It's off to work I go...

It's been rumored that I live in Singapore. Well, in the almost-words of the great Schwarzenegger, "it's not a rumor." At the moment I live in an apartment/hotel about 5 blocks from my building on campus. This is what I see on the way there...

...The National Museum...

...Singapore Art Museum...

...SMU's Accounting and Law Building...
(my building is in the background)

...And the lovely LKCSB
(Lee Kong Chian School of Business)

Gage is 2

This kid was so happy to turn 2. Well, mostly he was happy to have a party. There are some things all kids understand: presents, cake, party. Pretty simple.

We love this kid so much. Over the past couple weeks he has definitely turned into a two year old. He loves to sing, talks a ton, parrots everything his brother says. He loves to ride bikes, swim, jump on the trampoline, wrestle, and run in crazy circles through the house.

Happy Birthday to Gage!

Great dialogue in this video toward the end:

hey Gage how old are you now?
3.
what?
4.
No, 2.
2, right. wheee.
Gage how old are you now?
6!

David in Sg

David has landed in Singapore. He's mission is to set up our life as much as he can before he needs to come back to the US for his conference. So far he's been there for a Saturday and a Sunday.

Saturday he spent the day running around with a real estate agent looking at condos. He found some good options but none that meet all our criteria yet.

Sunday he spent the morning at church, then the afternoon with new friends.

Monday he will meet with his relocation specialist to help him take care of his employment pass and other paperwork. And hopefully he'll get a chance to settle into his office. He's got to be anxious by now to get his computer set up (that sweet man let me keep our laptop in WA).

Singapore is 15 hours ahead of Washington, so while I just got done tucking my babes into Grandma's guest beds on a Sunday night he is probably finding a good spot to eat on a Monday lunch.

I'm headed to bed soon but first thing my Monday morning I will check and see how David's Monday in Sg went. Good night.

Kate's baby shower

My sister's baby Ashlyn is a month old now. Isn't she getting long?

Kate's in-laws threw her a shower last week. A great time to welcome this new babe. And momma. Kate's doing great. It's amazing what you can do on no sleep.

I drove home that night with my mom and both of my Grandmas. What amazing women. I'm sure glad I can be here to soak it all in.














Ashlyn Jade Tolman born June 3, 2009

4th of July

This is the swing in my grandparent's back yard. The same one I played on as a little girl. The same one my mom played on as a little girl. Gage was playing superman on it at the 4th of July bbq. Good salmon, good apple pie, good people.

We did sparklers with Noah and then let Grandma read them bedtime stories while Dave and I went to the fireworks at the stadium with my cousin and the newlyweds.

Dave leaves on Thursday for Singapore. I'm trying to get as much of him as I can. We went to a movie and ice cream last night and to the temple together today. I'm trying to soak in the daddy diaper changing and wrestling while he's still around. Me and the boys will have plenty to keep us busy here for 5 weeks, but man we're going to miss him.

Wedding Day

The wedding was beautiful. Mrs. Erin Alba was gorgeous.

This is the third wedding my mom has done. She even does the flowers herself. I'm amazed at how she pulls it all off. Even with some unexpected and inconvenient sicknesses, everything came together. Most importantly, Erin and Tristan started their new family with love. And I think that's a pretty good start.

The sisters. Brinna, me, Erin, Kate, Dana

Through Boise to Washington

We drove up to Boise and had a short stay. Just long enough for a fabulous salmon dinner, time to play with cousins, late night laughs with Ted and Leslie, and of course some wild chicken rides. Thanks guys, we love you.

We're now in Washington. The house is full of sisters and husbands, and even my Grammee. It feels just right. We're getting ready for a wedding tomorrow. These amazing people are so ready.

Good night.