bench and watched the class through the glass windows, but Abby was more fascinated by a game of racquetball that was going on in a court right next to the tumbling studio. The two players couldn't help but smile when they saw little Abby, (face to the glass), saying repeatedly, "ball ball ball".

Home Sweet Home

It's nice to be back home... and it's even more nice to be off the plane. Traveling with two little ones alone is exhausting. (With a full plane Abby had to sit on my lap from SLC to Chicago, but luckily she fell asleep so I laid her on the floor -- where our feet are supposed to go :) Allen actually fell asleep too. Then after landing we spent 3 hours in Chicago's Midway airport "having fun" on moving walkway after moving walkway.) The ride from Chicago to Virginia was delayed some (while we sat on the plane), and because of my headache and the squirmy kids, the flight seemed to last REALLY long. I was VERY happy to see Ross at the baggage claim. We all really missed him.

The kids are very content with our house and all their toys. I am loving my piano and my new Disney watch that sings. It's amazing how many times in just 2 days that just pushing the button (it sings "Mickey Mouse March") has caused enough distraction to help out with meal times, diaper changes, car rides, toy sharing, hand washing, transitions ... It really has been "magical" :)

I've spent the last two days trying to catch up on life. I had 4 suitcases to unpack (two full of childhood toys/my stuff from home), a Christmas tree and decorations to pack away, a house ready for a good vacuuming and cleaning, an empty fridge to fill, a full email inbox, a missing husband whose needed more at work, two children with colds, a stack of mail...

And I want to THANK all of you for the Christmas cards. I love coming back after Christmas vacation and finding a pile of cards from friends who cared enough to send a greeting. Ross is working long hours and is gone tonight, but the many cards I've read have kept me company and made me smile. I'm so thankful for friends and family.

p.s. We miss all of you in Utah! We had a blast!

Sweet Sugar Bowl

What a great game! We had a football party at the house -- 22 of us. We ate lots of good food, screamed during the awesome plays and enjoyed the time together. Some of us even joined the "Choir Cookie Club"/"Pretty in Pink" club that my niece Maylin started. During half-time and commericials there was Game Cube going on in another room. You gotta love it when your 10 and 5-year-old niece/nephews can womp you at Nintendo.

Me, Patrick and Sydney Grandma, Cameron, Patrick

(L to R) Josh, Jolynn, Celeste, Darren

Ashley and Kelland -- still the newlyweds

• I went to BYU, but I was accepted at Utah and got marching band scholarships twice (once as a freshman, then again as a junior transferring). But it's a good thing I didn't go there because I wouldn't have met Ross. Half of my family went to the U so even though I went to BYU, I can root for Utah -- especially when they rock on the football field. Go Utes!

Happy New Year!

The New Year's celebration started at 7pm on Dec 31st so Allen and Abby could participate. We blew horns, threw poppers outside and ran around screaming. They loved it! Then they went to bed...

A tradition every New Year's Eve is to do a puzzle. This year we also watched Eagle Eye, ate some good food, and drank our sparkling cider as we rang in the New Year. 2008 was great! We had some big changes: we finished up law school, moved, and Ross started a new job. I'm putting together a video for our family and will post it soon. Most of my 2008 resolutions were successful! In the year of 2009 I want to smile more and have better posture.