Band Life

We had a busy summer/fall with Carson being a quasi-member of the band.  I cannot even tell you the number of times one of us had to go outside and "play band" with this kid.  He also had a set of band flashcards to review all the instruments.  Whenever he was outside and heard them practicing, he asked if he could go watch practice.  He went to their shows and even a football game to see them.  The band came to do an assembly at Barratt Elementary, so we went to show our support.  He wore his full outfit and the kids loved posing for pictures with the future band member.  He even made the AF Band's facebook page.  :).   

Andrew turns 9

It was pajama day at school for Ribbon Week right on Andrew's birthday - holy dream come true for that little boy!!  He had me make him an ice cream cake (again - so easy!).  We took all his friends to Nickel City in Orem and let them play arcades and spend their tickets.  Pretty easy party, but it was busy - we didn't hardly take any pictures.  We have learned with Andrew that it is best to celebrate on his actual birthday!  (waiting is much too hard)

Andrew is a great kid!  He loves hanging out with his friends and he loves video games and movies.  He's pretty easy to please when it comes to food.  He is an early riser (like his daddy) and he does really well in school.  

Here are some cute stories of Andrew recently:

- This morning, Andrew said very sincerely, "I feel bad for babies because they cannot pick out what clothes they want to wear."  I told him that babies were not the only one's that don't pick out their clothes.  I let him know that Chase & Cole's mom lays out what clothes she wants them to wear everyday.  In utter shock and terror he said, "Everyday?!  Mom, please tell me that you will NEVER do that to me!"
- After hearing that Aunt Ally would likely be in labor for 8+ hours, he said, "I know what I should be grateful for.  I am grateful I am not a girl."
- Andrew wasn't able to go to sleep one night because he felt so happy.  He was happy about the fact that Kendall played the wii with him before bed and that they "got good with a new guy".

September

- I snuck away with my mom to St. George for a little less than 24 hours to shop and see "The Sound of Music" - we had a wonderful time and even ran into Aubrey Van Pelt.  We also hit more Ross' and TJ Maxx's than I even knew existed!  

- Carson has been a good buddy helping volunteer at the elementary.  He was really sad when school started and he realized that he didn't get to go.  Wearing a backpack helps make him feel a little better.

- Rachel played Recreation Volleyball with Brynn & Christy.  Aunt Rachel was one of her coaches and they had a great time.  It was hard to manage her AA soccer and volleyball schedules, but she did a good job being responsible and doing both at the same time.  

- Ribbon Week at Barratt - pajama day even miraculously fell right on Andrew's birthday - a complete dream come true for him! Andrew & Kendall also enjoyed crazy hair day that week.  

- Carson has really enjoyed dressing up this month - he especially loves the twirly skirts at Nana's house.  

- BYU football game turns with daddy!  Go Cougars!

- It is starting to get colder.  Brynn came to watch one of Rachel's soccer games and it got so cold all of a sudden.  All we had in the car was a yoga mat, so we turned it into a jacket for her - ha!  

- Brandon photoshopped a picture of Carson riding a lion (his favorite animal and his favorite movie is still Lion King) and Carson was absolutely tickled with the end product.  

Washington DC

Brandon and I had an awesome opportunity to go with Clyde Companies to Washington DC with the Salt Lake Chamber.  We were gone Monday-Friday!!  We are grateful to our moms + Cade & Ally and Kacie and Rachel for helping watch our kids.  (see the schedule for the craziness)  I was a little sad to miss the AFHS band parent show, but my mom took the kids and no surprise that Carson had the time of his life!  

First things first, we flew on Clyde's private jet.  For real.  I tried to play it cool, but I was feeling like a major VIP!  I also got Brandon to finish our will because I threatened that I would not get on the plane unless it was done and signed. 

Brandon was stoked to go to the Bears game and sit in Steve Young's box - could this day get any more fancy?!  We also got to go to a Nationals Game and the ticket came with $30 of food and gear, so I got myself a Nats shirt - big fan over here (or I just liked the shirt and that it had a W on it - W for Whitney as far as I am concerned). 

One day we took a road trip to Annapolis - we had seafood and also toured the Naval Academy - not something I would usually choose, but it was really interesting.  We also went on a boat cruise one evening and had small group dinners at restaurants throughout the city.  

We did a bunch of DC sight seeing - we traveled mostly on scooters which made seeing the city infinitely better than the last time we went when we were first married.  We went to the Bureau of Engraving, the Library of Congress, the White House, National Portrait Gallery, US Capitol Building, Holocaust Museum, etc.

We heard from guest speakers that the chamber had arranged including Ben McAdams, John Curtis, Mitt Romney (very brief), Chris Stewart, Rob Bishop, Mike Lee, etc. It was very interesting to see the very different views from the various speakers.  

We met lots of new friends and did our best at networking (neither of our forte).  There were four couples that went from Clyde.  Wilford & Natalie Clyde, Jeremy & Cami Hafen, and Dave & Megan Kallas.  I really enjoyed getting to know all of them!  I also appreciated to hear about all the times that the spouses had accompanied them on trips - it was kind of unique.  

Meanwhile, back at home ...