Washington D.C.

So, as a graduation present for me and Neal, my Dad took us to Washington, D.C. We had an awesome time! For those who have never been, it's a great place to visit. There's so much to see, it's easy to get around, and it's beautiful! Who knows, you might even hit a deer like we did!

So, I'm from out west. I've heard tell of people hitting deer. I even see the remains on the side of the road from time to time. But, it took a visit to the nations capital for us to experience an accident with a deer. Only we didn't do the hitting, the deer ran into us. We were driving away from the temple one night, and we saw some pretty deer in a clearing (it's pretty forested around the temple). Anyway, I look out my side window and out of nowhere comes this deer, running towards the side of the car! Just before I leaned away and closed my eyes, I saw it's graceful neck and pretty head as it headed for my window! The rental car was dented pretty bad on both passenger side doors. The back door wouldn't even open! Poor little bambi. She just ran off. It's kind of funny when you think of it. Hopefully it all works out with my dad's car insurance company. Good thing it was a rental!

D.C. was awesome (did I already say that?). Here are some pics. The weather was great, and I got my fill of history-ish stuff. Between my dad, Neal and I, we could have filled a room with nerdy-ness. It was great. I think Mt. Vernon was my favorite. Old G.W. (the original!) sure knew how to live!

When the Granny comes to visit . . . .

We've had the best week and a half. First, it was our 11th anniversary on the 11th, then, my mama came in for the weekend. We had a blast! The girls were very excited to see her. Why? Well, it could have to do with the fact that they got to play in her make-up and have their fingernails and toenails expertly painted (when their retarded mother does it, it looks like they had a blind quadraplegic as their manicurist).

Anyway, as you can see by the pictures, we went bowling (Kate's first time. She absolutely loved it. She refused to bowl "granny style," and insisted on bowling like a big person). I don't know what we'll do when the kids grow up and I don't have an excuse for the bumper bars. If not for the bars, our combined bowl total would have been about 6. Kate and Sarah had identical balls except for the size of the finger holes. One time, Sarah reared her arm back to let loose, and the ball didn't come off of her fingers! After she regained her balance, she turned around with a very worried look on her face, as if to say, "What just happened?" I came to the rescue, and when I finally got her fingers loose, they popped out with a nice, loud "POP" sound. We laughed till our sides hurt!

And, what would a weekend with a grandparent be without grandparently indulgences? We went to Wendy's for dinner. After ordering off the dollar menu and eating our food, Sarah informed Granny that she was still hungry. She must have a hollow leg, because she had just consumed a jr. bacon cheese burger, 5 piece nugget and drink! Well, she asked Granny for a "Baconater." Of course, Granny said yes. As you can see by the pictures, that baconator just about terminated her. She was full for a day and a half! Just for the record, I never would have let my 9 year old daughter have a baconater. No human being should be allowed to eat something like that! But, with grandparenting, there's a special "exception" clause.

pre-school snack preferences

Kate is our picky eater. We joke that she only likes foods from the white and tan family. Because of her picky preferences, we force (yes, force) her to eat her veggies and fruit at meal time. Well, when she's at pre-school, they have snack time. The first day, it was raisins and apples and grahm crackers. But, she told me she didn't eat the raisins, only ate the "inside" of the apple (she hates the skin), and ate a "bunch of Grahm crackers." The next day, they had yogurt and cupcakes. "I didn't eat the yogurt, because Mom, you know I hate yogurt, and I didn't eat the cupcake, because I don't like cupcakes." Yes, you got that right, she doesn't like cake or cupcakes or even chocolate chip cookies!!! She's nuts.

Well, she was excited for her next pre-school day to see what the snack would be. In her excitement, she folded her arms, looked up and said, "Please Heavenly Father, let us have biscuts and gravy and bacon for our snack tomorrow!" I don't think it worked.

Oh, by the way, today is our 11th anniversary! Wow, eleven years! I think I did right by marrying Neal. He's a dang good husband, and he's still pretty cute to boot! It's pretty nice that with each anniversary, I like my husband more and more. That's a pretty good bonus. Here's to many more years!!!

I'm all alone

Kate started pre-school today. It's the beginning of the end for her childhood. I dropped her off this morning and as I sat at the Fred Meyer getting gas, it hit me. . . . I was alone! Part of me wanted to celebrate, but the bigger part was sad. This is it! Next year is kindergarten, and then it's all gone from there. As they move on through the grades, their friends get smarter than their parents, and mom and dad are just retards. Just this morning, Sarah argued with me all morning about a rumor she heard at recess about a teacher at the school. She said, "Mom, don't ever put me in Mr. So-and-so's class! He holds people back for no reason!" No matter what, she wouldn't beleive me that things like that can't happen. Even though I used to spread rumors about Mr. Serian all around the playground. I told everyone I was transfered out of his class because he hit me on the arm with a ruler. A TOTAL lie! I also said that he hit my brother when he was in that class. Also a lie.

check out the melvin!

Seeing a wedgie (or melvin, as my childhood prefers) like this begs for a camera. I take that back. If I saw a melvin like this on a grown man, I might snap a shot to e-mail to Laurel and Angie, but no because it was cute. Poor Kate. She probably gagged because her wedgie was wedged up there so high!

Neal's "swearing in "

So, Neal was sworn in as an official attorney on Friday. It was nice and short. He signed an oath, and then we listened to a few supreme court justices and speakers, then he stood up and took his oath. It only lasted 40 minutes! I couldn't get a very good picture though - I was sitting next to him in the auditorium, so this is as good as it gets.

All I can say, I mean shout is, "it's about dang time!!!"