Washington D.C.

So we took this trip last month but I have not been able to post it. For many reasons-being out of town, trying to find time to sort through a ton of photos from the trip, a shattered computer screen that recently got fixed and blogger being against me (I actually already created this post once but it had problems and refused to post or save.

We had so much fun in D.C.! We met up with Ken's missionary companion and we had a lot of fun with them Sunday and then going to the zoo on Monday. Our kids got along so well with their kids. I'm so glad we were able to met up with them it really made our trip so much funner.

The kids got such a kick out of watching the Nelson's home videos.

Kailyn decided to eat her string cheese by putting it on her legs. Why? I have no idea.

Taking a Sunday walk.

Doing crafts Sunday at the Nelson's.

Caden taking a little Sunday snooze.

Group picture ath the Smithsonian National Zoo.

One of the kids favorite exihibits. The tunneling rats. They loved watching the blind rats run through the tunnels and run into eachother. I personally found the hairless rats gross looking.

When we finally decided to head back to the car so we could go get some lunch, Braydon offered to push the stroller for me. Wow!, what a strong kid. He pushed that thing with Caden and Jordan in it for a really long distance and all uphill.

These are the monkeys that were directly overhead as you walk on the path through the zoo.

Kailyn and Ken all wet after playing in the misters.

Kailyn loved playing in the misters. (see is the one far left)

Kailyn

Jordan saw this frog and thought it would make a cute picture, but she insisted that it include only her.

All of the kids. I love Caden's smirky smile.

Caden got a kick out of the monkey that came up to the glass and started interacting with him.

A Weekend Without Mommy

Yeah, so Shelly skipped out of town for a wedding and left a poor unsuspecting Ken with the burdens of three little but very needy children. So, here's Ken's post showing a little of what we did while Mommy was gone. I apologize, there are a lot of pics.

Friday, Caden, Jordan, and I took Kailyn to school then hurried off to the library. After the library, we went to Kailyn's school to cheer her on in her "walk-a-thon" fundraiser. Kailyn is very down-to-business on these types of things. You tell her to do something, and she will get it done and she's all business about it. She gets that from me. It was fun watching her walk the laps. She said she was walking fast but her hips started hurting her. She did 31 laps in all. We came home and played games, took naps, put together puzzles, read books, etc. For the evening, I did what any responsible Father would do--I ditched the 3 kids at a friend's house and went out to eat in honor of date night. Actually, it was a get-together for my residency program, and it was nice not to have to drag 3 kids with me. The kids had a blast and came home with scary spiders on their heads.

Don't they look thrilled? Past bedtime, what can I say. Caden was enjoying it!

Saturday. We laid low for the first half of the day. Attached is a great picture of what we did (that Shelly never would have allowed). The kids cleaned the living room and spent much of the morning watching movies. To my credit, only one of them was purely entertainment. The rest were at least trying to teach something. I spent the time working on computers (Jordan dropped our computer and then the piano bench onto the computer accidently shattering our computer screen), bills, etc. After the nice relaxing morning, we went to the local YMCA and enjoyed free face painting, bag decorating, cookie decorating, and frisbee toss (for prizes). Then we went to the church for the ward trunk-or-treating and chili cookoff--yummmm! The kids looked great in their costumes (Kailyn was an angel, Jordan a butterfly/fairy [she couldn't decide], Caden was batman [wearing my costume that I used to wear everywhere as a kid]).

Sunday was also pretty relaxing except for the hour before and the hour after church. We made it to our seats just as Bishop started the meeting--I consider that on time. Though I didn't get any compliments on my girls' hair, I was pretty durn proud how it turned out. I guess that's my answer (the no compliments part) about what others thought of their hair-do's. On the other hand, no one came up asking what happened to them, so I guess I could consider that a compliment in its own way. When I got home, we enjoyed the delicious chicken and dumplings that were in the Crock Pot that I had started earlier in the morning. All in all, I'd say it was a good weekend--we survived and at the end of it all the kids still said they love me (of course, I was their ticket to their trunk-or-treat candy--and believe me, I used that more than once!!)

Candid Moments from Jordan

Mischievous Jordan. Our computer has a webcam/photo lens. Jordan has discovered it. Jordan knows she's not supposed to play with it, but, surprise-surprise, rather than discouraging her from using it, it encourages her to use it. Shelly has no idea how to use the camera, but Jordan wastes no time explaining how it's done. Of course, Jordan is very mischievous about the whole thing and immediately closes the window if she thinks she's going to get caught. Last night, we were telling Shelly's mom about her use of the camera, and I decided to look to see if she had done any more pictures. The following pictures were the latest Jordan had taken of herself. I thought about removing the icon, so she wouldn't know how to open it, but with such cute/candid moments, I think I'll leave it and see what future pics she'll offer.

She loves her new flip-flops, which she will be showing off in the next several pictures

Who knows what she's thinking in these 2 pics, but we got a good laugh out of it.

Evened it out!! Caden's New Pal.

So, here's a picture similar to ours from an ultrasound earlier today. Any guesses? Just kidding. Here's to Caden's new little brother/playmate/sister-torturer. We're thrilled. We hoped for boy, expected girl, and were pleasantly surprised with boy. Kailyn didn't go to the ultrasound b/c of school, but when we asked her after school if she thought the baby was a boy or a girl, she quickly replied "boy." She said knew all along it was a boy (I'm pretty sure I remember her saying before school that she thought the baby would be a girl and we should name the baby Della).

First Day of School

Well, Kailyn started Kindergarten this year. She was very excited! When we took her to her classroom the first day and it was time to say good-bye she just said, "see ya mom" with a huge grin on her face. I too was not sad. I am so excited for her and I am not worried about her starting school, she is definitely ready. I am a bit surprised though that I am at that point in my life where I have a child in school. She has loved school and in fact was quite sad when she was going to miss school so we could take a trip with Dad to Washington, D.C.

We live very close to the school (only a few blocks) which is great when the weather is nice and we can walk but won't be so nice when the weather is cold. In some ways I wish we lived far enough away that she was bused in, that sure would be easier in the winter especially once the baby comes. The school we go to, Beverly Elementary, is probably the best in the district. They do have to wear uniforms--solid colors, collars, dark colored closed toe shoes-- which I am ok with. It made school shopping a lot easier. They also have all day Kindergarten. I actually like all day. Kailyn does just fine with it and it makes it easier for me cause it doesn't mess up my day so much.

Kailyn's new classroom. Her new teacher is named Mrs. Kristie.

Does this girl look anything but way excited?!

Kailyn and the girl sitting next to her, Madeline or "Maddie," have actually become pretty good friends. They eat lunch together everyday and play together at recess.

This is what we got to do while Kailyn started her first day. The school provided breakfast and Kleenex to all Kindergarten parents. Yum!

The end of the day. Kailyn was so excited to show me that she had not thrown away her plastic containers or water bottle (something I had told her not to do on the way to school). She was so proud of herself

Fun at the Jones's

We had lots of fun while staying with my parents. I can't believe we were in Montana for a whole month, the time just went by so fast. The kids loved playing games "with" Aunt Megan (they normally just ended up watching her), playing on the swingset, jumping on the trampoline, playing in the pretend house, and making s'mores.

Making S'mores with Grandpa.

A yummy sticky mess.

Jordan very happy to be making and eating s'mores.

Kailyn testing out her s'more

Fun on the trampoline with cousin Hailey.

Group shot with Grandpa on the trampoline.

Hailey, Caden, Jordan, and Kailyn.

The kids love Aunt Ashley.

They also love their Aunt Megan.

Caden hugging cousin Hailey.