Playing around D.C.for Graduation weekend

Tyson took his parents to a few of the tourist locations around D.C. They have both been here several times so they knew the 4 spots they wanted to see. 

WWII Memorial, The Holocaust Museum, Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, and Arlington Cemetery 

Tyson's Grandfather came up on the search results at the Memorial 

Sherrod Smith Jr. 

Mt. Vernon

It wasn't apart of our original plans but when Tyson's brother, Todd, told us about the bus tour they had reserved, we decided to join in! 

Taryn adored her cousins Alyssa and Harrison. She said every night that she wanted to see "cousins" and asked "where is lyssa?" "where is Harrison?" She even said she wanted "Uncle Todd" one night :)

I took these two girls to see the animals on the Mt. Vernon estate. They both touched the soft lambs wool as the baby lambs moved about their pens. Taryn wanted the bulls to eat the hay from her hands so badly. I'm glad that they didn't want to !!

Overlooking the Potomac River

Taryn was in her element with animals, open grass fields, dirt and rocks

Arlington Cemetery was very busy the day before Memorial Day but I couldn't think of a better way to start off this Holiday. We saw the little flags placed at every grave (over 400,000 grave sites) and while we were visiting, there were large groups of people distributing roses to each grave. 

Taryn sat on Tyson's shoulders while watching the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider. I think she had the best spot in the house! 

The weekend flew by but we had a lot of fun being with family and taking them around D.C./ VA

He's a SAIS Graduate

We had a wonderful time celebrating on Thursday (and through the weekend) for Tyson's graduation.
These past two years have truly flown by. Taryn was only 6 months old when Tyson began at SAIS! We've lived in Bologna, Italy and now in Washington D.C. It's been a great adventure, taking us thousands of miles, meeting many people from around the world, Tyson writing and reading (and more reading and writing...) and us growing so much over the last few years. Tyson has worked so hard to make it this far and we are so proud of him.

Taryn was so excited to see Tyson graduate. When it was his turn to walk across the stage, she began yelling, "There's my Daddy!" over and over again. From the top of (what I call) the nose bleed section of the DAR auditorium, I'm pretty sure everyone could hear her! It made me so happy and I know that  Tyson loved seeing his daughter cheering and waving like crazy for him.

Tyson and Taryn walking to SAIS for the Reception after Graduation.

Sitting for 3 hours during a Graduation Ceremony- yeah- not her thing. After awhile we spent our time  at the top of the auditorium while Taryn ran up and down some empty rows. Thanks to Grandma Smith, Taryn had a new little stuffed dog and some goodies to keep her occupied. She was very happy to run outside when the ceremony was done.

Once a Sun Devil, always a Sun Devil- Go ASU!

We were so happy to have Tyson's parents come in from Arizona and spend the weekend with us. Also we were lucky to have one of Tyson's brothers, Todd and his family out for the weekend too! We had not seen them all since last August. It was a great weekend of catching up and enjoying time together. 

Congratulations Tyson!!!

Pictures!!!! I now have pictures!!!! When my parents came to visit for the weekend

I can't tell you how long these past few months have seemed without a camera. I was so sad because I felt like Taryn really grew a lot! She is super tall now and her hair (thanks to the humidity) is just amazing!

Hey pretty blue eyed girl

My parents came down for a very quick trip last weekend and we were so happy to have them. Taryn was so happy to show "Bamma" and "Bampa" her baby robbin eggs in our backyard. Those cute little eggs hatched and we now have 4 baby robbins in a nest that Taryn constantly checks on daily.

We spent time with Brittany and Seth and my parents on Sunday and on Monday I was able to show my parents to the Library of Congress. I had been there so many times for Story Time with Taryn in the past but had never seen the upstairs of the Thomas Jefferson Building. It was amazing and brought me back to my days of studying Art History in Italy. 

Such a curious little girl

Taryn and I picked a bench inside the Great Hall to enjoy a snack together. 

I promise that Taryn was so excited every time we were able to ride an escalator with "Bamma" and "Bampa" (even though her face doesn't show it in the picture!) Taryn would run up and hold hands with my Dad, my mom, or me as she took her other hand to hold onto the railing. Her favorite part was jumping with Grandpa at the end of the ride. She was in heaven considering that she just starting riding escalators senza stroller. So many fun adventures! She is getting too big!

Baby # 2

Tuesday morning we found out that baby #2 is a 

GIRL!

We are so excited for Taryn to have a little sister.

Before heading to the appointment to find out the gender, Tyson asked Taryn what she wanted mommy to have (girl/boy) and she said Girl. I'm glad she wanted a little sister because that's what she is going to get!

Unlike our first time around with Taryn, we know for sure that we are having a girl. We saw a very clear picture twice- about ten minutes apart from each other. We were happy to have two people confirm that we are having a girl. We were not going to leave until there was a firm answer 

(thanks baby#2 for cooperating so well.) 

No surprises this time!!

"Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a Mother."

I loved this video about Mother's, and the quote at the end, 

"Life doesn't come with a manual, it comes with a Mother."

I taught Relief Society today in church and the lesson was on Sacred Family Relationships. Of course, I focused on mothers and the roles they play in our lives. It was such a great experience listening to women comment on how mothers, aunts, sisters, and friends have influenced the lives of so many around them.

I'm grateful for the wonderful mother & mother-in-law that I have to look up to. 

Taryn is such a sweet gift and I am thankful that I can be her mother. I hope that I can teach her many things about life, about her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, and how to influence the world for good. She is a wonderful little girl and I feel so lucky to have her in our family. I know she will be a great big sister!

This Mother's Day was so great for me. Tyson and Taryn made this day fun and special and I am so blessed to have them!

Happy Mother's Day

18 week Belly shot and the weekend

18 Weeks

(This is for you, Brooke!)

My mid section did some serious overnight growth! Just a few days ago, I still had the "5 pieces of chocolate cake" belly. But then, over just a few nights, I popped! And I was totally feeling it yesterday after church. Human bodies are amazing things- making room for the little one!

I felt this little one move first just before I was 16 weeks. Those movements have skyrocketed over the past two weeks. I love feeling those little kicks. I feel like it's a peaceful way to know baby is still growing between doctor appointments (besides this new midsection accessory!)

Sometimes I feel like a little kid, but I LOVE being outside with Taryn! Sifting through the sand with her or helping her learn how to climb up a new piece of playground equipment. It's not wonder that she knows exactly what direction each park is in, If I deviate from those courses, she gets so sad (like when I try to walk to Costco!)

  I'm excited to pick strawberries for the first time in my life with Taryn at Schlagel Farms (the same place we got our pumpkins!) hopefully soon before all the strawberries are gone!

My baby sister is not a little girl any more! She leaves on Wednesday to begin her 18 month mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I am so excited for Brooke and I know I will miss talking to her cute, funny, full of personality self! St. Louis, Missouri- you sure are lucky to have her :) She told me that when she returns, our 2nd child will be 1 year old exactly. How crazy is that?!?

This past weekend we spent a fun Saturday morning together as a family (so rare!!!) We took a variety of buses and the metro to get to the church in order to clean it from top to bottom. Tyson's calling is Facilities Coordinator so every three months he goes every Saturday in that month to clean the building. I really enjoy the process because I feel so great the next Sunday, going to church in a building that I can contribute to in cleaning and making it beautiful. The adventure continued as we walked around parts of Arlington and Alexandria- dreaming of our future home and Tyson hoping that one day his Saturdays will include mowing a big lawn and cutting bushes (no joke- that's his dream and I love it!) Old Town Alexandria was bustling with Saturday morning crowds. We saw cute little boutiques all of which I want to go through and those cute trollies that Taryn loved! We found a fun new place to eat at and we promised that we would be back soon to Old Town so we can enjoy the Saturday Farmer's Market. 

It was a great weekend that ended with a family lunch with my Uncle & cousin that we haven't seen in ages! I love that I also have a sister close by to join in on the fun.

I blinked, now April is over!

Don't really know where April went, but I know it's been a fun month!

The days have been beautiful and long. 

We spent a great day at the zoo just last week. Taryn was so excited- running around everywhere- watching the animals play. She is growing up so much it's incredible.

Taryn has started to call me "Mom" instead of "mommy" or "mama." This actually breaks my heart. And now Tyson is being called "Dad" instead of "daddy."

 She's just too little to be calling us such grown up names. It makes me feel old.

Tyson is neck deep in school. The other day he came home after a long day and changed into his pajamas. He came out with his shirt on backwards - a true sign that it had been a long day. We laughed until our sides hurt because we know that wrapping up school is only made easier through laughter. Only 3 more weeks of school left!

17 weeks along and I'm feeling great! 

 I can no longer stay awake and functioning past 9:30pm. 

And I used to be able to stay awake while watching a movie with Tyson. 

Yeah- that doesn't happen any more.

We're jumping into May, as it will be a very busy month full of family, BIG events like Graduation, and so much more.

**2 years ago we were in almost the exact same position we are in now (graduation, jobs, baby, moving, lots of decisions to be made!). Maybe that's why I've been relatively more calm this time around.