ITS A...

SNOW DAY!!!

Here is a shot from my top window of our car and the houses across the street. You can see our "little" one way street which is the norm here.

It may not look like much- well actually its only about 3 inches, but to locals here this is insane weather. So insane- that Brents classes were cancelled!! Hurray for us!!! Aubrie is pretty excited to have her Daddy home all day. The scary thing is that now it is raining and turning everything into ice- so really I wouldn't want to be driving in this. The ice gets really thick here and forms like inch thick sheets on the streets- that is rough to drive in. The fact that schools are closed here is kind of silly to us who just came from about 30 inches of snow in Utah during December- but we are not complaining!

Night Out On Walnut

Friday night Brent and I finally got to go on a date here in Philly! We had such a great time. We actually found a parking meter (about 9 blocks away) and walked to Walnut Street in Center City. For dinner we went to this cute little pizza place named Pietros (thanks Carrie for the suggestion). It was so great to walk around on this busy street. I got to go into H & M , got a quick picture of the HOLT cigar shop (that one is for you Dad), and we stopped in front of Tiffanys (the picture didn't turn out- but it was for you Michelle). Our last stop was for dessert at The Naked Chocolate Cafe. It was unbelievably good. Brent felt bad for making me walk all that way in heels (come on fashion is pain sometimes -right?!) anyway being the sweet guy he is he went and got the car for me so I didn't have to walk back. I admit I was a little nervous sitting in this cafe by myself at night luckily it was VERY crowded. We had a such a great time and I am thrilled about finally getting to go out and explore this exciting and huge city we are living in!

I'm Sick Of...

Sorry this is a negative one, (I'm trying to get over an ear infection).Tonight I just wanted to vent a little.
I'm sick of people asking me when I am going to have another kid...
I'm sick of Aubrie asking me if I have a baby in my tummy...
I'm sick of the excitement of "maybe this month"...
I'm sick of spending money on those stupid tests and not being able to wait to take them...
Most of all, I'm sick of the answer I get when I do...

I only write this because I know so many of you at one time or another can relate to how I am feeling!

Holidays

Sorry that I haven't been much of a blogger lately (Judith, Mom, others....) Life is starting to settle down again and I promise to be better about posting - like once a week or so- Here are a few holiday pictures. It was so fun to see a lot of you during the Holidays, it also made us appreciate our friends and to enjoy this adventure here in Philly while we can.





Here is us taking down Christmas decorations when we got back- Aubrie was devastated about having to put her "boots" away for a whole year.

Happy New Year!!! We had a rockin' time at the Holt's house.

I love that my family will still do silly things with me- here is a bubble blowing contest. I think that is my favorite part of Christmas- just hanging out with family!

Here is our "white elephant gift exchange" my parents do this very nonformally and no one was told a specific number to bring- we ended up with 66 presents -thats right I said 66! There were only about 19 of us so the game was insane!!!

We Made It!

We made it! We are back in Utah. It has been so great to see people we actually know! I wanted to write about the trip out here. First my wonderful friend Amanda thankfully gave us a ride to the airport (thanks again Amanda) then we saw friends from our ward that missed their flight and got to come with us. Notice I said "got to" Whitney?! We had a layover on the way, but the 1st plane ride was fun. It was a very small plane and this being Aubrie's first flight- it made it more exciting. The stewardess had her "help" her. She had Aubrie ask all the passengers if they had trash to throw away and collected their trash. She even got tips! The girl made $3.50
Then as we were landing the stewardess announced that she was grateful for Aubrie's help and everyone clapped. Aubrie says, "Hey thats me!" it was hilarious and so memorable. Can't wait to see everyone and we are so excited for Christmas.

Lately

I have actually been busy lately. I went to New York City last weekend with some girls from the ward here. It was incredible! I had never been and we got to see all the sites. We parked down the street from Times Square. Got to see Rockefeller Plaza, street dancers, the Temple, and of course go shopping! Really it was very cool- and one of the coolest parts about it was that it only took us shy of 2 hours to get there!!!
Yesterday we went to our friend Pete's parents house for Thanksgiving. It was great- everyone was so nice and Pete and Amanda are such good friends (thanks again!)
This morning I went with another friend Carrie to New Jersey to do some shopping. It was CRAZY busy of course- but so much fun to be out and about getting the deals and just being a part of it all. I will post pictures later...

What's a Mormon?

Funny story- I went to a local salon last week to get my hair done (definitely needed!) and while I was there the girl doing my hair was asking me questions. She asked me where I was from and I told her that I had just moved here from Utah. The guy in the next booth said, "Oh are you a Mormon?" I said yes and she looked at me and said, "What's a Mormon?" That was definitely a first for me. Yet another example that I am definitely NOT in Utah anymore!!!