Random Bits from our Hotel and Beyond

So I have a few pictures that aren't really a story, but that I want to share.  Here they are!

 

First Trip to D.C.

We made our first trip into Washington DC on April 30.  We were there about half a day--we wanted to miss traffic on both ends--and so we kept our sight-seeing to a walk around part of The National Mall. We found some free parking and the first memorial we came to was George Mason.

Paul and Glenn

Paul was really happy to be a daddy again.  He missed running around and playing with Glenn when we were apart for 3 months.  Whenever Glenn would talk to Paul he would say, "Remember how you run and chase me daddy, and then tickle me?"  Glenn really missed doing that with Paul and I know Paul was so happy to be with Glenn again, doing all of those fun things!

Fun with New Friends

The second day we were in Sterling, we went to the library to get a card and get acquainted with activities in the community.  They have a really fun park just outside and as we were playing out there, we met some new friends.  We have been really welcomed to this area--there are a lot of nice and friendly people here.  And family-friendly too.  There are a lot of places to go and things to do with little kids.

Rocknoceros

The friends that we met that day at the park, Jennifer and Greisen, invited us to a kids concert later that week at the mall.  We met them there and had a good time at the concert.  They are at our mall the second and fourth Thursdays of every month--pretty cool!

Home Sweet Hotel

As I mentioned previously we stayed at an extended-stay hotel for 5 weeks before our apartment was available.  It was smaller than I had pictured in my mind, but it worked out fine for our needs. 

The Space Shuttle

On April 17 the space shuttle Discovery was taking its final flight and landing at the Dulles Airport to then be displayed in the National Air and Space Museum at the Udvar-Hazy Center.  Paul came home and we were going to go somewhere to see if we could see it...but the roads were all jammed!  So many people had the same thought and the highways were like parking lots.  We were up in the hotel room on the third floor, watching the news coverage.

Easter Sunday

The first Sunday we were there was Easter.  We had been excited to go to our new ward and get to meet people.  Well it was kind of a crazy day--the holiday, Spring Break had just started, and a large extended family had come to visit. So most of the people thought we were just visiting.  Paul and I stayed with Glenn in nursery because the leaders were out of town and others were just helping out, and it was brand new to Glenn and I knew I couldn't just leave him.  One of the little boys that was part of the visiting family was having a hard time.  He wasn't crying loudly, but I could just see it in his face that he was so sad.  He let me hold him and comfort him, but then he got louder and sadder.  One of the leaders asked what my son's name was--he wasn't my son.  So they asked what my nephew's name was--he wasn't my nephew either.  Okay, what's his name--I have no idea.  And that's how they found out that we were not part of that family and that we were new in the ward.  He felt bad that they hadn't really welcomed us better--but it was a crazy day.

Reunited at Last!

On April 6, Glenn and I woke up early (and actually it was snowing that morning!) and went to the airport with Grandma Esther.  We had 2 big suitcases and 2 small suitcases and a back pack.  Glenn was very clingy and wanted me to hold him.  I was trying to get the suitcases weighed and checked and hold Glenn and it was really hard.  I was sure glad my mom was there to help me.  Once I got 3 of the bags checked it was a lot easier.  My mom took a couple pictures of us with her camera and then we said good-bye.  Glenn and I went through Security and then went to the terminal.  He was so excited to see the planes and to be finally getting on one!  We had talked a lot about airplanes and how we were going to ride on one to Virginia. 

As we waited for some of the first class passengers to board a gentleman sitting near us told me that we could board before most of the other passengers because I had a little child.  I was grateful for his suggestion and we were able to board sooner.  We went on the plane and found our seats.  Glenn looked out the window and had fun looking at the little buttons and such that were at our seats.

 

The Movers are Here

The night before the movers came I was packing the last things, making sure I had everything that I would need for the 5 weeks before getting our stuff again.  I also was finishing the jean quilt.  I went to bed at 4:30 and was up at 7:30am.  The movers arrived at 8am and started getting things ready.

They walked through, I told them what stayed and then they got all their packing materials and went at it.  They started at about 8:30am and finished at 2:30pm!

Saying our Good-byes

The last week of March we were saying our good-byes.  My friend Vivian had some sisters in our ward over--to help tie the jean quilt--and to say good-bye.  It was so nice to see them all once more.

We had a great ward there and I'll miss them!

 Lynette. Jessica. Kayley. Jennie. Vivian. (Xander).

 Lily. Xander. Glenn. Nathan. Jaedon.

March Happenings

Even though Easter was in April, we celebrated it in March.  Glenn and I wanted to participate in the family festivities and so we worked things out to have an Easter Egg Hunt early.

Easter

The kids getting ready to go outside...

 

Fun with Family

Glenn and I took some time to spend a few days with Grandma and Grandpa Thibault.  We spent the night at their house and just enjoyed being with them!  I know Glenn loves being there and I do as well.  My grandparents are the most Christ-like people I know!  I'm so grateful that we lived close enough to visit often and that my son can know and have a relationship with his great-grandparents.

Trip to St. George

At the beginning of March, my sister Maren and her ward had a little trip scheduled to St. George.  I had been wanting to visit with Paul's Grandma Jensen one more time before moving, and so we scheduled that with her.  It worked out great to drive down with Maren and her friend Ryan.  It was nice to have other people to help entertain Glenn, and I was getting where I wanted to go but didn't have to drive!

 Glenn was pretty good in the car--except for one little stretch between Spanish Fork area and Nephi.  He was so tired but didn't want to fall asleep.  But he eventually did and slept until Cedar City!

Snow Day

Like I've mentioned before, we had a really mild winter.  We had two nights in Lehi where the snow stayed over night!  That's it--only two!  So when the snow did come, Glenn wanted to play in it.  And since it wasn't too cold, I could enjoy being out there as well.

Fun with Friends

Glenn and I took several opportunities to visit with our friends before moving.  We even spent the night at Lorenzo's a couple of times.  We just love spending time with them!

 

More Cuteness Called Glenn

So I tried to upload a few other videos of Glenn doing various things, but for some reason they wouldn't load.  But I was able to get this one to do so.  

For those of you who haven't seen Tangled, you may not know what he is doing.  He is saying who he is...and I am just so proud that he is quoting movies at such a young age. ; D

February Birthdays

In my family we have several birthdays in February.  We gathered at my parents' house and then headed to Chuck E. Cheese's to celebrate.  My mom chose that because 20 years ago my younger brother wanted to go there for his birthday.  We thought it would be fun to go again, this time with kids of our own.

The night before I took my Mom to a BYU Ballet for her birthday present.  Aunt Sandy's niece, Hillary, was one of the main dancers in this ballet.  I was happy to support her one last time and to see a beautiful ballet:

The Snow Queen

Valentine's Day

We came home the Friday before Valentine's Day and noticed a big box on our doorstep:

Projects

So to make sure I got everything done before moving, I made lists...lots and lots of lists.  

One of those lists were of little projects that I wanted to accomplish.  I felt that I would want to take completed projects instead of piles and boxes of unfinished work.

Now I still brought uncompleted things here to Virginia, but I did get a lot done as well.

The first to get done was an "I Spy Bag" with my sister Kirsta.

She had seen this on Pinterest or something and thought it would be fun.

Fun with Cousins

During January and February, we had several play dates with Glenn's cousins.  I knew he would miss playing with them, so I wanted to make sure he got one last time to be with them.  

When we were up at my Mom's we spent some time with Lena, Jasper and baby Freya.  

We had a lot of fun with them.