kiddos club...

This was my first time to be have the friday night babysitting at my house. I love how these little kids play together, they are all such good friends.  

spring break, 29th birthday and easter...

*beware. long post*

March 18th-

Celebrated my birthday by flying ALL day! We were a little surprised

to find out our flight to Philadelphia had a stop in Denver and Chicago! But we were happy to see Hope and Aspen on our flight to Denver. Eleanor through a

bit of a fit on the flight to Denver and would not sleep in my arms but fell asleep right when John took her. Go figure. The other two flights she did great. She loved watching "shows" on my ipod and listening to "love" (All you need is love). I'm pretty sure she listened to "love" more then 15 times! After we got all our luggage, rented our car and made it to the hotel is was past 9 pm so we ordered in pizza and had a relaxing evening. In my birthday card from John he surprised me with tickets for "LOVE" in Vegas. What a great husband!!

March 19th-

Neither John nor I had ever been to Valley Forge so we thought

we'd give it a try. I've decided I like traveling and doing tourist sights during the off season. It was great not fighting crowds and having the park to ourselves. The weather was a bit cold, but it was still beautiful. It was fun going through Washington's house and seeing all the other camps. After Valley Forge we went back to city and John went to the Goldman Sachs office while Eleanor and I hung out in the hotel room. Call me crazy, but sometimes my favorite part of vacations is just hanging out in the hotel room. Eleanor had a blast standing up on a ledge and looking out the window. She was waving to everyone and yelling hello to all. She even spotted John when he was walking back to the hotel. Unfortunately it rained the entire afternoon, but we still walked the 10 blocks to the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (we were told it was only 4). Again, we enjoyed the lack of lines and crowds. I remember one time waiting in line for almost 3 hours to see the Liberty Bell! After the tourist sites we headed over to H&M and a few other stores to do a little shopping, ordered in dinner at the hotel and took a little dip in the FREEZING "heated" pool.

March 20th-

John had to be to the D.C. office before 1pm so we left Phily that morning. On the way out of the city I was craving a fountain drink and was very annoyed that we could not find a single gas station that sold fountain drinks! We eventually found one about 30 minutes out of the city and a few miles off the freeway. What a joke!! When we got to D.C. I dropped John of at the office, which is RIGHT across the street from the Capital. Would be an ideal place to work, Eleanor and did a little driving around the city. I absolutely love that city!!

Later that afternoon we visited the Hirshhorn Museum and saw a great video exhibit. We then took Eleanor on the carousel there at the mall. We knew she'd love it because of the horses, but we didn't think about the HUGE fit she'd throw when the ride was over. What a pill! That evening we met up with Tracy, Kresent, Eric and their kids for dinner.

March 21st-

We went to the National Zoo with Kresent and her three kids. We were surprised to see how crowed the zoo was!! Eleanor loved the panda bears! She loved saying "hi panda hi panda" over and over. She also loved the monkeys and the horses of course. After the zoo we went back to Fairfax Station and drove around some amazing neighborhoods! We were all pretty tired and just spent the evening chilling at the Hancocks.

March 22nd-

We got up early to be at the Capital before 9 am to get tickets for a tour of the Capital. Our tour time wasn't until later that afternoon so we decided to take a quick trip out to Mount Vernon. We've been out to to D.C. a few times but had never been to Mount Vernon. We are so glad we went, it is so beautiful out there. Of course we didn't stay too long, we did see the house, George and Martha's grave sites and walked around a little. I love traveling with John. He and I have the same attention span when it comes to things. We enjoy seeing everything but don't spend all that much time looking/reading things. Maybe we'd learn a little more if we took the time.

I wont lie to you, I was NOT impressed with the Capital tour. Number one we had the most annal tour guide possible,we were with a Chinese group which made the tour twice as long because they had to translate, AND we had Eleanor to deal with! The tour guide made us all stand in this tiny little circle and if you moved only two feet away she would stop her presentation and yell for you to get back in the group. Eleanor was awful! When we were in the Whisper room I noticed that her diaper was beginning to leak and of course our tour guide would not let us leave her side, so I had to become a white-trash mother and change her diaper right there! Also, by the end of the tour she had her shoes and socks off and was fighting me to take her shirt and pants off. I was never so glad to get out of a place! When we finally got out we decided to let Eleanor run around the lawns of the Capital. She loved chasing the "monkeys" (squirrels) but eventually got ticked because she could not touch them.

That night we got to meet up with our good friend Jill. We had dinner at Jaleo, our favorite restaurant. Of course the food was amazing!! After dinner we went to Old Town Alexandria to our favorite little place for ice cream, Pops. ! Unfortunately it was a little chilly to walk down the streets and to the water, but we still had a good time.

March 23rd-

Easter! First thing that morning we gave Eleanor her Easter basket which she wasn't all the impressed with. Maybe if we'd filled it with a dog instead of candy and trinkets she would have enjoyed it! The entire time we were at the Hancocks she followed their dog and cats around. Poor girl had no clue none of the animals liked her!

We went to church with the Hancocks and then after took Eleanor down to a little park/pond to play. Of course she wanted to go swimming in the pond and kept trying to take her dress off!

We had a great Easter dinner with the Hancocks. We had such a good time seeing all of the cousins and just hanging out. Aunt Lynn is such a great cook and everything was so good!. John and I made the bunny cake. I wish I could have taken a photo, John took such care to get the whiskers, teeth and nose just right!

March 24th-

We spent the morning at the Air and Space museum. I was a little annoyed that the American History museum was still closed, but was happy that they had a small exhibit at the Air and Space. Eleanor got to see the original Kermit the frog. No, she has no clue who he is but she's been into frogs lately and she was mesmerised by it! She also enjoyed being able to push a button which played a song by Prince and then dance to the music. She had NO clue she had a huge audience watching her for a good 5 minutes. It was really cute!

Our flight left from BWI and with the way traffic can get in the afternoon, we decided to leave D.C. a little early. We enjoyed a good lunch in a little town near BWI and let Eleanor play outside for a little before we got to the airport. After we all boarded the flight we sat on the airplane for a good 50 minutes waiting for our pilot to show up! It was such a joke! When we finally took off Eleanor listened to Love a few times. She was cracking everyone up because she had her headphones on and was singing along SOO loud! Finally she fell asleep watching a National Geographic show. We all slept pretty much the entire flight. Eleanor didn't even wake up when we made our short landing in Denver. It sure makes for a much more pleasant flight when she's sleeping! Our flight didn't get in until 12 pm and we were SO glad to finally be at our home at 1pm.

so sad...

This afternoon Eleanor saw Amy's photo on the computer so I went to her blog so Eleanor could see more photos of Amy. While looking at the photos I let Eleanor watch the video from her surprise visit to Arizona. I wish I had my camera when she watched the video for the first time. She was so dang cute! She got so excited and started waving and yelling, "hello hello Mimi Grandpa Amy Jackie". I felt so bad for her when I turned off videos she bawled and bawled. We ended up watching the videos a total of 8 times before she would leave the computer. There's no questions she misses and loves you all!!

Aspen and Eleanor

I finally uploaded the photos on our camera from a few months back. While doing so I found these photos Eleanor and her cute friend Aspen.  Aspen came over one afternoon and the two played so cute together. Eleanor has never played much with her dolls, but since Aspen brought hers over Eleanor had to have a "baby" as well.  Eleanor has so many little friends in our neighborhood and she loves playing with them all. We are so lucky!

so sad...

This afternoon I was looking at Amy's blog and Eleanor saw a photo of Amy and kept yelling, "Amy Amy Amy". So I let her look at all the photos of Amy on her blog. I then let her watch the video Amy took of Eleanor surprising my parents. I wish I could of had the camera when she first watched the clips. She got so excited and started waiving and yelling, "Hello Mimi Amy Grandpa Jakie". It was so cute!! I finally decided to get the camera after the third time. It was so sad when I turned off the video she bawled and bawled. She's since watched it at least 3 more times. You can tell she LOVES and misses you all so much!!

12:58 nap

Now that I'm a mother, I get why my dad took so many photos of us sleeping. I love watching Eleanor sleeping. She is just so cute and peaceful! This afternoon she came and sat on my lap while I was working on the computer and within a few minutes her head was bobbing around and she was sound asleep. I laid her on my bed and couldn't help getting the camera to capture her cuteness! 

if she can do it...

I'm pretty dang sure i can!! John showed this to me yesterday and I about died laughing! This gave me new encouragement for my triathlon in June!

45 things...

1. Do you like blue cheese?

Yes, but I just started liking it when I was pregnant with Eleanor. Just had it on my salad for lunch today!

2. Have you ever been streaking?

No, but I've been to two different events where there were streakers.

3. Do you own a gun?

No, but John does.

4. Your favorite song?

Hard one. It just really depends on my mood and the time of year. But the two that pop into my mind are Laid by James and I Will by the Beatles.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments?

No. Maybe while I was pregnant. 

6. What do you think of hot dogs?

I used to only eat hot dogs at costco, but I'm starting to not even eat those. There's just something gross about the thought of hot dogs.

 7. Favorite Christmas song?

Gypsy Kings White Christmas

8. Can you do push ups?

Haven't tried in years.

9.What's your favorite jewelry?

My wedding ring and anything turquoise.

10. Favorite hobby?

Photography, reading and cooking

11. Do you have A.D.D?

When it comes to certain things.

12. Whats one trait you hate about yourself?

Forgetful!! 

13. Middle Name?

Anne. Anne with an "E"

14. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment.

1.My bedspread gives off a lot of feathers.

2. I need to wash out the leave in conditioner in my hair.

3. I need to take away the pen Eleanor is using to draw all over herself.

15. Name 3 things you bought yesterday?

1. a pair of sandals

2. a pair of pink and gray pumas

3. diet pepsi

16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink.

1. diet pepsi

2. diet pepsi with lime

3. water

17. Current worry?

Finishing my website for class tonight.

18. Current dislike.

My ugly hair. I'm in desperate need of a haircut!

19. Favorite place to be?

Somewhere warm with pool, bahama bucks, good book and with John and Eleanor

20. How did you bring in the New Year?

At Lori's birthday bash and kissing John.

21. Where would you like to go?

We are going to DC next week and I wish we were there today!

22. Name three people who will compete this?

probably no one.

23. Do you own slippers?

Yes, two pairs in fact. I love my red pair they go halfway up the calf and are so cozy!

24. What shirt are you wearing?

I'm still in my gym clothes. 

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets?

No, I love my 600 thread count Egyptian Cotton Sateen sheets.

26. Can you whistle?

Yes, and I do a really abnormal pull-your-lips-together-and-suck-in whistle that is SUPER loud! 

27. Favorite color? 

White

28. Would you be a pirate?

Nope. Not even for Halloween.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower?

I don't.

30. Favorite girl's name?

Eleanor

31. Favorite boy's name?

Oliver

32. What's in your pocket right now?

Keys, phone and headphones. I don't like purses that much.

33. Last thing that made you laugh?

Eleanor putting on my shoes and purse and going to the door and yelling "bye bye".

34. Best bed sheets as a child? 

I swear I remember having cabbage patch..but not 100% sure.

35. Worst injury you've ever had?

Broken arms a few times.

36. Do you love where you live?

Yes and No. I love my friends and house, but I'm still not sold on staying in Utah.

37. How many TVs do you have in y our house? 

3

38. Who is your loudest friend?

Lori and Stephanie

39. How many dogs do you have?

None..but we are kind of in the process of looking. Kind of.

40. Does someone have of crush on you?

Ahh. I miss the"crush" days.

41. What is your favorite book?

John Adams by David McCullough

42. What is your favorite candy?

Cookies and Cream candy bars and cinnamon bears.

43. What song do you want played at your funeral?

Bye Bye by the Bay City Rollers

44. What were you doing 12 Am last night? 

Reading

45. What was the first thing you thought of when you woke up?

Eleanor, really you have to wake up and cry!!

Goodbye "Beautiful Change" Hello "All You Need Is Love"...

As mentioned before, Eleanor loves dancing and singing to songs in the car. In the past, her favorite song has been "Beautiful Change" by The Innocent Mission. Anytime she would get fussy all we had to do was put this song and and she would calm down. I can't tell you how many times we have heard that song these past 6 months. Well things have changed. Recently she's discovered her new favorite song, "All you Need Is Love" by the Beatles. Every time the song comes on she starts yelling "love". The other day I was telling John about this while Eleanor was playing in the same room. While telling John this Eleanor goes to John and grabs his hand and says, "love" over and over. She then leads him through the kitchen, into the laundry room, out to the garage and then into the car. She wanted to listen to Love in the car. We all thought this was so funny!!! I love how this little girls' mind works!!

She's back!!

I was so excited for Eleanor to come on on Saturday from Arizona!! She was down there for 6 days and had the time of her life. She of course got spoiled rotten, played with her cousins and dogs and enjoyed the warm weather. She LOVED her little vacation. It's amazing how well she did for how young she is. A few times when I would talk to her on the phone she'd get a little sad and start crying (broke my heart) but other then that she did great!! 

On Saturday we went to the airport to pick her up and had brought a bunch of balloons but she was asleep in the stroller when we first saw her. I was a little disappointed because I wanted to see how she'd react when she saw us. I tried waking her up but she was so out of it!! Finally when we went out into the cold weather she woke up. Being that she was still out of it, she didn't show much emotion until I was putting her in her car seat. John leaned in from outside and gave her a kiss on the check. Eleanor sat there for a second and then she got the saddest look on her face and then just broke out in tears. It was the saddest thing!!! I couldn't stand her crying so I took her out of her car seat until we got to the pay booth. It was so sad!! She cried and cried for a good 20 minutes. Finally John put on the valentines mix I had made him and she immediately stopped crying and started dancing. There are two songs on there that she LOVES, "If Your Still In Love With Me" and "All You Need Is Love". Of course once she started dancing she then warmed up and started smiling and talking to us. I can't believe how much we missed her while she was gone and how happy we were to see that little pistol!!!