Utah

Our Utah Trip was crazy.  First of all it was FREEZING!   We ventured up to my parent's cabin and it actually snowed a few inches... at the end of May people!   We were hoping to go fishing, hiking, and relax by the campfire- instead we were trapped inside.  At least we had lots of family to keep us company!

The girls did puzzles

And the boys watched Star Wars

While the men were constructing walls

I've never roasted marshmallows in the snow before.



Here's a beautiful view of the snow



We made it safely down the canyons through the snow to Grandma Trump's.  The weather was a tad warmer, but we still hid inside.

Video games with the cousins

Movies with cousins

FINALLY the weather was warm enough for a dip!

And swings

And tether ball (Hyrum totally reminded me of Napoleon Dynamite attacking that ball.)

And lounging on soft Utah grass
(If you've ever tried to lounge on Virginia or Texas grass, you know why I say "soft Utah grass") 

And more swings

And uncle loves

And Grandma  snuggles

And tree climbing

Hyrum discovered tree climbing on our trip and judges a tree worthy enough of his praise if it is "climbable".

It was so great to visit with family and friends before we started our new life in Texas.  We love you all! 

Try not to smile when you watch this video- I DARE YOU!

Family Pictures

Before we left Virginia we had to take advantage of our amazing photographer friend and the beautiful Virginia landscape.  I wish I wore a different outfit- it drives me CRAZY how wrinkled and uncomfortable I look (I was).  But everyone else looks so perfect, so I can't help but love every shot.  Here's some of our favorites:

Thanks so much Ashley!  We're so lucky to have you guys as friends!

Rollercoaster

I feel like I've lived an entire lifetime of craziness since I last posted. So much has happened in such a short time. It's amazing how life can change so quickly. We're doing great. We've settled in Texas with amazing neighbors and friends already made. We feel so very blessed and fortunate, I can't even describe my wonderment.

Here's a quick (or not so quick) overview of some of our experiences...

We started packing the house in Virginia and our buyer backed out exactly TEN DAYS before our scheduled move (it's a long story- just call me if you want more details). We couldn't believe she would just drop us like that. It was so heartless and cowardly. I've never been temped to tell Heavenly Father to MAKE someone feel bad before. I wanted her to feel the pain and betrayal and panic and fear I felt! I was so scared. Anyone who's ever read this blog before knows we have a tight budget. The thought of having to pay rent and mortgage for and undetermined amount of time was so overwhelming. We had spent so much time and money staging our house to sell- and it did sell quickly, but would it sell if it was empty and cold? It just so happened in the middle of this drama my scheduled reading was St. Luke Chapter 12.

Here's an excerpt:

28 If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith?

29 And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind.

30 For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things.

31 But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

It's such an amazing, powerful, miraculous chapter I'm sure I've read and studied and even sung about, but it didn't REALLY mean anything to me until that moment. I can't describe the relief, love, and comfort I have felt since reading those words (Thank you Manchester Ward leadership for challenging us to read the New Testament!!!)

I haven't just FELT relief, I've also seen miracles. Only ten days after putting our house on the market again we were under contract for MORE money and a quicker closing than the previous buyer- EVEN with the house in disarray with boxes and junk everywhere! It has since closed and the whole fuss is over and done.

Christ was talking to me when he said, "O yea of little faith". It's something I struggle with. I try so hard to control and plan everything, but when something unexpected happens I FREAK OUT. It was an amazing lesson for me and even more amazing to witness miracles all around us.

Amid all the selling chaos we still had to pack up an entire home, graduate a dental student, keep track of three kids (one of which decided to start crawling), eat, sleep, and SURVIVE.  Luckily Mom Trump and Bry's nephew Jacob flew in from Utah for some much needed support.

Jacob helped me pack and watch the kids all day.  He was an AMAZING help.  Thanks Jacob!!!!

Our handsome graduate.

Our good friends the Lamms.

Bry with his Mama who was such a trooper even though her back was injured.  Love you Mom!



Mother of the Year

I'm so excited to declare congratulations to my dear mother-in-law Nancy Trump for being recognized as Centerville's Mother of the Year for 2011!  It's an honor that's completely deserved after years of selfless service and love to her family and neighborhood.  We're SO VERY lucky to have such a wonderful woman in our lives.  She is a true hero.  We love you Mom!  Congrats!

That's right- TWO sets of twins.  Bryan is the red puff ball.

It has begun...

I was hoping to write a post about Mother's Day, Hyrum's Kindergarten party, and Delia's adorable new trick, but packing has taken over my life.

It's so hard for me to concentrate on ANYTHING when my house is in disarray. 

I do have a few moments to add some cute faces though:)

Quick DC Trip

If you ever have the pleasure of visiting our Nation's Capital, I would recommend getting a hotel room for at least a week.  I'm sure you could stay for months and never completely discover all the fun sights.  There's SO much to see.  Every time we stop by I can't help thinking how much we're missing and how I can't wait to come back and explore more.  With little ones who have minuscule interest in most museum exhibits and a hard time walking long distances, (plan on walking A LOT in DC) our quick weekend trips wouldn't be considered "efficient", but we still have fun and at least we weren't home cleaning the house all weekend.

For this, our last trip to DC in many years, (weep, weep) we enjoyed beautiful weather and lots of fun little family moments. The camera ran out of batteries only a few hours into the day (of course) so I didn't take as many pictures as I would've liked, but we did capture a few:

Sandwich smiles

Hyrum had a difficult time being the "big boy" all day.  There was no stroller for him to lounge in and he is too big for the backpack.  He got so fed up with walking he exclaimed with all his Hyrum muster, "MOM, I'm too exhausted to walk anymore!  I need to run."  He then proceeded to run the short distance between Bry and I until he regained his energy to walk.

Capital Building (I think)

Washington Monument

Natural History Museum and School Pride:)

There's dinosaur bones somewhere back there

We were very disappointed the police wouldn't let anyone close to the White House... little did we know heroic US soldiers were killing an evil tyrant somewhere in the Middle East.  Maybe they had good reason to protect the President that day.

Ivy was completely sacked out at the aquarium.  It wasn't very comfortable for the mommy, but it sure was cute.

We were super sad we didn't get to see Ali and Lincoln, or Amanda, but I'm sure we'll see each other soon.  Even though huge distance will seperate us, some friendships can't be lost.

Virginia is such a great place to live.  There's so many cool places to visit and explore.  We've been so lucky to live here for these few years.  I get so emotional every time I think about moving.  I thought I'd be so excited to get out of this crazy place when we first moved here.  But, it's become our home and starting over again is daunting and intimidating and scary.