Pics of PJ's award

Paul wants me to say that these aren't his best shots, but I think he looks handsome anyway!



This one looks like he and the Solicitor General Paul Clement are having a moment. Pretty funny.



Note: Interesting tidbit of info... the hotel where the luncheon took place is called the Mayflower, and it is apparently the same place where that creepy governor from New York got in trouble.

We came, we slept, we left, we forgot to take pictures

Yep. That's about it. Paul and I arrived in DC at 11:00 pm Tuesday night. Had Noah not practiced his piano, we may never have seen the kids at all, but luckily he did. This woke us up in time to learn that Eli had lost a tooth and that the DC Sampsons are eagerly awaiting a trip to Disneyworld. We attended the luncheon around 12:00 noon and were surprised to see Chief Justice Roberts there. The solicitor general announced Paul and his award, and I couldn't have been prouder. Then it was straight to the airport for us, no time for much else. They promised me that we would get a picture of Paul getting his award, so when it comes I'll post it. Quick trip but a much needed break from school. Now we hit the home stretch until finals and our next big move.

DC Here We Come!! (again) (and again)

Paul and I are headed to DC tomorrow because he is receiving the Shawn Bentley Public Service Award at a luncheon held on Wednesday. Way to go Paul! My only regret is that we will spend less than 24 hours there before flying home. Kind of a bummer. He works really hard in school, and it looks like the hard work has been paying off. Thanks to my mom for taking Sabrina while we go.

Our other big news is that we will be moving for the 4th summer in a row to (drum roll please) Washington DC (gasp! JK). Paul will be working in the office of the US Attorney for the DC area and also at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck as a summer associate. We were ecstatic that Paul got a job this summer. It is the 4th summer in a row that we have moved and our 3rd move to DC. My feeling is that it probably won't be our last time moving there either. So much for marrying someone local! I joke, but our adventures have been fun, and we can't wait to see the DC Sampsons and friends again.

"Mose" is my best friend!

I had to post this so that I don't forget it. Paul and I are big Office fans so the fact that Sabrina calls her cousin Nolan "Mose" has been the funniest part of my week. We all call him "Noles" so she's sort of close. She talks about Mose all the time. The other day she was apparently on the phone with him because she said, "Ba Bye Baby Mose!" then kissed into the phone and hung up.

Do NOT Disturb!

This post is mainly just for our enjoyment, but Sabrina is VERY private about going #2. She has a certain spot in our house where she goes every day to do her business. I've heard that this is normal. The thing is that she won't let Paul or me be in the same room as she is when she is doing her thing. She yells, "NO" and physically pushes us out of the room. We can't even talk to her when she's doing this either. For fun, I've started saying from the other room, "Hey Sabrina!" She then comes around the corner and gives me a "talk to the hand" motion and says "NO!" When she's done, she finds us and says, "I poop." I ask her if she wants her diaper changed and she'll yell, "YAY! YAY!" It's hilarious.

I'm totally inspired!

Yesterday was my dad's 57th birthday and happy birthday to him! To celebrate, Shelley arranged for us to go see a documentary film called The Spirit of the Marathon. It was totally inspiring and followed different marathoners from elite to novice as they trained for the Chicago marathon. I totally recommend this to anyone who has ever considered doing a marathon. I guess I need to get my act together and train for another one. Quote of the night: "Those Kenyans are just made of different stuff than I am. I wanted to break their springy little legs!"-- My dad in reference to a marathon he ran in Spokane, Washington in the 80s. He was seeded in that race but got killed by about 5 Kenyans. Yeah...my dad related to the elite runners and their training (his PR was like a 2:22). Shelley and I related to the poor guy at the back struggling through every step!! (I won't write our PR's).

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was CRAZY in the first grade. We had a party with bingo, frosting sugar cookies, putting valentines into helium balloons (we had a tank and all), stories, treats and more treats!! We also exchanged valentines which is surprisingly exhausting! Oh my goodness! January made me forget how excited they all get on holidays. My room mothers are like Martha Stewart's little elves. They are great and put on a great show!

I do have to say that the day after Valentine's Day was fantastic! They ALL must have had a sugar crash or something because we got so much learning done today due to their quiet (over tired) natures.

My mom stopped by last night to give Sabrina her valentine, and she was already in bed. So today she has had a blast with the stuffed frog, sunglasses (that she's been wearing as a bow tie), candy, magnetic letters, stickers, crayons, and all the other goodies. It's been like second Valentine's Day.

Note: My mom also brought a valentine for Paul and I: Two small bags of candy kisses. As you can see, it's the grandkids she REALLY loves! Totally kidding mom! We love you!

We hope you all had a great holiday!!