1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Yes, it is true, Ella and I went to visit the Obamas... no, not really.  We went to visit cute Maryann, Taylor, Hailey, and Dain.  Maryann and I have been bestfriends since the 2nd grade when she moved in across the street.  To make a long story short, Maryann and I decided on my Birthday that I needed to come and see her.  A week later, I received an email showing me incredible deals for one way airfares.  I couldn't let this pass by.  So, on a whim, I bought a ticket for Washington D.C.  Ella and I were headed to see the wonderful Hansen family.  Brennan had to stay and work... or he would have come.

Maryann and I had such a fun time.  We saw many fun things and stayed very busy with the 3 girls.  It was a site to see 2 adult women and 3 tiny girls jammed in the back of Maryann's 4Runner.  I think Ella had quite an interesting time getting used to 2 new "sisters." She had her good moments and her not so great moments.  Overall, we both had a really great time.

Having 3 kids under the age of 3, we were able to see a lot of Washington D.C., but not everything.  Here are some pictures, see if you can figure out where we are: 

Thank you, Hansen family! I loved being there with you and getting my "personal tour" of Washington D.C.  You were so kind to let us stay with you, eat your food, and take up all your gas looking for parking.  

Just call me a Slacker

Chinaman's Hat

Matt showing his skills at Sharks Cove

Sick waves at Pipeline... seriously, there were pros there.

Brennan was is heaven. This is his Mecca.

Hawaiian Temple that is being reconstructed.

Mark Eubank and his wife were the Temple Couple.

Hole in the Rock...

I know, it has been a long time since my last post. I guess I just feel like I don't have anything fun to talk about. But, I will update all of you on what has been happening as of late. At the beginning of March Brennan, Matt, Julie(Brennan's film partner and girlfriend), and I went to Oahu, Hawaii for 9 days. We went because Brennan and Matt's documentary film "Manowce" won an award at the Honolulu International Film Festival(there is a link to their website on the blog, if your curious). I am so proud of these 2, they have worked so hard the last couple of years trying to get it into festivals and letting people know about it. Finally, someone recognized their efforts and hopefully this will open some doors. Anyways, the festival was the first 3 days and we all decided to stay 6 more days and enjoy lovely Oahu. It was so much fun to be back there again. I hadn't been back since studying at BYU Hawaii a few years back, during which I made life long friends. For those of you that were there with me, the North Shore brought back many fond memories. It seems almost like a dream.

Okay, back to the trip... we decided that it was probably a better idea to not take Ella on the trip with us. Even though she would have loved it. We were going with 2 people that weren't use to a 1 year old and just thinking of packing for her... overwhelming. So, she stayed with my parents, my sisters, and my mother-in-law. Thank you to them for allowing Brennan and I to have a relaxing vacation and not have to worry about her. That doesn't mean we didn't miss her like crazy because, we did. Anyways, the trip was fabulous and it is nice to have a tan in March.

Diamondhead and Waikiki

"Da Country Club"

Winter Beach

Cloudless skies and 80 degree weather...

Few people on the beach...

50 degree water, but stayed in it forever...

Taking 2 days to fall in love with the sand...

Knowing your child loves the beach as much as you do...

PRICELESS

Ella's 1st Birthday!

 

Ella's first birthday 

Let me finish what I started.  It was Thursday morning, I called the hospital, they wanted me there at 8:00 a.m.  While I was getting ready, I started getting these funny painful aches.  Hmm... were they contractions?  You bet they were contractions.  They started out not so bad, then by 7:30 a.m. when we left for the hospital, I started to brace myself because the pains became so intense.  Finally, we arrived the hospital, and into a nice room by 8:30.  The nurse got me all hooked up to the drugs and then checked me. I was dilated to a 4, so I could get the epidural when I was ready.  I was ready! After the epidural, I was able just to sit and enjoy myself, my conversation with my mom and sisters, and watching the contractions on the computer (Brennan was in another room waiting for the "all-clear" sign -- he's not a fan of hospitals/blood).  I couldn't feel a thing.  After about an hour, the nurse checked me again, I was dilated to a 10.  I could start pushing.  I pushed for about an hour and a half, and at 12:45 p.m., Ella came into the world.  It was an incredible experience.  I will never forget that day,  Brennan and I are so lucky to have this amazing person in our life.  She is the joy of our lives.  Ella, we love you and are the luckiest parents in the world.  

Ella minutes after she was born

Almost 1 years ago

Let's see, exactly 1 year ago, I went to work.  My daughter was to be born the next day. Yes, some people thought I was crazy but, I wanted to spend as much time with Ella after she was born.  I only had 3 months before I had to go back to work.  Anyways, It was a very busy day at school. Papers here, papers there, sub notes everywhere!  I said goodbye to all my 4th graders, stuck around until about 5:00,  then I went home to get ready for the next day.  I was going to be induced the next morning.  Boy, or Girl was I nervous...

The night before Ella was born

Technologically savvy!

So Bren and I are "late" bloomers.  For some reason, when a new sort of technology happens, Bren and I shrug and say "We're not going to do that."  or "this is stupid" or "Why do you need that?" Well, I guess it started with the blog, and then Facebook, now we have given in and just got texting.  Some of you are probably saying "What!?!"  Yes, it is true, we just got texting.  So now we will answer your texts if you text us. 

A Merry Christmas and a Great New Year!

The Nativity  

Starting from the left:  Max, Lily, Lucy, Kate, Anna holding Jack, Jacob, Sally, and Ella.

Andrew not pictured.

I hope you all had a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.  We Snows, had a great Christmas and a wonderful New Year.  We were able to enjoy great company, eat loads of excellent food, and drive in horrible weather.   A couple of years ago, Grandma Swensen along with Kate and Lucy decided it was time for our family on Christmas Eve to do the Nativity.  Now that the Swensen's have 10 grand children (We are missing one in the picture.  Andrew was sick and wasn't able to join us that evening.), this allows the nativity to be more than 4 persons. This year Ella was able to join the fun.  She got to be the Sheep.  She made her dad very proud. By the way, One Christmas present Ella gave me is she started walking about a week before Christmas day.  I am so excited, no more dirty knees, no human vacuum!  But, like I have been told by many, different kinds of trouble come with walking!  Oh well... We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a very joyous New Year. 

Daddy's little girl

P.S. I want to change my back ground but don't want to loose all the info.  Can anyone help me?

Never mind... I got it taken care of!  Thanks!