A Full Week of Saturdays

Last week was a little challenging. No, we didn't lose our power or have a tree fall on our car like others during the crazy snowstorms, but we did drive each other crazy in our tiny apartment. 920 square feet just wasn't enough room for all of us

I must say, the first few days were pretty decent. Lilly and I loved having Gus home. We deep cleaned and organized each room and closet in our house, we did laundry (washed and then laid it out to dry on the kitchen table because our dryer was broken), and did some odd jobs around the house. After that was done we started painting furniture. Gus painted the bottom half of our entertainment center so we could put our newly purchased TV on top, and then I went to work painting Lilly's bookshelf and lamp table. They all turned out lovely.

By Tuesday morning of last week we were going on four straight days in the house. We were ready to scream so we just had to venture out in the snow. We were able to hit the library, the grocery store, and Home Depot for more paint. It was nice to get out and breathe some fresh air. When we returned home the snow began to fall again and it was time for Round 2 of the vicious snow week. By Wednesday night we received another 11 inches which only added to the 25" already on the ground!

Since we were snowed-in for another day, I had Lilly make Valentines for her friends and grandparents, and then we made cookies together. The next morning Gus dug out both of our cars (for the second time), and he took Lilly out to play in the snow. By Thursday night Gus and I had finished watching Season 3 of Alias. Great show.

Through it all Lilly was quite the trooper. She didn’t see any of her frineds for over a week and she watched enough TV for all of us. She also read every book she owns and played every boardgame in the house.

After seven straight “Saturdays” we were all ready to be done hanging around the house together. Lilly needed her friends, Gus needed to work, and I needed some space! By Friday, the Federal Offices were opened again and Gus was able to go to work. I couldn't have been happier.

We’re glad things have finally cleared up and gotten back to normal again.

Snow...Snow...And More Snow...

Growing up in Idaho I lived through quite a few crazy snow storms. I didn't think anywhere could get as much snow as Idaho. When the weather man reported that the DC area would be getting 20-30" of snow over the weekend, I didn't really believe him. Is that possible in DC? Aparently so.

The storm started just as predicted, around 10:00 Friday morning. It didn't stop until around 5:00 Saturday evening. So ya, it was 30 straight hours of heavy snow. Fortunately I had already done the grocery shopping, so I didn't have to face the mad crowds at the grocery store the night of the storm. While everyone else was standing in line to buy food at the grocery store, I was buying paint at Home Depot. I knew that we might be stuck in the house all weekend and I wanted to finish up a few projects. We were very fortunate that the power didn't go out on us.

When the storm settled, the Dulles Airport reported 32.4", BWI reported 24.8". I'm thinking we were around the 24" range here at home.

Our Sunday church meetings were canceled, and our bishop told the ward members to hold a family sacrament meeting at home, which we did. Then, Gus spent most of that afternoon digging out the cars.

He didn't have to work on Monday since all the federal offices were closed. It's been fun to have a nice long weekend with daddy home. The crazy thing is that more snow is expected by tomorrow night. So daddy may be spending a lot more time with us this week.

So ya, it's been quite some time since I've seen this much snow on the ground, and I must say this storm was pretty impressive - even for an Idaho girl.

Our Highlander

Our Corolla

Making Snow Angels

Here are some videos:

 

Dancing Queen

I decided to put Lilly into a few extracurricular activities this year. She needs all the interaction she can get with other kids her age (not to mention all that energy she needs to get out). So I signed her up for ballet and gymnastics at the local rec center.

She was a little scared to go at first. She's had some separation anxiety ever since we returned from our Christmas vacation - she literally won't go anywhere without me (really annoying). She's had a few panic attacks before preschool and taking her to her new Sunbeam class on Sunday has been a chore. Lately she's been doing better.

She is now going on her third week of ballet and gymnastics and she LOVES it!! I am so happy. I was afraid she would never go and that I would be out all that money I paid for her classes. Fortunately, she has a few friends in both of the classes which helps her feel a little more comfortable.

Here are a few REALLY LONG videos of her classes that I'm sure only grandparents will want to watch:

Christmas 2009: Part 3

One hour into our journey to Utah Lilly started saying that her stomach hurt. You can just imagine what followed…

I tried to be prepared by holding a sandwich bag under her mouth, but it ended up splashing right out of the bag and into her face and hair. It probably would have been better if I hadn’t been so prepared.

We pulled over at the rest station at the top of the Mallad Summit and stripped Lilly down to clean her off and put new clothes on. Unfortunately, she continued to be sick for the next couple of days. It wasn’t the best way to start our Utah vacation!

Once she started feeling better she had a great time playing with everyone. And fortunately she didn’t get anyone else sick!

Eating icecream with her cousins; Sedrah, Sydell, and Taige. This was a nightly tradition. Thanks Grandpa Henshaw!

Reading books with Aunt KA

Making cookies with Grandma

The Henshaw cousins

Half-way into our trip Gus’s sister MJ introduced us to the show Alias. So we stayed pretty busy watching Season 1. We became a little obsessed and had to get in a few episodes every night.

Our anniversary is December 29th and we are usually away from home when it comes around. This year Gus and I went shopping and then out for ice cream. We tried to go see the movie The Blind Side but it was sold out. So, we ended up coming home and watching Alias. It was nice to get away together for a few hours.

The night before we left for Virginia we met the McEwan's at Pirate Island. It is similar to Chuck-E-Cheese but much cooler. We sat and ate pizza and then the kids ran around and played games in the arcade. It was fun so spend one last night with Megan, Mike, and the kids. When we left them in the parking lot, Lilly started to sob. She knew her fun vacation was coming to an end and I almost cried right along with her.

Savanna, Lilly, and Berkley

Playing games with daddy

Christmas 2009: Part 2

On Christmas Eve we had a huge dinner with my family. It was fun to be together will all my brothers and sister for Christmas.

Lilly sitting at the kid's table with Savanna and Brinley

After Dinner we decorated sugar cookies and played Christmas Bingo.

Lilly dumped half the bottle of red sprinkles on her one cookie

Then it was time for the kids to open their present from Grandma and Grandpa. They gave them cute pajamas and pillows that my mom had made.

Lilly got right down to business

Since we stayed up so late on Christmas Eve, Lilly didn’t wake up on Christmas day until 9:00! It was amazing really. When she woke up the first thing she said was, "Did Santa come?" She had been asking me this every morning for weeks so I was really excited to tell her "Yes, he finally did!"

She ran downstairs and was so excited to see what Santa had left her.

Of course her favorite gift was her $1 lipgloss!

Lilly favorite part of the day was giving everyone the presents that she picked out at the dollar store.

Giving Great Gran her present

Lilly spent the rest of the morning playing with her toys, and everyone else's.

In the afternoon we followed all the boys over to my dad's shop to play some basketball.

It was coming to the end of our stay in Idaho and it still hadn't snowed enough to use the snowmachines. So instead, we pulled the kids around with the four-wheeler. They all had a great time.

Gus's killer outfit (he forgot to pack his winter clothes)

The next day was Sunday and it was time for us to leave and drive back to Utah to spend a little time with Gus's family. It was sad to say goodbye to everyone knowing that it will be another six months before we see them again. Lilly especially loved spending time with them. She loved all the attention and love she got from her grandparents, aunts, and uncles. She also had a great time running around the house with all of her cousins.

She (or I) insisted that she take one more picture with everyone before we left. So here they are:

Lilly and Grandma

Lilly and Grandpa

Lilly and Uncle Brayden

Lilly and Uncle James

This picture of Lilly and Savanna was just too cute

Christmas 2009: Part 1

Wow, where do I even begin?

Usually when you go on a long trip it is fun to go, but even more fun to come home. Well, not this time.

Sure, it was a long vacation but I must admit I was SO sad to leave. I wasn't ready to come back to my normal life. I felt genuinely happy being at home with my family, and it was hard to leave.

I think I was so happy because I didn’t have to be around anyone or anything that reminded me of losing my twin boys. It’s hard to believe that it has been six months since my feet were knocked out from underneath me, and I can’t really describe all the different emotions I’ve felt during that time. Some people have wondered why I’m not over it yet, others don’t even talk about it anymore. And then there are some who still stop by to cry with me. The feelings from that July afternoon are still so real for me. That pain is so real. But for three wonderful weeks back home I was happy. Genuinely happy. And it felt good.

Here’s Part 1 of the festivities:

Lilly and I flew into Salt Lake City on a Friday morning and spent the night at Gus's parent’s house. Susan was a wonderful host (as always) and we were happy to be able to see Grandpa and Grandma Calder who were also there visiting. The next day we went over to my sister’s house and stayed the night, and then on Sunday we rode with my brother and his family up to Idaho.

One of the first fun things we did in Idaho was go to "Bethlehem" which was actually in my dad's shop. He transformed the shop into a Bethlehem-esque scene for the youth and primary in the Ward to experience. It was SO fun! There was dancing, food, a nativity, goat petting, various kid stations with fun games, and "The Light of Christ" playing on a big screen. Everyone was dressed up including my dad, who came as Caesar himself. It was a good time.

My Grandma and Dad

My Dad, Lilly, and my Mom dancing

Lilly had a great time playing with my youngest cousin Harley (who is 2 years older Lilly) and my brother Daniel's two girls Brinley and Ashlan.

She also had a great time hanging out with my younger brothers. Whenever we would come in the door she would yell, "Boy's I'm home!" She also loved greeting them with a big hug at the door after they got home from school.

At the end of our first week in Idaho we packed our bags and drove back to Utah with my mom and grandma to watch my niece, Savanna, perform in the Utah Valley Nutcracker. Savanna did wonderful and it was fun to go and support her. She is just growing up so fast! It seems like just yesterday that she was calling me "Momma Jenny".

While in Utah, my grandma and mom stayed in a hotel with a swimming pool so the kids could all go swimming. Lilly loved swimming with Grandma, Megan, and the kids.

 
After all the festivities in Utah we drove back to Idaho. My sister Megan and her family drove up to Idaho a few days later and the real party began!
 
Lilly loved playing with her cousins but especially Megan's dog Rocco. She loved tucking him under her arm and carrying him around the house. We asked Lilly who her favorite cousin was and after a few minutes to think about it she said, "Rocco!" I guess we can count him as a cousin.
 

 
A couple of days before Christmas the kids decorated gingerbread houses. Lilly pretty much just ate the candy and squeezed frosting all over everything while I did all the work. We bought the premade kits from Costco this year and I must say they were just horrible. We had roofs and walls caving in all over the place (Lilly's house stayed up the longest thanks to my mad skills).
 

 
That night we had a family party with my dad's side of the family. We had a good time with family and yummy food but the best part came when Gus showed up. He flew in that morning and then hopped in his mom's car and drove to Idaho to be with us! Lilly was SO excited to see her daddy. She snuggled right up to him and wouldn't let go.
 

First Snow and a Visit With Santa

We had our first snow storm of the season last week. Lilly was so excited! She put on her coat, hat, and mittens and was out the door. I didn't get any pictures of her doing "snow angels", but she had a great time rolling around in the snow.

Since we are going to miss our Ward Christmas Party this year I decided to take Lilly to see Santa at our clubhouse. She wasn't scared to sit on his lap, but she was too scared to look at him. He kept trying to talk to her and give her a bag of candy but she just sat there, looked the other way, and played with her fingers.

Well, we're off to Idaho and Utah for three weeks. I'll blog about the trip when we get back.