OBX

When we moved out here I couldn't figure out why SO MANY people had OBX bumper stickers on their cars. I finally found out that the letters stood for Outer Banks, North Carolina. So of course I had to see what all the hype was about!
We rented a beautiful house with 9 other Dental School families and became professional beach bums for a week.

The drive down was surprisingly fun- thanks to Raffi. Bry and I even busted out "The Wheels on the Bus" and "Old MacDonald" (about one hundred times- who knew Old MacDonald had elephants and snakes and dinosaurs on his farm?)

The house was great. Really beautiful, tons of room for everyone, and it was like a 3 minute walk to the beach.

Ivy LOVED the beach. She just giggled with joy the entire first day.

Anytime we're near water Hyrum has to cast his fishing pole (even if it's a puddle). He's gotta keep practicing his form right? His Grandpa Webb should be proud.

Our little glamour queen.

I wish you could have seen Hyrum's cute little legs chugging along trying to keep his kite in the air. It was adorable. Bry and I were both surprised how fun it was to fly the kite... something about the inner child... maybe we should try out a hula hoop sometime.

When we weren't at the beach we were doing some serious touristing.

This beautiful lighthouse was closed for the winter. It would have been awesome to see the view from the top. Who's idea was it to have SPRING BREAK in March?

We walked through a "wet land" and onto this peer. It was fun teasing Hyrum about "little boy eating alligators". I'm sure he'll seek his vengeance when he's a teenager.

Bry had surprising natural talent for the drums and guitar when we played rock band. What isn't he good at?

Look at those adorable faces. These were very rare moments of calm.

We were VERY lucky to have warm weather for the first half of the week. But, the cold weather was a great excuse check out the aquarium and do a little shopping.

This guys was hilarious. He reached into the ray tank and pulled out this Horseshoe crab for Hyrum to touch. It was a cool little creature.

Hyrum wouldn't touch the crab, but he loved the snake. Uncle Golden anyone?

Very rarely is something worth all the hype, but this place really is special. I can't even fathom how fun it would be in the spring and summer when everything's open. I can't wait to go back. Maybe we'll even get a bumper sticker next time.

Leprechauns on the Loose

I don't know why we celebrate St. Patrick's Day, but it sure is fun!

Hyrum and I baked some yummy green clovers. He loves to help in the kitchen and this was a perfect project for him. THANK YOU Pillsbury!

After a dinner of green ravioli we were visited by an actual leprechaun who left us a potion that turns green, and teeny tiny footprints leading to a special surprise...









He was in such a hurry to leave he dropped a bag of delicious gold. (I'm glad we still had some from Christmas... shhh.)

It was hilarious to watch Hyrum try to catch the Leprechaun. He's in such a fun, magical age.


Happy St. Patty's!

Ivy Walking

Ivy is SLOWLY becoming a walker. She seems to prefer being upright rather than crawling, so she gets very frustrated when there are no hands available to support her. I'm trying to be patient while nothing gets done so I can walk around the house with her... all day.

The Storm of '09

The world is standing still for a precious day here in central Virginia.

Yesterday our Bishop announced that his wife has been praying for a snow day and she got it! All the schools and most businesses are closed. We spent a fun day playing nerf gun tag and stomping in the snow. Hyrum had to be (literally) dragged inside before his legs needed to be amputated due to frostbite. We have never seen this kind of snow (not even close!) since moving here so we were a little unprepared. He wore four pairs of socks with plastic grocery bags in his wellies which lasted about 20 minutes before everything was soaked.

It has been a real treat to have a mini winter vacation- especially since we'll be back in the 60's by next week!

My Old Man

I can't believe I'm married to a 27 year old!

I congratulate myself every day for snatching this guy up before another girl discovered him.

Even though he's such a distinguished scholar he's constantly making us laugh. Who knew you could be so intelligent and so silly? Hyrum, Ivy, and I are so lucky to have him.

Happy Birthday Bryan!

Poor Baby

Ivy has been sick for about two weeks with a cough and runny nose. I wasn't very concerned because she's so happy and sleeping well. But, I was chatting with my sis and she informed me, if a runny nose lasts longer than 10 days, it might be a bacterial infection. So I decided to take Ivy in to just make sure- turns out she has a double ear infection! Later that day I also discovered her first tooth! She must have been in so much pain and I would have never known! What a tough baby! Thanks Luci!

Ivy Turns One

Where did this red headed, blue eyed little girl come from?

HEAVEN... She is our angel.




We are constantly amazed by this zen baby. The best way I can describe her is low maintance and fun. She has been a beautiful gift from God from the very beggining.
We cherish you Ivy!

I haven't been posting videos because the audio won't work for some reason. I just had to post this one though! She was so confused!

New Year's Resolutions

Every year I make resolutions to eat and exercise better. It usually lasts about a week. This year I have a little more determination thanks to some surprising inspiration. While we were in Utah we had the great opportunity to visit the Body Worlds exhibit at the old library downtown.


I walked in thinking it would be fun and interesting, but I left truly inspired. The experience changed the way I view my body. Especially my heart. What a courageous and magnificent organ! Now when I feel to lazy or I'm having a difficult workout, I think about how much I love my heart and it gives me new resolve to keep chuggin'. I know it sounds cheesy, but it has changed my life. I'm so grateful for my body. It's far from perfect, (all my life I've focused on the imperfections) but now I focus on how miraculous my bones and muscles and organs are.

Hyrum's Four!

I can't believe I am the mother of a four year old.

We are so lucky to have Hyrum in our family.

We named him after Hyrum Smith because we think he's one of the best big brothers in all history. Hyrum is completely living up to his name and then some. He's Ivy's best advocate wherever we go. The other day when Ivy received her immunizations Hyrum kept giving her hugs until she calmed down (and that's how he constantly acts with her). He is such a gentle and sweet big brother.

He is a great friend and peacemaker. Everyone loves to have him over for play dates because he keeps it fun and calm. Bry and I both consider Hyrum one of our best friends.

He has amazing hand-eye coordination. We are so excited to see how he does with sports because he seems to have natural talents and gifts when it comes to playing ball.

I thank Heavenly Father every day for this hilarious and sweet child!

Another Utah Trip

Packing for 4 people (with as little luggage as possible), traveling across the country with two very-active-not-used-to-sitting-in-confined-spaces-over-any-length-of-time children, having to sit by incredibly rude people, entering the cold and snow packed Utah after enjoying 60 degree temperatures... is it worth it? YES!!!!

We enjoyed a wonderful and relaxing trip to Utah in December. We are so grateful to both our parents for sacrificing so much to fly us out. Every trip has given us rejuvenation and more determination. It makes this Dental School experience all the more wonderful.

We only have 2 1/2 more years to go! The time is going by so quickly I can't believe it. Thanks so much to all our family for the support and love!