chocolate chips + goldfish crackers = YUM!

it's the perfect snack when you reach that short moment when "dad can't come home soon enough!" (that is always around 5 pm for us)

We had the greatest weekend. I loved general conference and am so happy to have a living prophet to help us know what our Savior, Jesus Christ would have us do today.

I loved Sister Elaine Dalton's talk about the importance fathers, and specifically their influence on their daughters.

Elder Scott's talk about scriptures helped me remember how thankful I am to have my own set of scriptures that I can read from and study from daily. It also made me realize I need to do much better!

And Elder Ballard is always a personal favorite. His talks always just "make sense" to me (one of my all time favorite talks was given by Elder Ballard in 2006). I love how he goes back to very simple principles and expounds upon them to make them great.

Many more favorites! I learned tons and enjoyed the weekend relaxing with family and eating so many yummy treats including Momma Coles homemade gumbo, boudain, and of course, lots of chocolate!

I can't wait to receive the Ensign so I can read all of the talks again, and again.

i went on a walk today and saw little butterflies flying all around... and then i found this treasure. it reminded me of one of my very favorite songs.

toddler fun in dallas

we love the children's aquarium in dallas. Here's {some of the reasons} why:

1. lots of colorful fish, sharks, alligators and sting rays
2. small enough you can let the children out of the strollers and run around without worrying about losing them, but still large enough to make it worth going
3. you can TOUCH (and feed, if you want to spend the $$) the sting rays and you can TOUCH the crabs
4. there is a little lunch/picnic table area... perfect for the always needed snack time
5. it's nearly all inside, so you can go in the heat or the cold
6. it is SO affordable- i think i bought a year membership for $20
7. parking is FREE
8. they have a sea turtle
9. they have Nemo and Dory fish
10. the octopus is awesome too

AND

I loved that our visit to the aquarium left the kids so worn out (and happy!) it resulted in a 3.5 hour nap for both of them!

see ya next time ray!

the month of august was full of fun, and we are happy that the fun is still rolling into september!

Landon returned home from his mission to Japan. Hudson loved meeting Uncle Landon for the first time. We enjoyed weeks of fun with family in Oregon. Boating, relaxing, cousins, yard work, awesome (dare I say, PERFECT) weather,pictures, family... what could be better?

Garrett and I celebrated 4 years of marriage! Wahoo!

Hudson and I traveled to Oregon, California, Utah and back to Texas. We can successfully say we have spent time in each of the 4 time zones of the continental United States this summer. I think Hudson is still confused about which time zone he is in.

We visited the Squires in Sacramento. We went to Old Sac (I just really like saying "old sac"), spent time with family, played in the blow up pool, and enjoyed some delicious hamburgers with "cheese skirts".

Utah was spent with Grandparents, Great Grandparents, Great-grandma, puzzles, Landon, BYU, aunts, uncles, and friends.

Labor Day we caught up with the Coles clan. We met our new niece/cousin- adorable, went swimming, played, spent time with grandparents and great grandparents, did a service project, and shopped!

It all went by too fast. It is amazing to me that Hudson was able to see nearly all of his great-grandparents (He is has 10 great grandparents!) and his great, great grandma in just the last month. We are so blessed to have so many wonderful generations of our family who are still healthy, strong, involved, knowledgable, etc etc. We love being with our families!

the thing i'll miss the most about dc is definitely these guys:

hudson talks about "julie" and "i-ah" all the time. he cries when they leave!

hopefully we end up in the same city again someday!

Lately, we have been going to the park early in the morning, playing our hearts out for 30 minutes and then returning home, as sweaty as can be, to the wonderful air conditioning. We are so spoiled! But seriously, it is so hot that Hudson actually ASKS me to go "inside" which never happens! The first word that Hudson mastered was "outside" and he has been saying it hourly ever since! Yesterday we decided to head over to the Botanic Gardens and play in the fountains. It was refreshing to get outside and get a little wet. We topped the evening off with a walk and some yummy gelato. It was a great day.

part of the mcglinchy family came to visit DC last week.

we had an awesome, busy week exploring the monuments, museums and memorials. I can't get over how much there is to do in DC! and it's all FREE

Hudson loves "pen-cer" "weah" "papa" and "gamma". The little man misses these four like crazy.

we miss you guys already! glad we get to see you again so soon!

a picture's worth 1000 words