Keeping Busy

Yea, so I was just called to be in the Primary Presidency! At first I was a little overwhelmed but after meeting with our president I am really excited. We have a lot to do as we are planning a Halloween Party and have to get ready for our Primary Program all in the next few weeks. I know this calling is going to keep me busy but I am really looking forward to working with some amazing sisters and sharing and building my testimony with the children. I am most looking forward to having Braden join Primary this January and experiencing it with him. It should be another great blessing in my life!

A Visit From Home

We had the best weekend ever; Heidi and Abi cam to visit us! Their visit was like a breath of fresh air. I don't think I realized how homesick I was until I saw them. While they were here we planned lots to do, we went into Pittsburgh to the Duquesne Incline (it's this really cool trolly that goes straight up the side of the "mountain" and at the top there is the most amazing views of Pittsburgh), we visited the Pittsburgh Zoo (so much cooler than the one at home), and I took them to Mammoth Park to this cool slide. While at the park we gathered leaves and after coming home, we made cool pictures using the leaves as stamps. Heidi totally spoiled us while she was here, something I tried to do for her but failed miserably. She even watched the kids one night so that Kam and I could go out to eat and have a date! I am so sad they are gone but we had the best time with them. Now I just need to get through the next 80 days to see them again!

Duquesne Incline

Lookin' Down

The Trolly

Abi, Carter and Braden

Braden and the big fish at the Aquarium in the Zoo

The polar bear exhibit was so cool. You could

go underneath to watch them swimming over you!

I think Abi was done with pictures

Gramma, Abi and Braden

Watching the "Ephalants"

Look Grampa, I'm growing HAIR!

Although Carter is still a little baldy, he is working real hard on growing that hair on the top of his head. It doesn't look like there's much progress but just to prove that he is trying, Braden used Daddy's beard trimmer to shave a small spot on top of his head! Way to go Braden, we are so proud of you----NOT! At least he didn't shave his own head.

Our Nations Capital

Since school doesn't start until next week, we decided to take a little mini-'cation. We went to Washington DC with our new friends out here in PA, the Bloomfields. We all had a great time. Braden and Colter were the bestest of friends and had so much fun together and Carter was an angel as usual. It was fun to take the kids to see the sights even though they won't remember it and it was a great refresher from our visit here 3 years ago. We visited all the monuments, Arlington National Cemetery, some of the Smithsonian's and the Holocaust Museum. I can't say that there was a favorite part of the trip but if you ask Braden he'll tell you it was the "train" (the metro). We were happy to share this trip with our new friends and look forward to more adventures like this to come.

On the Metro

Braden and Colter being good and quiet at the Tomb of the Unknowns

Arlington National Cemetary

US Marine Corps War Memorial

(This was extra special to see because my Grampa was there when this happened.)

The Lincoln Memorial

(Braden spent a lot of the trip hunting for sticks.)

The Reflection Pool

WW II Memorial

Braden at the Washington Monument

Two good boys who are now very tired.

Mom? I pooped!

Since being out here in PA Braden has shown a great interest in the toilet, especially wearing his big boys. I was hoping to take advantage of the time before Kam begins classes to really focus on potty training. Luckily it was much easier than I thought it would be. Braden has done really well. He has been excited and on his own has told me, "oh! I gotta go pee!" I do remind him almost every half hour just to be sure, but he has only had 2 accidents. One, he peed his pants and on his lovey, the other he pooped his pants. The second time he told me, "Mom? I pooped," I quickly tried to calm myself down and readied myself to clean a dirty bum but was pleasantly surprised to find that he pooped on the toilet all by himself! I am so proud of my little, BIG boy!