My little wind-up toy

Jayci reminds me of a wind-up toy when she moves. She is so stiff when she walks and turns, but I think it's so cute. She took her first steps about a month ago and now walks everywhere she goes. She's getting some speed lately. I thought this video was funny because she likes to pivot turn a lot. She also tries to do somersaults because I help her with them all the time. I think her legs are a little too short to do them by herself though. She turned one yesterday and it's so fun to see her toddling around everywhere. She's about 15 pounds, the size of a 6 or 7 month old so she's just tiny and people are surprised she can walk! She's fun, just thought I'd share!

The deer hunt's over (yay!)

I did it! Okay, not really, but Chad did! He finally shot a deer during the rifle hunt and is happy to be done. (I know, why does he do it if he's just happy to be done? He says it's an addiction). So now maybe I can have him home some weekends. But wait, there's still the duck hunt, and the pheasant hunt, and... it never ends. If you're wondering, I haven't hunted since the first hunt in August I went on. Maybe next year... But really, good job Chad! I know a lot of you probably don't appreciate hunting, but he really works hard for it and to you hunters, you know what an accomplishment it is. So this post is to give Chad his bragging rights. And to you hunters (or husbands who hunt) the stats of the deer are below. Yay for Chad! (I spared you all of the graphic pictures, you'll have to ask Chad if you want to see those) :) Oh, and the best part about it is that Chad shaved his beard the next morning! That was the deal, when he got a deer he'd shave. Yay for his little boy face back! (That's what people are telling him, that he looks like a little boy, and I love it!)

24.5" wide by 22 tall- WOW!

Fun in Washington DC!

Julie and I went on a trip to Washington DC a few weeks ago to visit Jon and Melissa, and just for a fun vacation. It was quite an adventure with our two babies, but we had so much fun! It was so good to see Jon and Melissa! They were so nice to let us stay with them and take us around- thanks guys! We loved it. Sorry for the overload of pics. This is only a small fraction of all this pics we took. Enjoy!

This is a monument at the Pentagon for those who died in the plane and those who died in the building on 9-11. There is a monument for each person in the order of their birth. It was finished only 3 months ago and is really neat

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At the zoo. He was so cute!

We got a little lost on our way back from the zoo and ended up in this tunnel. A little scary on that tiny path!

This was at the Jefferson Memorial, one of our favorites.

Trying a hand at my photo skills.

All of the sudden these chinese guys just came up and started taking pictures of our babies. They took tons and thought the kids were so cute. So I started snapping pics of them! So funny!

Julie with her "twins"- or at least that's what everyone asked , "Are they twins?" They're five months apart. What do you think? Do they look like twins to you?

The white house

Julie, looking at the Jeferson memorial. We got to walk on a beautiful path to get to it.

We kind of joked about who could take the most pictures of the Washington Memorial because it seems we got a picture from every angle and everywhere we went.

Getting a feel of the depression.

We all got to enjoy a trip to the DC temple one afternoon. It's so pretty!

We loved the Lincoln Memorial

This is how Jayci and Ren enjoyed most of the sites-sleeping. Quite nice for us.

Good ol' Einstein

We went kayaking on the Potomac River. It was one of our favorite parts about the trip. It was so pretty. Jon and Melissa watched the babies for us, so that made it extra nice!

Riding the Metro was quite an adventure. Julie and I even got separated once because I couldn't make it off soon enough.

George Washington Memorial

WWII Memorial- had all 50 states around it.

Three Happy Years!

Yesterday was Chad and my third anniversary! Although, we've been "together" for about 8 years now! Just wanted to tell Chad I love him very much. It's been so fun being married to my high school sweetheart. He's a great husband and a wonderful dad to Jayci!

Our humble beginnings. Our first date back in 2000?