Farewell.

I don't know what I have done to deserve to have such wonderful friends.  Our time in Virginia wouldn't have been the same without these amazing people that we've had the blessing to call our friends.  I don't know what I would have done without play dates for the kids (and for me), girls' nights, invitations to dinner, random visits with treats, invitations to your children's birthdays, Christmas dinners, weekend game nights, the last minute let's do lunch together and talk for hours and hours...etc, etc.  I feel so incredibly blessed.  Words cannot describe how grateful I am for all of you, who I call friends.  Thank you for your genuine friendship.  You have made this time of having a husband in medical school, not only bearable but fun...so fun I wish I didn't have to leave...or better yet, I wish I could bring you all with us.   

The Lemke's had us over to celebrate Katie's graduation from nursing school and Scott's graduation from med school.  We've had some fun times with these guys.  They are both so fun to be around. 

Dave is a super talented bass and guitar player.  

The kids loved that he took out his guitar and let them play. 

Thanks for being wonderful Lemke's.  

******

Last Saturday, some of our friends threw us and the Nelson's (who are also moving) a farewell party.  

It was so fun to have quite a few of our favorite people there at the same time. 

Our bishop and his sweet wife Marilyn.  Bishop Forsyth is an Idaho boy like Scott and Marilyn is this amazing, gentle, humble woman, who has been such a good example to me.  She is so fit and runs marathons! We have loved our association with them.  

Holly and Breckin...I love these two! It's always a good time with them.

Brooke and Brooke. 

Brooke is so awesome.  Any time we get together I am always laughing.  

I don't know what Scott is telling Brady and Ozzie, but they obviously think it's funny!:)

The Kofford's are just amazing people.  Aaron was my brother's mission companion.  He is such a genuine man and we love his wife Yvette. 

Brooke was loving all of the attention. 

Here Brooke is chillin' with one of her favorite boys, Leo (who I call the miracle baby).  

With Jenny and Brooke.

The Jones' are such a fun family.  

Melissa taught Braden's primary class this last year and she was amazing teaching those CTR 4's while pregnant.  

While Scott and I were chatting away upstairs, Brielle and Braden were having the time of their lives in the basement with their little friends. 

Such good little kids. 

Jenny has been such a wonderful friend.  So glad we signed up Lilly and Brielle to ballet together so we can become good friends.  Lillly, Brielle and Braden also took a swimming class together. 

...and I will miss this girl, Holly, more than I can say.

What am I going to do without your random visits Holly? 

and your yummy treats? and our conversations?

...and oh the Lacey's.  I don't think I have ever met a more thoughtful couple.  I love them both!

I have learned a lot from you Alisha. Thank you for teaching me to be thoughtful and giving. 

Thanks for being the mastermind behind this party, Alisha.  

Thank you for making us feel loved. 

Brooke's future husband, Cooper. 

Brooke's future mother-in-law, Breckin, ha ha!:)

I wouldn't mind, I always have a good laugh when I'm around Breckin...and she's been my hairdresser these last 4 years. 

The Nelson's, who are also moving to Utah.  Ben is graduating from Law School this Saturday.

Such a cute family. 

Glad we will be close to them! 

Mac, who so willingly allowed us to come invade her house. Oh how I will miss Mac.  I have been Mac's visiting teacher for the last 3 years and what a blessing it has been for me.  I'm so glad that we were able to cultivate our friendship.  I have learned so much from you Mackie. 

This post is making me teary eyed.  

Thanks to everyone who came to wish us well.  

I'm sad that I didn't get pictures with everyone who came.  

I will remember all of you always. 

Around Here│Last Weeks in Virginia

In two weeks, we will be driving away from what has been our home these last 4 years.  

We've started to pack.  Not my favorite...but we've also been enjoying our last weeks here in Virginia. 

I am sad to leave so many memories here.  

But it's true what they say, that you take in your heart a little part of every place you live. 

That's what I plan on doing. 

The older children put their little sister in a box one day and were pulling her around the house.  

I don't think Brooke minded one bit.  

She LOVES her big brother and sister. 

Messy, messy baby.  She was so sleepy eating her dinner and she kept rubbing her eyes and getting carrots all over her face.  We all had a good laugh...I don't think she thought it was very funny!:)

Brooke has gotten incredibly mobile...we can't let our guard down, otherwise she will get into mischief.  

She is into EVERYTHING.  Not particularly good timing, since our house has been a HUGE mess lately, with boxes and packing. 

She is particularly interested in crumbs or little things on the floor.  

She is very determined and will concentrate and pick up whatever she finds with her two little fingers...and then of course proceeds to put in her mouth! I had forgotten about this oral fixation babies have! EVERYTHING goes in their mouth.

One day, Brielle went into Brooke's room to get something and came out telling that I 'had' to come see Brooke.  This is what I found! That little bum is just so cute!

******

We've been enjoying some warm days here in Virginia.  One day, Holly called and invited us to go to the splash park.  We of course had to join her and our buddy Preston. 

We had a great time and it made me wish I could get wet too! 

These two are good little buddies, despite the age difference, Braden is 5 and Preston is 3.  You wouldn't know it though because Preston is as tall as Braden!:) They play well together...they get along most of the time!:) 

We have a tradition in our home at dinner time, where we ask Brielle and Braden, the best and worst part of their day.  Preston has made the best part of Braden's day quite a few times this last month...and I think Holly has made the best part of my day too quite a few times!:) 

******

We headed to the National Zoo in D.C. one last time. 

Sad Brielle missed it! :(

There is always something so intriguing about watching these animals. 

Such amazing creations.

Preston and Braden have the same pair of shoes...except Preston's are a size bigger!:) 

Not the best picture of anyone BUT it is the memory that counts! It was a hot, humid day that day. 

We had an enjoyable time!

******

My brother's girlfriend, Tasnim, invited us to go to a cruise of D.C. 

It was so thoughtful of her and it was perfect, just what we needed to say goodbye to this wonderful city. 

My brother and Tasnim met up with us at the Washington Harbor.  Kem rode his bike and Tasnim was riding in the back...we all thought it looked like fun so Kem gave us all a ride while we waited to board on our cruise. 

We are going to miss Kemchu so, so much.  

He enriches our life. 

He is my favorite brother!:)

Two people...

Three people...

Four people! 

I'm so sad we didn't think of grabbing Brooke! It would have been an awesome photo of the whole family!

We LOVED this cruise of DC! 

D.C. is just a beautiful place. 

I am so happy that we got to experience it and live here. 

We were telling our kids the other day, that they got to live in our nation's capital and now they get to live in our Church's headquarters! How lucky are we? 

Tasnim, this was perfect! Thank you! 

There is 5 of us...man! Since Brooke has been born I'm always worried that I'm missing someone.  I always have to count to make sure I have everyone! The other day, we were all walking outside and our good neighbor saw us and said hi and then said, "WOW! Look at you! There's so many of you!"

We laughed.

It's always fun to see the monuments from a different perspective.  

So much beauty.

With their tío Kem! Those kids love their Kemchu.  

That how Braden refers to my brother,

'my Kemchu'. 

Right after our cruise of D.C. we saw these helicopters flying over head.  

It must have been someone important because there were 3 of them...and one of them was equipped with rockets...crazy! 

What a fun day we had! 

We are definitely going to miss this place.