Friday, February 28, 2014

Old Ebbitt Grill



Just steps away from the white house, Old Ebbitt Grill is DC's oldest saloon, founded in 1856. Presidents William McKinley, Ulysses S. Grant, Andrew Johnson, Grover Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, and Warren Harding were known to have frequented the stand around bar. The grill is famous for their twice fried Buffalo Wild Wings (pictured below). D-lish! I was elated to visit with my dear friend Stephanie Baxter. It was so nice to have a little piece of home with me. I miss coaching cheer nearly every day.
















Thursday, February 27, 2014

February Service Collab: Serve your Love




Serve your Love was the theme for February's Service Collab.

I cannot believe February is over! Where does the time go? I had high hopes of making every day All about Paul. Well that didn't happen...life happened. Instead, I realized how easy going my husband really is. He goes to school and studies for 10-12 hours a day and spends an hour and a half to and from school on public transit, and then comes home to a house full of crazy kids and a flustered wife and does all of this on barely any sleep. I managed to find little ways to make his months a bit easier and more enjoyable. Our student budget doesn't allow for huge extravagances. That being said, I still feel I was able to make him smile. Law school has been taxing. Paul needed extra love this month. His love language is quality time and receiving gifts. He is always so thoughtful with me, it was about time that I focus on him for a change. I started with little things, like; bringing home his favorite ice cream and snacks, having dinner on the table when he comes home from school, or for Valentine's Day, instead of just the traditional Walgreen's card, I handmade 10 cards with 10 love notes just for him. In the last 16 months, after the birth of the twins, Paul and I have not had much alone time. I have never left my three children with anyone that wasn't family, and that only happened twice before for a very short time. There is a wonderful couple in my ward that offered to watch our kiddos in the past. I finally took them up on it. Paul and I were able to attend the Washington DC Temple and "dinner." It was after 11pm when we left the temple and McDonald's was the only thing open. It wasn't ideal, but we decided to go for it. There was something romantic about being dressed up and eating a big mac. Lastly, Paul never buy's himself anything. I knew that if I bought him a new tailored dress shirt he'd be over the moon. When I told him I was going shopping, he was probably thinking "don't spend money!" When I came home with a Nordstrom Rack bag, I could see his disapproving look. Then I exclaimed, "I bought you something!" His face face lit up. I hadn't seen him smile like that in a while. He was pleasantly surprised. I could tell he really appreciated the gesture. He even wore it the very next day. I am grateful to have linked into the Service Collab. I have thought about my husband in all that I do. That is a blessing. Ain't life grand?!


Click here for February's free printable. 





Sunday, February 23, 2014

Sunday Funday




 Our Sunday church service is from 1pm-4pm. As so many other moms know, this can be challenging for little ones who nap. Here is a glimpse of what it's like to have a 3 year old and 1 year old twin boys at church. Picture this...

1) Pure animals.
2) As loud as a bird sanctuary.  
3) A vicious typhoon.
4) A lions den.
5) In the midst of Armageddon. 
6) It's like dogs and cats living together. 
7) There is mass hysteria.
8) Riots.
9) They're Tasmanian devils.
10) It's embarrassing. 
11) Disapproving looks.
12) Furrowed brow.
13) Food fight.
14) Seventh grade cafeteria.
15) and lastly an Ape enclosure.

My family is a complete spectacle in the back of the chapel. Paul and I fought a good fight today, but the twins came out on top. After the closing prayer, I had to take a breather in the restroom. My frustration quickly vanished after 10 deep breaths and a sweet chuckle and hug from Luca. Even though we lost the battle of the babies today, here's to hoping for a calm & peaceful week ahead. A girl can dream...
















 Love that smile. 

 Such a cheese-ball. 









Friday, February 21, 2014

National Postal Museum & Crepe's



Me & the boys met up with a couple of my sweet friends from church, Ali & Heather and their little ones. We couldn't resist bringing our seven kids to the district for an outing on this gorgeous day. Even though it drizzled, it was 60 degrees. I wasn't about to let a warm day go to waste. We decided to visit the National Postal Museum. I had no preconceived notion of what it would be like. I was pleasantly surprised. Parking was fairly easy. ($10 for 4 hours in the meter) There were so many fantastic activities for kids. Joey and his friends got to choose their own stamp collection, write postcards, and track packages. It wasn't your typical DC museum, it was much more interactive. The only draw back was there was no place to sit and eat our lunch. We decided to walk across the street and head over to Union Station for Crepe's. I wasn't complaining!! Our crepe maker, Mario, was so sweet. He loved how interested our little ones were in his crepe craftsmanship, that he gave the boys a nutella, strawberry, and banana crepe at no cost. What a doll! Overall, our Friday outing was a success! Can't wait for the next one. 



























Sneaking a snack in while the guards weren't looking.