Saturday

Today we went to the National Mall and met up with Dori, Adam and their kids(friends from NOLA). Eric and I drove around forever looking for a parking space. He kept driving 12-13 city blocks away to find a free/ cheap parking spot. My legs were sore from walking so I wanted to park close. After driving around for 40 min we found a free spot 2 blocks away from the museum and we decided that we could stay married.

The Natural History museum was very cool. I had just watched Night at the Museum with the girls before I left, so it was hard not to keep thinking about the movie.
From there we drove to the Lincoln Monument and parked without stress...whew. I could not believe how large the monument is. I was also surprised by the beautiful stained glass windows in the celing.
Afterwards Dori and I sat on the grass while the kids played and the boys walked the Vietnam memorial. Dori is such a great person. She is an amazing parent and always improves my perspective on parenting. I can't wait for her 4th child to arrive in June.




Then we went to the Rosevelt Memorial. It was really really cold and starting to rain.


We said good by to our good friends and drove across the Potomac river to Old Town Alexandria.


Such a quaint little town with charming stores. I was able to shop in The Paper Source for the 1st time- what a great store.

We came home and had dinner at Eric's little studio and called it a night. I am not used to walking several miles every day so my legs/feet are so sore and tired. I am glad that tomorrow is Sunday and we will get to rest.

With friends like this... who needs a husband

My friend Ali in Oregon sent me the most amazing gift of time.

How did she do this?

By sending things that would keep my kids busy and happy for hours... priceless


slinkys, a jump rope, little pet shop animals, the game Sorry...


the Flushed Away DVD and a Strawberyy shortcake DVD.

My kids have stopped complaining that Dad's gone for so long. They are too busy playing with all the goodies they have been receiving.



Thank you so much Miss Ali!!!!!

Good mail

My friend Jenny is spoiling me. She had her husband pick this up for me in AZ since they don't have In-N-Out in Texas. Thanks Jenny and Doug!


I received this very creative and thoughtful letter from Mindy. This just happens to me my favorite candy bar! Thank you!


I received a thank you from my sister Tiffany which came with a check- that's always good mail. Love your cute stickers Tiff!


A little self induced good mail. I have been watching these on Ebay for a few weeks and I found one that was make an offer- I did and got it.


I also received a summons for jury duty. I would actually love to serve on a jury, but there is no way I could find someone to watch Lucy so I am going to request to be excused. This is the 4th summons I have received since we moved here.

Extreme quilters

Four of my friends that quilt are also married to Medical Residents, and three of those four are moving out of state at the end of June. So we decided to make a Redlands/Loma Linda quilt. All 5 of us made 10 blocks (5 of one style and 5 of the other) that way each of us received all 10 of the different blocks. I should add that most of us finished these blocks in 30 days, we were obsessed.


Jackie's blocks
Jackie pieced a scrub top (out of scrubs) with the Loma Linda Hospital logo on the pocket. She also did a great block for In-N-out burger since we all love that place.



Kira's blocks
Kira is probably the newest quilter out of all of us and she always blows us away. She made a Caduceus to represent the time our husbands have spent studying and practicing medicine. She also made a block with palm trees and a red hot sun. There are tons of streets here lined with palm trees.





Suzanne's blocks
We are all too familiar with what a resident's schedule is like so Suzanne made a call schedule showing a resident Q4- on call every 4 days. Her second block was for Market night. Redlands has a great market night downtown every Thursday night. These are so great.



Kaycee's blocks
There are tons of orange groves all over this area so Kaycee pieced this amazing orange tree block. She also made an RMA (Resident Medical Auxiliary) block since we have made so many friends through this organization.




My blocks
Suzanne who is not LDS, requested a block of the temple because all her friends here are LDS. I love the temple here and was thrilled to make this block. Jackie suggested using a tie tack for the Moroni and it worked perfectly. I also made a block of the mountain range in Redlands with the R on it and orange groves in the front. Ruby thinks the R on the mountain is for her.



I am so excited to have these blocks!

I am going to make two more blocks, one for Disneyland and one with a swimming pool...eventually. For now these are going to sit and look pretty next to my other unfinished projects.