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This is the problem with having two different blogs...I get them mixed up when I'm writing posts. This is a blog post I had intended to post on here...but it ended up over here. Enjoy!

Online Sample Sale Shopping

Ok, so I belong to LOTS of invitation only sample sale websites. I'm not sure WHY...I mean I haven't bought anything yet, but maybe in the future it will be a beneficial relationship for me. Anywhoooo...

I just joined the site called Rue La La. For example, today they are having sales for Tahari, Spanx, and Laundry by Shelli Segal to name a few. Anyway, if you sign up (HERE) before Oct. 10th you get a $10 credit added to your account to use toward anything you purchase on the site. I would take advantage of this deal. I mean it's like free money!


Here are the other sites I belong to:

www.ideeli.com: I think this is my favorite site of all of them. One day they had a Cuisinart sample sale! I laughed at first, then thought "wow, that's a great price for that blender!" They also had a Kate Spade sale a couple weeks ago...nothing to complain about there.
www.beyondtherack.com
www.gilt.com
www.secretstyle.com: They have health and beauty sales. If you want an invite to this one, let me know.

The Ole' Ball and Chain

Since it's the eve of our 3rd Anniversary, I thought I would post a blag (brag+blog?). I know Phil won't be happy about this...but here it goes.

Phil has been working from home more lately, so he's been taking on more of the dinner preparation. Usually he consults me on things and asks me how to do this or that, but the other day I was not consulted about anything and I came home to this masterpiece. Look how he cutely arranged the broccoli!

It was a delicious chicken penne broccoli alfredo casserole. The brown stuff on top is Parmesan cheese! He layered in the cheese throughout the dish to give a yummy creaminess. And it was great for lunch the next day too.

Best Little Vacuum

I wouldn't say that I hate cleaning, but it definitely isn't my favorite activity. I especially hate the concept of sweeping. I mean there's no way that bristly brush is going to pick EVERYTHING up. It seems so futile.

My world of cleaning changed drastically last Christmas when Phil and I ordered this little gem from Black & Decker (thanks Dad!).

This is the best little vacuum ever. It's perfect for our little kitchen and bathroom. I no longer own a broom because of this little guy. It adjusts to go flat to fit under furniture. And the best part is that it's so easy to clean out (just open and dump into the trash). It came with a convenient docking station so the little guy can rest up and recharge. Anyway, if you're looking for something convenient to replace your broom check this one out, it's worth the investment.

Rocket Ships and D.C.

Before I report on our trip to D.C. a couple of weeks ago, I have to share these pictures which were still on my camera. Phil was playing with the boys in the front room one day and Mason came up with the idea of pretending the coffee table was a rocket ship. I can't believe they got uncle Phil to climb in!



Now on to our trip to D.C. We had a really good time and loved exploring a city neither one of us had been to before. Here are some pics from our adventures.

I know this one isn't that exciting. I mean really, a picture of a Metro escalator? But check it out! I think when I snapped this we were almost half way up. These are longer than the ones in the Tube stations in London! Anyway, I thought I would share.

Here's a panda at the zoo (which is part of the Smithsonian, so it's FREE!!!) Panda's are huge! and quite strong. This guy just picked up a bamboo branch and snapped in half like it was no big deal.

If you look closely you can see a segway tour! I was so jealous, especially after a whole day of walking around! But I think the next time we go, we'll do one those tours. It would be more relaxing, plus we could ride a segway!

U.S Capitol

Lincoln Memorial

Lincoln Memorial from the reflecting pool.

Phil at the WWII Memorial

Least attractive picture of me...but one of the only ones! It's kind of hard to get pictures of the both of us when we don't have anyone else around...well, except for 1000's of other tourists!

Washington Monument + Phil

U.S. Capitol from afar

White House. No tour for us, but still pretty awesome to see it.

While in D.C. we also went to the Museum of American History, the Museum of Natural History, the National Archives, and The Holocaust Museum. All of these were free, which was great for the wallet! We really loved the city and the great architecture and cool neighborhoods. I think we will definately be going back.

The Bradford Kids @ The Singers

Last weekend we "supervised" Kira while she was watching the boys while E & B went out. Usually this just means that if she needs anything she comes down and gets us. But since it had been a while since Phil and I had played with the kids we brought them downstairs before we put them to bed. First, Mason came down. We had some strawberries out on the counter, and because I know Mason loves strawberries I gave him one. And yes, he thoroughly enjoyed it. A couple of minutes later he says "my body's hungry", we ask "well, what are you hungry for?" He kept quiet and wouldn't say anything. We then figured out he was too shy to ask for more strawberries. So after giving him another strawberry, he said the same thing. He's such a cute little guy.

So here are some pictures from the night. Including videos I took of Matthew crawling around on the floor. He's getting there, but he still needs to figure out the whole moving the legs and the arms at the same time to crawl.

Etsy Shop

I just posted about my new etsy shop over on my other blog, but then realized no one really goes to that blog. So, here's a link. Check it out.

Are you going to go back to your country?

Kade asked us this question last night. I believe he still thinks we're visiting.

Call me...on my new phone!

I got a new phone yesterday! Thanks to M and D having a killer Sprint deal through BYU-I Phil and I now will have a lower mobile phone bill each month, and the best part is that I added unlimited data service for only an additional $4 a month. And since my phone is 2.5 years old, I figured it was time for an upgrade. I picked out the Palm Centro in black (my other options were green and pink).

I was expecting the phone to be a lot bigger than it really is. But its a perfect little size for my pocket or purse. And the greatest thing about having this is that I will be able to access my work email and calendar on it. But before I got it I had to promise Phil that I wouldn't become a phone email junkie. I don't imagine that will happen, considering I am on the computer everyday all day.

What I really wanted the phone for was to access my calendar, which would be really useful. For example, a couple weekends ago I was perusing the sales at the mall and my friend Mel called from Austin. We chatted for a while (as I rested on a rather comfy chair in sears) and then she invited me down for a visit. But because I did not know what my work schedule was like, I couldn't give her a definitive answer. Here's another example...I'm sitting in a meeting at work and the group wants to schedule a follow-up meeting. I am the only one in the room without a blackberry/iPhone/some kind of cool all-in-one gizmo and I have to tell them I will get back to them. Of course, this hasn't happened yet, but it could and I want to be prepared.

In addition to the unlimited data, we also have unlimited text messaging. So for all of those who already text me, keep on doing what you're doing because I no longer have to pay $.20 for each one I get. And for those of you who do not text me...feel free, because I imagine I will be doing a lot more of it!

Motherly-in-law Request

Rita, this is for you!

Last night I had a request from my mother-in-law to blog about my new dress. Well...here it is. It's from Target. And I love it. It was the last dress of its kind and the belt was missing. Which for me worked out pretty well because they gave me 20% off.


I wore it for the first time to church yesterday. I wore a basic long-sleeved white button-up underneath and paired it with brown boots and a white ribbon around the waist.

I find it hard to find dresses which means I usually stick with the skirt because I am different sizes on top and bottom. But this one fit perfectly. I was so excited about this purchase until Phil took the wind out of my sails because he said I spent more than he thought I was going to spend. (I think Phil is still trying to get used to me spending more than $10 on things now that we are both gainfully employed) The dress was $35! Which in my opinion, is a fair (and rather good) price for a dress that fits me well and will serve many purposes. But being the good husband he is, he saw the dress on and agreed with me that it is a great dress and worth the $35.