HALLOWEEN!!

Gerry, Irmy, and Ocean City

Charlotte:

This past weekend we went to Ocean City to visit my Grandpa's Cousin and his wife: Gerry and Irmy Dunn. The drive to the East Coast was absolutely Gorgeous!! Maryland in the Fall is pretty amazing. We also ended up driving over the Bay Bridge, which made me kind of nervous, but I loved it. It's a six mile stretch of a tall bridge with not much over you,

and a lot of water under you. It kind of felt like I was driving on the Rainbow Road in Mario Cart. When we got to the Dunn's home, we were surprised to find that they had a boat dock for their back yard. Cool!

Gerry and Irmy were so kind! Irmy is from Germany and she made us a wonderful German dinner. Gerry worked for the NSA before he retired and he told us that in his career he was able to engineer over a hundred communication devices for the govern

ment. Some of his work is top secret, but the gist of it is that he created things to try to decipher radio signals from other countries and keep our communications a secret. We also talked family things for a while. They both thought that I looked a lot like my Grandma Jean. After chatting for a while, we retired to our hotel for the night. Keido had a great time in the big bathtub and being

able to walk around the room where ever he wanted.

The next day the weather was HORRIBLE!! However, we went back to the Dunn's and had a great time chatting some more and eating lunch with them before heading out. The road's were flooding and the wind was pretty stiff, so just before we left, we stopped at the shore and just took some quick pictures. I can't wait to go back to Ocean City again on a better day. I could definitely retire there one day:)

Toothbrushes, Toilets, and other Tasty Things

There is no doubt in my mind that Keido is a BOY! Even if I didn't have the fact reaffirmed to me every couple hours when I change his diaper, I would still know for sure. I have said many times lately to myself as I've watched him, "Only a boy would do that." Let me expound:)

In the mornings when I am getting ready for the day, Keido sits on the bathroom counter and plays. He started out liking the toothpaste because it was shiney, then my hair bands because they stretched, and now he loves toothbrushes because, well, he has great oral hygene of course. It has come to the point that he has three of his own toothbrushes, one of mine (not going to use that thing now), and confiscates the two that Boyd and I actually use as well (I don't let those ones go far though). I used to think it was cute that he looked like he was always brushing his teeth. A lady at the grocery store even commented on it. However, it has morphed to a whole new level.

Boyd and I took Keido out for a walk. and of course, he brought his toothbrush along. At first it was only in his mouth and waving around in his hand, but then, he started finding out that it was fun to brush things, everything! He would brush the sidewalk and then stick it in his mouth, the grass and stick it in his mouth, the side of our car and stick it in his mouth, pretty much whatever he saw he brushed and then tried to stick it back in his mouth. GROSS!! I finally had enough when he went for the tires on our car and the toothbrush came back black. I went straight inside and soaped that bad boy up (the toothbrush... and Keido). Yet, it continues. At church today he brushed the person's chair that was sitting in front of us, the hymn books, and the floor. That little toothbrush is the most unsanitary item in our whole house now. I think to myself, "Only a boy would do that and enjoy putting it in his mouth."

The other thing that worries me is Keido's obsession with toilets. Keido is going to the bathroom at least 20 times a day, but not like a normal person. All he wants to do is lift up the toilet seat lid and see what's going on in there. If his little arms were longer, he would be swishing those hands in the water and then putting them in his mouth. As it is now, I still am able to control his feddish, but I'm worried about when he is a fully independent walker. Do they make toilet seat locks? Pretty sure that only a little boy could fall in love with a toilet.

The other boyish things that he does are grunting, trying to pick up dog poop, loving to eat meat, picking people's noses, wanting to watch football, and chewing on rocks. However, there is one girly thing that he does lately that I just love. Keido has learned how to help me brush my hair. He grins as he gently pulls the brush through my tangles every morning. He has also learned to brush his hair, but just guess what he uses...His TOOTHBRUSH!

We sure do love our little boy and can't help but smile when we think of all the little things he does to warm our hearts!

Keido has recently learned how to do slides. He's figured out how to scoot himself forward and then lean just enough to go down.

Carl Came to Visit!

World War II Memorial. We stopped to dip our feet.


Lincoln Memorial

Washington Monument
Look at the difference between the colors of our legs...you'd think we were different races:)

A really nice building for those government people. I can't remember whose it is.

A couple of weeks ago, Carl came to visit us here in Maryland. I think he referred to his trip as being "Death March Number 2." We had a day and a half to see EVERYTHING in D.C. It was so much fun! Yes, a little hard on the feet, but awesome to spend time together and see some sights.

I thought that my favorite part was going to the Air and Space Museum. I had been there before with Boyd, but we didn't really know what anything was. I don't know how Carl knew sooo much; he must have studied a lot of aviation type books growing up because he told me all kinds of cool things. I felt like a smarter person after coming out of that museum, thanks to my brother:)

We can't wait to have him come again! Next time I will take better pictures:)

Ode to Boyd Part 2

Today, is just one of those days. I'm at home sick with a fevery, chills, stomach ache thing, while my husband, Merry, and Asuka, take little Keido to the county fair. I sure do wish that I could be there when Keido tries to lick all the animals in the petting zoo part. Alas, it just wasn't meant to be.

However, one good thing about staying home is that I'm completely alone. I can write whatever I want about Boyd and he can't do anything about it. Plus, I've got loads of time as my body occilates between burning hot and freezing cold. With that said, I want the world to know what kind of man I am really married to.

Where do I begin...
How about two hours ago.

This morning when I woke up, I really didn't feel so hot and my dear husband could tell. He took care of Keido while I layed and watched TV. Then, as I napped, he fed Keido, changed his diaper, got him ready for the day, and played with him to keep him happy. As soon as I woke up, it was time for Keido to sleep. While I layed on the bed, Boyd showed me funny clips on youtube. Then, as my body started to chill, he climbed under the covers with me to help warm me up. Now, if you were in the room, you would understand what a sacrifice that was for Boyd. It was pretty warm and under the covers I could feel that he was starting to sweat. Yet, he stayed next to me until I figured I'd go sit in the sun. Once outside, he came and sat next to me with our new camera and tried to teach me all the cool things he learned. When he offered to let me try, I said, "That's okay, I think I'll go inside." WHAT KIND OF PERSON AM I?!!! Here he is treating me like a million bucks and I just brush it aside like it's nothing. I have become the Most Boring/Tired/Uninteresting/Ungrateful wife in the world. Now, this instance may not seem too bad, but really, I need to step up my end of the relationship and help Boyd love me.

Boyd is the most wonderful Dad. Keido just loves him! Whenever Boyd calls Keido's name, Keido will run to him full speed, laughing and doing his cute breathing hard through his nose thing. If I'm ever tired, or just grouchy, Boyd will take over with Keido and allow me to sleep, or do whatever I need to do. He just recently found employment and is willing to work a job that might not be too fun, in order to provide for our family. Boyd takes everything that I say to him and tries to improve. He forgives me when I am rude, or bad at communicating my feelings. Boyd plans things with me in mind, such as playing basketball with the guys in the ward, mini-golfing, playing tennis, instigating conversations with the Chinese people around here, or just getting some sort of little treat. What a man!

I feel like Heavenly Father has truly blessed me to be able to marry a man like Boyd. He once said that all of his blessings were spent on me, but I feel like it's definitely the other way around. I don't know who else would love so unconditionally and make my life such a joy.

Well, pretty sure when he sees this blog, he's going to think it's way to mushy, try to take it off, and then accept the fact that it's staying on when I won't let him delete it. Hmmm...I guess that paints a picture perfectly of what kind of wife I am. Always doing things he doesn't want me to, forcing him to conform to what I want, and then wondering why he's upset, but not fixing anything. I definitely have a lot to work on. I'm just grateful that Boyd is the man he is, and allows me the opportunity to try to change.

I love Boyd!!! And, I will love him FOREVER!

A Child Prodigy

In our daily play routine, Keido and I enjoy spending time gracing the ivories. He has progressively become more passionate about his playing and is known to sing along once in a while as well. We hope that he will retain this joy for music throughout his life.


Boyd is also trying to influence Keido's young mind with the things that he enjoys:)