Baby, it's Cold Outside!

We have enjoyed a wonderful 2011! We have just made the move from Alexandria, VA. to Lehi, UT. Not the best time to get Christmas cards out. So, here is my half attempt.

Jay just finished his Masters degree in International Affairs at George Washington University. We are so proud of all of his hard work, sleepless nights writing papers and good grades. He is excited to have a little more time to play basketball. He has also planned about 10 different camping trips now that we are back west.

Jack is 3 1/2. He is such a funny kid. He told me today that he wasn't sure he wanted Santa to come tonight because he doesn't want him to eat all of our cookies. He started speech therapy this year and has made vast improvements in his articulation. He is missing his Virginia friends but he is excited to learn to snowboard in Utah. He loves to learn and he loves to play. He asks me for a dog every day and collects hand sanitizer.

Luke just turned 1. I don't think we could have a sweeter baby. He has a charming personality and a knack for destruction. He had a little tumor removed in August and it didn't slow him down for a minute. He follows Jack around all day and can't wait to be able to keep up with him. He loves to eat and he can climb just about anything.

I am still at home with the boys, which is my very favorite thing. I can't imagine a job that would be more fulfilling or more fun. I write for a blog once a week which is a great outlet for me. I am excited to be close to family again, but will miss all of the wonderful friends we made while in Virginia.

I love this season and am so grateful to celebrate the birth of Jesus. We wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Love,
Jay, Lindsay, Jack and Luke

Battles and Birthdays

Remember how I have almost become a widow quite a few times? Well, just to keep me on my toes, Jay decided to have a scaffold fall on his head. Luckily he is fine, but he wanted to make sure that I shared his battle wound. It was a lot of blood. Even to me.


In happier news, Luke turned 1 this week! I can't believe how fast it went!! I also can't believe how much cake he ate. He isn't afraid to dig in :) I am sad that he almost isn't a baby anymore.

Gypsies

Surprise! We are moving! The time has come for us to say goodbye to the east coast. Jay is done with school on Dec. 15th and still hasn't found a job. Sad, we know. So, we are moving in with Jay's awesome parents who now reside in lovely Lehi, UT until he finds something. So, Utah friends, hold onto your knickers 'cause a party is coming to town! We are sad to leave our friends and our little life we have made here, but we are really excited to be near family, the mountains and decent hair stylists (ok, that last one is just mine).

Since we only have about 2 weeks left, we have been trying to see a few of our favorite places again. Jack and I went to Mt. Vernon on Saturday. Just the two of us. We had a great time and Jack said, "Mom, I sure like going on dates with you". He just melts my soul.



And, since I am an exceptional mother, Jack is wearing my gloves because I forgot his. Nice.


Here is Jack with Aladdin the camel. The sun was in his eyes and he uncovered them for just long enough for me to get a picture.


Jack and Luke have really started bonding. If you can call wrestling and fighting bonding :)


I have been packing, packing, packing. This means that the boys have ample time to get into things while I am not paying attention. Luke is a climber. He moved all of the things off the closet shelves so he could climb them and sit on them. He climbed up onto a packed box to get a better look at himself in the mirror. With a door stop in his mouth of course.



And just for fun, here is a picture of Luke and Jack in the same high chair close to the same age. (I think Jack was a few months older). They are finally starting to look different!! :)

The Nice List

Dear Santa,

I realize I am a bit early this year, but we are moving and I wanted to make sure I got my list out before I forgot.

I have been EXTRA good this year. I hardly ever lost my patience with my children. I never said a bad word (well, at least not any of the REALLY bad ones). I cleaned my house nearly each week. And I only let Jack watch 3 movies yesterday instead of letting him watch a 4th that we both really needed.

I realize my list is similar each year, but I think you might be confused as to exactly what I want. That is why this year, I am including pictures. I will do anything to make your life easier, Santa.


Give Mrs. Claus a hug and tell the elves that they are awesome!

Lots of love,

Linz

P.S. The puppy should count for a whole family gift. I promise to share him. Like I said, just trying to make your job easier!

Halloween Weight

Is it just me or does the food from about mid-September to Christmas just about top everything? Pumpkin cookies, pumpkin pie, spice cake, Kit Kats, Twix, turkey, sugar cookies, ham, potatoes with cream cheese....you name it. Must be the cooler weather that makes me want to turn on my oven and cook. Unfortunately, my baby weight (which is still holding strong) has now been named Halloween weight (thank-you Jack for not noticing how much candy has actually been stolen from your plastic pumpkin). Next month it will be Thanksgiving weight. You get the idea. Oh well. I should just think of it as insulation for a long winter, right? :)

Jack wanted to carve "Jack Skellington" for his pumpkin. Jay did a great job. Very spooky.




Since my kids aren't old enough to think for themselves most of the time, I took the liberty of deciding our costumes. Jack thought it was a great idea. Luke didn't really care. And Jay knows better than to argue :)


Jack loved trick-or-treating. He asked to go again today. Poor kid.


Jack made a great Scarecrow. Thank you to my sisters for once again supplying my kid's costumes :)



Everyone keeps calling Luke a girl. I think Luke is really cute, but I really hope that if we ever have a little girl she looks like me.


Our very sweet neighbor gave Jack his Christmas present early. It is a remote controlled Jeep. The boys love it and I love it because it distracts them long enough for me to make food :)


And lastly, since I just can't get enough of my sweet little Luke.....

Pumpkin Patch in Deliverance

I have really been neglecting our family blog. I can only be so creative and all of that has been going to the "other" blog. We are all still alive and happy! Well, I think anyway. Luke can't tell you otherwise yet, so I can say anything I want for him :) He would also like to say that he has the prettiest and kindest mommy.

Moving on. We treated ourselves to the pumpkin patch this year. I think Jay and I had more fun than the boys. Plus, this year I wasn't on bed rest so I really got to have fun! No contractions! Wahoo!

We went to the back woods of Virginia for our pumpkin fun. I don't think you believe me. It was truly like stepping into the heart of Appalachia. An old man banjo picker, teenager with a creepy stare and 4 teeth missing, and a motley bunch of farm animals. We were totally scared. Perfect for Halloween :)

Jack could have played on the tractor all day.

Aren't my boys the most handsome? (The answer is yes)

Luke kept trying to lick the tractor. No wonder the kid is always sick.

Further proof that my hair in the Virginia humidity NEVER looks cute.

Jack had his first pony ride. I was so excited for him! I was taking a million pictures and clapping and acting like an idiot. Turns out he wasn't really that impressed with the pony. Guess he won't help me beg for one for Christmas.

We also got to go down for baby Story's blessing. She is an angel and so cute. Geez, who knew that in the 5 years we have known each other we would have so many kids between our two families. Haha!

Waterlogged

I know the people in Texas are going to hate this post. If you are from the Lone Star State, please discontinue reading. If you are from anywhere else, prepare to feel sorry for us.

It has been raining. For a month. There have been bits of sunshine here and there. Enough to make it muggy and disgusting. Everything in the lovely state of Virginia smells like mildew.

From the hurricane, to the tropical storms, to regular storms....we are saturated. I'm about to build an ark and start collecting the animals! It never hurts to be prepared :)



This is when Jay and Jack got so bored inside during hurricane Irene that they decided to walk down to the ice cream shop. I know what you are thinking. Who lets their kid go out in a hurricane? Well, this was before it really started blowing, and quite frankly we missed the worst of it.

Our neighbors car on the other hand did not fare so well. Sadly, there is a Porsche under that tree.

Jay has spent countless hours on the phone making sure everyone in the ward has made it through each storm safely. He has been helping people take ruined carpet out of their basements and he has moved numerous couches to higher ground. I have been grocery shopping in the downpours trying to get my groceries in the car while the water swirls around my ankles. I have been running in the rain...dodging downed trees and trying not to slip in the mud. We even had a refugee at our house. (Not really, but a guy in our ward couldn't get home one night because the roads were closed so he came here for a few hours :)

I'm over it.

Over labor day we made a trip down to Yorktown beach with Jami and Scott. We were in the water for literally 4 minutes before it started pouring.


Needless to say, I did not get a tan.



Luke totally loved his first beach trip.


Until his bully of a big brother stole his toy.


And since it has been rainy, we have been home-bound. But, the boys find ways to entertain themselves.


I realize we haven't suffered nearly as much as others, so for that I am grateful. But, I would be even more grateful for some sun :)

Family Pictures

We got pictures done a little while ago down in Richmond. They were taken at the University of Richmond which was an absolutely gorgeous campus. They turned out great which is a miracle considering none of us are photogenic :) You can find our photographer's website here.