This is actually polite in different countries...

So, the other night Jeff and I were having dinner. Well, actually, Jeff was eating and I was feeding Daniel. After having a very casual dinner, Jeff took a big swig of his drink and let out a very large belch...(by the way, this is definitely not customary for us... :) Daniel immediately looked up at his dad, shocked, might I add, and smiled the biggest grin I have ever seen. Now, what followed was probably the most hilarious thing that I have seen yet. Daniel, too, had just finished a big swig, and proceeded the smile with an even bigger belch than his dad's. I could not believe it. We all broke out in laughter. My son had just beat his dad, straight up, in his first ever belching war. So proud. Yep, I definitely had a boy!

The White House

So we moved to DC, and moved right in to the white house...well, not the real one, but close enough, right?! We are so excited to be living in this house. It is just perfect. Once we got the living room painted...I felt pretty much settled. This place really feels like home, even though all of our loved ones are so far away. We can't wait for visitors!..oh yeah, that picture on the top is our next adventure...the over-grown garden. The sad part is...those are all weeds!...I can do this...I can do this!

Birthday and Painting

So, the moment RobbiAnn and the girls left we were down to business. We love the house...it was clean and beautiful, but the colors on the walls definitely did not fit our style. As you can see, the wall over the fireplace was purple (which in a certain type of room could be pretty cool), definitely not me though. In fact, our first Sunday with RobbiAnn here, I mentioned that it was hard to feel comfortable in church, because I kept thinking about our purple wall. She said she felt the same...hahaha. We took care of it, and have been painting ever since. We did however have one wonderful break when Jeff took me out for my birthday. We went to the Cheesecake Factory! YUM! I love that place. I only got through a bite or two of my meal because Daniel was, I guess, super excited to be there too! It was a nice thought, going out to a nice dinner and all....well, back to the walls...

A Million new posts!

Enjoy!

Together Again!

We made it!...and it was so good to see Jeff again! I am so happy to be here...not only because I am finished driving, but because I am so excited to start our new adventure!

Day 5 Touring the Country

Getting Closer....

Day 4 Touring the Country

Day 4 we were able to see Amanda, who is living in Detroit now. She made the long drive to meet up with us on our cross-country trip. We had a blast with her and her family! The rest of the day was spent with a short drive, lots of swimming, and a little help from the girls with Daniel.

Our Visit with Larry

We had a wonderful time with Larry in Michigan. He has the most lovely home and was such a great host! Larry had the hot tub ready and bbq'd the most wonderful dinner. The night was topped off with a trip to the Lake (which really felt like the ocean), and I couldn't forget...Oinks Ice Cream. It was so much fun...Kensie doesn't even talk about her trip to DC...she talks about her trip to see Larry and Murphy (his poodle).

The Best Part about Day 3

Day 3 Touring the Country

Day 3...more never-ending corn fields, bible study, gas stations, and fun!...I mean we were driving the across the country...of course we were having fun!

Day 2 Touring the Country

Day 2 of the trip was much the same. We said our Farewells to Gary and Cindy and were off. The day was spent with never-ending of corn fields, and bible study on the radio. We traveled through Nebraska, and part of Iowa. We filled up at way too many gas stations, but at least the girls were able to top it all off with a swim in the pool!

Day 1 Touring the Country

So we were not even to Park City and McKensie told me that Daniel needed a serious diaper change...so funny! That pretty much set the standard for the entire trip...stop every two or three hours for Danny. Love it! It was nice though, becuase we were able to see things that we normally would not have seen on the drive. Day one was mainly dusty, desert scenes through WY, except for the stop where we saw antelope, and of course, Little America. We saw beautiful rainbows in Colorado, and our stay for the night was amazing...Aunt Cindy and Uncle Gary's house. They were so nice to have us. They even arranged a huge family gathering, where I was able to see my grandma, cousins, and other family members that I haven't seen in years. It was a wonderful night.

Sad Goodbyes

The day finally came that we had to say farewell to Utah. We will miss the beautiful mountains, Cafe Rio, BYU...and most of all our families! Life will never be the same, but we are so excited for the adventure. The morning we left was a hard one. I realized that I had lived with my parents for a good portion of my life, and it was time to move on. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I know they will miss me, but I think they will miss their grandbaby even more. It was fun to see Daniel with all the grandparents...Bob and his calm, quiet wispers...my dad and his "squeaky kisses" that Daniel just loves, my mom and her tight hugs...Robbiann was happy as can be, because she would get another week with Daniel...lucky lady, offered to drive across the country with me to Washington DC. So kind...We will miss all of you! Now on to our family's great adventure...we love you all!

Slater Family Reunion

I am new to this Slater Family Reunion, but may I say it is FABULOUS! Being an outsider to the clan, may I say that I have never seen such a unique family bond. All the families are linked together by Grandma and Grandpa, of course, and by 5 sisters who would do anything for each other. I think that is why it is so unique. It's the sisters...anyway, they are hilarious. Jeff was not able to attend this year, because he was at officer training. I missed him dearly, but my time was filled with all the wonderful activities we were able to do with the family in Washington. The reunion was spent with songs each night, amazing food, long days of swimming, service, tons of pictures (thanks to my mother-in-law a.k.a "the Roberazzi" ), and my favorite Slater tradition...the never ending "good-byes".

SUCCESS...NEED I SAY MORE?

LOVE THAT BETTY CROCKER!

A girl and her cake

So do you all remember that marvelous cake I made for Jeff's mission president? Well, I decided that I wasn't going to let one cake ruin me...even though I have never made a normal looking cake...So I decided to do it again. Since Jeff is gone, and it is my last week with my family, I thought I would make it for them. Really, the pictures speak for themselves. Halfway through cooking I had to take the cakes out because smoke was filling the house. I did it again...ruined cake. Oh well...I still have one last try in me...this cake will not beat me. I will overcome!

Mom's favorite babysitter

Daniel is obsessed with his jumper...and rightfully so! Who doesn't love to jump on a fun chair to music while bungee cords are springing you back up? He really could stay in it for hours. Well, I thought I would try it and see how long he could stay in there. I put him to the ultimate test...watching mom do her hair. The other day I was straightening my hair (which takes a good 45 min. from wet to dry...what can I say...I am high maintenance). He did so well, all up until the last 5 minutes and he tuckered out. So you be the judge...does this picture say "Bad Parenting" or just "Worn-out Kid"? Poor little guy!

Adventures in Motherhood

Now, I don't have a picture of this one...rightfully so...it is just a good lesson learned. I went grocery shopping tonight by myself. Now I hate to have to make more than one run back to the car when unloading the groceries, so I did it all in one run. This meant I had to carry Daniel in one arm, and all the groceries in the other while locking car doors and opening the apartment door. Not easy. Well, I was wearing the shorts that I purchased right after I had Daniel...I have lost a little weight since then...my story continues. It was about 6:30 PM and all the neighbors were out doing yard work. As I made my way to the apartment (baby steps might I add, so that I wouldn't drop anything), I could feel my pants starting to fall. However, with my arms full, and my determination not to make another run, I ignored the minor inconvenience. Step by step, they fell even further. I started walking as fast as I could. By the time I made it to the apartment door, my shorts were almost all the way down my behind. I am sure someone saw, but come on...I have to get a "pass" for being a mom. Quite the adventure this motherhood thing!

A Man and his Mustang

So...I finally tricked my dad. My mom and I schemed together to get my dad a ride on the P-51C Mustang (the only dual control mustang in the world!) I lied to my dad and told him that we were just going to a special viewing of the P-51. I told him that I had arranged a pre-flight for him with the pilot. (It was a tad bit scary how well I fibbed!) Anyway that got him down there. That morning was so hectic. Jeff was gone to Alabama, I had to get Daniel ready, I had to find my dad's old log book, etc., etc...you know the mornings. I made sure to get ready that day too, because we were going down to the airport and I wanted to look somewhat half-decent in my post pregnancy phase. I actually did my hair and make-up. It was a quick throw together, but I did it. That stated we went to the airport...the whole family...to see the Mustang...or as dad calls it..."the Cadillac of the Skies". Once we got there I paid for the flight and let the pilot know about all of our lies. Everyone I spoke with that morning gave me some wierd looks, but I just figured that it was because not a lot of people get to ride the P-51...it is a little pricey. The surprise turned out perfectly! We coaxed dad into getting into the plane to see the inside...not so easy to coax Kim into doing anything...but he finally gave in to peer pressure. Once inside and checking out the gauges, we locked his seatbelt and told him that he was going for a ride. He couldn't believe it. At that moment, he looked like the happiest man on Earth. They took off and I went back to Kensie who was babysitting Daniel. The first thing she said to me was, "Did you know that you have mascara all over your eyes?"...good old Kensie. Yes. I am one of those girls who can't seem to stay in the lines...mascara everywhere if I want a good eyelash job. And Yes. I did forget to wipe it off. I just about died. Smudges were almost all the way up to my eyebrows, and nobody even told me. Not even Rose, my mom, who said that she noticed but didn't want to embarrass me in front of everyone. Uhhhh...too late! I bet they all just thought I was a crazy lady. I truely earned my mom merit badge that day. I ran to the bathroom and took care of it, but by that time it was too late. Everyone had already seen me in my crazy lady state. Oh well. Dad got back down and really had the time of his life. I am so happy to have been there to witness it...even in all my mascara glory! Notice I don't have any pictures up of me...thank goodness.