A few things

For quite a while, this mashed-up car was parked in our parking lot. I would often park next to it since it was backed all the way up to the curb and the front was mooshed in so it took up very little of the spot and was easy to maneuver next to. Also, I knew it wasn't going anywhere and so my car was unlikely to get door-dinged. But one day, as I pulled in next to it, Dustin said, "Aren't you afraid of parking next to it? It's like it has a disease and our car might catch it." I think that was the day after he woke me up in the morning and asked if I would give him a ride to the metro since he missed the shuttle. I told him of course and wiped my tired eyes. He then told me, "Everyone says you're mean in the morning but you're actually kind of nice." Thanks, honey.

Life has been kind of crazy around here since we got back from California. I got back Tuesday night late, we had company Thursday night for dinner, and then we had to make the most of Saturday. That means I slept in and Dustin went fishing with a friend. His former professor/research advisor from BYU has been at William & Mary this year and Dustin has been able to work with him again. He had a birthday/going away party Saturday night and we both wanted to go to Williamsburg for it. We planned to stop in Richmond at a delightful sandwich place we've been eyeing on Yelp for a while. Traffic was terrible, however. Pre-Richmond we pulled off to go to the Bass Pro Shop and discovered that it was later than we realized. We got some Bojangles (a favorite stop for Dustin any time we venture an hour south of DC) to tide us over, got some stuff I don't understand at the Bass Pro Shop, then headed to Williamsburg. The party was great and it was fun to meet more of Dustin's coworkers. I seriously hate DC traffic, though.

I have about 10 chocolate chip cookie recipes I use (you know, one for macadamia nuts, one for oatmeal, one for peanut butter chips, etc). Dustin claims to have a favorite (the mac nut one). I get confused. Then I stumbled upon a recipe that claimed to be the best ever. We had the missionaries over Sunday for dinner and we wanted to meet some of our seminary students and give them cookies for motivation. A lot of cookies were needed. I made the two different recipes and we had a taste test. I put peanut butter chips in with chocolate for Dustin's favorite recipe, though, and that threw everyone off. I think fresh out of the oven I might prefer the new recipe, but they got hard after a day. I don't know! 

And I saved the best for last - I'm going back to school! I've been toying with the idea for years but never did because of money or time. But Dustin was really encouraging and I feel great about it. I was accepted as a non-degree student at George Mason because I missed the deadline, but I'll apply in the spring for the degree program (I'm going for my master's in world history). Since it'll be 10 years since I graduated, I don't have to take the GRE. Woohoo! I'm starting with one class in the fall - a Middle East and Islam history class - and will hopefully be up for 2 in the spring. This won't help me teach in public schools here, but that's ok. This will make me a more attractive candidate at private schools, will open the door for government historian positions, and is mostly just something I want to do. My 3 years at BYU flew and I feel like I really didn't take advantage of my courses, so I'm excited to actually do the reading, study, and learn lots this time around. I do realize that my life of leisure is ending, though. Come fall, we'll both have full-time jobs, be in school, and teaching seminary. Yikes!

California the second part

Friday Dustin worked from home while Whit and I did our thing. Jim got back from scout camp that evening so we were all ready to make the most of Saturday. We had such a nice day at the beach the week before, I requested a revisit. Unfortunately the weather wasn't quite as nice as it had been. We went to Torrey Pines anyway for a walk on some of the trails and view of the coast.

The crew enjoyed the view here while I discussed Reno plans with Rob. Can't wait!!

Walking quickly is not a strength of Ever's. She dawdles. At the end of the walk, however, she sprinted down the road with Jim.

We got some not great food truck food and spent an hour at the beach. It was overcast and a little chilly, but Dustin, Ever, and I got in anyway. The Torrey Pines cliffs along the beach are super cool. Sad I couldn't get a picture of them from the water.

There was a line for the shower, so Ever enjoyed a quick bath.

We cleaned up and dropped Ever at a babysitter. Then the 4 of us drove to Orange County for the fair. We started the experience right with deep-fried Snickers and Reese's PB cups.

There were turkey legs so Dustin had to partake. It's one of his favorite things. Unfortunately the bacon-wrapped-deep-fried ones were $20 so he stuck with the plain kind.

We wandered a little more, caught the end of a hypnotist show (mostly just analyzed who was totally faking it... Does it really work on anyone?), and then headed to the Monster Truck Rally. So excited.

There were smaller trucks that tried to get the best time around the course. Then the big guys came out and did some tricks.

Sadly this is the only picture of the two of us from the evening.

I really enjoyed the whole thing. They took turns on the course (I guess that's normal because the trucks are expensive), but I really want to see a demolition derby/Monster truck combo where they ram each other. That seems more fun.

Next we admired the animals. And decided that we all had no idea what makes a prize-winning animal.

I'm super sad we missed the Extreme Rodeo. Or the Motorhome Demolition Derby. Next time.

We were torn between pig racing and the Peking acrobats. Dustin went to the pig races (and took video. They hurdle!) while the rest of us went to the acrobats and saved him a seat. I've never seen acrobats before and it was really exciting. There was tumbling, balancing plates, crazy lifts, etc. This guy was doing crazy stuff on one arm.

It was a wonderful day.
Sunday we enjoyed crepes before church.

Perfection.

Inspired by a gift Dustin's siblings gave his dad, we got Whitney this homemade whipped cream maker. You put all the ingredients in the jar and then it whips using N20 whipped cream chargers (whatever those are). Dustin's parents use it all the time. It's wonderful. They even took it camping. We were amateurs, however, and struggled. I thought I did it right and then tried to taste it. Whipped cream everywhere. Counters, floor, hair, everywhere. Dustin tried it and figured it out. Then Jim tried it. He was doing ok until I suggested he push just a little harder. Whipped cream everywhere. On the floor, table, in our hair, everywhere. I hoped the maiden voyage would go real smoothly so they would use it lots. Didn't work out.

After church, Jim had meetings and Whit had choir so Dustin and I were in charge of getting Ever home and feeding her. She was not happy about being separated from her parents. We finally got her calm and eating, but she wasn't super into the food. So Dustin started telling her a story about a little girl named Ever who got taken by a seagull. She liked that. He would get her to eat by telling her part of the story and then offering to tell her what came next if she took a bite.

The story featured a heroic saving by her dad but brilliant ideas by her mom because we believe in equal opportunity. Yes, he included that in the story.

Ever offered to help Dustin pack. Which basically meant Dustin carried her around the house in his suitcase, jiggled it for turbulence, and then dumped her out on the bed in a crash landing. She asked for more crash landings Monday. Maybe in Reno, little girl.

Dustin left us Sunday night. Monday we went for a long walk and made a yummy dinner and dessert for FHE. Whit found a recipe for homemade yellow cake (it's always so dense and dry!) that is nit-picky but turned out delicious. Ever is quite the kitchen helper.

And taster. Yes, she got a bath after this.

Ever has a crazy good memory and spent much of her time singing this new song:

It was so much fun, I never get tired of being with family. Thank you, Whit and Jim, for a wonderful 11 days. Can't wait to see more family in Reno next weekend!!

California, the first part

We just got back from a glorious trip to California (I expect nothing less). Dustin had a conference in San Diego (same one he went to last year) and I invited myself along. I used miles, which forced me to go a couple days early, stay a couple days late, and fly first class there. Let me tell you, first class is awesome. They know your name. You get lots of beverages. In glasses. They feed you meals served on platters with draped cloths and silverware and glasses. Everyone is very nice and takes their time getting on the plane and settling in because what's the rush? You're not concerned about your bag not fitting in the overhead and everyone else on the plane isn't staring at you while you deal with it. They serve you warm bread. And warm chocolate chip cookies. The seats are wide enough that you can sit indian style. And if you don't want to, you can stretch all the way out. Or you can just lay all the way back. Seriously, I got a little sad when I was crammed in the back of the plane on the way back. 

I got in Friday around noon and was so excited to be reunited with this little girl. She's so smart and funny and sweet and loving. Little Miss Ever is a treat.

She also likes to take selfies. And yes, she calls them selfies.

Friday night when Jim got off work, they took me to a delightful taco place, Bull Taco, and then we enjoyed some BR. Jim was not thrilled that Whit let her get a cone. Whit said she's done better before. There was chocolate everywhere. And a very happy 2-year old.

Saturday morning Whit, Ever, and I went to the airport to pick up Dustin while Jim cleaned the church. We timed the visit right and got to meet up with Shandra and the kids who were visiting her family in Orange County. It was so fun to be together. Shandra is so fun and the kids are so sweet and fun and getting so big! They met us at Whit and Jim's house for some food before we all headed to the beach. I must confess, I'm a beach snob. I've visited Whit many times in California and only gone to the beach a couple times. And I don't know that I've ever actually swam in the ocean. However, it was a beautiful day and the water was unusually warm. We talked, sat on the beach, played with the kids, and enjoyed the water. Perfection.

Betsy and Dustin were instant besties. He was so happy. When he first came to Hawaii with me last year, he confessed that he hadn't spent that much time around kids. But he's like a magnet and they adore him.

 

It really was a beautiful day.

Little Ever is a very tiny human and gets cold, even though she loves the water. She rocked her wetsuit for a little while.

Jim let the kids surf on the sand for a bit. It was a hit.

Sunday was a nice day at home and then I took Dustin to San Diego for his conference. I drove back to Oceanside Monday morning and Whit, Ever, and I (Jim was at Scout Camp) enjoyed a week of walks every day, a couple lunches out, one rather unsuccessful shopping trip, a couple trips to the park, and lots of talking, movies, and watching of My So-Called Life.

Whit and Ever accidentally twinned one day. So cute.

Ever made some new friends.

Ever is her mother's daughter and makes up words and nicknames. Here she is asking for a little bit of "gasolina" (also known as Vaseline). 

Thursday we walked around the Batiquitos Lagoon in Carlsbad before getting lunch with some girls Whit is friends with. It was real nice. (Don't let Ever's lack of wardrobe change fool you, this is a different day)

Then I drove to San Diego to pick up Dustin and get dinner with Kara and Anthony. They took us to a great Japanese place and then to an ice cream place that sells Tropical Dreams ice cream, imported from the Big Island. So fun to see these guys!

More to come.