A Rocky Mountain High

Well, I guess it has been official for about a week now, we are moving our family to Denver, Colorado. Bart has been walking around the house singing every song he can think of related to Denver, whether it mentions Denver or it was sung by John Denver makes no difference! It is a bit hard for me to put it out there knowing that it makes it more real. I can't believe that we are moving back across the country and doing so while pregnant, again! I must say that I have been a bit surprised by how hard this has been for me. I never thought I would love the East Coast so much and now I find myself sad to leave it. There are so many things that I love here....the proximity to historical sites and big cities, the trees that are everywhere, the fact that I can drive to the ocean in just a few hours, and mostly, the friends and little family that we have created here. We have been so blessed to have formed such great friendships. Without a lot of family close by, they become your family. I don't have the same set of fears and worries that I had when we moved here as we have done it once before, but I am sad about having to create a new life for us. I like our life here. I love our first house. I love Jake's preschool and his new Kindergarten....I really don't want to be the one to tell him that he doesn't get to ride the bus in Denver....and I love the familiarity of everything. It will definitely be a big change for us. I have been additionally surprised by how much work it is to get a house ready for an Open House. I haven't been so stressed in a long time. I am glad that it is ready though. And while I am feeling so much nostalgia and anxiety about moving, I am also extremely grateful. I am grateful that Bart has a job that he is excited about. I am grateful to be moving closer to our families, to the mountains, and of course, closer to REAL Mexican food. I am grateful that I know that no matter where we land, we will be a happy family. I am just hoping we can be completely settled before our family expands in March. So, I guess this is the beginning of a long goodbye, or maybe just a farewell to somewhere we love so much. And if you see me walking around a bit emotional, just know that I am happy and emotional and pregnant all at the same time. As we know more details about departure dates and such, we'll let everyone know! Farewell our dear Baltimore!

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh my!

One of my favorite things about living on the East Coast is that we are so close to so many wonderful things. Unfortunately, I haven't always taken the time to get out and do them as often as I should. Thank goodness for girlfriends though! We decided to get together and head down to the National Zoo in D.C. for an afternoon. We had the most perfect day, well, maybe a little too hot for the Fall, but otherwise, just gorgeous. I have long maintained that my most favorite time at the zoo is in the Fall because the animals are moving around and doing things instead of just trying to survive the heat. Plus the crowds are better and it isn't as hot for us either! My theory was proved correct once again.

We saw the Panda Bears climbing all over, eating, and just being so adorable. The kids were mesmerized. Anna liked the elephants and they were busy putting dirt on each other. For some reason, she was fixated on seeing the lions that day. By the time we finally got to them, it was well worth the walk. The female did choke up a hairball which was very interesting and disgusting all at the same time. The male was awesome...he was drinking from the river and playing with toys. She was in heaven.

The only bad part about the zoo was that they trick you when you are walking. You don't realize how many vertical feet you have dropped as you see all the animals, but when you have to get back to the car it is nearly a death march! Overall, it was a fantastic day. The kids were great, the animals were amazing, and it was just fun to be out and about in D.C. What a great opportunity to live so close to the nation's capital!

Some Highlights of the Day:

Camie, Anna, Lane and Ashley sitting on the rock near the Pandas.








Lane, Camie, and Anna peering into the cages of some gross reptile.

The stare down with the Kimodo
Anna spent several minutes staring at the Kimodo Dragon. The other kids had moved on, but she just stood there. It is a weird looking animal, but they just stared at each other and had a moment or something?!?

Which family is the most tired?
Jenny and Ashley, Mindy and Anna, Erika and Maddie, Jodi and Chloe, Serena holding Camie, Lauren holding Lane, and baby Holden was already well into dreamland in the stroller.

"A Taste of Maryland"

Resting at the Inner Harbor, Baltimore, before Mom takes off for Salt Lake City!

We were so lucky to have my Mom and my brother, Jeff, his wife, Merili, and their kids, Samara and Jack, come to visit in September. We titled the trip "A Taste of Maryland" because we really did a little bit of everything. I think we even got to 3 states plus D.C.! Pretty impressive in a week's time! We had so much fun just being together, watching the kids play, and most importantly, devouring the Amish Market food, predominately the pies.

We started the week with a trip to the real Amish country in PA. We spent the day going to the small towns of Bird-In-Hand, Paradise, Intercourse, and a few others. Bart stayed home with the boys watching movies so that we didn't have to beg them not to touch quilts and such. The next couple of days we spent traveling to Annapolis for the afternoon and then on to Ocean City where we were able to spend the night at the Cory and Beth Williams beach bungalow and had the most perfect day on record at the beach. Even Mom sat and relaxed and enjoyed herself. Merili, however, will never be allowed to put sunscreen on another human. Both Jack and Jeff suffered a little due to her lack of application skills! Jeff may still be able to show you the remains from this mistake! After returning, we spend time in DC, the Inner harbor of Baltimore, and at the National Aquarium of Baltimore. I am not sure who was most exhausted at the end of the trip, but it was time well spent together! Below are some of the highlight photos from the trip! Lots of fun! Oh yeah, and did I mention the shopping? It was awesome too!
Amish Country, Pennsylvania
Samara and Anna picking out pumpkins at the local Amish Market town.

The girls spent some time playing on the train and so Merili and Jeff thought they should join in too. This was much preferable to petting the gross llama across the playground.

Annapolis, Maryland

It was quite hot in Annapolis. We split up to make sure everyone saw what they wanted. We sat down at the water's edge, which didn't smell so great. The kids stole our sunglasses so they could sit still for a picture.

Taking a break from the heat with Mom. Bart later referred to this picture as "2 Lindas". I can't help that my Mom and I are so dang beautiful! And it should have been 3 Lindas since Anna is just the same!

Ocean City, Maryland

Jeff, Samara, Merili and Jack taking a break on the beach. Jack would promptly return to chasing birds, Samara to the water, and Jeff to digging in the sand. Merili just laughed and took pictures.

Jack and Anna's smiles say it all!Samara and Jacob look like they are practicing to be cheerleaders or something. They had so much fun jumping the waves. The water was so warm this time of year.

Did I mention Jeff likes digging in the sand? Bart did get in on the action too and I am not sure who enjoyed the end result the most...the kids or the Dads?

Getting closer to finishing the project at hand....

Washington, D.C.
We visited the Udvar-Hazy portion of the Air and Space Museum out by Dulles International Airport. It has all of the REALLY big planes that can't be housed in the museum on the mall. I love this picture of the boys sitting still, but also because Anna thought this part of the shuttle was a big toilet paper roll.

3 generations of beautiful women at the museum! (and one on the way is starting to show)
This picture is taken in Arlington Cemetery near the eternal flame for the Kennedys. I love the view of DC in the background. And did I mention how stinking hot it was?The kids at the Harbor awaiting the boat ride and before saying goodbye to Grandma. What a great trip we all had! Thanks everyone!