Winter in Maryland 2014

One of the fun parts about this winter has been that we have had an exceptional amount of snow (compared to most years here). It seems like just about every other day, the kids are getting out of school because there was 2"+ of snow.  It IS a little ridiculous, but of course none of the kids care!  Ü

My boys got to play in the snow, eat the snow, and enjoy their new sled!  However, one awful part about the snow this winter has been how much Preston has had to work.  He was just promoted to be the Branch Manager of the branch in Gaithersburg, which is a big deal, BUT they haven't replaced his old position yet. He is basically running an operation, with a crazy winter, by himself, with only one other winter season under his sleeve of experience.  Poor guy has been working endlessly.

 One ironic part about the winters here is the freezing rain.  Of course, the name itself will tell you what it is, but I've never quite seen anything like it.  I would try, but the pictures speak volumes.  It's absolutely stunning... yet frightening. The trees are beautiful but the roads are a wreck.  

Oh the winters in Maryland.  I think I could go without it being so darn blistery next year.  ;)

Birthday 2014

There are days where I feel absolutely spoiled, and this particular birthday was definitely one of those.  I woke up to this amazing surprise! A wonderful birthday with family and presents too.  ;)  One of my favorite parts of the day was receiving lots of different videos from my family wishing me a "Happy Birthday" from back in Utah.  I still like to look at those from time to time.  I feel like I have the best family in the world.  

 The night before I had been kidnapped by some of my dear friends and they took me downtown Georgetown to a lovely restaurant called Serendipity.  We chatted and laughed and cried and tried to ignore the creepy man playing the trombone right outside our window.  Then, we walked the shops and all snuck in to Starbucks for late night chats!  It was such a fun night and another reason I am so grateful for these amazing women.

 The birthday festivities even continued to Sunday, when I received this little bit of goodness from  my Young Women.  I still have each of these notes (though not the cookie!).

My boys (January 2014)

My boys are growing up way too fast.  I am writing this a year from now and look at these pictures and can't help but smile. 

 Carl has this kind, intelligent, and sincere personality. He is so giving and thoughtful and you can watch as the wheels are spinning in his head. He listens and watches everything closely around him and picks up on things so quickly.  I absolutely love to watch him with his little brother and other friends. He is so good with them, wanting to make them happy. He'll make funny jokes or help them with something that they want to do. Carl, I hope that you don't ever forget that it's so important to be thoughtful about those around you. You will touch so many lives I am sure of it.

James has a personality that either drives me crazy or makes me want to pee my pants from laughing. It's as if he has the mind of a middle aged man in a little boy's body. He absolutely adds so much to our home as he shines happiness to everyone all around him. I am so proud of the boy that he is becoming and can't wait to watch as this personality takes flight.  I love you so much James and I know that between you and Carl, you will touch so many people's lives for good.  Keep smiling!

Young Women's Basketball (2014)

Though few in numbers, we are fierce when we come to the basketball court.  I was so proud of my girls during the basketball season this year. 

 My personal favorite picture this past year, was watching these awesome sisters leap for the jump ball at the beginning of the game.

The Amazing Race to Come Unto Christ (January 2014)

To introduce the new LDS youth theme "Come Unto Christ" to the youth in our ward, we decided to take a bit of a twist to it.  We divided into four teams and did an Amazing Race!  It was probably one of the most fun mutual nights we ever had.  The you had to pick a number at random, and that number coordinated with a different topic of The For Strength of Youth booklet.  For instance, for Dress and Appearance, they had to pick a model out of their group and wrap them up with a "modest" toilet paper dress and take a picture.  

 My personal favorite was the "Language" category. They had to stick a slice of soap on their mouth for a certain amount of time and remember that bad language causes a bad taste in your mouth.

 After each group tried to finish as many topics as they could and accumulate as  many points possible.  Then, as we counted up their points, we had one of our leaders speak for about 10 minutes about the upcoming topic for the year and how our life is like the "Amazing Race" to Come unto Christ.

 Then we gave out the awards to the winning team and ate refreshments and watched pictures of everyone doing their activity throughout the night.  What a fun night!

***Later, I posted this on a few websites so that other wards could use the idea.  I had such an OVERWHELMING response from leaders all over the world who wrote to say thank you for putting it together. My favorite was from a group in Switzerland.

She said, "Hi Caytee,

I would like to say thank you for this great activity. I'm from Switzerland and working with the YW in our stake. We had a YW/YM stake temple activity two weeks ago. As the temple is an hour and half drive from our town, Geneva, we had to think about an activity that the youth can do while others were participating in baptism sessions. As I was looking on the web, I found your game and I loved it. I suggested the idea to the other leaders and they adopted it.

We did the race in the chapel near the Zollikofen temple. We translated the game in French and use the same kit, excepted for 'Service' and 'Gratitude'. Instead of cleaning cars, the youth cleaned the radiators and the bannister (stairs). For 'Gratitude', as the youth came from different wards, we prepared a few papers with the name of the wards on it so that when the youth came in the room, they could write on their post-it hearts and put it on the paper of the ward they belong. On Sunday, the paper was put on the Bishop's door. At the end, the group had to make a heart all together and take a picture. The youth loved it especially the soap on their tongue. I think they will remember it for a long time. 

There were 65 youth participating in this journey.  

If someone is interested for the French translation, let me know and I will email it.

You did a great job and your talent helped the leaders and the youth of our stake to come closer to Christ.

Attached, there is a picture of my daughter Naomi cleaning the radiator and a picture of post-it hearts for the Bishop of the Gex ward.

Again : Merci beaucoup,"  

Assateague Beach + Bailey Visit

We took mom and dad out to visit the Baileys and also to see Assateague Island.  

 Though it was chilly, Dad, Carl and I stepped out to get a better look at the Atlantic Ocean and collect a few shells.  

The best part about Assateague is that it has all these wild horses.  We weren't sure if we were going to see any, but just as we were driving out we saw them! Such a beautiful place!

New Year's Eve + Changes

With a new coming year, brings lots of changes. Preston was just offered a large promotion where he will be working at the Branch Manager now.  After only been there for a year and a half this is a HUGE promotion.  We feel so blessed! Preston has worked so hard and has brought about a lot of great changes and improvements. He will do a fantastic job at his new job!

 For New Year's Eve, my parents offered to watch the kids and Preston and I had a much needed date!  (Remember those?)  

 To tell you the truth, I don't think Carl noticed that we were even gone. He has had so much fun with my parents around!  

 Preston and I grabbed some food, went to a movie and then last minute, decided to head downtown.  We were worried about traffic and parking, but were pleasantly surprised when we found an empty parking lot next to the Thomas Jefferson Memorial.  

 We walked over... and no one was there. We had the whole place to ourselves ten minutes before midnight!

So as the clock struck 12, we had this gorgeous view.  We had a few small fireworks off to the distance behind us and we took it all in. I'd have to say that it was one of the most romantic, impromptu, memorable experiences I've ever had.  Thank you Mom and Dad for allowing us a night out!

Arlington National Cemetery + Iwo Jima Memorial

Preston took my parents and I on a special tour of Arlington National Cemetery. He drove us around to...

 Kennedy's grave...

 the Robert E Lee home...

 and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers during the changing of the guard.

 One of my all time "must-sees" of Washington DC.  You will feel such a pride for your country and its servicemen once you come here.

 But my favorite part about this particular trip was being able to see the parts of the cemetery that I'd never seen before. We drove all around and saw how expansive it was...

 and went to the area where they are burying the soldiers who have passed during today's wars.  There were several people there, lot of flowers, notes, trees decorated, etc. We couldn't help but shed a tear looking at those who were mourning the recent dead.  What a sacred place.

After we went to the Iwo Jima Memorial. This was my first time at this memorial.  It's so BIG!  Another must for everyone visiting DC.

Navy Yards

My sister-in-law, Ellie's father is in the navy and took us to the Navy Yards for an "official-unofficial" tour!  Ü  I don't know why I hadn't visited this place before. We'd seen it at a distance many times (usually from the National's games), but never had walked it.  

 Such a picture perfect moment here.

 I love this picture of Mom and Carl walking alongside eachother.  They are such great buddies!

 And of course, a little bit of snacking at the amazing Potbelly's to warm us up!  

Loved the Navy Yards... and Carl ESPECIALLY loved the Navy Yards.

Antietam

We visited Antietam with my parents as well. It's only about an hour drive from our home and holds such significant national history there. We'd been to Gettysburg before and so we bypassed that this time around.  

"Antietam  was the bloodiest one day battle in American History. 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing after twelve hours of savage combat on September 17, 1862. The Battle of Antietam ended the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia's first invasion into the North and led to Abraham Lincoln's issuance of the preliminary Emancipation Proclamation." - NPS Website

Places like this mean a lot to me as I realize what sacrifices were made for the freedoms that I have today.  Those freedoms I take for granite and all too often we find ourselves forgetting what this country was built upon.  So grateful for the leaders and soldiers who sacrificed (and still sacrifice) their lives to fight for a better today.