Freezer Jam

It has been so much fun to get to be in this fruit land. Yakima is known for growing fruit. Everywhere you drive there are fruit orchards. It is funny because anytime we are in the car and Kate can see trees she starts asking which kind of fruit is on the trees. When we first got here we found some great fruit stands that have the best fruit and vegetables. I have never tried making freezer jam before and I have always wanted to learn because it is one of our favorites. So I thought this was the best place to try it out. We made strawberry and peach jam which turned out so yummy. It was very easy and so much fun. Kate loves helping in the Kitchen so she was very excited.

Trouble, Trouble and more Trouble

Savannah taught me very fast the things I needed to baby proof in our new home. The first is we have a step to the sink so Kate can always reach and wash her own hands. Well I learned fast to change that because Savannah would climb up on the step turn the water on (which is always hot because it is on the side she can reach) and either climbs into the sink in Hot water or will pretend she is washing her hair. I thought her pretending to wash her hair was very entertaining but I didn't however think her climbing into the sink was because she was screaming because the water was so hot.

The second is she gets into my make up that is in drawers under my sink. I had found her a couple of times but stopped her before it was to much of a mess, but as you can see I didn't get to her in time to stop this one. She is always wanting to put lipstick on so she got her chance. I must say I couldn't be upset at this one because I remember some stories of myself that were much like this. As soon as I came into my bathroom she was saying "lips, lips" and I knew what had happen before I even saw here. I found her in my shower with the biggest smile like she could not even believe how beautiful she was.


Now that we have both bathrooms Savannah proofed her days are not quite as interesting. She is so entertaining and sometime i cannot believe how much she knows. She hears and sees everything we do and I am constantly amazed at how smart she is.

Kate's Favorite place

We live just a couple of blocks from an elementary school that has a very fun park. It makes it nice because we can either walk or ride our bikes. At least once a day everyday Kate asks if she can go to the park. She says her favorite part about living in "The Washington" is her park. Hopefully the weather will stay warm long enough so we can keep going. Kate has gotten so good at the monkey bars and can even move to one bar by herself. She also has gotten quite brave when it comes to the slides, I never thought that would happen):. Savannah on the other hand thinks she is old enough for every toy there including the slides. I have to be up on the toys with her at all time or I think I would have a little girl try to jump off of the play set.

The Hop Festival

The weekend after we moved here there was the annual Hop festival going on. The town we live in is the capital for hops. For all of those who are like us, and didn't know what they were I will explain. They are a green vein that has a little almost green looking berry on them that is used in beer. They are everywhere and are very pretty. So when we had told my dad this he of course knew what hops were and thought the new town we live in along with the festival was the next best thing. So besides the different beer exhibits it was very fun. They had a lot of games for the kids and good food. We had a very fun time and can't wait to get to go next year!!!

This is a picture I took of the hops growing on the road besides our house.

Yes, we are still here....

So I have been a bad blogger and I have alot to catch up on. I am going to try to get caught up in the next couple of days or so. One of the biggest reasons I have been preoccupied is because I have been reading the TWILIGHT books!!!! And once I started the first I couldn't stop. Let me just start out by saying I have never ever read a book by choice, I don't enjoy reading and would never choose to do it in my spare time. Well my sister Rachel had told me about the book Twilight and told me she loved it and was trying to get me to read it, I still didn't want to take the time because as soon as she told me there were Vampires I thought no way is that going to be at all interesting to me!! Well she persisted and mailed it to me. I thought if sister who too like me, has never really liked reading a book is going to this much trouble to get me to read it, I better at least see what I think. Well a little over a week and I finished with all 4 books and absolutely loved them!!!!! I could not stop reading once I started and to tell you the truth I had no idea that I could do that. I loved everything about them, and yes I did love the ending, surprising in a way but at the same time it was exactly what I wanted. I cannot wait to see the movie, but I am afraid that I might be a little disappointed with the Edward, because he was much different in my mind and better looking. But maybe when I see it I will change my mind. I am trying to get Nicholas to read them but he does have some more important books that he will have to read before. If only school books could have Vampires and Werewolves.. If you have not yet read them you need to, it was so worth my time and who knows maybe this will be the start of more books. I am at least proud of myself that I can actually finish a book. who knew!!!

We made it to WASHINGTON !!!!

Well we are here in Yakima and couldn't be happier. We had a long move but are now pretty much settled. We left July 28th in our big 26 foot truck that was packed to the top, along with our car and van!! It defently makes me not want to move for a long time because I know our stuff will not be decreasing it will only grow so I can't even imagine what size of truck we will have next time :).... We absoulty love our new home and the town we live in. We live in a little town outside of Yakima that is only about 1,100 people. It is a very fun family friendly neighborhood. We love our new ward and are excited to get to know the people better. They have been so warm and welcoming. We had about 5 different poeple come and help move us in when we arrived and were so thankful. It would have taken my Dad and Nicholas probably a week to unload it all. Kate and Savannah have done really well and are adjusting to being roomates. Kate is constantly telling us that she loves her new house in "the Washington" and her favorite thing is the park. ( We have a fun park about 5 blocks from our house and we have loved going to it. Vanny is grown up especially fast and is talking so much. I looked at her the other day and realized that she is not my baby anymore :(. Nicholas started school last week and is really enjoying it. We actually have all adjusted to his school better than I have thought we would have. His school has some fun things for the families and seems like they are very intrested in making sure there is time for families, which we have loved. He likes all of his professors and they really want to help the students do well. Everyone in this community is all very excited about this new medical school so it has been fun. It is very wierd to not have Nicholas with us constanly, but we knew we couldn't live at ALamo Storage forever. I on the other hand cannot believe how weird it is to not be running Storage units. It is so nice to be able to do anything go anywhere anytime of the day, and not have to worry about getting intrupted. We have loved our freedom, but we might maybe, maybe miss it when we have to pay rent, but probably not:).

Thank you to everyone who helped us move it was so nice and even the smallest acts of service were very well appreciated. We miss everyone but know we will have to be even better at blogging so our families can stay in touch with us. I will try to get caught up in the next couple of days and post some pictures!!!!!

I am spoiled

Today was my Birthday and I am the big 2-4!!! I know I know I am getting old:). I woke up to breakfast in bed. Kate and Nicholas had made me German Pancakes, my favorite. I then was told that I had an appointment at 12:30 and it was a surprise...So at about 12:10 Nicholas told me to go get in the car and follow the instructions on the GPS to where I was suppose to go...I was very excited and had no idea where I was headed. I got to the building and saw a skin care office and a dental office. I meant to walk into the skin care office but wasn't watching what I was doing and accidentally went into the dental office. I asked if I had an appointment and the ladies couldn't find me in there computer so finally I explained and they told me "oh hunny this is the dentist you do not want to be here" and she was right out I ran. So I found the skin care office and found out I was getting a European facial!!!! I was shocked, along time ago I had mentioned that I would love to get one and my wonderful husband is so good at stuff like this that he of course remembers. I swear he does better at romantic things than I do. It was awesome and I think I would say it is better than a message!!!! I would recommend it to anyone. My face feels so smooth and I might even say younger:). So then Nicholas and went to the Movie "Hancock". We had no idea what it was even about so at first we were a little surprised because it was about a superhero. But overall we liked it except for the excessive swearing. Our bishop's daughters watched our girls which worked out great. We have never left our girls with anyone but family so I was a little worried at first but knew the girls would love it. I have done activity days with both of them so my girls knew who they were, so Kate was very excited. We came home and both of them had barrettes in their hair and pony tails. It was hilarious because I know who's idea that was. Kate was in heaven and couldn't stop talking about how much fun they had. Then to top off the perfect day Nicholas and Kate made me the best chocolate cake ever. They also sprayed me with silly string and it made Savannah so scared she wouldn't stop crying and wouldn't let go of me, she was a little worried I was huurt I think poor babe. I am a very luck wife and mother and sometimes I can't quite figure out why I have the best little family. I don't mean to make this post any longer than it is or to brag but Nicholas is such an amazing person and I feel extremely blessed to have him as my husband and father of my kids. He makes me always want to be better and is always helping and serving us any way he knows how. Thank you for making my day special Nicholas, Kate and Savannah I will always remeber it!!!!!

A day at the Dentist

Yesterday we all had appointments to go to the Dentist. We wanted to get it done before we move. This was the second time Kate had gone and she did so great, I swear as she is getting older she gets more brave!!! She was cavity free and couldn't believe that she got a princess toothbrush even. Nicholas and I however were not as excited as Kate but are glad we won't have to go back, well at least me:), sorry Hun there is like getting cavities filled, not fun.