Gingerbread houses

We love this holiday tradition with the Chevy Chase Playgroup. Our house made it a day before I had to throw it out. I placed it up high, but apparently not high enough! The kids kept dragging chairs over to the entertainment center to sneak and pick off the sugary shingles and pebbles from the walkway!


Our sweet friends and their amazing creations!

MBA Grad

(Engagement photo 2004, isn't he cute?)

Aaron just completed his coursework for his MBA at George Washington University this month. He worked full-time for most of the year and a half he studied, going to school on the weekends or at night. This fall, he was gone during the day and wouldn't get home till past 10:30pm, so we've missed him and are so grateful that he wanted to increase his knowledge, applied himself and is finished. He's a wonderful father and husband and we are very proud of him!

Survived the Half Marathon

First of all, I'm so grateful that Callie told us about this race! It took place down in Alexandria and it was beautiful... freezing, but fantastic views. I hadn't seen Anabel in so long - it was fun! She looked as fabulous finishing the race as she did starting it! I guess she woke up that morning and decided to run it, which is amazing - I never could have done that.

Seriously, I would not have survived if it were not for Gina and Callie distracting me with conversation! And I am SO grateful for Gina. I had a cold, and maybe didn't drink enough water so I started to feel yucky maybe at mile 8, but it really kicked in the last three miles. My legs felt like lead, I felt a little lightheaded and I was jogging slower than I could have walked it. I kept telling Gina to go ahead, and she said, "Jackie, if you say that one more time, I'm going to have to bonk you on the head! I'm not leaving you to pass out." haha. : ) What a good friend - she totally could have run it 10 or 15 minutes faster that she did, but she kept encouraging me and prodding me along.

Callie totally rocked the race and finished it at about a 9:30 pace! I was so impressed. Gina did amazing too, in spite of the fact that she waited for me. She came in at about an even 10 minute mile pace. And I managed to cross the finish line at a very slow 10 almost 11 minute mile pace. It felt like the race lasted FOREVER, so I was pleasantly surprised at the time! After I could think about it that is. First Gina got me water and oreos, then I had to lie down to calm my spinning head and then I was happy to have survived!

And in case you're wondering... yes, me and Gina are still planning on preparing for the marathon. : )

My First Trip Without Any Kids...

In one word... Amazing! Travelling without kids is super easy. Don't get me wrong. I totally missed my little ones, but it was sooo nice. After Thanksgiving I flew to Seattle to see my best college friend from BYUH get married. (A BIG thank you to Aaron, who said they had tons of fun.) She was gorgeous and radiant, like always.

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

The happy couple, Derek and Ashley after being sealed in the Seattle Temple. Derek is a gentleman and everyone can tell he loves Ash a lot. Her family was amazing and hilarious, I'm so glad I got to meet them!

Ash's Bling! Seriously, wow.

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

Ash treated us to pedicures and she got a manicure too. I REALLY tried to pay for it, (anyone who knows me knows I'm pretty stubborn) but Ash is just as stubborn.

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

She had her reception at Maggiano's Little Italy. It was so beautiful and the food was delicious!

Mara and me! Mara is so fun and thoughtful. We met at BYU Hawaii, but I never really got to know her until this trip. She's one of Ashley's best friends from college.

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

So after the reception, I drove to see my best childhood friend, Eike! I loved seeing her, she's always full of insight and interesting ideas. It always seems like we haven't been apart, no matter how long it's been.

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

Eike's Bling! She recently got married to Reid in March of 2008. Our whole family made the trek out to their reception in Portland. We couldn't swing the outdoor wedding in Alaska, unfortunately... : )

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

We got to drive back to Seattle together since she and her hubby were on their way back to Portland. It was like college times at Ricks!

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

The morning was full of misty splendor, and these pictures don't do it much justice. I'm grateful that Eike shares my awe in the beauty and artisty of nature. It truly testifies of God! Growning up in Alaska, how could we not?

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

Now I'm just being silly... Does this feel Twilight-ish to anyone else?

From Ash & Derek's Wedding/fun day w/ Eike & Reid

A Day of Thanks

In my heart, I know the feeling or spirit of gratitude should be as constant as breathing, because there is so much to be grateful for. Unfortunately I get distracted (discouraged or fustrated) often. I love that there are specific days to contemplate the fulness and joy in our lives and to give thanks to the One who gave us all things... The Sabbath, and Thanksgiving!!

We have so much to be grateful for and this one of my favorite times of the year! We love being here on the East Coast, grateful for Aaron's new consulting job, that he's almost done with his MBA, grateful for our two very energetic and loving children. I'm grateful for days of full of my chubby babies (even though I am often pulling my hair out!), for an amazing family back home in Hawaii/SLC/Taiwain, and so grateful for wonderful friends!

From Thanksgiving with the Chinhs

Here's Gina sporting her new short & cute hairstyle. We are so grateful for her family in particular, for inviting us over for the most delicious meal! Gina and Alex are AMAZING cooks, gracious hosts and created a tasty, beautiful spread! She eventually agreed to let me bring dinner rolls (which were kind of a laughing matter- they weren't very good!) and some cranberry-ginger ale-pink lemonade punch. They made everything else!

From Thanksgiving with the Chinhs

"Alex looks sexy!" Gina's words from her blog about this picture and I thought it was cute. Alex carved the turkey which was rubbed and roasted with a combination of savory herbs: Rosemary, Parsley and Thyme. (Please indulge me when I describe all the yummy food!) Their oven had broken down, and they had to use their neighbor's one!

From Thanksgiving with the Chinhs

I don't think my kids ate very much because all they wanted to do was play with their friends, Mark and Christopher.

From Thanksgiving with the Chinhs

Aaron had so much fun talking politics with Alex, and felt very comfortable around the Chinh family. I know this because he stretched out on their couch (at their invitation) after eating too much. We explained my dad's term, "Polynesian Paralysis" to our hosts.

From Thanksgiving with the Chinhs

This WAS my pretty plate of mashed potatoes, a green spring salad, green beans with bacon & onion, pomegranate jello, sausage stuffing, a unintentional sourdough biscuit (I let it rise overnight and then more during the Turkey chase), and of course, delicious turkey and gravy.

From Thanksgiving with the Chinhs

I can see why the sausage stuffing is Alex's favorite!!

From Thanksgiving with the Chinhs

I loved this pumpkin pie, which Gina told me has maple syrup included in the recipe! I was surprised. The German chocolate fudge bar was so rich and delightful.

From Thanksgiving with the Chinhs

I like when Mark calls Elise "Princess" or "Sweetie." I think he hears his mom call Anna that, it's so cute. I might include this story more than once, but Elise asked me where I was going the night before the half marathon so I told her I was going to meet Gina in the morning to run. She said wanted to go with me, but I told her it was cold and that she should stay with Daddy. She responded, "I'm going to meet Mark and run and you can stay home with Daddy!" They are such cute friends.

From Thanksgiving with the Chinhs

Me and sweet Anna! I love her hair in this picture!

From Thanksgiving with the Chinhs

I need to learn some culinary skills from Gina. She shared that a lot of it is about organization and the timing of all the cooking. It makes sense but I loved her recipes too! Thank you, Chinh family for the wonderful company, conversation and delicious food!

we Love the Leggetts

From The Leggetts

Conversation and well, just being with Gabee is pretty effortless. I feel like we have been friends forever! I'm glad they came into town for Thanksgiving and that we got to hang out for a while. I love her skater style (isn't she cute?) and how she and her son would metro around DC, him on his Skuut and Gabee on her skateboard - what a cool mom!

From The Leggetts

Here are the boys. Jonathan is really comfortable to be around too! I think he dozed off on my couch "studying" - which is great because it reminds me of Aaron because he does the exact same thing at our friends' homes in which he feels comfortable in. I hope it means that Jonathan is comfortable with us and not bored! haha. He's pre-med and I hear that is pretty intense.

From The Leggetts

They are so pretty together. I can't imagine Jonathan and Gabee separately. In my mind they are two parts of the same person. They have a pretty amazing story! It's like a fairytale and an inspiring missionary story all rolled up together. You can read about it on Gabee's delightful blog: The Leggetts.

From The Leggetts

Gabee made a cute little playdough die (sp? singular for dice?) that Elijah was intent on getting and destroying. Why, Elijah? He's two that's why. sigh. : )

From The Leggetts

The first thing Elise remembered about Mikael was that he loves dinosaurs. Gabee took some really cute pictures of them hugging! What cute friends. We'll miss you guys!

Turkey Chase

On Thanksgiving day, Jana, Laura and I ran a 10K in Bethesda called the "Turkey Chase." It was a great day! Both of these girls qualified for the Nat'l half/full marathon, whichever they shall choose to run. I keep hoping it's the full! They both beat me and are super fabulous. I look forward to more races with them!

Some random and fun things we saw: several joggers dressed as turkeys and a juggling jogger - seriously! That was crazy. There were so many joggers that it was like a river of people as far as the eye could see between NIH and Bethesda Ave. on Wisconsin Ave. There was so many people that we couldn't find Jana until after the race! Thank you Jana for the great picture (I borrowed it from her blog) and for telling us about this 10K!!

The Dancing Cheetah

Erica was in a children's play the weekend before Thanksgiving as a dancing, singing cheetah - she was fabulous! She said that one of her professors at AU wrote this play. It was a musical, with lots of cute stories to help the characters figure out the "Chem Mystery" (name of the play).

You can't see her cute cheetah slippers!! They were fuzzy and fun. We had so much fun, and the kids were so entertained!

Elijah's Birthday Week!

Elijah is a bundle of excited energy and pure emotion. Aaron says he's pretty much always happy and curious. I love when he tilts his head, squints his eyes, pets my cheek and says "I lub you." He is such a cuddlebug who has an exuberant laugh and smile. He loves to talk and adores his older sister. I can't imagine life without him and I really can't believe he is 2!!

MAHALO everyone for helping us celebrate Elijah! He got a huge box from Hawaii - thank you grandparents!! He got lots of birthday presents from his friends, even though they didn't have to get him anything!

But, we got to do so much celebrating this year. The first thing was the Chevy Chase Playgroup making fun Turkey Hats and eating cupcakes. I am so grateful for talented friends with good ideas!! (to name a few, Sarah, Gina and Michelle!!) Sarah helped the kids make these cute Thanksgiving hats:

Sarah has a great cupcake book and she suggested that I roll the edges in sprinkles. It was super easy and I think they came out really fun!

Ms. Frances, our building manager, snuck Elijah's favorite toy (balloons) in our apartment with a little card, so we had to make more cupcakes and bring her one! I know they do that for everyone, but it was still nice of them!

We babysat the Palmers on Elijah's birthday so that their parents could go to the temple before baby # 4 arrives. It was fun! They brought over some pizza and helped me make the cupcakes.


On Saturday, we met our cousins at Chuck E. Cheese. We wish we could have invited everyone!!

Gina lent me this adorable train cake pan. The cake was supposed to have all sorts of delectable treats on it like M&M's, marshmallows, and candy canes but I ran out of time. I also do not have cake decorating skills like Gina or Sarah. However, Elijah seemed to like it! That's all that matters, right?

Elise and Audrey -- cute cousins.

The birthday boy had almost as much fun as the daddies. : )

On Sunday, I was in charge of bringing the Nursery Treats so Michelle lent me her mini-cupcake pan. I wish I had taken pictures!! Thanks everyone for making Elijah's day so special!

More pictures at Chuck E. Cheese....

Silly kids