Almost done.

We've been in Utah for almost a month, and we have loved spending time with family and friends. I have discovered things like "dirty Dr. Pepper" (if you don't know what it is- google it) and kindling a new love of Utah. 

It has been awesome.  Oh and I now have bangs. 

There you have it. Our time here in pictures. We have celebrated both Jack and Thomas' birthdays, ans celebrate Ben's this week. 

We still have a lot to fit in our last week here. And then we will be off to our next adventure in North Carolina. 

I'm very grateful for this adventure that is our life. We have so many people to love and to be loved by. It gives me the strength and courage I need for all of the challenges of life. 

Hugs and kisses. 

Vacation is good.

Let's just jump right into it.  Last you read, we were preparing for our trip to Utah.  That time has come and gone, and we are back in Colombo.  As we speak I am struggling with a strange mix of jet-lag and uber disgusting digestive issues.  Welcome home.  Welcome home.

However, let's not dwell on the negative.  Let's talk about vacation.  This was probably the best vacation we have been on as a family.  Some highlights.

• Ben and I went on a cruise to Mexico.  Just the two of us, and it was wonderful.  We even ran into a family I knew from Moscow way back when. Crazy small world. 
• We spent a week in Salt Lake seeing family and friends.
• We spent the rest of the time on top of a mountain in a lovely place called Bear Lake, Utah.  Probably the most beautiful lake I have ever seen.  
• Ate some seriously good food.
• Celebrated the boys birthdays.  Ben and I are now the parents of a 4 year old and a 6 year old.  
• Spent time with family and friends.
• I went blonde for about a month, but it is back to brunette now.  It was a fun change, but you know, I like having brown hair.  

Some of Ben's family:

Our family at Temple Square:

Friends from my mission in Rochester, New York:

Some of the kids from the ladies above:

Jackson and Addie:

Cousins:

Fourth of July fun:

Taylor and Thomas:

I'm totally prepared for these crazy kids to date in the future:

I have more pictures, however, most of them are on facebook and instagram.

It was an awesome summer, and I am so grateful for the time that we had with friends and family.  We have been seriously blessed.

Preparing to Fly with Kids.

My current project is airplane activities for our upcoming trip to Utah.

I am hoping that I won't have to use them.  You know, the boys will sleep the entire time, or they will just chill and relax (chillax as the cool kids say). 

However, there is the SLIGHT possibility that they are going to demand to be entertained the entire time.  Or until the last fifteen minutes of the flight when they decide it's time to sleep (no, not my kids).

In order to plan for the unlikely event they need to be entertained, I have been searching Pinterest, you know the go-to website for ideas of all kinds.  I have found some gems, including a list of fifty ideas to keep your kid entertained on flights.  However, I found this list was kind of ridiculous, as some of the ideas included some noisy, albeit entertaining ideas.  The list also included toys with small parts that can easily roll off the tray-table-in-front-of-you.  So I am coming up with my own list.  It is still a work in progress, but here is a preview of what I am working on:

Personalized coloring pages. Here is the link for the tutorial.

How cute are these boys?  Seriously cute.  

I made one of the entire family, and it is definitely not as cute. Kids can make anything look cute, not so much with adults.

Also, the other thing I suggest, call the airline, or use the website if you can, and request kids meals.  They still might not like the food, but there is a higher chance there will be something they like.

What has worked for you?

Finally.

We made it to Virginia.  

In the last month, we have spent too much time in the car.  We drove from Tijuana to Utah, to Seattle, back to Utah, and finally to Virginia.

The hardest part was the day we left Utah for Virginia, part of our route was closed due to weather.  We tried to redirect to another route, only to find road closures there as well.  We ended up driving to Albuquerque the first day, and then traveled along I-40 for the rest of our travels.

A few things I learned while driving:

1. Spending almost 10 hours a day with two little boys in such an enclosed space was a little much for me.  
2. I have never seen so many cows in my life.
3. The prettiest part of the drive was going through Moab, Utah and the entire drive through Southern Virginia.
4. Along I-40 there are a lot of larger-than-life crosses and adult superstores.

Our detour was a little rough because we had to make the same timeline with about 600 extra miles to drive.  We were supposed to take I-80, and visit my sister and meet her new baby, but we had to cancel that visit with our new route.  It was tough since we won't see them again for a few years, and we won't be able to meet little Dexter until then.  

For now we are settling in and taking a break from the car.  We are excited to be back in Virginia, after Utah, it is one place that feels constant.

Home leave. The first half in pictures.

I was sick for a few days, and we didn't get pictures of the boys with their Grandpa Whitaker at the police station and on a fire truck.

--It was awesome.--

We are having a great time on home leave.  We are visiting friends and family, playing, and trying to stay warm.

We are halfway through, and ready for more.