{Catching Up}

We've been busy (again) having fun. We attended our niece/cousin-Brynn's baptism this weekend. It was lots of fun to see family, catch up, play, shop, eat good food, and enjoy their beautiful weather (with NO humidity..please go away in Maryland), and all the fall leaves that are changing.

On Saturday we took the kids to a real, functioning Apple Cider Mill. It was so neat to see how they make the cider, and they had a cute pumpkin "patch", homemade donuts, and again..lots of fall beauty!

Jonas tried to life this big guy three or four times :) He grunts when he tries to lift..its so funny!

I told him not to step on the pumpkins and to walk carefully. He got stuck and waited for some help with his face like this picture.

He finally figured out he could lift the little guy pumpkins. Then he carried them around like a ball and threw them on the ground when he was tired of them. Thankfully we didn't have to make any pumpkin pie. There were no broken pumpkins :)

The kids on the swing on the porch of the donut shop.

On Monday we road a steam train in Essex, CT. It was fun, and we loved seeing the Gillette Castle and all the fall colors.

Hard to tell, but I assure you..it was awesome!

Jonas was pretty good about NOT sticking his head out the window. I was shocked. I thought we would have to tie him in!

Mom and Jonas enjoying the train. (Jonas wishing Mom would not take pictures)

He got a little bored for a minute before we started moving. Dad got out Handy Manny on his phone and Jonas was set.

When are we leaving??

Somehow I did not manage to take one picture of Brynn on her special day. Rude, I know. We had lots of fun! Thanks for a great time and CONGRATS to Brynn! Jonas sure was sad to leave :(

{Secrets}

I grew up in a family of secrets. Not always in a bad way. Almost always they were meant to make me happy, provided a nice surprise, and were fun, fun, fun. There were a few along the way that didn't work out quite as happy. Like the time we went to the Health Department when I was like 16. I was sure I was just along for the ride. Nope. I had to get shots. That wasn't a very nice secret!

Needless to say, I love secrets! I don't profess to be great at keeping them though. Not that I ALWAYS tell, but if something is really exciting..its hard for me to keep it in. I almost always tell Devin what I got him for Christmas/His Birthday/Our Anniversary/Etc. I get too excited-especially if I know he will be excited too. I also told my brother what he was getting for Christmas almost every year. It made my Mom so mad when she would find out that I had told him. (Sorry to both of you for that one.)

While I was in UT in June/July I found a secret. A BIG ONE. It was hard not to tell anyone. Frankly it was hard not to shout it from the rooftops. But I didn't. I held it in. I didn't tell anyone...until last week. It was TOTALLY worth the wait!

(The picture is easier to read if you click on it...sorry)

Don't you think? :)

{Spiritual Uplift}

I had the opportunity to attend a "women's conference" called Time Out for Women this past weekend. Its sponsored by Deseret Book and features many Authors and Artists as speakers and performers that you would find in their stores. It was fun. Really fun. I kind of, sort of, maybeish...wanted to just stay home. Something about driving turns me off to fun things. BUT it was worth every hour in the car, all the late nights/early mornings, and leaving Devin and Jonas to fend for themselves.

The conference was in Connecticut, where Devin's brother and his family live...so we stayed with them. Actually it was my sister-in-law, Loni's, brilliant idea to invite me. :) We had tons of fun together. We laughed, we cried, we argued like sisters should, and we left better women with stronger testimonies and greater desires to seek for the good in life and to find Hope in all things. I can't wait for next time!

Here is what I learned:

Sister Virginia Hinckley Pearce is indeed an awesome fill-in for Sister Sheri Dew (who couldn't make it last minute). She taught me not to compare myself to others. She also said that the number one way to have a successful marriage is to lower your expectations. (She was quoting her own mother on that one..but it was hilarious!)

I learned that Jenny Oaks Baker is not only gorgeous and talented, but so nice, and actually lives in the DC area. I feel a friendship starting :)

From Mary Ellen Edmunds, I learned this...

"When everything else says you can't, believe in the part of you that says you can."

Amazing right? She was hilarious...and humbling...and hilarious.

From Mariama Kallon I learned that no one should have to live a life like she did. But I also learned that because of the life she lived and the things she saw, her desire to know her Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ is like no other desire she had ever had. She called the scriptures her therapist. I loved that.

I learned that even though no outside food was allowed, treats were a must after a late night and an early morning. Those DOTS kept us all awake!

I learned that not only is Hillary Weeks beautiful, she is kind, genuine, and has a very strong testimony of God. She was my favorite part of the whole weekend. I love her!

I was like a tongue tied teenager when we saw her. I didn't know what to say to her. But she was sweet, and started the conversation as if we were old friends.

Most of all I learned that the ultimate reason for life is to have Hope. Have hope in your future, in your family, in your God, in everything.

Thanks to my sweet husband and patient little boy who let me have a weekend just for me. Thanks to Destry for putting up with them. Thanks to the girls we traveled with, especially Judy..who treats me like I am one of hers. And a big, Big, BIG thanks to Loni. I needed this, WE needed this. Sisters Forever. KERPLOP!!

{Cousins}

We got to spend our long weekend with family. That doesn't happen often, so we were VERY excited to see them. We wore them out, had lots and lots of laughs, ate yummy treats from the Amish Market, and didn't get much sleep. What a great weekend!

The gang walking around the Washington Monument. We were on our way to the White House-which despite their differences in Politics-Destry and Loni obliged going to see :)

Devin and Jonas on the stairs of the Jefferson Memorial.

I just thought this picture of Devin was funny. He's reading the words on the side of the monument, but he looks like he is posing. I also love that you can see where Jonas spent all his time. With Dad. He loved having Dad home for a few extra days this weekend!

Jonas had a pretty good life with Dad around. He enjoys sitting on Dad's shoulders. I get a kick out of him pulling Devin's ears and running his little fingers through Devin's hair.

At the FDR Memorial. Devin and Jonas made their own fun. Everyone loves jumping off rocks and spinning around.

Who doesn't love sneaking out to see the water a bit closer? Where there was water, there was Jonas. He's like a magnet to it!

Ms. Auryana is a CRACK-UP. We laughed and laughed and laughed at this little one! She has quite the vocabulary, and ideas all her own.

Even though he's not a baby any more, there is something sweet about seeing your baby asleep :)

Its safe to say that Uncle Devin was quite popular this weekend. (He always is.) From wrestling, to playing ball, to dishing up ice cream (after their parents said No), he won the hearts of three little girls this weekend.

Our first night home. I guess Aury was worn out. Destry and Loni drove all night Thursday night and their kids did a lot more staying awake than sleeping on the 6 hour drive. We wore Aury right out. She fell asleep at the kitchen table eating chips.

Brynn and Keagyn. I love how this picture shows off their cute personalities. Keagyn is generally sweet, soft spoken, and so tender hearted. Brynn is outgoing, adventurous, and adorable. We loved having them here for the weekend and tried to convince them to stay. They decided their parents and school were the way to go. We get to go to their house in a few weeks though, so we can make an attempt at convincing them where all the fun is then!

And lastly, Mr. Jonas has figured out what the camera is for. He likes to get it down, hand it to you and say.."Chee". Its cute. So we have a lot of these pictures. Good thing he's got a face I love!

Another CHEE moment :) Love this boy

{Fun with Dad}

This is from a while ago. It still makes me laugh when I hear Jonas laughing so hard. He ALWAYS laughs with Dad. (They're BFF's :])

{Jonas' 2 Year Old Pictures}

Our talented friend, Diana, took the most amazing pictures of Jonas for his 2nd birthday. Taking pictures of Jonas is hard work. He won't look at the camera. He turns in every direction that you are not. He refuses to smile. So poor (7 month pregnant) Diana really had her work cut out for her on this one. I felt so bad that Jonas was so uncooperative, but Di got some amazing shots. I love every one of them. Even if there is cookie on his face and no smiles. The pictures are beautiful Di. Thanks for sharing your talent with us :)

This is my favorite picture.

{Nothing Much}

We've been pretty boring around here lately. The weather has been hot and sticky mixed with some serious Thunderstorms. I've been contemplating a move to a state with LESS severe weather threats.

Jonas and I went to the Butterfly gardens with our friends a few weeks back. I need to take him back to explore the area more. He wasn't so thrilled with the butterfly's. Well...he loved them..but he loved them too much. He wanted to pick them up and show them to me. The workers there about had heart failure. He means well :)

This is the best picture I could get of Jonas looking at the camera.

We made a trip to IKEA last weekend to get a few things to organize all the toys that Jonas is acquiring. (thanks for that G&G's) The next day while Devin was putting things together, Jonas was quite the handy helper. I think all the stuff he's learned from Handy Manny came together :) He was hilarious! He got right in Devin's face to make sure Dad was doing it right.

Devin is incredibly patient and its a good thing. Jonas WOULD NOT leave him alone!

I mentioned the storms. They've been horrific. Lots of people out of power. One instance of a tree into an apartment building. AND if you know me, you know that I spent most of my Thunderstorms in bed with my little brother. I hate thunder. I know. Its weird, but I hate it. I was outside one day doing yard work when the rain just started pouring. I was soaked in no time..so I got Jonas and we made the most of it. The rain storms in MD are warm...so its fun to play in the rain since you don't get cold. Jonas loved it. His fascination with water continues.

We spend lots of days in the pool trying to keep cool. Jonas especially loves making Dad put his head under the water. It cracks me up because poor Devin can barely catch his breath before Jonas is shoving his head down again.

This picture was taken just moments before Jonas finally figured out how to spray these guns. It scared him to death when it shot right in his face, but he didn't cry. Notice the bubbles in the pool? Also his favorite: Bub Bub's.