Virginia Trip

Today we got back from a cross country trip to Virginia. Our trip started out like this, with three little girls very excited to ride on the airplane. 

We were able to celebrate Charlotte's 1st birthday (a few days late). This was the first time my family has ever been able to celebrate one of my children's birthdays with us. It was a fun day!

And Charlotte must have realized what she was missing last time with the chocolate cake. This time she dove right in and really enjoyed her cake! We were able to share the special day with my Aunt Becky and her family at their home in Bridgewater, VA. 

The McIntyre's have a really fun yard for kids to play in. They have a big play structure to climb all over with swings and a slide, a giant sand box and this really cool tree house and rope swing. Here Peyton, Lane and Carmen play with my cousins son. I don't know what that makes him....I don't think it's a second cousin. Whatever he is to them, they had a great time playing together. 

My mom had just gotten back from a Mexican vacation a few days before we got there. She got the girls these beautiful Mexican dresses and some maracas. After waking up at 1am and flying all morning, the first thing they wanted to do when we got home was to put these dresses on and for me to take a picture of them. So I did! They sure are cute!!! And I think it's really amazing and ironic that after a whole year of trying to get a decent picture of all three of them together, I finally got one of them all looking and smiling at the camera. Now if only you didn't see the dirty clothes on the floor and our suit cases in the background....

And for those of you wondering - the point of our trip was to house hunt for a future move back to Virginia. I spent several days looking at houses and trying to find the perfect one. Well, I didn't find the one, but we still have a couple of nice options.  More updates to come on the house hunt/big move. 

Our 6th Anniversary

I am very behind on blogging and I know I already blogged about this, but I didn't post the pictures from our date. It has become our tradition to go the Espetus Churrascaria in San Francisco. We have always sat at the same table and we stuff ourselves until we can't possibly eat anymore.

The flavors of Brazil come alive at Espetus Churrascaria with Bay Area's very first Rodizio style restaurant - where several different cuts of succulent, premium-quality beef, lamb, chicken, pork and seafood are slowly roasted on open flame and served tableside by Brazilian Gaucho Chefs.

Operating under a simple yet unique service concept of Rodizio (espeto corrido = continuous service), Espetus Churrascaria presents 14 signature cuts of meat on large skewers served straight from the fire on which they were cooked so that the flavor, temperature, and texture are perfect.

And then we get dessert!

This is my most favorite - Mousse de Maracuja (Passion Fruit Mousse)

Dumpster Diving Part II

Remember way back when I went dumpster diving for some scrap wood? Well, here is the first finished project of many more to come. I made this lovely little picture "thingy" for David's desk. In his office he had a picture of him receiving his diploma and another picture of him with some "acquaintances" from Woodbadge...you know those type of people you bond with for a few days, and then never see them again. Well, I thought it was time he had some pictures of his children, his beautiful wife and family that he works so hard to provide for each day.  This is what he got:

Charlotte's First Birthday

Today Charlotte turned ONE! Oh how exciting it is to have a birthday! We had family over for dinner and cake on Sunday. She had absolutely no interest in the cake. In fact she dumped it on the floor several times. In my attempts to get a great cake picture, I kept giving it back to her. She dumped it on the floor every time. Maybe she's not a chocolate cake lover, I'm not either. She got a fun mail box toy from Grandma Bean and a gum ball machine with little balls from Uncle Tim and his family.

From us she got a pink cozy coupe, the Little People car, a bubble blower and a fun birthday outfit. We've had all our Little People toys packs away since before she was born. So I unpacked all the old toys and got them out for her to play with. It's MAGIC! They're just like new toys! Even the big girls are mesmerized by them.

I told David that this has been the fastest "first year" out of all our children. We are so grateful to have Charlotte in our family. She is very smiley and goofy. No matter what the situation, she can instantly put a smile on any of our faces! Her sisters LOVE her to pieces, some times a little too much. She doesn't say any words yet except for mama. I think she tries to say all done, but it probably only sounds like that to me, no one else would understand it. She is very busy and constantly on the move. She's not walking yet, but I'm sure she's very close.

I don't know if it's motherly instinct or not, but I've had "insights" to each of our girls personalities since the day they were born. I felt Carmen was going to grow to be very strong and outgoing and that we will always have the special first born bond between us. Before Aliza was even born, I felt strongly that she has a very special spirit and I still feel the same way. I know that she needs to be in our family for a reason. What reason I don't know yet, but I know she is supposed to be with us. And with Charlotte, I have always felt she is going to be very dainty and delicate, very much a lady. Now I don't know if any of this is going to be true, but so far my instincts have been right. I don't know what my children will grow to be, but I love them each and am grateful to be their mother.

Our Anniversary

I started this post on our actual anniversary and never finished it. I thought it would be fun to post some old pictures of us. Mostly to show off how skinny we were once and maybe to motivate us to get that skinny again!

I am so lucky to be married to this incredible man. He is so kind and thoughtful to me and his children. He works so hard to make sure I am happy. He is an awesome example of righteousness and service. I couldn't have asked for a more terrific eternal companion!

While we were dating - Summer 2003 New York Trip

Engaged - Thanksgiving 2003

Married in the LDS Washington DC Temple - March 5, 2004

Wedding Reception in Waynesboro, Va March 6, 2004

I heart Hilarious Outtakes

This week over at I heart Faces, the theme is hilarious outtakes. I know I have so many of these, but here are a few recent ones that made me chuckle.

Charlotte did not want to be touching the grass or flowers!

She fell over in this picture and wanted me to grab her before

she had to touch the grass for too long.

Carmen loves her little sister a little too much. She really wanted a picture with her but Charlotte wasn't too interested in posing with Carmen.

This one cracks me up every time I look at it. I was trying to get a cute picture

of all three of them for Valentines day. Aliza kept hugging Charlotte and Carmen kept

trying to get Charlotte to look at the camera. The whole photo shoot was pretty funny!

This was Christmas Day at Grandma's house. Carmen had made a

fun creation out of this fun toy and wanted to show Daddy. I guess I caught

the moment at the right time. Appears as if she poked his eye out!

Head on over to I Heart Faces see other great outtakes! Click on the Icon to head over there.