Oh Sweet September

We surely began the month of September with a bang in deciding to take our kids on their first ever overnight camping trip. I had high hopes of enjoying nature with our two little people, especially since they loved the hike we took a few months ago. Surely they would love camping then, right? Jase went into this experience with more realistic expectations (he said, "I wasn't actually expecting to sleep, were you?").

Anyways, We went to Brunswick, MD and stayed at Brunswick Family Campground. They were the only campground around here without a 2 night minimum for the Labor day holiday weekend. It was a nice campground, literally steps from the Potomac river, but also right next to a double train track where trains went by blazing their horns about every 1/2 hour all night long. Brunswick is supposed to only be about a 50  minute drive from here, but it ended up being closer to 1 1/2 hours. Bless this Maryland traffic. Alden screamed (for unapparent reasons we could not understand, nor would he care to communicate) most of the way there. We got there and set up camp and cooked our dinner, etc. That went great, and the kids loved eating hot dogs and throwing sticks on the fire and getting dirty. I love when they like being outside. The real fun started when it got dark and Rachel realized we weren't going home. She thought it was the silliest, dumbest thing in the world that we would even think of sleeping OUTSIDE, ON THE GROUND (granted we were in a tent, with sleeping bags and pillows) when we had perfectly good, empty beds at home. Those were her words. Plus it was really dark, and that really scared Rachel, who is used to sleeping with the closet light on. She eventually consented and fell asleep around 10 (we started bedtime routine around 8:30). Alden was a whole other story. He was completely irrational and totally exhausted but just couldn't calm down. He's used to falling asleep by himself with no distractions, so this was pretty nuts of us to even attempt I guess. Around 11 Jase took screaming little Alden to the car and drove laps around the campground until he fell asleep around 11:30 and brought him back to the tent. Little man woke up around 3:50 and again, couldn't sleep, so Jase did the same thing as before and just slept the rest of the night in the car. By 6 am we were all up and making breakfast. Our fishing pole had manufacturer's defects discovered by Jase at the campsite, so...no fishing. We ended up walking around a bit (Alden called this a hike) and swinging with the kids at the campground park, so that was fun, but we couldn't help but think the swinging, walking, and cooking at a charcoal grill nearby may have been more efficient. Let's just say that I don't think we'll be going camping anytime soon. At least because I've written this down, the kids will know someday that their parents tried to give them good family time out in nature, even if they hated it?

Rachel and Alden adding sticks to the fire.

Jase telling
"spooky" stories

Attempts at a family picture by the Potomac river

Attempt #2 (we never got a great one)

I love back to school time each fall. With the weather cooling and all the new school supplies in the stores, it's just exciting for me. I used to love the first day of a new school year or a new semester, what with the fresh starts and the new books. I even have started to re-read the Harry Potter series this fall since it makes me feel like I'm at Hogwarts going to school again. Too fun. Anyways, Rachel and I started our second year of Joy School. Three other moms and I rotate weeks, which makes the class a nice group of 4 kids--2 boys and 2 girls. So far everything's gone pretty well. The first day at my house was pretty chaotic, but I sort of expected that since none of the other kids had been to our house before. With new surroundings, new toys to play with, and a new mom to meet, attention spans aren't top notch. The second day went great, so I'm sure things will be wonderful this year. It has been good for Rachel to make some more friends here in Maryland, which I think has been a little harder for her since she's so used to things being easy with her Virginia friend group. During Joy School when the other mothers teach, Alden and I have been enjoying long park visits (this boy can swing for an hour straight!), ice-cream dates, and doing errands that are easier to do with one munchkin instead of two. Rachel also started a pre-k gymnastics class for 45 minutes once a week. It's a pretty simple class, but the teacher is awesome. The moms get to look through a little window to watch the action, and it looks like a blast. They do a little stretching, lots of playing/movement exercises with music (pretending to be animals, etc.), and they do little obstacle courses with a small balance beam, soft padded stairs and wedges, etc. She loves going and has a lot of fun every time. Alden desperately wishes he could go into class too, so I think next year when he turns 3 I'll let them do the class together (it's a 3-5 age group).

Rachel's first day of Joy School, year 2!

Alden enjoying some coloring time with Mama during Joy School

Rachel all set for Pre-k Gymnastics

Looking so handsome for church!

My beautiful girl!!!

Probably the biggest news of the month is that we added a little someone to our family. Jase and I have discussed adding a real pet (not a fish or even our little birds) to our family for a long time. Our last apartment wouldn't have been great for a cat or a dog, especially not during the time we were having two tiny ones and in the throes of law school. When we signed our lease here in Maryland, we knew that it said "no pets," but we decided to ask the Realtor anyways since we thought it couldn't hurt. The owner actually came back with a "yes, no problem, one small cat." Adopting a pet is sort of like a decision to have a baby, since a kitten could stick around for 15-20 years of raising, so we really wanted to find the right kitty. We did some prep buying (a crate, bed, litter box, etc.), and then went to Petsmart to scope out the available cats (Oliver is actually from an animal rescue that contracts through Petsmart adopt). We had been the week before, just looking for fun before we knew we could even have a cat. I was with the kids this time while Jase was at work and as I pulled the cart up to the window, Rachel and I saw the cutest little orange kitten through the glass. Rachel and I looked at each other and she said (with tears in her eyes, like she couldn't believe this was really happening), "That's my kitty isn't it?" I was thinking the exact same thing. He was bouncing around in his pen like crazy chasing after a ball. I spoke with the adoption counselor and she agreed he was a great fit for a house with kids. He was 4 months old (we didn't really want an 8 week old baby, what with Alden being 2 and potentially a little rough), very playful and tolerant, and healthy. I got all his records, picked up a few more things, and we brought him home the very hour! Rachel named him right there and proclaimed him to be Oliver. I took him to the vet the next day and he checked out great. He is everything we dreamed and hoped for. More than anything, he loves being near people. He follows me around all day (he even comes and sits by my feet while I do my hair and makeup). He still takes many naps throughout the day, and can sneak away to a spot under a bed or chair and enjoy some space from the kids. He is a great lap cat, and if you're sitting on the couch, he's there right beside you or on you sleeping and purring like a motor boat. I think this is uncharacteristic of most cats, but Oliver will purr for a half hour straight if he's awake and just sitting with you. He's the happiest, sweetest cat. We've had a few near-death scares, what with Rachel and Alden being sort-of (completely) obsessed with finding Oliver and touching him most of the time, but he's no worse for the wear, and sometimes I actually think he likes it. The other day Rachel was "tickling his chin" like crazy and making all sorts of horribly high-pitched sounds. I thought it would annoy him, but it turns out he was purring the whole time and quite enjoying all the attention. Suffice it to say, we love him and are so happy he's ours. His nicknames are Ollie, Ollio, and Oliver the "regal lion."

This guy is IN LOVE with Ollie. 

Cute boy with his white socks and jingle bell (although we've been taking his bell collar off so the kids can't find  him).

Nap on the couch (he crosses his front paws a lot while sleeping...I think it's so cute!)

Rachel is most definitely in love with her kitty. She is always laying on the couch or the floor with him singing the song from Charlotte's Web "There must be something more to us than you and me..."

We also took a Saturday family outing to the National Zoo. We decided to take the metro in so the kids could see what riding was like. They call the metro "the wild choo-choo" since when we first moved here and would drop Jase off to go into work Rachel would say dramatically, "it just looks so wild" (we think this is because it's sort of dirty maybe?). The kids were giddy to ride something so wild, and had a lot of fun going through the tunnels and looking out the windows when we were above ground. A girl who was riding in the same car as us passed Jase a note on our way off the train that said, "You two make a cute couple. Congrats! :)" We thought that was a really nice thing to say. Our supposed 30 minute train ride actually ended up being a nearly 2 hour adventure itself since the red line was partially down (we had no idea) and we had to exit at an earlier stop than we wanted, catch a free shuttle bus to another stop, get back on the metro, exit at the one we really wanted, and then walk several blocks to the zoo. And then walk around the hilly zoo to enjoy it! It was pretty exhausting with 2 kids and a stroller. I could have only done it all with Jase there! We saw so many animals and had a great time though, and a frozen yogurt place across the street gave us free cold water bottles on our way out. The kids were pretty well shot by the time we saw the seals, so we decided to call it a day (we hadn't seen several parts of the zoo yet, but...when you're tired, you're tired!).

Riding the metro like Dad.

Rach and I

So excited!

Rachel was obsessed with this armadillo. We couldn't believe it, but apparently this is her most favorite animal. We spent just as much time watching this little guy as we did with the monkeys, seals, etc. She loved him.

What a sweet ape. 

Totally wiped out. Most days we get our normal nap time routine, but you just have to have some days like this where you have so much fun you just fall asleep wherever you are, right?

In other news, Jase and I are officially dating again (meaning we actually go out, with no children, alone, to do something fun, just for us!!). Getting a babysitter, in our current state, means it's just cost-prohibitive to go on weekly-ish dates (we like to reserve dating money for the actual dates), so we were hoping when we moved to Maryland to find a like-minded couple to switch off with. In the past, we've always swapped babysitting with friends. Jase or I would go sit at their house after their kids went to bed so they could go for a date, and then one of our friends would do the same for us the next weekend (this works still since we all have kids that go to bed around 7). It can be a pain to plan and figure out the times, but it always works out and is worth it. We finally found another couple who were interested in a date-swap, so we've been doing that. We've mostly just gone out to eat and gone for walks in fun areas. Our last date we got frozen yogurt and went for a walk to a Barnes and Noble. It was so much fun holding Jase's arm and holding hands with no little people to carry or to ensure no one gets run over by a car, etc. (bless them still, we love them). We found tons of books we want to buy each other for Christmas, and spent way too much time in the children's section reliving our favorites from when we were kids, and planning which ones to get the kids for Christmas. I forgot how fun a bookstore can be, especially when it's just you and your really cute husband.

And that's a wrap! Happy October!!! It's pumpkin season (Jase makes a mean homemade pumpkin pie with homemade whipped cream that I am seriously looking forward to...).

Summer Highlights in Maryland

 

Here's what been happening with the Howell's since late June. This is going to be a marathon post (I'm really not kidding) since we've been busy, and since I am a bad at blogging regularly. I've been working on this post for a week now.

Starting with June:
A few weeks after moving in to our new place my parents came to stay for a week and a half. It was absolutely wonderful to have them all to ourselves. We relaxed, played, went to lunch, went swimming, picked blueberries, and played at the park. The kids got to know my parents even more and fell even more in love. My mom took some awesome family pictures of us (see above, thank you Mom!). We celebrated the 4th of July with them and the Elliott's (my cousins) on my parents last night here and really enjoyed ourselves. We felt spoiled to have them come all the way out to Maryland. I can't find hardly any pictures of this trip (probably because we were having too much fun, and my Mom takes the pictures so I just get hers eventually). I stole this one off of Facebook, because it totally epitomizes my dad and his grand-kids. It's all about the playing. I couldn't find any of my Mom with the kids, and I swear I took one! Mom do you have that picture?



The week before July 4th a pretty violent storm called a "derecho" blew through the area, causing a great deal of damage from high winds and lightning. We were one of the lucky few with electricity through the whole thing, so we felt very blessed to not have to worry about all the food in our freezer, etc. and to be able to keep cool. Because of the storm there were no fireworks on the 4th due to the fairgrounds being used as a cleanup home-base, but happily they were rescheduled for the next weekend. We set up a spot a ways from the fairgrounds with the Elliott's, and enjoyed watching fireworks with them. We've felt extremely blessed to be living in the same town as my cousins. We've been able to get to know them a lot better and it's been so nice feeling at home with them.

Mid-July we got a little homesick for Williamsburg and took a little road trip down to see off some of our best friends, the Wilkerson's, who left for new employment in Texas. We were able to spend the night at our other best friends empty (of people) apartment, the Taylor's, since they were still in Wisconsin completing an internship, so that was great and made sleeping arrangements much easier. We spent the evening and the next morning hanging out with our friends. It was so incredibly bitter-sweet to be there one last time with them. Jared and Jason graduated law school together, both went to the DR on their missions, and worked in the same Elder's quorum presidency. They got along great, and always seemed to be planning our couples Dominican Republic trip for 2014 together. I could say a million wonderful things about Stacy, because there really are that many wonderful things about her. I didn't really get to know her very much my first year in Williamsburg, but we both later felt regret about what we'd been missing! This woman is one of the most brilliant, loyal, and hard-working people I've ever met. She is an incredible friend. She is the kind of person who hears your kids are sick and shows up at your door with fresh coloring books and chicken noodle soup (this very thing has happened to me). She knows and loves each of her boys fiercely. She has incredible talents with children, and taught me so much about being active with my children's learning (she is also the most incredible nursery leader and teacher ever). We shared so many tears together through some pretty rough times and challenges, and I'm so grateful we had each other. Our kids were the best of friends, and I wish it could always be so. Her kids became like two little nephews to me, and I miss them dearly. Sadly I can't find a picture right now of Stacy or Jared!! But here's one picture, at least of the kids.

Luke, Rachel, Micah, and Alden playing on the bed

After breakfast and goodbyes to the Wilkerson's, we headed to Busch Gardens for one last trip on our summer passes. We met up with more good friends, the Larsen's. We love Gordon, Amber, and their girls so much and it was especially fun for Sophie and Rachel to see each other (these two girls have come from not even crawling to being nearly 4 together). We rode a few rides together and caught up for a few hours and then the weather sadly got in the way. The rain literally came down in sheets and buckets for quite a long time. Alden took a nap while we waited things out and Rachel had fun playing in the warm rain. We were just glad I brought extra clothes for the kids, a towel, and ponchos (I thought it might rain)! We ended up calling it a day before we got to ride our two favorite rides, but decided that we'd come back to BG in a few years when the kids are older and can ride even more rides.

Daddy and Rachel super soaked from the pouring rain. Loved it.

Before the rain on a kiddie ride.

Sophie and Rachel hanging out before going on the battering ram.

We love Williamsburg so much, partly because of the wonderful town that it is, but mostly because of the wonderful friendships we made and the experiences we had there. Law school couldn't have gone better, and we know we made exactly the right choice to be there. Part of us wanted to stay somehow, but we know that with so many of our friends now or eventually moving on and away, Williamsburg for us would never be the same. We're so grateful for the time we had there. We think it will become one of our favorite "getaway" spots for weekend trips and such, and since we know it so well we'll still consider ourselves locals instead of tourists.

August brought my 25th birthday and Alden's 2nd birthday. Our birthdays are exactly a week apart, both on Mondays this year. For my birthday Jase and I bought an elliptical. I've wanted one for so long since I've needed the exercise and the elliptical is a lot easier on my creaky knees (I have joint narrowing and what sounds like a lovely "cracking" in my knees) than running on pavement or a treadmill. I absolutely love it. I also got new dishes, a great nonstick electric skillet (that makes much improved grilled cheese sandwiches over our stainless steel), clothes, and some money. Great birthday. For breakfast Alden and I made blue pancakes (we like to dye them a color for fun), played all morning, got lunch at Panera (one of my favorites), went swimming all afternoon, and picked up Jase from the metro and had dinner at Cafe Rio. Can you tell I don't really like to cook? Jason made my cake the day before and we had cake and ice cream after dinner (I always have yellow cake with chocolate frosting), I blew out my candles, and turned 25.

Before church shot of my two babies and I. Alden looks happy to be sandwiched doesn't he? He always tells Rachie and I: "I love my girls."

Alden helping me with my birthday breakfast.

Jase lighting candles for my cake.

My girl and me on my 25th!

My cake on fire!

We began Alden's birthday celebrations the Saturday before his birthday with a trip to the Smithsonian's Air and Space satellite museum in Chantilly. They hosted a "Super Saturday" all about helicopters, which I think I've noted before as one of Alden's biggest interests. The museum was great, full of tons of airplanes, helicopters, and space equipment, including the space shuttle Discovery. The best part was the chance to go outside and see several working and "in-use" helicopters. We talked to their pilots and crew, and the kids got to climb around, sit in the seats, and ask questions. They loved pretending to be helicopter pilots. On Monday (his real birthday) he woke up to lots of fun presents. He got a tool kit since he's always swiping Dad's tools, a construction worker dress up set complete with hat and vest, some rescue hot wheels vehicles (including a helicopter), the "little people" helicopter and airplane, his first Legos set, several new books, and a movie. I made him all his favorite foods, and mostly he just wanted to play with all his new toys. We had Joani and her girls over for dinner, cake, and ice cream for the evening. Alden requested a blue Buzz Lightyear cake, but since his Mama lacks in cake decorating creativity he got a very basic version of that (a blue cake with an action figure on top). We think he quite enjoyed his day, although he's apparently still not clear as to what it all meant since he will claim through tears that he's still "one, not two!"

So excited to be sitting in a real helicopter pilot seat.

Birthday morning presents after opening. We do the present opening in the morning before Daddy goes to work so the kids can play with their new things all day.

Special breakfast for a special boy--his current favorite: green pancakes, bacon, and orange juice.

So excited for his blue Buzz Lightyear cake.

The week after Alden's birthday was the Montgomery County Agricultural fair. It was awesome. I've never been to a fair close to this big. There were all kinds of farm animals, including many babies. We saw cows, ducks, sheep, goats, chickens, llamas, camels, and many more.

The kids and I went with my friend Jaime and her two boys during the week. Here's the three of us riding the school bus from the free parking lot to the fair entrance.

Rachel having a chat with some dairy cows.

Alden was terrified of the poultry house. Hundreds of clucking chickens are the stuff of nightmares.

Alden was totally tuckered out. Thank goodness Jaime had an umbrella stroller and Eli was awake. This kid is getting heavy. Jase went out and bought one for our next fair trip.

We had so much fun going with our friends that we wanted to bring Daddy too!

Alden having a chat with this Mama cow.

Rachel trying on a fireman's coat. We explored many fire trucks.

The next weekend we got to see Jason's sister, Ondalynn (the kids call her our tiny Onda). Onda had been in NYC for a week to look around and take some trial opera lessons from a Broadway instructor. Her friend Austin had been in NYC for the summer and they drove back to Arizona together, stopping at our house for the night and to play in the morning. We were sooo glad that stopped by!

The very next day some of our favorite people came to visit us. The Taylor family came up from Williamsburg for dinner and to stay the night and go to the temple the next morning. We got some Costco pizzas and I had a blast catching up with Keegan. The kids played like crazy and picked up right where they left off a few months ago.

Other than the bigger events above, we've gone on a hike, gone swimming several times, shopped (the kids love Costco and call it the "snack store" since they have samples everywhere), played at the park, and got creative inside. The kids and I don't like this crazy heat, so we've been finding fun things to do indoors until fall hits. We've done lots of painting activities (birdhouses, pictures), played with play dough, made homemade bean bags, done fingerprinting, and lots of assorted art projects. We've built forts and sat in them while having popcorn with afternoon movies. We've put masking tape all over our carpet to make "little people cities," complete with parking lots and streets. We've sung at least one hundred thousand songs, read twelve hundred books, and gone to the mall to walk around and go to the library (our library is temporarily inside our local mall). We've had play dates with new friends, and even built a homemade volcano with them. Basically having two walking/talking/playing/learning kids absolutely rocks. I sleep all night and play all day, and even get a nap quite often!

Enjoying our hike in Seneca Creek State Park.

Silliness at the pool.

Practicing our cutting skills! He's pretty good with his toddler scissors.

Hanging out in one of our many blanket forts, complete with child-size lanterns.

Another tent day with blankets and pillows for comfortable movie watching.

Filling bean bags.

Masking tape cities and little people.

A few random things about the kids I want to remember:
--We're beginning to understand how much of a winter-girl our Rachel is. She can't stand the humid heat outside. When it started to get really hot, she would work up quite a sweat sitting in her car seat each time we hopped in the car. The first time she got so sweaty (we're talking dripping, even though the air conditioning was on full blast) she sounded so frustrated and grossed out when she asked me, "Mom, why am I all wet?" She is a self proclaimed "winter girl." Rachel asks me every couple of days, "Why is it taking so long for my birthday to get here?" and "How many more days until Christmas?" I think it may be rubbing off on Alden as well, since every night he's been requesting "The First Noel" and "Jingle Bells" as bedtime songs.
--Both kids now know all the words and proudly sing Lee Greenwood's song "Proud to be an American" and I just love it every time. They know so many songs and love for me to turn the music up in the car and we all sing. Their favorites lately are Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby," Justin Beiber's "Baby" (Rachel can even nearly do the rap part...haha), Taylor Swift's "Today Was a Fairytale," American Tale's "Somewhere Out There" (they even separate the boy and girl parts, sing them appropriately, and do air guitar during the totally 90's electric guitar bridge), Robyn's "Show Me Love," and Christina Perri's "A Hundred Years." I play them lots of music at home and in the car and it's funny to see which one's they request over and over again. --They've started singing their own "theme songs." Whenever Alden does something cool (like put on his own shirt), he comes out and expects Rachel and I to sing his theme song. Alden's goes something like this: "Go Alden, go Alden, yeah, yeah, go Alden." He shakes his head from side to side while we sing it. We do the same for Rachel, but her theme song goes like this: "Yay for Rachie, cause Rachie's number 1, Hey!" I think this whole thing is hilarious. Basically it's always a party at our house.

In other news, lately Jase and I keep busy with our callings for church. Jason is the Ward Mission Leader and I'm back in Young Women's with the 16-17 year old's (I've been doing this for about 3 years now). Both have been challenging and demanding for us, but we've met so many wonderful people and are happy to help. I've grown so much since teaching YW classes, and I love being able to get out of the house one night a week to be with the girls and the other leaders for youth group. In other news, Jason has decided against taking the bar now that he's enjoying his PMF program and human resources experience. Taking the bar is a financial and time commitment he's not sure is worth it. He's getting so much training and is thinking that since the human resources field is growing and seems more versatile than the legal field that he'd rather pursue that. His legal education gave him a ton of valuable skills and knowledge for human resources, so we're still very happy he did it. We wouldn't have been in the position we are now if we hadn't come to William and Mary for the Law program and had the experiences he did.

I'll blog soon about our recent camping trip (which was a very interesting trip indeed). That's a wrap!

Birthday Letter to Alden, age 2

My dear Alden-boy,

Happy birthday to you my golden-haired boy. You've made it all the way to two years old, and my goodness has it been one crazy beautiful ride. Today when I held your two-year-old, wiggly self to rock and sing to you before your nap, you snuggled into my chest and looked up at me not three inches from my face and through giddy giggles you told me you loved me, just like you always do. I told you I loved you back and I breathed every bit of you in and was reminded again of the day Dr. Isbell set you in my arms. I knew then as I know now that you are someone special.

You love to love on people and to be loved on. Not an hour goes by that you don't have a hug to give. You have a gift for spreading excitement and helping people feel happy, welcomed, and comfortable. You have a gift for being a good friend. The other day I watched as you confidently waltzed up to several people you didn't know to introduce yourself. You smiled at them and said, "Hi! My name is Alden. What's your name?" You are one of the most complimentary two-year-old's I've ever met (it should also be noted that you are also one of the most verbal two-year-old's I've ever met!). You are always quick to tell me that I look pretty, or to tell your Daddy that you like his nice shoes or tie, or that you like Rachie's hair. Not too many boys notice all the things you notice (even grown up ones), so keep that up. You are deeply kind, and if there was any trait I would wish for you to have most, that would be it.

Remember always that your family loves you. You really hit the jackpot with having a Father you can admire and strive to be like, and he talks daily about how we are so lucky to have you in our family. Your Mama is deeply in love with every bit of you and tries very hard to help you understand your goodness. Your Rachel thanks Heavenly Father every night for you because she is so grateful to have you as her best friend and co-conspirator. Your Grandpas and Grandmas love your contagious smile and your jabber-box ways. Your aunts and uncles and cousins love your jokes and antics. And we all love your extra special squeeze-style hugs.

Thanks for being my boy. Eat and sleep a little more this year, okay? We'll make the two's terrific.

Love,

Your Mama