3 years of marriage, 2 kids and 1 joint purchase

Ben & I decided last week that the Focus just wasn't cutting it. I guess some cars are just too compact to provide space for strollers, the kids and everything else. Since we both owned cars before we were married we've never had the experience of making a large purchase together (since we haven't bought a house yet). So we did it...we bought a new car! And guess what, we bought a MINIVAN! I know, I know, why not the SUV? Here is why:
1. Power Sliding Doors--need I say more?
2. Carseats...what a pain in an SUV
3. Gas Mileage

Anyways, so here it is...
I am so in love with the color, the AZ tinted windows & automatic transmission! :)

Last but not least...reason #4 We bought a minivan so that we could move back to good ol' Folsom for our internship! Yes, Intel called and asked us to report to the Folsom site. We were all set for our Oregon adventure but this will make our summer move much easier since we won't have to cart any furniture etc with us. We are so excited to spend a summer near our families (free babysitting, free food who could ask for more? I didn't say that did I??). Ben is super excited to have a wife who won't be working during the summer for the first time since she was 15. And Xander is excited about this mysterious thing we call "camping". Look out summer...we are on our way!!

Summer Internship!

We are taking the internship from Intel! Our site is not yet determined but will most likely be in Oregon...with Folsom as #2. Ya-hoo! We start on June 2nd...more exciting news to come...stay tuned!

What a week!!

Another week has come and gone and can you believe it, Ben's first 1/2 of school ends in 2 weeks!? WOW! Time sure has flown. We've been pretty busy again, as you can see. So here is a recap! After a sleepless weekend, Eliza went in to the doctor and we found out that she has yet another ear infection. So we are treating her again for the infection and hoping she will get better soon. She has become super grabby this week, as you can tell by her interest in the elephant--it's been fun to watch her progress despite the pain she was in. (The doc said it was pretty bad--no wonder she didn't want to lie down to sleep!) Xander hit 100 potty's in the toilet (in 2.5 weeks) and has started to go #2 there regulary as well. As promised, that meant dinner was at Chuck E' Cheeses this week. We are still using the potty chart and are so grateful to the book, "The Potty Train" that has totally peaked his interest in the toilet again. I am still swimming with the class I instruct at the YMCA but am attempting to do Yoga on the other days...Xander loves to join in and actually does pretty well. Our stroller arrived on Wednesday and so we've been walking more and more as well. Unfortunately, it is supposed to hit 97 degrees today, so walking will be only in the morning. We are so grateful that daddy came home early on Thursday (my allergies hit hard and I could NOT function properly) and he made a fantastic dinner! Shrimp Alfredo with asparagus...mmmm, mmm, good. And then on Saturday we had a special visitor...Joseph Stanley! Nick & Jen are in school in Tucson and asked if we could play with Joseph while they went to the temple. Xander thought it was fantastic--Joseph Smith was at his house! Yes, the entire time little Joseph was there, Xander chased after him, "Joseph Smith, do you want this. Joseph Smith, don't do that." etc. They had a blast and he was super chill. It was great to see Nick & Jen as well...but the babies are the fun part!

The most exciting news of the week though is that Ben has received an offer for an internship. The offer was made by INTEL and we have until Wednesday to accept. The internship would be in Oregon with a slight chance to go back to Folsom...we'll see. But we are waiting for one other company that would put us in southern California. So, check back at the end of the week and we'll be able to tell you where we are spending the summer. I've been checking out the weather in both areas and either would be great--Hillsboro has average July temperatures of 80 and Costa Mesa 72...HEAVEN! Go Daddy! We are so proud of you and can't wait for our adventure!

A New Phase

Last week Xander started a new phase. A phase of "I'll just do it myself." Not "let me do it" oh no, it's a 'if you aren't available I'll just do it.' For example, I taught this weeks cooking club class and during the class Xander decided he was thirsty. He asked me for some juice. I told him '1 minute.' Apparently, he didn't want to wait because he went and got a glass and the juice and poured it. He actually did a fantastic job and did not spill until the cup got full and it spilled over. :) This was my favorite episode though...Xander found my swim cap and goggles and asked if we could go swimming. I told him that we couldn't on that particular afternoon. That was not the answer he wanted so he undressed himself and put my cap and goggles on. Then he started to pretend to swim on the floor. He kicked and pulled and made us (Dad came home at just the right time) both laugh really hard. At least he got his desire to swim out, right?? :)