Girls Week

My sister-in-law Jessica and I decided that we’d had enough of the guys and wanted to get away for awhile. No, not really. Matt had a training in Cali and Dan is busy studying for the bar so we decided to make the most of the week and head to Utah. I took Matt to the airport early Monday morning and then went straight to Daniel and Jessica’s where we packed up the van and started on our trek. We realized that the girls do so much better if we drive in the morning. They are pleasant and fun. Not like the cranky, tired girls we see in the afternoon and evening.

We made it to Utah in time for Lily and I to join my family for Family Home Evening at my brother’s house.  My sister Sharlie and her girls made a “human rubber band” for their girls camp and wanted to test it out. I didn’t have my camera with me so I didn’t get any pictures but here’s a video to give you an idea of how it works. It was super fun and crazy. That things whips you around and gets your heart racing. Then we took time to talk about families and how important they are and why every person in a family is important. I’m so grateful for my family and the fun times we have together.

Tuesday Grandma Nina took all the Chapman girls to the Living Planet Aquarium. She gave them all matching outfits so we wouldn’t lose them in the crowds. They looked so cute in their skirts she made for them. Lily is so lucky to have such a talented Grandma!

The older girls were inseparable the entire time!

Birthday and Baby Weekend

This past weekend we drove to Utah. It was a super quick trip, but so worth it! Lily was able to meet lots more of her extended family including her Grandpa Burk. Lily and I went out to lunch with some of the Burk side while Matt made some final preparations for the surprise party for his Dad. Lily loved being held by her aunts and falling asleep in Grandma’s arms. 

Later that afternoon we had Candice’s baby shower for Baby Jaycee. She got some super cute stuff! Can’t wait to meet her soon!

 

Meeting Great Grandma Chapman

But the most important reason we decided to come to Utah was for Tom’s surprise 60th birthday party. It was so fun to surprise and celebrate with such a great man in our lives. Before all the guests arrived, the sons “roasted” him by telling about memories of him and funny things he does. And Ann made a slideshow of his life. It was really sweet.

  

Tom with his “watermelon cake” since he can’t have sugar. And his awesome walking stick. It’s De-Luxe.

The cousins had fun playing in the garden. Aren’t they the cutest?!

We went straight from that party to the combined 40th birthday party for my brother Corey and brother-in-law Jason. It’s so fun being part of a big family. We have birthdays going on pretty much every month and now that we live closer, we might be able to celebrate with them more often. It’s too bad I didn’t get a picture of either birthday boy.

   

If you want to see the rest of the pictures you can go here and here.

From VA to CO

We successfully made the trek from Virginia to Colorado. After selling almost all our furniture and dejunking much of our stuff we were able to fit our belongings in the 16 foot truck. The guys had to definitely use their Tetris skills to get it all in.

Lily and I flew to Denver a few days before Matt and stayed with Dan and Jessica. Thanks guys for letting us crash at your place. The day I flew, Matt drove 6 hours round trip to Baltimore to pick up Jason from a conference. He was nice enough to skip his nice short flight for 27 hours of driving to Denver. Thanks again Jason!

As soon they arrived we unpacked everything into our small apartment. We didn’t realize how much space we had at our apartment in Virginia. We are grateful to the family that drove from Utah and family already in Denver that helped us unpack some of our things. Once we got most of the boxes unpacked in the living room, it helped us feel not so claustrophobic. For a while there, we were sure we wouldn’t last a month in this place. But I think we’re starting to feel like we can live here a little longer.

While we were getting things arranged in the living room, Matt decided that he didn’t like one of our paintings anymore. We went to Michael’s where he stocked up on various painting supplies and repainted over the canvas. I think it’s amazing how quickly he came up with the idea and painted it. And now we have a beautiful new painting on our wall.

Matt has started at his job and likes it alright. He’ll be much happier when he is a licensed dentist and not an overqualified assistant. But at least he’ll be getting a paycheck while he waits for his  license to be approved.

(He didn’t want me to take this picture but I had to document his first day of work in over 4 years!)

And Lily and I are getting used to our new surroundings. We went to a playgroup at the park last week and plan on going back often just so we can get out and be with other people. We go on afternoon walks and love to look at the beautiful houses just down the street from our apartment.  And we’re trying to get used to the dry air. Lotion these days is a must!  

Here’s a few more pictures of our apartment. We got these chairs and throw pillows at World Market.

We found a fun place for our magnetic toys. They’re already a hit with the nieces.

3 months

Our little girl is growing so fast and is so much more alert and interactive.

Lily, at 3 months

• you love to chew on your hands and fingers and we sometimes catch your thumb in your mouth much to your Daddy’s dismay
• you have discovered your voice and use it often. You sometimes growl and we like to call it your “baby battle cry”
• your Daddy likes to have “head wars” with you. When he puts his forehead to yours you push against him and growl 
• you have basically grown out of your 3 month clothes because you are so long
• when you get tired you rub your head back and forth and now you are wearing a bald spot on the back of the right side of your head
• you can win any staring contest anytime. anywhere.
• you’re not quite sure of the camera. You get very serious when my face hides behind it which has made it a challenge to get a picture of you smiling
• no matter how many times we wipe your slobbery chin, you always have some fresh spit to put in it’s place. And because of this you always have a wet spot along your collar
• you still don’t like tummy time
• when you’re on your tummy you can pull your head up pretty far and have started to rock back and forth (mostly in frustration)
• you’ve started to grab for objects and anything that you can get your hands on goes in your mouth
• we often see you holding your toys on your car seat while we’re driving around town
• you usually wake up once during the night. The longest you’ve slept so far is 7 hours straight

We love you pretty girl!

VCU Commencement

May 22nd, 2010

  

The ceremony was long and boring but we made it through.  Even if that meant taking a little cat nap :)

The Nursing school was over the top. I didn’t get to see it because I was in the bathroom with Lily but when the Nursing student stood up they were throwing confetti and beach balls and making all sorts of noise. Here they are blowing bubbles. I’m sad I didn’t get to see it.  

Lily was awesome the whole time and even had some smiles left at the end.

I guess this is what it means to be “hooded” 

We earned those tassels too!