House and graduation

Goodbye med school, hello Residency. It's a little sad to see our student years behind us; they have been so fun.  But, I've heard income is nice too. I am also blocking out every person who jokes that I will never see my husband again after he starts residency. Congrats Stephen!

We also moved to our first house.  We decided to buy and only looked for three days for a place to live.  We saw this house for an hour in the middle of winter.  Moving in at the end of spring with everything green and gorgeous has been so fun. It has turned out to be beautiful neighborhood and a great home. 

 

Moving day tired everyone out.  Stephen and I walked around with weak and useless arms the next day.  Seriously--making toast was a struggle.  But then we recovered and set everything up in a flurry.  Thanks to Marci and Ralph-we couldn't have moved without your help with the kiddos.  

 I asked Davy to take a picture of me and Steve and the house--the grass is nice too. 

The backyard is patrolled and enjoyed by Superman.  The yard has been our favorite part.  It is so nice to just hear the birds chirping with no traffic sounds.  We also like that homeless men no longer pee in our backyard--a major issue at our apartment. 

House tour:

Epic Road Trip 2013

8 weeks, 4,340 miles, and 50 hours in the car with two kids.  Whew!  We had a blast in Arizona and Colorado visiting family and old friends.  We learned that hotels are absolutely no fun with two children but setting up a tent in the room can help.  Our first hotel night Davy was doing somersaults on his bed until midnight.  At about 3 in the morning I woke up to a huge THWUMP...which turned out to be Davy's limp body hitting the floor. Amazingly, he slept through the four foot drop but was relegated to the floor after that. The kids did great in the car and we arrived most everywhere still happy and sane. Colorado is beautiful!  We stopped there for just a few days to break up our trip and visit with Alex and Catherine.  Madeleine and Davy were instant best buds and they pretty much just played in their "secret hideout" (the spare room) and jumped around together.  We went on a couple of great hikes and ran around Alex's cool development every morning.  We saw elk tracks, coyotes, and tons of canadian geese.  Super fun!

 We stayed in Arizona and bummed by the pool, went for late night bike rides, and basically just partied for five weeks.  It was so fun to visit with mom and dad, and we got to see a lot of Dad's siblings as they came down to see Grandma and Grandpa Bailey.  I am so glad we got to spend some good time with them this trip.  Marci came by and played a lot of stomp rocket with the boys and we had amazing dinners at her house every Saturday and Sunday.  Congrats to Parker too--he became a deacon while we were there.  Danny was certainly ready to party.

Grandma Marci and the boys

 Claire came to visit with her cute boys.  These three formed a posse and ran around together for a couple of days.  I love that the cousins seem to have an instant bond--they can just tell they are meant to be friends.  Davy was so impressed that Jason is four and was ready to do whatever he suggested.

 Davy loves to be a big brother.  Danny just watches him all day long--it makes it so much easier and more fun for me.

 Davy went on his very first camping trip with Grandpa Ralph and Stephen.  They set up camp, ate smores, and at 8:30 Davy decided it was time to go to sleep.  I think sheer excitement about the trip tired him out.  Around 1:00 AM he woke up ready to go fishing.  Stephen spent an hour explaining that they were not about to go night fishing and why don't you lie back down.

 We spent a lot of time with Grandma and Grandpa Bailey.  It was so fun to see them and see Grandpa improve while we visited.

 Dad let Davy "help" plant flowers and work in the garden and Mom let him "help" play free cell pretty often.  He was one happy camper.

It was so fun to go to church with Grandpa Ralph.  

 Davy and Madeleine read books together every night.  I caught Madeleine reading books to Davy a couple of times during our visit--what a sweet girl!

 Catherine and Danny.

 Using binoculars and magnifying glasses on our hike.  Thanks Alex for carefully showing them how to create a fire with their magnifying glasses--a skill every three year old should possess.

 Run Danny!

 It is so nice to be home but the whirl-wind continues!  This week Stephen graduates, family visits, and we will move into our first home (Yay!)

Davy and Danny

These two little boys are starting to play together.  Davy is pretty good at sharing his toys with only one caveat (lion blankie). 

 These two goofballs are pretty good shopping companions.

 Danny already reveres Davy and watches him all day long.

Busy, Busy

Match day is only 6 weeks away.  We have tried very hard to be patient, but last week we broke down and packed twenty boxes of books and pictures.  We cannot wait to see where we go and have talked everyone to death about our tentative plans.  And back up plans.  And worst case scenario: which Stephen describes as suddenly going blind--which will force us to live on the the streets eating possums and foraging for cans.  We have actually discussed that multiple times. 

We had a quiet Christmas at home. 

What is going on?

A crane for Davy

A portrait of Davy and his friend, the orange.

A digger from Marci-which was immediately tested in the snow.  

Davy also just started Primary.  He says his favorite parts are playing the big kid games and sitting next to his buddy Benjamin.  Benjamin has reached the pinnacle of coolness by being four.  Davy told me the other day "I think Benjamin is so smart because he is four-but he doesn't brag or anything.  I hope I will be four and then I will be bigger than you mommy."

Just photos

 Just a few more pictures: the weather here has been in the 70's and it is amazing.  We went to the park on Sunday and Davy walked all the way there and halfway back, 2.5 miles. 

 I love this nativity set Claire gave me a few years ago.  It is my favorite thing to unwrap and set up.  I also made some bunting and stockings this year.

 I set Danny in this green chair and he gave me these huge grins.  He is such a happy kid and is now 5 months old.  Time is flying!

Thanksgiving

The last couple of weeks we have found that when Stephen leaves the state chaos reigns supreme at our house.  He has been busy doing interviews and we have been busy creating and cleaning up little catastrophes.  The week before Thanksgiving we had a car crash, hours on the phone with insurance, a few emotional hurdles (I haven't heard from stephen in 3 hours! He must be in peril!), and I locked my keys/phone/purse in the rental 30 minutes from home. I was very happy to have Stephen return safely and help restore order.  The crazy week did help me realize all that I am lucky to have and to be more thankful in the process of our day to day lives.  

I am so glad to have these two boys:

A husband who cooks a fantastic turkey and who literally springs out of bed to run 3.5 miles every morning and doesn't stop moving all day. He spends all his post work hours playing Lux Luther vs. Superman and helping me chase and clean up after two kiddos. 

 A happy, clean, and peaceful home:

 Matching jammies and the 7:30 bedtime that follows.

(smile Danny!)

Superman

Davy has taken his role as Superman very seriously.  He will not answer to Davy, only Superman.  He uses his laser beam power (squints) and super freezy breath all day long.  He has worn this outfit pretty much everyday of October.  I am no longer mommy, I am Louis Lane and Dad is his are enemy Lux Luthor.  However, he will do anything for me I ask if I tack on "for the good of metropolis" at the end. Example: "Davy go put your socks away...for the good of Metropolis!" Works like a charm.

He has learned to say "For Truth, Justice, and the American way!"

Davy and Weston had a blast hanging out in character.  

 These two chill babies hung out together and posed quite nicely; unlike their older counterparts.   

                                    

 Davy and Benjamin really bonded over their matching costumes.  They went trick or treating together and at the ward party I overheard their very earnest conversation about how to catch that evil pirate and if that would "save the day".  

 Danny looked great in his costume too.  I was taking this picture when Davy said, "Oh, I know what would make that cuter!"  

Me!

Agreed.