A home at last!!!

So we have a home... we think.
After waiting for almost 3 months to hear back about the short-sale home we put a bid on shortly after moving here, our offer was finally accepted by the bank last Friday. We had the home inspection yesterday and are anxiously awaiting all the final things, including financing and closing, not to mention signing our lives away...

We are so excited!!! We had finally given up and were going to start looking at new homes when we got back from Christmas break, but then the call came and things are finally looking up.

I won't post pictures until it is all final and we know for sure we are moving in, because really it still seems surreal. But we'll find out soon ! Woo hoo!!!

These Boys are Trouble

One of our favorite things about living here in Washington is being so close to friends and family. We have been able to spend a lot of time with the Dietz family which has been wonderful. Collin and Lil' Martin are about a month apart and boy are they trouble (just like their dads). It is so fun to see these two crazy and cute boys. What fun little guys.

Ravioli Magnifico!

Well Adam signed me up to make raviolis for our ward Christmas party and so I figured it was about time to practice what my Grandma taught me. It was a fun little adventure and Collin loved helping. It was so fun having a little helper. We had some Christmas music going and decided it would be a new beginning of December tradition.
The raviolis turned out pretty good for my first time, but of course plenty of room for improvement. I sure wish I could have called Grandma with all my questions, but I know she would have been proud. I am so grateful that she took the time to teach me how to make some special Italian dishes. I will always cherish those memories and hopefully make some more yummy Italian cooking memories with my children.

He even helped me turn the crank on the pasta maker, with a little help of course.I love this picture. He was so interested. That sweet little boy.

YUMMY!!! Now if only I could send you all some in the mail. Wouldn't that be a pleasant surprise :)

Get 'em started early

Sometimes I think we have too much fun with this little guy. Ok, maybe that's impossible.

As many of you know, I am an avid soccer player, so I figured that I better get Collin started early if he is going to be an International superstar. We've got a few fundamentals to work on, but we'll get him into league play in 6 months or so.

Washingtonians

We are now in Washington. It's fun starting a new adventure. Here is a picture from the balcony of our apartment on a nice foggy morning.

So now that we are in a bigger apartment we have room for our table and all four chairs! Collin can sit at the table now and he figured out that he can get his feet up when he gets bored. The joys of growing up.


Now that we are here, we are close to my best friend growing up and his wife. This is all of us at a Mariners' game.


We bought a piano from our neighbors right when we left. Collin loves to help mommy play.


He also decided that he owns our glider chair. He loves to climb up on it and read his books.

Finally, here he is at our ward's Halloween party dressed up as an elephant. We were amazed that he kept the hood on and didn't try to yank the trunk off.

We are excited to be here and we are having fun getting to know the area. My job is good and we are working on getting a house. Jenn will have to write more later.

Walking just makes him crazier

So Collin is officially walking! Woo hoo! that's what we thought at first, but man, this kid is crazy. We thought he got into everything before, but we were sure surprised. Although he makes our life more hectic, we can't imagine life without this sweet, crazy, fun little guy. He is so cute walking all over. He loves to go outside and today he walked down the sidewalk all by himself (with us close behind of course, please we aren't that careless). Our little boy is growing up. He is now a "toddler" and I finally understand why they use that term. See for yourself how adorable his toddle is...

Life continues on

Hey y'all. So it must seem that we have disappeared. I have to admit I just haven't been in a blogging mood. Sometimes it really takes thinking and planning to blog and considering that while Collin's awake I have to keep an eye on him and while he's sleeping I just want to relax and recuperate, I just never find time to blog. But I know I should fill everyone in on what is going on in our lives. SO... We are doing wonderful. Adam is furiously working on his thesis and hoping to turn in a final draft next Monday the 17th. He will then defend it on the 31st and we will head up to Washington around the 5th. If however, things don't work out how we planned, which is usually the case since life is full of surprises. Our plans will be pushed back two weeks, not a biggie, I just have to keep reminding myself to be patient and know that whatever happens is for the best, since the Lord is in charge, not me. Thank goodness.

So Collin and I are enjoying the summer. We like to go to the pool and enjoy long walks to the Temple. I have picked up gardening and I love it. I am growing tomatoes, yellow squash, bell peppers, and honeydew melon. We have been able to eat tomatoes and yellow squash so far and it is such a delight. It has been so fun to watch these plants grow from seeds.

We were able to go to Arizona in May with our good friends the Dietzs. We had so much fun. We can't wait to live closer to them and watch our little guys grow up together.