BEANTOWN

Mike and I got to play in Boston this weekend for a couple days. It was alot of fun!It was the first time I have left the boys overnight and longer EVER. We enjoyed our time. I really love Boston. I think you really need more than a couple days to enjoy all it has to offer. Thanks to my parents who watched the boys for us. We really appreciated your willingness to watch them for us. We know they can be a handful.

Mike on the Beantown Trolley.

Hudson Bay Tour. This was really cool!

That sign says CODZILLA. Its a speed boat ride sure to thrill (especially when the water this time of year is 38 degrees). We didnt ride it!. We rode the big boat behind it.

Paul Revere's grave.

Granary Cemetary was my favorite part of Boston.

I got so emotional there that tears filled my eyes as we walked around. Three of things that Mike and I felt so impressed by were: 1) One person CAN make a difference. 2) The "Law of Sacrfice" is always required to acomplish the Lords work, and the "Principle of Compensation" will follow. ("The third thing we can do is understand the principle of compensation. The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in His own way. While it may not come at the time we desire, the faithful will know that every tear today will eventually be returned a hundredfold with tears of rejoicing and gratitude".- Joseph B. Wirthlin)

3) The Lord uses imperfect people to accomplish his will and strengthens that person and refines them during their mission.



Mother Gooses Grave. Yes, she was a real person.


Quincy Mass. Home of John Adams and John Q. Adams. Also the birthplace of John Hancock.


Saltbox home, birthplace of John Adams in Quincy, MA

Liberty Tree


My Favorite President, John Adams. This guy was amazing. Need a good read?-
Read John Adams by David McCullough.

Quicy Market at Night. So beautiful.

Best Cowder!! Blackstone Grill. Union street by Faneuil Hall. Loved it!!

The Fish and Chips were so-so.
CHEERS! Me snuggling up to Kelsey Grammer. ok cardboard but who cares. He knows my name, right?

Our Subway stop. Just so happened that the train we were waiting for Friday night was shot at with an unknown object prior to arriving at the station. They said it was either rocks, a bebe gun or a 22 pistol...oh how comforting! No one was injured, thank goodness.
Faneuil Hall
Love , Love, Love Boston. Hope to visit again someday.

HELMUT

Here are some pictures of the "mullet master", Zachary. Look at this kids hair right now.

I hesitate to cut it off because he is so studly. I love watching him ride his bike. All you can see is his blond mullet hanging out the back of his biking helmet. So funny! I love his straight blond doo.

As my Aunt Mary says "We're W.T. and we're proud"!

By the way, Zachary learned to ride his bike without training wheels. Can you believe this kid?

I know, hes not like a parrot singing Ave Maria or anything, but it amazed me! He told Mike the other day "Im ready to learn to ride without my training wheels". So, after a few minute's of instruction he took off on his own. We are so proud of him. Here is some video. There is a little crash at the end. Poor Tanner, he was ok, but geez!

Asher is TWO!!!

These are my two year old pictures that we took yesterday! Im still cute, even though I didnt want to look at the camera.
I cant believe my baby is two years old. He is getting so big. He is already a giant for his age. I look like Im trying to cuddle a watermelon when I'm carrying him around.
Here are the stats:
Height : 39.5 inches (98th percentile)
Weight : 34.1 (94th percentile)
This boy is sure to be a big guy.His weight surprised me because at home our scale said he was heavier. But I was grateful in some ways, cuz maybe that means I'm a few pounds lighter too! So far, he will be our tallest son based on projection.
Asher is a sweetheart most of the time. Recently he has started to hit other kids when he playing. Im hoping this is just a stage. Usually he is really nice.
He loves to give "huggies" and kisses (especially loves to kiss Jenny P! On the lips no less). He has two things that he must watch everyday. Sometimes multiple times a day. Baby Doolittle ( all about animals) and Blues Clues.

Asher loves to eat string cheese, scrambled eggs, mac n cheese, broccoli, green beans, black beans, cold corn, yogurt, chips of any kind, Hershey kisses, pizza, lunch meat, fruit of any kind, lollipops and lemonade.

He has been dying to ride a bike like the kids. So, we got him a bike for his birthday and he is learning to ride it. In just a few days he is doing new stuff on it. He learns so quickly.

He can name at least 10 of the letters of the alphabet.

He is in a phase right now where he wont eat breakfast cereal. Only savory breakfast items like eggs, bacon, bagels with cream cheese.- Kinda weird but he doesn't like the sugary stuff. I dont blame him. I dont like sweet stuff for breakfast either.

He loves the moon and wants to see it as much as possible. He also loves the book GOODNIGHT MOON and can point out everything on the pages.

Asher loves to color. He calls it "Blue Cayon" when he wants crayons.

He loves to play with trains
He has a blankie he calls "BEE" and he must have BEE and a "pil-woo" (pillow) to sleep.
He loves to go outside and explore. He plays in dirt and flowerbeds with shovels for hours. When he is ready to go outside, he begs for his shoes.
He adores the twins and can say their names. He calls Tanner "Nanna".
He really loves grandmas, grandpas and aunts and uncles. For some reason he always asks for Neal. Which is strange since Neal hasnt lived close to us since January of this year. Neal must have left quite and impression on Asher.
We love this little monkey. We are so glad he is ours. What a precious boy he is.

Love you Asher! Happy Birthday

Is there anything cuter than a baby in white? I dont think so!
This tree has been in bloom every year on Ashers birthday
I love to play with trains!




Happy Birthday Lovie Boy!

Here's our Big News!!

First, thanks for being patient while we worked out a few kinks with our news. We needed to make sure the right people would all be informed at the right time. As for our announcement:

Sorry to disappoint, but no, we are not pregnant.-

WE ARE MOVING WEST!

After 4.5 years of living far away from most of our family members, we are excited to say we are off to

PHOENIX, ARIZONA

We had hoped to relocate with our current employer. We have really loved this current company. It just wasn't in the cards with them right now. We thought they would transfer us to Albuquerque last year or this year, but NADA.

We decided to send out a couple resumes to test the waters in the western markets. Within 24 hours of sending our resume to them, a new company called Mike for an interview. They flew someone out to meet him here in PA and BAM...they offered him a job.

We were so surprised. It happened pretty fast but we are confident it will be a good move for us.

Especially for our kids who will be starting kindergarten in the fall. They will get to start and put down some roots in more "long term" area. They also will get to know family better. They have only been able to see their cousins maybe once a year in the past. Now they will live within 10 hours of all them. Three of them will be in the same general area.

My brother Taylor lives in Gilbert with his family. And my brother Cole lives in Flagstaff with his family.

Mikes brother, Lee and his family are moving to Peoria, Az in July.

I have 3 aunts & uncles in the area (Phoenix and Tucson), and Mike has one in the Phoenix area.

Mikes Dad Steve, step mom and Grandmother are all in Tucson.

Its all working out just perfect. We are super excited and nervous!

We will miss many things about Pennsylvania. It has been such a great experience living here. I would never have changed our decision to live here. However, we always knew it was only a stepping stone on our journey. We have mixed emotions about the move, but find comfort in knowing our friends here will be with us in spirit, no matter where we are in the world.

Mike starts work on June 1st. I will be in Utah with my kids until we find a home. He will be working at two hospitals in the West/ North Phoenix area.

Right now we are looking in the Peoria & Surprise areas of Arizona. I have heard good things about the northern area closer to Lake Pleasant...we will have to look into those areas.

(any suggestions would be great if you know the area)

Our house is on the market here in Pa. Its not a pretty picture for home sales right now. What a nightmare. Please pray we can sell our home before our trucks come on the 22nd of May. We need all the prayers we can get in this economy!

Well, imagine me doing some sort of Zumba dance, riding a horse and swinging my lasso when you read this post. That will give you an idea about how excited I am!

WESTWARD HO!

Hint, Hint. Wink, Wink!

Im nearly ready to share our news...
There are some hints on our page. Listen and watch. You'll pick up on a few.

Grow old with me, the best is yet to be.

Happy Birthday Mike! 34 years old.
Tanner said in a really sad voice today "I dont want Daddy to get old. He will be yucky when he is old."-

My oh my, you are getting up there in age, my love. I remember when you were but a lad of 25. Tan, skinny, sideburns, long hair. AAHHH... sweet, sweet youth.

I feel so blessed to have you as my best friend and husband. Its fun to grow old together. We are no longer in our 20's which is strange since I see us through the kaleidoscope of our personalities, follies, and experiences. I rarely look at our actual reflections in the mirror. I forget sometimes that we are getting older.
I still see you in my mind as that young guy I married. Standing in a suit waiting to escort me to our wedding dance. I think I will forever see you that way.
Age is all about how you feel right? We still feel like we are in our 20's. Don't we?

I thought I would write down some traits, likes and dislikes that may help your kids to know you better when they get older. They may find them interesting. And who knows, since we are always evolving, you may actually like cheese by your next birthday.

Mike hates CHEESE of any kind. But especially ricotta!
Mike loves Metallica & Alice in Chains. Its almost sick how much he loves their music.
Mike loves fish. Salt water and Fresh water. South African Cyclides are his fav
I convinced Mike to try Greek food when we were dating. Its now a favorite.
Mike cant say the word "Theater" correctly, in my opinion. :)
When Mike was little he wanted to name a girl baby " MONDA".
Mikes dream job is a mail carrier or working at a salmon hatchery in Idaho.
Mike clogged as a kid. And still likes to rock step, shuffle step. Especially to Michael Jackson.
Mike is very tender towards people and their feelings. He has always been very sweet to others.
Mike has a strong testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
Mike loves COKE! He especially loves it when its on tap, rather than a bottle.
Chips Ahoy cookies are his sinful delight
Mike, is totally ahead of his time with fads. He has always loved any kind of Vampire movie (yes, pre Twilight days). His favorite series is BLADE. On our honeymoon we had to watch a Vampire movie. In the middle of the forest. In an old cabin. With no one close for miles.It was um...romantic?!?
The Outer banks and Mike are a match made in heaven. The beach brings out a total beach bum.
Mikes favorite show right now is Ghosthunters, which is totally dumb and FAKE!

Mike killed a roadrunner as a kid. Which is the state bird of Arizona. Which caused a visit from the police. On Thanksgiving day.

Mike is a great friend and very loyal. He has had the same best friends for decades

You can take the boy outta Utah, but you can never take the Utahan outta the boy!

You decided this year, that you are sick of Fuddruckers. That roller coasters make you sick. That babies are nice and then you give them back to their parents.That your back hates shoveling snow more than you love playing in it. You finally accepted that you wont be a cast member on Survivor, you can barely eat tomatoes and onions, let alone bugs. You learned that kids always have to pee the second they get into a car. That Pandora and its inhabitants are AMAZING. That you will be driving a mini van for a while and you can stop wishing for a fast sporty car. Last but not least, you discovered that you are capable of taking all three boys to dinner at a sit down restaurant by yourself.

Wow...you are evolving for sure!

I love you babe. Happy Birthday. We love getting old with you!

"

Spring in the Park

Spring in the Park has been a fun tradition the past few years. After a long winter, we really needed a day to get outside and play at Hershey Park. This year Asher was big enough to go on some of the rides all by himself. He was so excited about it. Zach and Tanner just wanted to go on the rollercoasters. Little dare devils already.
Its definately a sweet time at Hershey Park.

Old Man River

Can you believe that we have hit 90 degrees two days in a row?
We broke a record set back in the 1920's with this crazy hot weather. We cant skip spring and dive right into the summer heat. I need the middle temps before the hot weather comes rushing in. Spring is my favorite part of Pennsylvania. Its like a postcard here in the spring. Everything is green, lively, reanimated.

It was so hot Monday, we decided to head to the Susquehanna River banks (this is the river Joseph Smith was baptised in, and the Aaronic priesthood was restored on its banks as well) for the breeze and some sightseeing.

If you have never been to Harrisburg PA (the capital of Pennsylvania) you arent missing much. To be honest, Im not sure I knew what the capital was until we moved here. I think I thought it was Philadelphia or Pittsburgh. They are much bigger and more metropolitan.
Harrisburg is an interesting city. Not much to look at. Industrial. Lots of trains. A little scary during the day, VERY scary during the night. They have lots of shootings and crime. There is a sort of "Meet me in St. Louis" feeling along the mansions of the riverbank. Its not bad for a stroll or run during the day.

Im a little embarrassed to admit that I have only visited the river once in the 3 1/2 years that we have lived here. Today was my second visit. The day was hot and the kids were restless. We all walked over the bridge from City Island to the "east shore" as they call it. This is where the hospital is that Asher was born at.
I remember looking out my postpartum room window down at the river immediately after he was born. I remember thinking how peaceful the river was. This was the first time I have been back to the hospital since his birth.
It was somewhat symbolic in a way. The first time I was at the hospital I was delivering him. Fresh, new, tiny little babe in my arms. This time we crossed the bridge and I looked at him, now almost two years old. Sweet, smart, walking, talking thriving, but changed. The metamorphosis of life...the bridges we all cross on our way to growing up. Baby, toddler, child, teen, adult, middle aged, senior.
Bridges we are all crossing, even now.- It was a hot gorgeous day and the words of the song "Old man River" came flooding to my mind
Ol' man river,
Dat ol' man river
He mus'know sumpin'
But don't say nuthin',
He jes'keeps rollin'
He keeps on rollin' along.

Another day on my way. One more bridge I've crossed.

Its nice to have a hand to hold when traveling. It means something when you look back and see your little ones crossing with you. Crossing together.

It feels like life is rolling along, and it should.

Easter

Easter was a fun weekend here in PA. The weather was incredible. We had highs in the 80's and the days were magnificent. We packed up Saturday afternoon and headed to Grandma & Grandpa Chamberlain's house in Nazareth. Madison and Hunter are still at home, and we enjoy getting to spend holidays with everyone who is still home. We colored eggs, played with our friends Daniel and Joy, and anticipated the arrival of the Easter Bunny.

Sunday we hunted for our baskets. We sang Easter songs and march around the living room to "Halleluja" while playing our chimes.We hunted easter eggs. Ate great food. Enjoying uplifting messages during the LDS general Conference and just ejoyed being with family.
Alas, I left my camera at home. So, I need to get some from my moms camera. I will update later.

Bubble Bath

"There's too many kids in this tub.

There's too many elbows to scrub

I just washed a behind that I'm sure wasn't mine

There's too many kids in this tub."
-Shel Silverstein-

The boys are all getting too big to bathe together. When they were little it was so convenient to just stick everyone in. They have finally reached the point where they are too large to all fit in the tub. Here are some pictures of them in my whirlpool tub.

I never use the jets in my tub, but Zachary requested them to be turned on. Tanner and Asher screamed and cried, they had never been in the jets before. They didn't like the noise and the bubbles started growing and crawling up their necks. The whole thing just scared them to death.

Poor kids. Zach of course, loved it.

It sometimes makes me sad that these little ones are growing up so fast. I just love seeing them all together like this.