My first Potbelly sandwhich. (day 2)

My mom and dad have raved about their Potbelly's sandwiches ever since they tried one in DC. I knew that when I went my mom would definitely want to go and get one. Maren is just as addicted as my parents.

Us goofy girls trying to get a pic of the sign.

OooheeeOooh with Ms Ellie

Mama and Boo

My first picture of me with Lulu.

Mama, Maren, and Lucy

Me and my ladies

Hi Boo

Oh, how I love these girls

and oh, how I love these ladies.

So I got the wreck sandwich. I will have to say it is pretty darn tasty. I love that it has HOT jalapenos on it. Yummers!! I think that Elsie was so tired and wondering why we kept dragging her all over the place. She was not feeling that hot. Poor baby.

After we left Potbelly's we went to DC and drove around. I didn't get a pic of the church where President Bush went last time I was in DC so I only made Maren stop for one pic. Well it would have been one pic but...
This is not the church. I thought, hmmm my memory is worse than I thought. That was until we turned the corner and Maren laughed and said, "Um, I believe this is the church you are looking for."

Yes, that is more like it!

I just think it is so cute. I know cute ugh, tacky word, but it works for me. I learned that the lady out front of the White House was in her tent even in the huge snow storm. She is truly dedicated to her cause. Crazy! but dedicated. After our drive around DC we went and picked up Ryan at work and then headed to Tyson's Corner for some shopping.

It is Emma's birthday when I get home so I told her I would go to H & M to shop for her. She loves my sisters style so she was rather excited that Maren would be shopping with me. She feels pretty darn lucky that she gets clothes that no one in Utah has.
After I dropped a bunch of bills at H & M it was time to eat. What is a trip with Maren without going to CPK?

Thanks again to the spoiling of my mom we ate at CPK. This is when I realized that Ellie was SICK!!! Really, could this trip get any better. No, I love that I was with my mom, sis, Lulu, and Ry but oh me, oh my. I would like to travel without infecting everyone with us.

hApPy biRthDay mOm! (day 1 of trip)

Maren has hogged the parents this year on their birthdays. She had my dad for his and now my mom for hers. I am glad that I got to come along so I could be with my mom on her birthday. This was the first day of our vacation. The two little girls were still feeling under the weather making it hard to do anything to exciting.

We made crepes for Mom for her breakfast and just hung out all morning talking and holding LuLu. It is great to see Maren as a mom. She really is a wonderful mommy. No shock there since she has always been really cute with my kids.

For my moms birthday she picked the restaurant to eat at. We went to TheCheese Cake Factory. I think that my sister and mom LOVE this place. I think it is highly over rated. Everything I have gotten there has been good but certainly not as wonderful as everyone says it is. There is my rant about the Cheese Cake Factory.

We didn't do much more than just go to dinner because we had to get the rental car and we were SLOW at doing anything. I don't think we made it out of the apartment before 1pm on any of the days. You know, women yapping and all it takes time. Poor Ryan had to deal with a lot of estrogen.

We picked Ryan up from the Pentagon and then went to dinner. I could drive through the streets of DC all day. I love all the buildings. I would love on one trip just walk up and down all the cool streets. It was raining when we got there so there wasn't much window shopping going on. We did pass a fun toy store. (I would have loved to go inside.)

The Cheese Cake Factory was fun. Ryan had school so we took two cars so that he could leave early. We all had something different to eat and hands down Maren's was the best. I think it was Carmel Chicken. Mom got fish taco's (yuck) and Ryan had Carne Asada Skirt Steak which I think if I go there again I should try that. I got Chicken Marsala which is good. We tipped the waiter off just before we left that it was my moms birthday so they brought her a piece of cake and sang to her. Then for her birthday mom got the tab. Poor thing. It was very nice of her to treat us for her birthday.

Mama and Ellie

Ellie, Maren, Lucy, Ryan

Elsie, Megan, Mom

I had to go potty so I left my mom and Maren with all of the kids. The table was set so that Lucy was on the end trapping Maren in, and my purse, and Elsie were trapping mom in. Ellie crawled out under the table and they saw her when it was too late. When they got out they had to run through the restaurant with Lucy and Elsie looking for miss Ellie.

I did not know that this had happened. In walked Ellie into the bathroom. I thought it was strange but thought maybe they told her to come in and saw me washing my hands. I took Ellie potty, washed her hands, fixed my hair and then went out. That is when I saw a panicked Maren and Mom looking in every direction for Ellie. Little stinker took off and some how found the bathroom that was clear across the restaurant from where we were sitting. She really knows how to keep everyone on their toes. I swear I am going to die of a heart attack from all the stress this child puts me through. My poor mom and Maren are not use to it.
After dinner we got this cute picture of the 3 youngest Meads grandkids. Cute little girls. I am glad that I got to spend the day with my mom on her birthday. I feel bad cause the kids were sick, and it made for a rough day. My mom has always made my birthdays special. I hope she felt special today. Even though she did have to pay:) Happy birthday Mommy!

Our first day of on our big adventure! DC here we come!

We set out today to go to DC to see my new little niece Lucy. Elsie woke up at about 10 pm last night not feeling well. This morning she had a full blown cold. Emma had an ear infection and also woke up at the same time as Elsie. Makes for a hard time leaving when your kids are sick. I took Elsie with me and left Emma with Daddy. Ellie, Elsie, my mom, and I set out on our journey and soon realized what a long journey it was going to be. With 2 bags to check in, 6 bags to carry on, 1 double stroller to push, 2 coats to watch, 1 connecting flight, 2 sippy cups, snacks, and entertainment for 2 little ladies, it turned into quite the juggling act. Can you imagine security? Actually the workers were very nice and helped us out, and didn't mind how slow we were.

Bordering was a whole other ballgame. Have you ever tried carrying 4 bags, a toddler, and folding a stroller all at the same time? Phew, glad that is behind me. Oh, wait we have to do it all again in a week. Plus, I can't fail to mention walking down the isle and hitting every passage already seated with my bag. I am pretty sure they LOVED me. Once on the plane is a story in and of itself. Ellie and Elsie know what they like and want and sometimes what I say just is not it. I was a little nervous, but it turned out to be just fine. Thanks in huge part to my mom. Ellie was a hoot! The plane we rode on had a mascot named Bobo. He is a bear on the back of the plane and on the wings. We sat on the wings so my girls were able to see Jojo. They really enjoyed that. Elsie slept most of this flight because she wasn't feeling well. Poor little bug. When we got off of this plane to get to our connecting flight Ellie yells out "Bye Jojo" It was too cute. Of course little sister had to as well.


Once we boarded in Denver Ellie was getting failry excited that she would soon see Ohheeeohh. (my sister) that she started talking really loudly. My mom and I had to keep telling her to shh, be quite. At one point I said you need to act like you are in church. She was a bit confused by that one. This flight was a bit longer so we paid for TV. The little ladies watched Disney Channel. When Hannah Montana came on they both belted out the theme song. It was so cute(at least to me it was) Elsie just mouths it until she says ..."both weirds!" Love her! Once we landed the girls were to excited to see straight. Ellie started saying goodbye to everyone who would listen and tell them she was going to see "Ohheeeohh." I think it only bothered one guy and that is cause he was trying to get his "game" on with a girl Ellie was talking to. Once we picked up our bags we headed out and Ellie and Elsie finally got to see Aunt Maren. They were so happy.


After 7 hours of airport/airplane time we arrived in DC. It was so wonderful to see my sister. It has really been too long. When we got to the apartment I got to go in and see her beautiful little daughter Lucy all snuggled up with her daddy. She really is a cutie. After cleaning my self off of airport grim I was finally able to give her a much needed snuggle from her Auntie. She is so sweet. I could just eat on her all day. I am excited to get some bonding time with my sweet niece. I hope Elsie feels better soon so that I can.

JJ's Family Party

JJ's Birthday Party with Firends

My kids have not had a friend party in a while, so I realized it was time for one. JJ had his friends over for a gaming party. We set up the couches, and the TVs in one room so they could all be together. We had the Wii and the xbox for the boys to play. They had a lot of fun. I found this cool cake on Family Fun. JJ really liked it. It is much better in the picture but hey I tried.

Spencer, Keith, AUstin, Kaden, Hunter, Carson, JJ

This was the xbox couch

JJ getting his presents. Okay so I am not taking the pictures, who is?

JJ had a lot of fun. He was interestingly quiet at first. I think he was just taking it all in. It turned out really good. It was fun to spend time with his friends. Happy Birthday JJ

Our Favorite Son is 10!

My Top 10 reasons why JJ is so AWESOME!

JJ is amazingly SMART
He is such a tease.
He is an excellent artist.
He is a wonderful Big brother.
He has a loving heart.
He is a hard worker.
His has a clever mind.
He has a testimony of Jesus Christ
He is organized (in his own crazy way)
He is truly a good kid.

Love you Mr Man!

Blue and Gold Banquet

JJ had his blue and gold banquet tonight. We had to decorate a cake as a family for the event. I stopped working at 4pm and had to get a cake and salad made by 6:30pm. So I got on line and googled Boy Scout Cake and here is our version of what we found.
The best part of this cake is my neighbor that lives across the street from me had the same idea and we made the exact same cake, only she was more creative and did round cakes and the #1 for 100 years of Boy Scouts. It was hilarious.

JJ got his bear award tonight. He did extra good and earned his yellow arrow also. The scoutmaster informed JJ that he did too much. I thought that was interesting. I didn't know there was too much in scouts. I hope you see the sarcasm in that.
JJ got to give me a pin for all my help. Cute huh. I guess they know mom actually does it all. hehehe.

GNO with Tara

Tara and I went and saw Valentine's Day and ate at Z'Tejas. The movie was really cute. I thought with that many big actors that it would be kind of stupid. Other than what they did to my McSteamy I loved it. Oh, and McDreamy as well. Oh well I will Mcbeokay:) The restaurant that we ate at was yummo. Because of my lip I couldn't eat my sandwich but the appetizer was to die for. I will have to go there just to have that again. Mmmmm

It was great getting to know Tara better. She is so much fun. I hope we continue to do this.

Cute as a bug.

This morning JJ walked into our bedroom.

JJ: "Hi Elsie, how are you doing?"

Elsie: "I'm awesome!"

She makes me smile everyday with the silly things she comes up with.

Hanging out with the ladies.

Ellie and Elsie had so much fun with Grandma Jan and Grandma B. It has been nice having Grandma B live with Grandma Jan. It has made it so the kids can get to know her better. Grandma Jan doesn't have to work anymore. We are excited that this means we might see her more.

The kids love their Grandma. She played a little twister with them and read them stories while she was here. They loved every minute. Elsie kept saying "Gama" before Grandma came. She was so excited. Ellie would just keep jumping up and down saying "Yeah, yeah, yeah!"
Serously this woman has more energy than me. We was playing tag with Elsie and Ellie. They would run back and forth from the door to the couch. The girls loved it. I will have to say it made me very nervous especially on the wood floor.
Thanks so much for coming up and playing with us.

{Happy Valentine's Day}

This Valentine's was a little more intense than normal. We increased the amount of Valentines we give by eight this year. That may not sound like a lot but it was a little different. The kids hand made all of their valentines. We love this time of year at our home. What is better than a day that says "I love you!" JJ did a heart with a sucker. He was going to do an iPod but we got a little burned out when the first ones didn't work. So he gave up and cut out hearts instead. Emma made flowers with suckers in the middle, Ellie did her "I love you" hand in sign language. Elsie did a bee that says " bee mine". I did my usual sugar cookies, and heart attack doors.

The kids took their Valentine's around to our family and we had fun being sneaky. We also had a fun time getting sneaked upon. The kids heard the door bell ring and went to the door. To their surprise there was a Wii game, donuts, and dolls for the little girls. JJ took off down the street chasing the car that drove by. He came home all out of breath when he realized it was the neighbors grandparents. It was funny it took our kids a good 10 minute to figure out it was Jeron and I. I am just so sly. Hehehehehe. Or they are that unaware. I think it might be the last option.

The door bell rang a second time that night and sitting on the porch were 3 cute monkeys, and a Snoopy with sugar cookies for the kids, and red velvet cupcakes for Jeron and I. Lucky us. Mmmmm. Thanks Mama and Papa. Elsie finds her monkey everyday, wraps it in a blanket, kisses it, and says "shhhh monkey seeping." So cute!

Jeron got me a yummy V chocolate, carmel apple and a CD that I wanted. Yes, I said CD. I hate iTunes. I like to be able to hold it, see it, I know weird. I got Jeron his FAVORITE treat. A sugar free razzleberry pie. I am totally serious. He had one about 4 months ago and loves it. I love all my Valentine's. The kids of course made homemade cards for Jeron and I. Nothing better.

{Hard at Wook}

While I work Elsie will come in and work at the other computer. She thinks she is such a big girl. I wonder if she knows it makes my heart happy to have her near me. I love this little lady.
I should mention she doesn't work she "wooks" I won't even tell you what she says for fork. Lets just say I was a little freaked out until I realized she was telling me to get the fork off her plate. You can imagine what it really sounded like. Yikers:)

{LOVE notes}

Our cute neighbor brought us this cute little box that contained 2 post it pads, 2 pens, and a scripture Leviticus 19:18 "Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; I am the Lord." We were to write love notes to each other throughout the week. The kids loved it. I have to admit it reminded me of when Jeron and I were dating. I would always leave love notes for him. We had a lot of fun with this.

My baby bro got his Eagle

Michael has had his Eagle for a while but you have to do all the pomp and circumstance before you actually get your badge. So after an impromptu court of honor at my parents he received his Eagle. He is setting a wonderful example to JJ and Austin.
JJ actually was motivated after to get his Bear done. So after doing some things, and signing of this and that JJ has his bear! Yeah for JJ! We will post pictures from the Pack Meeting that is coming up.

Baptism Day for Fatima

Fatima ("adopted" granddaughter to Jan and Gene) got baptized on Saturday. We are really excited for her.

JJ and Emma sang "I Know My Heavenly Father Loves Me" They are getting really good at it. It is funny that when your kids are performing how nerves you get as a parent. I was shaking so bad that I don't know if they could see the words I was holding up. They did a wonderful job, and I had nothing to be nervous about. I may not be a Von Trapp Family Singer but why can't me kids be? I think I will start hiring them out. They can sing on key and they sound so sweet. I was very proud of them.

I just love baptisms. There is a spirit in them that is amazing. I have never been to a baptism that I didn't feel something. This made me a little more excited to see my next little one get baptized.

Grandpa Gene and Fatima

Emma, JJ, Aunt Tara, and Ellie

Grandpa Gene, Fatima, and Julia

Fatima had to be dunked two times. She forgot to tell Gene her whole (long) name. So, Gene was excited to do it again. He teased her he was going to mess up just so he could do it twice. Funny, cause he did it perfect and still got his wish. Fatima we are very excited for you. We love you.

luNch wiTh tHe laDieS

Molly, Jana, and I were able to steal away on Saturday for brunch. It was funny planning it. At first we were all about dinner and shopping. By the time we got down to it we were able to squeeze in a brunch. Molly and I both had to be somewhere at 1:00 and we needed to get our kids ready before we left. I thought at first it would be rushed, but it actually was a really nice time.

Thanks for getting me out even if it was only 2 hours. I would say we should do it again when life isn't so crazy. That would mean I'll see you two in 20 years. So lets just do it again:)

We are one weird bunch of people...

We got the little girls down tonight and played games with the kids. It was a lot of fun. After we played games we decided to see what JJ would look like with Emma's hair and my hair. Dad was not to impressed with our goofiness but we made him try as well. It was pretty funny. JJ looks a little like Emma with Emma's hair on his head.

Meet our new daughter Eron
(if he was a girl it would start with an E)

Jeron said no pictures of him on the blog with long hair.
(Since he never looks at this blog, what is stopping me?)

JJ with Emma's hair.

I hope this makes you laugh. It sure made us laugh.

A much needed night with my family!

Lately, I have been feeling a little lonely. I work most nights and weekends so nights out really can pose a problem for me. I have been feeling isolated with winter and everything it just seems that I have become kind of a hermit. I decided that I needed a girls night out. So who better to call on then my fabulous cousins. The best part was after a lot of facebooking we were able to find a night that almost everyone could go.

It was a lot of fun. We went to CPK and we must of looked pretty good cause the waiters decided that they would try out their new menu items on us. We got to try all this yummy food, for FREE I might add, and have good conversation. What more could you ask for? I really do love each of these ladies so much. I am blessed to be related to so many amazing people.

Left back to front: Abi, Marianne, Traci, Kristen, Natalie
RIght back to front: Kari, Megan, Emily, Calee

And don't forget the shopping. No pictures dang it, but it was a lot of fun. Some of us headed to Victoria's Secret and lets just say there aren't many secrets anymore. Thanks ladies for the laughs.

This is something that I hope we set out to do more often. Next time I want everyone there:)