Enough is Enough

Sometimes, living in PA feels like living in a jail. I know that there are plenty of people that like winter but come on now.....6 months of it? Of course, these complaints are coming from a CA girl through and through but I've lived out of sunny california for almost 13 years. I braved the bitter cold of Rexburg, ID for 2 years, Provo and Salt Lake City Utah for 8 years, and now PA for almost 3. Enough is enough. I know that the plus side of living in cold climates is the ever popular "change in seasons" but when half the year is winter...how can anyone truly like this? It would be one thing if we actually got snow this year. Snow I can handle....the kids like to play in it and it's typically not too cold outside. But the bitter cold and wind off an on for almost 6 months is a little excessive. Moral of the story...I miss California. I know CA doesn't ever have "White" Chrismases but I've actually never experienced a "White Christmas" in those 13 years of living in winter climates. I know I'm rambling, but I'm just plain sick of the cold. As shown in the picture below, it looks like my kids are sharing my frustrations. Stay tuned in July for my complaints of being 9 months pregnant in PA during the hottest and most humid month of the summer...

Ethan: "Mom, could we go outside and ride my bike?"
My response for the 182nd day in a row: "Sorry buddy...it's too cold outside"
Okay, I'm exaggerating a little...but only a little.


Eating Rita's FREE water ice on the 1st day of spring. Notice the hats and winter coats....need I say more? But...it was free....and I'll go anywhere and any distance for something free these days!

Youth Temple Trip-Washington DC Temple

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to go to the DC Temple with my Young Women. It was a 3 hour drive each way but was well worth it. On the way there, we stopped at an amazing pizza place called Armand's near the Temple. Our session at the temple lasted almost 4 hours. It was surreal to be there as the Young Women's President as it really feels like I was there as a 12 year old just yesterday. Several of my young women were there for the first time and it was neat to see their testimonies of the Temple grow right before my eyes. The DC Temple is indescribable. It's so much tougher to get there often because of the drive but once you are there, you appreciate it that much more.

It's another Girl!

I was planning on keeping the sex of baby # 3 a surprise but I was weak! I walked into the ultrasound determined to be strong but then the ultrasound tech had to ask me whether or not I wanted to find out if it was a boy or a girl. Without hesitation, I said, of course I want to find out! I would compare the situation to someone dangling a piece of milk chocolate in front of me and then not seizing the opportunity to shove it down my throat. I just don't have that kind of discipline. Oh well....we're very excited about another girl!

White House Easter Egg Roll

We had the pleasure of attending the White House Easter Egg Roll this year and it exceeded our expectations! I dropped Jeff off in front of the White House on Fri night so that he could spend the night on the concrete of the ellipse so as to secure a good spot in line for tickets the following morning. We stayed at our friends house, Melissa and Jared Jensen, in Bealeton, VA. It was better than staying at the Ritz Carlton! They spoiled us with great cooking, luxurious accomodations, and fabulous entertainment! It was a weekend we will never forget!

It was a beautiful day at the White House!


Hayley skipping in front of the Washington Monument


The Gregerson's and Jensen's

Yes, this alligator is alive, and yes, my kids are touching it. Luckily, it was hibernating. Weird, huh.

The Easter Egg Roll....Hayley just kept swinging at the egg like it was a golf ball

Ethan and Hayley with Mike Leavitt (former Utah Governor) and wife after story time

Ethan with his hero, "Super Why". They had many PBS and other characters on display for the kids to meet. Some of their favorites were Mickey, Elmo, Clifford, Curious George, all Super Why characters, and of course, the Easter Bunny. The Jonas Brothers performed this year which brought the teenage crowd to large numbers.

On the Metro to the White House

Getting ready to collect easter eggs

Coloring Easter Eggs

Hayley and Daddy going for a little stroll on the path behind the Jensen's home

Still Looking Back..

Summer Fun-2007

Ethan's 1st slip and slide ride

Hayley and Hyrum's 1st birthday

Look at that "milk" belly

Same expression on their faces

Six Flags

Jeff and I decided to invest in a season pass to Six Flags last summer. It suited our addiction for wild and crazy rides while providing plenty of rides for the kids to enjoy!

Hayley and Hyrum braving the humidity

Melia showing her enthusiasm for kiddie rides

Ethan looking a little dazed after riding the Tea Cups

Ethan and Jeff on the parachutes

Trip to Utah-August 2007

I spent 3 weeks in Utah and Las Vegas. My sole purpose in going was to attend a sealing for my friend Katie Morgan. I was grateful to be able to spend some time with my best friend, Rayna, as well as my sisters in Utah and parents in Vegas.

Me, Rayna and Emily

Watching Tyler's football practice

Spending time at Shanda's work, "Backyard Adventures" with Erin and Spencer and family

Ethan on Uncle Ryan's "Toy"

We got to spend a few nights at the Foster home

Foster's backyard

Backyard Adventures

This is a very common scene when the kids are playing on the deck. Maybe Ethan will be taking after his mom as a limo driver instead of after his dad as a dentist.

Girls Night Out-Oct 2007

My dear friend, Anastasia, treated Melia and I to a night out on the town. It all started at Nordstroms for a make over. Each of us had our make up done by a different counter and make up brand. We then headed over to "The Melting Pot" Restaurant for a little bit of Fondue heaven.

1st Trip to Cabela's with the Loveland's-Oct 2007

Our Yearly Hayride at Farmers Daughter-Oct 2007

Halloween 2007

Since moving to PA, it has been tradition to invite our friends to trick or treat our neighborhood. We usually have a group of about 30 that go from door to door. We pretty much clean each house out of candy after we stop there. This year, we had a trunk or treat at the church first so our group for trick or treating our neighborhood was much smaller. After attending the trunk or treat, we had a late start trick or treating the neighborhood but still ended up with PLENTY of candy!

Anastasia and Alex

My little princess

Hayley-16 months old