Goodbye Party

Our fabulous friends threw us a going away party on September 22. Love, love, love these people. Thanks for the memories, y'all.

Sorry Shaunna and Amber. My computer wouldn't let me moves these pictures down so we could see your lovely faces. Annoying.

Homeless

Our landlord in Texas decided to make us move out one month before we were supposed to move out of the state. She wanted to re-rent it during peak rental season, so our move out date was Sept 2nd, and we were moving on October 1st. I was beyond livid when I found out about this. But it turned out to be such a blessing. Our fabulous friends took us in, and we rotated houses and really enjoyed being able to spend some quality time with our friends before we left.  So for the month of September we hopped around and lived with these amazing families.  We will be forever grateful to them, and for allowing my little family to be together during Dave's last month of residency. We had talked about the kids and I going to California for the month, but Dave had worked so hard his whole residency to get all his requirements done so he could finally spend some time with us during his last few weeks.  It was his easiest month of his whole residency, and we were so grateful that we got to spend it together, and with these incredible people.

First stop: Chris & Megan's
We ended up staying here the longest. They have an extra guest room plus a large playroom for our kids to sleep in. Our kids are the same ages and they thought they were in heaven. Sleepovers on school nights!!!! We thought putting them to bed was going to be way more challenging than it actually was, which made us stay longer than we originally planned (plus, they are family, sorry suckers! ha!). We had a great time staying up late, watching TV and movies, cooking dinners, working out, and not having to wake up napping babies to pick up kids from school because one of us would stay and the other would go pick up. We loved spending this time with Chris & Megan and it was fun to spend Megan's birthday with them.  This is one great family.

Jeremy & Genevieve's
They were so kind to take us in. They have a beautiful home and we had so much fun staying there. Genevieve is super woman and a whizz on the sewing machine, and we had fun making two skirts for me and one for Audrey. There is such a goodness about this family, and we loved being there.

Ali & Brian's

As if this beautiful lady doesn't have enough going on in her life.  She is the mother to these super cute twin boys. Ali & Brian opened their home to us and we jumped right in.  Joshua loved having so many little boys around and Austin loooooved all the new baby toys.   We loved watching the BYU game with them and watching Brian do his happy dance.   This little family moved in just a few months before we left but will forever have a special place in my heart.  Genuinely really, really good people.  

Colby & Mandy's
The kids and I stayed there while Dave was out of town.  So in true fashion, we sister wived it up. :) Poor Colby.   Late nights, curling our little girl's hair (and our own) and good conversations.  And some crazy ones too.  When I get too tired I don't make any sense, and Mandy is the same way.  Lots of fun times. And lots of peanut M&Ms.  Like a Costco sized bag.

Zeb & Leah's

They introduced us to oatmeal for breakfast and I introduced them to Fage greek yogurt.  Win/win situation.  I went to Leah's boot camp class that she teaches (at 5:30 AM!!!) and was sore for days.  Leah is the most selfless, most service oriented person I know, and it was fun to spend a few days watching her in all her glory.  This lady never.stops. I had to remind her to eat.  We had so much fun going to Hobby Lobby, having a girls night, and just being together.  I am so glad that Joshua wants to marry Claire (the 9 year old) so Leah will always be in my life! :)

Thank you friends, for making our homeless situation a great month to remember. 

Merry Christmas

Bursting

I love when Austin does this.  It looks like his body can't contain all his joy...I know how he feels.

10 Months

Austin is 10 months. How did this little baby boy of ours grow so quickly into this delicious piece of chub? He makes my heart so happy, and I love the way his older siblings adore him. Absolutely adore him.  Audrey is the first one in his room in the mornings, and always wants to hug and kiss him.  Joshua loves that Austin can crawl, so they can "play" cars better together.  Although Audrey & Joshua both will not touch Austin's diapers. Oh well. Pick and choose I guess.
 All of my littles are at such fun ages.  I wish I could freeze these moments forever.
At 10 months:
Austie Boy:
*still has 8 teeth (although has been drooling a lot lately-see in picture-so I think he is about to cut more)
*loves loves loves to eat.  He is my flesh and blood so that isn't surprising to anyone.  He isn't really a fan of baby food though.  He wants to be able to pick it up and feed himself.
*crawls, and when crawling will sometimes stop and straighten his knees
*"talks" all day long
*does that terrible teeth grinding thing.  Gah.  Gives me goose bumps just thinking about it.  It's the worst when he does it in the car, because there is nothing I can do about it
*is such a happy boy.  Whenever I leave the gym the workers always tell me how happy, and what a good boy he is.  It makes me want to kiss those cheeks a million times.

Thanksgiving

I don't have any pictures, but I didn't want to forget what we did.
Our new friend's Devony and Julie, invited us to come spend the day with their families.  We had a great time getting to know them better and stuffing our faces.  It was a beautiful day so we walked over to the park, where Dave puked everywhere.  Great way to make a first impression.

Chicago!!!

My Dad turned 60 back in August, and we wanted to do something really fun for my his 60th birthday. He grew up in Chicago, so we decided to head back to his old stomping grounds. I had never been to Chicago, and I was very impressed. My Mom and Sara planned one amazing trip. It was one of my all time favorite trips.

While I was flying there, the family that was already in Chicago went bike riding.  I love this picture of my sisters and parents.

 

That night, we ate my Dad's favorite cupcakes (german chocolate), talked about our favorite memories of my Dad, gave him little presents, and even wrote him a song (a little tradition).

To the tune of Take Me Out To the Ballgame:

Tommy T's turning 60, in the windy city

Buy him some cubs tixs and deep dish pie,

We're all here cause he's such a great guy,

So let's root, root, root for the Cubby's 

We're glad he worked so we can play,

For it's one, two, three, four, five, six kids to celebrate his big day! 

 

The next morning we drove to La Grange Park where my dad grew up. It was so fun to see his houses, his schools, where he had his first job, and even the football field where he played during high school.  At one of the football fields, my Dad told us he scored a touchdown on the opening night of the field.  It was really neat to see these places, and hear stories about my Dad growing up.  My Grandpa did a career change and went to dental school, and then did an orthodontic residency and finished one day before my Dad finished high school.  Although my kids are much younger, I can relate to the many years of schooling and it made me appreciate my Grandparents, and my Dad in a whole new way. 
The house my Dad lived in for part of his six years in Chicago. 

His high school. Fancy.

 

His middle school is now some sort of nuclear science building, but they still have some of the old signs up.  My Dad told us stories of playing basketball in that gymnasium.

 

That afternoon we went to a Cub's game. I remember my dad always telling me about the times he would go to the games as a kid. He even admitted (after we were done with high school) how he would skip school and take the train to see them haha. It was SO fun to go to the fields and watch them play.  They even won, we must have been good luck charms. :)
None of the spouses could come (work, school...) so it was just the originals plus Austie (last minute Melissa couldn't come, we missed you).

 

Angel baby.

After the game we headed to McDonald's for diet coke and ice cream cones.  This family consumes lots of both.

My sweet boy was such a trooper being tromped all around the city.  But he was in good hands.  His aunties, uncle, Grande and D spoiled him rotten. 

After the game we went to the Willis (Sears) Tower.After riding to the top of the 108 floors we walked onto a deck that was complete glass. It was completely horrifying standing on glass and looking down 1451 feet. 

My dad was kind enough to hold Austin and not join on the ledge. It didn't have anything to do with the fact that he is scared of heights...

From the Sears tower we walked to the famous Gino's East for delicious deep dish pizza.

Lollapalooza was also in Chicago that weekend, so all the trains were packed. Jess was holding Austin and I asked her if she wanted wanted me to take him and she said no, she loved all the attention people were giving her and Austin.  Probably because everyone thought she was a teenage mom!

Good night kisses for Aunt Rachel

Saturday morning, we headed out again (after Austin's good morning present to Aunt Jess).

We rode the double decker bus around Chicago. It was interesting to hear all about the buildings and the history of the city.

Chicago style hot dogs for lunch.

 Then to the Shedd Aquarium.

Then the planetarium.

3D movie.

The lakefront.

Eating Garrett's popcorn in Millenium Park.

The river architecture tour.  So fascinating. 

Back on the double decker bus, where Austin was lovin on Aunt Sara. 

The bean

That night we celebrated my Dad by going to probably the best restaurant I have ever been to, Zed 451.

Happy Birthday Dad.  We love you. Thanks for an amazing trip!