I am not going to let life pass me by without doing something to leave my mark...quirky and imperfect as it may be! simply jami: simply for reals, simply me.
We were grateful for the shelter of Oddy (the name of our Honda Odyssey courtesy of Becky) as it poured on the way to see Kevin. He has been training just outside of DC since January, and the kids have been talking about seeing him since he left. The closer we got the more anxious they got! They were ready for wrestling and bull rides and of course Uncle Dirt didn’t let them down!
We filled up with biscuits and fried apples at Cracker Barrel and then went back to the hotel to torture everyone else staying there as they listened to the kids screech, laugh and scream as they each took a turn getting bull rides and wrestling Uncle Dirt!It was so great to see him, but made us miss him even more!We are still recovering from Megan and Kevin moving to Colorado.It was such a blessing to have them living so close while they were here!We were so spoiled, but I foresee some road trips to Colorado in our future...
Eden and Carter had fun duken' it out and we had even more fun watching!
I grew up outside of Atlanta, and of all the times we drove
from there to my grandparents house in Virginia
I somehow missed DC.
I fell in love with the city in 2 hours,
and we only skimmed the surface!
I can’t wait to go back someday when I have more time
(my real camera and a stroller) to see everything!
Pennsylvania Avenue
Lincoln Memorial
Reeses Man that the boys were scared of in front of the
Lincoln Memorial. I know what you are thinking, my kids
should know better than to be scared of chocolate!
Washington Memorial
Eden is crying because she is tired of walking.
The sad part is this is the first thing we walked to!
The clouds were moving, so we all got dizzy as we looked up
to the top. Dizzy or...
like it was falling over!
Landon started to cry because he thought we were toast.
Me trying to reassure him we were safe, still just bread.
(At least Eden laughed at my joke.)
View of the Capitol Building from the
Washington Monument-
not bad for a point and shoot camera!
Our lunch break at one of the many hot dog stands that line the streets. My dad gave each of the kids a dollar before we left and all their pockets were burning holes. I lost count of how many times we had to tell them all to put their money back!
I am so proud to live in the good ol’ US of Aand to have a history rich with honorable men and women who have contributed so much to our freedom!We covered as much as we could in the few hours we had, but my favorite was the WWII memorial.I couldn’t deny the feelings of awe and gratitude I felt as I walked through it and tried to understand the symbolism of everything. I love the Harry Truman quote that was on a pillar inside the memorial.
I do feel immeasurably indebted. I will never forget!
We made it and didn’t hit any of our children or the 30 or so deer we saw alongside the dark winding country roads!As usual, we got spoiled by my parents with our own 2 bedroom condo complete with dining room, kitchen, screened in porch and honeymoon suite.We made ourselves at home just in time to hit the sack.
Grandparents are the best!My dad offered to watch the kids the first night as he sent us out the door with money to splurge on a nice dinner.We went to one of the poshest restaurants I have ever been to, which was obvious as we opened the door and saw the host in a tux.We are so glad they let us in wearing flip flops because we had the best steaks we had ever tasted!It was so nice to be together and not in a moving vehicle!
Highlights of our week in Williamsburg:
-Having Damian with us without worries of work or school!
-Relaxing in the hot tubunder the stars/ lightening bugs
-Spending time with family: my grandparents, aunts, uncles,
cousins and being reminded how awesome the Dudley family is!
The kids with their Great Grandparents: Doris & Lamont Dudley
My Dad's only sister Laura, her husband Tony and their kids-
the best babysitters around
One of my dad's 6 brothers, Greg, convincing Landon to put his
shoes onafter he 'gets his sugar!'
-Catching lightening bugs that Landon was scared of
-Cooking for a crowd- spaghetti, lemon trifle, taco salad and
hootenannies-I think I would have made my mom proud!
-Kids basketball hoop, larger than life chess and checkers used for
everything besides actually playing the games
-Sailing aboard the schooner Alliance on the
James River with my grandparents- the cutest in the world!
- Playing on the beach in Yorktown- we found a huge
"Eden, for your birthday I am going to eat lots of beans and buy you a fluffy monkey bra." (somebody tell me how disturbed I should be with this bra obsession)
"Our family has a lot of issues."
"You are making me want to say potty talk right now." Why do I want to make you talk naughty? "Because you asked me to bring the gel over to you!"
"You are 32? That is soooo old. I can't even count that high!"
Why did you pee on the carpet Landon? "Because I didn't stop and think about it, but next time I will!"
Landon what does your line leader sticker from preschool mean? "It means all the kids in my class followed me around all day. I took them to California."
"I am thinking a bad word right now. If I say it out loud am I going to get in trouble?"
How come you were sleeping so long? "I had to sleep till all my dreams came true." What did you want to come true? "I wanted to get enough beauty sleep to grow a beard."
"Dad, next time Carter needs his band aid changed, rip it off like a man!"
What do you want to be when you grow up? "I am going to be just a plain daddy who rides four wheelers and sells bras."
Look, that lady has a big baby in her tummy! "Mom, why did that lady eat her baby?"
You made a huge mess! With pride: "YES I DID!"
Lean over your plate when you take a bite. "Mom, you are being bossy and I don't need any more instructions. Is this when you call me a smart Alex?"
"Please bless us that we will be safe and that we won't end up floating in space."
"Hold on. I have to tell my brain something."
"Where is heaven on the map?"
"Dad, if you invite me to your birthday party I'll get you a canoe."
"My hands smell like a volcano!"
While saluting: "I'm on it Captain!"
"I know what Carter's middle name is! Farter!"
When I drop him off at a friend's house to play: "I really need a piece of gum because my breath stinks AND my hair is sticking up!"
"Eden, do you have a headache from going to school?"
"I am now going to give myself a wedgie!"
Carter was getting in trouble at the dinner table and Landon says under his breath, "Let's have a round of applause for Landon!"
"Mom, can we PLEASE wreck your minivan in a few days so we can get a red speed car? Please?"
"Dad, where are you?" In the bathroom. "Are you taking a dump?"
"My girlfriend is bigger than me."
Landon, if you open the door while I am going to the bathroom I am going to give you a spank. "A big one or a little one?"
"I want to smell my breath."
"I am not going to be happy until your minivan turns into a jetski."
"Just one more cuddle and then you can take care of the dishes, ok mom?"
Landon, why aren't you wearing any underwear? "I don't like underwear and I am not going to wear them EVERYday!"
"Where is the green paint for the love of Pete?"
To dad at bedtime: "That is enough cuddles. Mommy is coming."
"Santa Claus is bringing me a baby brother and a remote control boat." What if he brings you a baby sister? "Then I'll just send her back."
While Trick or Treating: "That lady hooked me up!"
"Cuddle me far away. Your breath is stinky."
"When you put gel in my hair my haircut gets all mixed up!"
Landon, go to bed! "I can't! My pillow is not working."
"Don't be a punk, mom!" Landon, don't say that it's not nice. "Then Mom, don't be a terd!"
"Ow! Owww! OUCH!!" What's wrong? "I am pulling my hair!"
What do you want to be when you grow up? "I want to be just like Carter!"
"Mom, that is enough talking."
I was struggling to put on a skirt I hadn’t worn in a while and I looked down and saw Landon staring at me with a puzzled look on his face. “Do you need me help you, mom?”
A lady at the store that was talking to Landon said, "You are so cute, and what is your name?" With a big ol' smile Landon proudly answered, "TROUBLE!"
Landon, what am I going to do with you? "Nothing because I am the cutest boy in the world!"
CARTER (age 6)
"Eden, for your birthday I am going to name my special freckle after you."
Name 5 things you love about yourself: "I'm cool, my muscles, my leg muscles (does that count?), I'm funny, I have a mom and dad who like to cuddle me, and I have a lot of friends."
"Don't worry mom. I asked Santa for all the expensive presents so you can have more money."
While holding a bowling pin above his head, "Landon, come here. I am NOT going to hit you with a bowling pin!"
"Lick kissing is against the rules, Landon!"
"Mom, you're the bomb.com!"
"Matthew's girlfriend is hot! I think I love her." (Oh dear)
"I've been in this world a looong time." Well, what do you think? "I think that was a really weird question you just asked me."
I love you, Carter. "FYI: I hear that a LOT."
"This is my ladies personality: (in a slow low voice) Hey Ladies, come and get me."
"Mom, someone was ringing on your phone!"
"I am going to have a girlfirend as cute as Aunt Ruth and she is going to like me back!"
"Mom, you're the one causing all the drama!"
"When I look at my rockstar jammies they make me want to dance!"
"Mom, why are your toes getting so so skinny?" Is the rest of me getting skinny? "Um, no."
"Eden, are you lonely?"
"I recognize those tickles, Dad!"
"...and please bless Santa Claus to get here safely and his reindeer that they might have the energy and strength to fly."
Landon, you have to wear underwear to bed. Everyone wears underwear to bed. "Na-uh! I bet the Lamanites never wore underwear to bed!"
"Can I have another cookie?" No. You've already had 2. "If you give me three I promise I will be quiet for a LOOOONG time!"
"My favorite hair is ponytails." How come? "Because that's the way the cheerleaders wear it."
Carter, you just dumped all the salt out! "Well, it's okay. You can just clean it up."
"What should I do if I want to be a giant when I grow up?"
"Mom, I want to take you out to dinner for your birthday but I can't drive yet."
"I love to exercise!" What do you like to do? "Watch the video."
"Mom, I will pay you a hundred bucks if you'll be nice!"
"Daaaad, stop tickling me!" Why? "Because I am going to run out of laughs!"
"Can I take a shower?" Why? "Because I am all sweaty from pushing a really big poopie out!"
"Aunt Megan, I have to go potty!" Number 1 or 2? "I have to go 100!"
"...and please bless the bug sprayer guy that he will get here safely."
EDEN (age 8)
"OooOooOoogre face. My Ogre face." Um, you know it says POKER face, right? "For real?"
"Can I introduce you to a new friend? Everyone, I would like for you to meet Mr. Midget Pencil. We are very close. Mom, he means a lot to me. Please don't throw him away."
"We are going to have a dance party every night so we can be on YouTube!"
"Dad, these milkshakes are awesome! I can totally tell you worked at Wendy's."
"Where does Santa Claus get all that money for presents? Our taxes?"
"That is annoying and freaky on so many levels!"
"Carter, you better get over here before mom's head blows off!"
"Chocolate cake! My one and only true love!" (to which Damian replies, "If you treat it like that it really is going to be.")
"...and please bless my mom to have more patience..."
"Dad, come eat dinner with us and you should probably put on some clothes that match."
"I do trust you mom, just not with chocolate!"
"I don’t want to be on the swim team." Why not?"I don’t want to be around all those boys swimming in girl underwear!"
"There is something really wrong about that bug!" What?"It’s too BIG!"
When I asked her opinion on a shirt I was trying on: "It looks cute if you want to buy it and then go on a diet."
