Day 69: Homeless?

Emily's favorite thing is her stroller. When trying to come up with what toy we could possibly trek 2000 miles across the country and that would keep her entertained for 10 weeks, her stroller was the obvious answer. However, over the past two months Emily has gone beyond just putting babies in it. At home she would happily push around all three of her dolls - it was a tight fit but we managed to get them all in there. Here in Virginia, however, any possible item belonging to Emily, or something that happens to catch her fancy at the time, seems to find its way onto her stroller. The regulars are: Baby Abby, two bears, her little baby, her purse full of princesses and her baby carrier. A lot of times she'll drape her blankets across it as well and shove her sippy cup in wherever it can fit. Other items that have been collected and sometimes added to her stash: Any of Ella's toys, Ella's baby food grinder, top ramen (aka: pasta), a hanger, Go Fish cards, princess books, and her shoes.

Oh, and Ella is not allowed anywhere near her stroller. (I wonder if this behavior has anything to do with the fact that she has had to learn to share toys with Ella).

My little bag lady

Day 67: Our Little Chef

Over the past few weeks Emily has shown an interest in cooking. I don’t know if it’s because she gets to climb up the step stool or if she’s really an aspiring chef (one of her favorite movies is Ratatouille). She likes to help peel vegetables, make garlic bread, mix or stir things, and put things in bowls or pots. The other night I was making mashed potatoes and after peeling them she saw me start cutting them up. She started saying “E-e-e cut” (translation: “Emily cut”). I quickly nixed the idea and sidetracked her by having her put them in the pot. I think I’m going to have to keep an eye on her and our knives from now on though.

Day 65: Fun In The Sun

Saturday we went to the beach with everyone (Brad, Heather, Ella, Stan & Mel). Emily and Ella set a record – longest time sitting next to each other and not fighting. I think the sand and each of them having their own bucket and shovel was the key. They had a lot of fun digging around in the sand and playing on the playground. Stan found a sand crab and Emily was really intrigued with it and liked watching it crawl around. All in all it was a nice day at the beach and we all enjoyed the warm weather and sun, even if the water was still too cold to get into.

Brad hanging out with the girls while everyone unloaded the car

Day 63: Splish Splash

We went to the Botanical Gardens today and played in the fountains. Emily was very timid at first and would only fill her bucket and then dump it. By the end she was running around and splashing in everything. She had so much fun we decided to go back later that afternoon with Jeff. She had just as much fun the second time around. It's too bad the weather hasn't been this nice the whole time we were out here. I think the fountains would have been a favorite place to visit.

Day 62

Emily and I went to visit Jeff today at his internship. It was one of the rare moments when he was actually in the office and Emily wasn’t taking a nap. For those of you who don’t know, Jeff is doing a pediatric clinical and most of his patients are under the age of three and are therefore visited in their homes. Emily loved playing with all of the equipment in the gyms and having her dad around during the day. I think this internship has been her favorite one to visit.

Playing in the ball pit

Swinging into the ball pit

Jeff’s instructor then told him to take a break and take Emily and me to the park. So we headed down the street to Mount Trashmore Park for a little bit. Of course Emily’s favorite part was the swings, but she did enjoy running up and down Mount Trashmore - Virginia Beach’s tallest point, a whopping 68 feet above sea level.

Day 59: One More Time

We got to thinking and realized that last weekend was our last chance to make any more side visits while we're back East. There were two things we still wanted to do – see the DC temple at night and tour Mount Vernon. So Saturday we headed back up to DC and met Jeff’s brother Stan and his wife Melanie. We spent the afternoon touring Washington’s home and grounds. Everything was very well taken care of and it was all really neat to see. We’re very glad we took the time to make the trip as it was definitely worth it. It was fun spending time with Stan and Melanie again as well. After dinner that night Stan & Mel left for home (sorry about the late night guys, but thanks for sticking around and visiting with us) and we headed up to the temple. We slept in the next morning, went swimming, made a quick stop at the local high school by our hotel and then headed home.

Family pic at Mount Vernon

Standing in line to tour the mansion

Emily running around out back

Checking out the backyard view of the Potomac River

Posing in the Upper Garden

Emily's favorites: Hanging out with Uncle Stan and seeing the baby sheep

George Washington's Tomb

When we were on our way to dinner Saturday night we passed a large building. Jeff and I were trying to figure out what it might be when we saw the sign out front: TC Williams. What? As in TC Williams High School? The TC Williams High School? The one from "Remember The Titans"? Sure enough, we realized we were in Alexandria, VA where the whole story took place. We went back the next day for a few photos. Unfortunately the football field and everything was blocked off due to construction. They just built a brand new school and it looks like they're getting a new field and grounds too. There wasn't much of the "old stuff" to see, so we snapped a pic of the score board through the gate and left. It's still exciting to be able to say we were there though.

Day 54

It’s been rather dreary the past several days. I don’t think I’ve seen the sun since Friday. I’ve realized that I’ve acclimated to being on the coast and gotten used to the warmer weather. I can’t believe how cold 50 degrees is. We took advantage of the last warm day and, as Jeff mentioned earlier, went out Friday night. We had a great night away and on Saturday Heather made dinner and a cake. Jeff gave me some roses and changed all of Emily’s diapers that day too (it was great!!). Maybe it was the diaper changing, maybe it was something else, but Emily’s really been into her dad this week. She’s always asking where he is and wanting to play with him. This morning I found her wearing his shoes around the house.

When left alone for a few minutes on Sunday, they started doing something only a dad would do. When I came into our room Jeff was throwing Emily in the air and catching her just before she got to the bed. She of course loved it. I guess trying to hold still and pay attention to conference was too much and finally got to them.

(Emily playing with her potato head during conference. Although I think Jeff was more entertained with them than she was.)

Day 50: Happy Birthday Becca!!!

Becca turns 26 today!!!

This year her birthday falls on Conference weekend. I told Becca that she was very lucky; not very many people get to hear from God on their birthday. It’s been an adjustment for us this year as we are on the east coast which means Priesthood session goes until 10:00 pm, so we went out to celebrate last night (thanks Brad & Heather for watching Emily for us!). We went out to a nice dinner (i.e. no Emily), then drove around for awhile trying to find a miniature golf place that was open past dark. We eventually found one that had a pirate theme (those of you who know me know what that means). Then we walked down the street a couple of blocks and walked along the beach watching the waves crash up on the shore in the dark. We finished the night off with some ice cream.

I am so thankful for Becca and how much she has supported me through my long schooling process. I know I haven't been the easiest person to live with, nor have I been as supportive of her as I should be. There have been many long days, nights, and even months as I have been learning my future trade. There are many nights that I come home only to get on the computer and do homework, or eat and leave for work. Not to mention uprooting her from our home, ward, and her family and moving across the country for a few months to stay with my brother as I do my last internship. I know it hasn't been the most ideal situation for her, but she has supported me all the way. I don't know how I would have done it all without her, I come home each night thankful that my family was able to come with me, and that I am able to spend time with them.

She is such a great mother to Emily and has done a great job caring for her and helping her grow and learn. I often come home at night surprised at how big and smart Emily is getting, and I know that Becca has spent a lot of time with her. Becca has great motherly instincts and is able to do so much with Emily and sacrifice so much of herself to care for her.

Not only is she a great mother to Emily but is an amazing wife. She always wants to know every detail of my day and how I am doing. She also listens attentively as I tell her about my schooling, which I know doesn't interest her as much as it does me, nor does she understand a lot of what I'm saying, but she acts like she does nonetheless.

Thanks for all you do for us. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BECCA!!! We love you.
Love,
Jeff & Emily.

Day 49: Easter

Yes, I know it's a bit late to be posting pics about Easter, but since we were out of town Easter sunday, the Easter Bunny didn't come to our house till last week. Emily wore her new dress to church and looked very cute. We were so rushed to get out the door in the morning I wasn't able to get any pictures and after church she was on one and these were the best I could get. Not the greatest, but I guess it shows her personality.

Emily loved looking for her easter eggs and finding the candy, goldfish, and money in them. She was even nice enough to show Ella her eggs.... for a minute anyway.

Day 47: A Visit From Home

My parents and younger brother Matthew came out to Virginia for a visit last week. We got back from PA and immediately met up with them and started touring Virginia. We went to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg and Jamestown, and spent a day here in Norfolk touring a navy battleship, going to the beach and out on the ocean. While we enjoyed a couple of 80 degree days my parents received reports from back home that it was snowing. It was so fun to see my family again and Emily LOVED having them around. She still asks where "Papa" "Gapa" and "Ma-sew" are. I loved having the visit and it's made me even more anxious to get back home and see everyone else. Thanks for everything mom and dad! We miss you already!