Jackson Hole

In September, Grandma and Grandpa decided they wanted to take one more "last hurrah" trip and picked Jackson Hole as the place. First of all, of course I want to see my family, and second, the Grand Tetons are one of the most incredible sights, making it one of my favorite places in the world to visit.



Dad and I flew in to meet them and two of his siblings - Carolyn and Steve - where we stayed at the Jackson Lake Lodge in cottages for three nights. First we saw the most stunning sunset from the plane. Then, driving to the lodge, the most magnificent display of stars. Dad and I were mesmorized while Steve and Carolyn laughed at us "big city folk." I can't get enough of the sky when I finally get out of the city. But in a place as remote and small as Jackson I am not sure I've ever seen such an incredible display in my life. I made sure I stood outside to take it all in each night. Seeing the Milky Way blows my big city-girl mind.

As soon as we got there it was clear Grandma was not okay. The next morning, after having breakfast with us, she went to the doctor who sent her to the hospital and that's where she stayed for the rest of the trip. My heart hurt for her. How unfair to spend your "last hurrah" trip, in one of the most beautiful places, in the hospital. And she was quite sick. Such a bummer.

We did one small hike. Here's a good view from nearly the top of one of them.

From Dad's camera: Me and Dad

Carolyn, Grandpa, Me (Steve's shot)

Wildlife? Oh yes. Bear, moose, beaver, loons, eagle, elk, deer (a doe and fawn). The encounter with the bear was a little too close for my comfort. He was across the street from the crowd but then decided he wanted to cross it... right in front of me. Between me and the bear was a park ranger with mace. That's it. Check it out (along with my "oh my gods"):

I'd go back in a heartbeat.

Until next time, Jackson...

P.S. My uncle Steve is the pro photographer in the family... see his awesome photos here and here.

Baby, You're a Firework

Well, our adorable little niece is definitely the star of the show.

She's a little firework in our lives and we love having her and her mom & papa around.
There was a big crowd down at the lake this weekend and we all had so much fun
floating in the lake, playing games, eating lots of food, watching fireworks...

Happy 4th of July!

*Title courtesy of my new obsession with Katy Perry seeing her in concert. I swear I haven't been listening to her music non-stop since then or trying to convince Jason to get pit tickets to see her live again while we're on vacation so we can be THIS CLOSE to her... That certainly doesn't sound like something I'd do...  No way...
You just gotta igniiiite the liiiight and leeeet it shiiiine, just ooown the niiiight like the fourth of July!

Jingle Bells

We spent Christmas morning with the Bells before I headed off to Utah. The funniest moment was actually on Christmas Eve. Linda found a temporary tattoo on her grandbaby and asked her, "Do you have any other tattoos I should know about?" To which Esme responded, "Not yet!" Esme's parents have many tattoos and they have always joked with Linda about tattooing the baby - the jokes started before she was even born. Needless to say, Esme's response generated many, many laughs. That is a story that is bound to live on forever.

For the record, we always laughed at people who dressed their dog.

Then we got a chihuahua mix who has the chihuahua shakes.

Rufus gets cold and needs clothes.
We don't love doing it, but the pup needs them!

Hope everyone had just as merry a Christmas as we did! 

Our Christmas Eve

  The stockings were hung by the chimney with care... 

*Those stockings (minus the snowman) are my favorite knitting projects.

Dad got cashews in his stocking... and Al got a yak that Jakob made out of clay. 

Yes, a yak. 

I think it might be her favorite present.

Dad created DVDs of all of the old family videos he could find as a gift to Allison.

We watched footage of Jakob as a newborn through one year old. 

He was the cutest kid ever.

Watching the videos now you can see his brilliant mind developing already at only a year old.

In contrast, 

that tape also contained a video of me and two friends in middle school performing 

"The Killer Salad Dressing" - an extremely compelling movie that we made up for a school project.

I remember we thought it was fantastic and hilarious at the time.

...It was terrible. Simply terrible.

Oh, the memories.

Twas a fantastic Christmas Eve.

Merry Christmas Eve Eve

Celebrating Christmas at home we'll enjoy this tree

And celebrating on Christmas morning we'll enjoy this one with this company, along with a lot more family.

Hi, dearest in-laws!

We'll also be celebrating Christmas with my family tomorrow on Christmas Eve before we (Dad, Al, and Jakob) fly out to Utah on Christmas day. I'm very excited to visit my relatives along with the mountains and snow. I love Utah. Unfortunately, Jason is staying at home because he has to work, but we'll get to celebrate together before we leave. 

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas! 

Love to all.

Still No Snow.... in DC

Last weekend I trekked down to Harrisonburg with my family to support my little bro in his First Lego League State Competition. His team didn't win anything but they did a really great job.

I managed to walk away from the weekend with my first taste of a fried oreo, my first snow of the season, and my first cold of the season thanks to the 5,000 middle schoolers I spent all day Saturday and Sunday with. Spending time with my family was really great, watching Jakob put his smarts to the test was amazing, the fried oreo was delicious beyond anything I dreamed of, and of course cheating by leaving DC to see my first snow of the season wasn't half-bad either.

So happy to see SNOOOOOW!!!!

Let's Go Caps!

While my grandparents were in town for Thanksgiving, we all went to a Caps game! It was Jakob's first professional sport game so I let him wear my (old) jersey while I Rocked the Red.

 Grandpa, Grandma, Allison, Jason, Jakob, and Dad

Best of all - the Caps won! The final score was 3-2 which they won in a shoot-out. 

I love the high of a winning game!

It was a great night full of good food, good company, and darn good athletes. I can't wait to go to another game! Let's Go CAPS!!!!

Thanksgiving

Since our families live in the same town, we are lucky enough to be able to bounce back and forth from house to house to see both of them. We're certainly thankful for that. Hopefully someday soon we'll live in the same town too!

We did our annual Turkey Trot, which Jason walked all of but I cut short so I could cook pumpkin pancakes for everyone! I didn't take the camera out much this year, but the ladies cooked up a great feast.

One of my favorite things about spending time with my with my family is hanging out with my brother. He keeps me young!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We are most thankful for you - our family and friends.

Oh, Happy Day!

October 9th has long been a day for celebration in my life.  Lucky little nine year old Kaitlyn got a new set of family 16 years ago today!  Happy Anniversary to my parents!!!  Here's wishing you many, many more joyful years together.  We can't wait to celebrate with you guys tonight!

AND just two years ago, October 9th welcomed a new little lady into the world.  Happy 2nd Birthday to our sweet niece, Esme!  We love watching you grow and change.  You have become such a sweet, smart, and fun little girl!  Hugs and Kisses from your Aunt Kait, Uncle Jason, and "Ruf"!

Happy Birthday, Jakob!

My little brother is quickly growing up. Today he turns TWELVE. I can't believe it. He is one of my favorite people in the world. Not only did he save me from being an only child (I HATED being an only child), but he has taught me so many things about life. One of the first things he taught me was to change baby boys' diapers very quickly. I didn't know what a backhoe was until he became crazed about trucks and construction vehicles when he was a little tyke. Now he constantly talks about things that I've never even heard of in the science world and excitedly explains them to me. He's not my child, but I watched him grow and remember every bit of it. I'm thankful that I know how difficult and rewarding it can be to be a parent as I watch him grow up.

To my super smart, hilariously devious, and all-around awesome little brother: Happy 12th Birthday!!! I love you so much!!!

Grandma's Birthday on the Vineyard

Sorry it's been almost two weeks since my last entry! We have been house-hunting like crazy (more on that later) and also had a very nice vacation!  On Tuesday night we got back from a great five day trip with my family to Martha's Vineyard for Grandma's big birthday bash.

Allison and Karen planned it all - from the food to the most meaningful gifts. Here is the birthday lady with the gift that brought her to tears - photos, letters, and notes from friends and family all put together in a book. What you don't see is a big box also full of cards and more photos that she received. Happy Birthday, Grandma!

The next day, a few of her friends joined us in celebrating and we had a giant lobster bake. It was full of all sorts of delicious food other than lobster: corn, sausage, mussels, clams, onions, and potatoes.

It required lots of heat (propane flame) to cook and the outcome was delicious.

Karen and Allison also spent all day cooking delicious hors d'oeuvres and sides to go with the bake. It was a deliciously fun time for all.

While we were there, we went to the beach a couple of times. Dad, Jason, Al, Grandpa, and Grandma (with Sam but you can't really see him) enjoy the water.

Jakob's favorite thing to do was dig holes for himself and then try to get out of them without help.

There was a lot of digging by our group. We didn't leave the beach quite as flat as we found it. Here Karen and Abby dig a hole. Emma curled up in a towel and sat with Jason listening to the waves for a while.

Jason had fun building sand castles and digging holes in the water with Abby and Emma.

Abby sits in the sand digging and watching the waves. Sam didn't love the sand very much until Grandma held him here for a good 30 minutes. He got used to it and might actually like it now!

Beach Bells

Jason and Sammy, the blue-eyed boys!

Jammed into the car on the way off of the beach to get to the cars to take us home!

Al, Jason, Jake, and I went to the beach early one morning and had it all to ourselves.

We also did some sailing and sight-seeing of all of the sites we've seen many times before but still love. We watched a bird dry its wings off near the sailing dock. In Menemsha we walked along the dock to look at all of the fishing goods.

I spent a little time trying to get a good picture of this little guy off of the boat dock for my mother-in-law.

The Chappy ferry - the "On Time" ferry.

The water from Edgartown

On the plane home we got a great view of the island - you can see the actual shape of the island like you see on a map!

Big thanks to my parents for taking us with them up to the Vineyard and to my Grandparents for having us stay with them! We love you all!