The Albright Family

Joyride...

2010-01-04T10:25:00.001-08:00

... this was our theme song for the road trip. We listened to it several times, well probably more than several, more like dozens. Anyway, you should totally check it out! It is, of course, by The Killers.

We packed our apartment and left for Maryland on December 17, Thursday night in our little Sebring convertible or "heaven in a rag top"! I sat in the back with Calvin and helped him settle down for the night. We were able to drive pretty far that night, because there was no traffic or anything, we "moved across the night like a separate wind". That's how fast we were!!

When Calvin woke up in the morning it was still a little dark, so we let him watch his portable DVD player and shortly after he got sick (and he hasn't watched it since). He was so sad when he got sick and I could tell that he still felt yucky, so I held him for a little while until the sun came up. This is him still sleeping after getting sick.

We didn't want the sun to get in his eyes!

I didn't think to bring the camera to the pool with us, but here he is getting ready to go swimming, he was very excited!

He was even excited about the pack and play!

Silly boy!! He slept pretty good for being in a strange place. We hung one of his Redskin shirts on the edge of the crib for a little touch of home!

Reading in the car on the second day!

This was a rough day for Calvin. We didn't want to give him any sweets or dairy, so that he didn't get sick again. He was not happy, but he never got sick!

The trees through Iowa and Nebraska looked so sad...

Nick laughed at me, because he thought that I only thought that because they had no leaves, but when we got to the east coast, he realized what I meant.

They just looked sad!

This was Calvin's position for the trip, doesn't he look so comfortable?

There was a little bit of traffic and this is why... isn't that crazy! An 18-wheeler fell off the road!!!! I thought it was pretty crazy!

That night we picked up Emily at the Cleveland airport and Dad and Chris met us at a hotel. Calvin was so excited to see people he knew and had a lot of fun. He slept REALLY good that night all by himself! I wish that I had taken pictures! Calvin had a lot of fun the the indoor pool with Emily! They were so cute!

Not so much of a joyride on the third and last day. Calvin is not happy in this picture, because he got sick again and we were driving on a turnpike and couldn't pull over!!! It was a nightmare! I had to pull him out of his seat, change his clothes, wipe down the seat, dispose of the mess in a bag... and then Calvin was mad when I tried to put him back in his seat!!! Neither of us were very happy!

A few minutes later he calmed down and actually fell asleep until we were 30 minutes away from Crofton!

What a trooper! I thought that this trip was going to be a nightmare!!! But, Calvin was an ANGEL! He never cried, aside from whining for a drink or when he felt. He slept A LOT more than I thought. And the driving/riding (I only drove for 3 hours!) for 36 hours wasn't too bad either!! I don't plan on doing it again any time soon, but I wouldn't change a thing!

"There's something in the distance. A glorious existence, a simple celebration. A place you've never been before."

I think that his line is very fitting for our lives right now. We are starting at the beginning. Nick is starting his career and we are very excited to see where it will take us. And now that we are here for good, we hope that no matter what happens, good or bad, we have our family and it is glorious!

Quick catch up

2010-01-04T05:49:00.000-08:00

I am finally getting around to blogging! This is the first "normal" day that I've had since we left Rexburg! Unfortunately I cannot find the camera just yet, so there will be no pictures! Sorry!

The 3 day drive went SO much better than I expected. Calvin was SO good! I cannot believe how well he did in the car for that long! I took some pictures and have a special post to blog, so check back later for more on the trip!

Christmas was wonderful in both MD and NC! It was so nice to spend so much time with family and to eat so much good food! I don't think I ever realized how much food we eat on holidays because we always ate good like that in NC, but after being away for so long and eating mac and cheese all the time, I defiantly appreciate good food a lot more!!! Calvin enjoyed ripping the paper and bringing everyone their presents! He would pick one up and shout "present, present!" Poor little Calvin opened presents, ate way too many sweets, and stayed up late almost an entire week! I was afraid that he would think that that was how we lived on the east coast! But for the past couple of nights he has slept good and taken very good naps and seems to be adjusting well to his new room (thanks to all of his Redskins memorabilia) lol!

We are living comfortably in Chris and Laura's basement and we are so grateful for their hospitality!! Calvin's room is all put together and our room is getting there!

Nick went to work for the first time this morning. I can only imagine how excited he is!

Well that is all for now. Hopefully after some unpacking and cleaning I can find the camera!

My Hero

2009-12-15T13:05:00.000-08:00

Nick just finished re-packing our moving pod, because I forgot about Calvin's rocking chair. He didn't complain, but just took it and made everything fit. Now he is getting ready to go back to school for a final. For those of you who don't know how hard Nick has been working these past couple of semesters, let me fill you in...

He has taken an 18 credits last semester and 15 credits this semester all while working 20+ hours a week. He wakes up every morning at 5 am, gets to work at 6 am, and usually isn't back from school until 6 pm. Sometimes he would come home to a screaming toddler, or an unclean house, but he never complained. He would pick Calvin up and vacuum or wash a load of dishes. He has suffered through horrible dinners (cooked by me) and long nights when I had trouble putting Calvin to sleep.

Nicholas Leonard Simmons Albright is so close to perfect that I'm just going to call him that: Perfect.

He has TWO more day of work and ONE more final Thursday and then, he is DONE! The moving pod is packed and the apartment is almost empty and clean. He did it! I am so proud of him and want every one to know how thankful I am for all of his hard work.

You DID it!!!

Fine...

2009-12-10T11:51:00.000-08:00

...here is a new post with no feathers, but there will undoubtedly be more...

Next Thursday we will be packing our car and getting ready for the long drive back east. We are so ready to leave. I"m not so sure that I'm ready to pack our entire apartment or for a 3 day drive with a 19 month old, but we'll get through it!

Poor Calvin is so exhausted and tired of being here!

I wish that I could say that I am working as hard as Nick, but alas, all I can do is pack and clean!

Nick brought some boxes from work and Calvin was in heaven!

He had a very busy morning!

Reffering to: Feather Epaulettes

2009-12-09T11:16:00.000-08:00

"When I get into the jacket, I feel good and strong and...triumphant! I don't know if I could get up in front of 70,000 people at festivals without my feathers on." -Brandon Flowers

Read the article.

Calvin in the dryer

2009-12-07T19:25:00.000-08:00

Calvin being Calvin

2009-12-04T08:35:00.000-08:00

Calvin laughing at pokemon!

What nice hair!

Getting those chips!!!

I caught him doodling all by himself!

He thought he was so cool in this vest!

New Obsession

2009-12-02T16:06:00.000-08:00

I don't really know how this came to be, but Calvin just cannot get enough of Pokemon!

This is him dancing to a "Pokemon Rap"

Enjoy!!!

RASUN Baby

2009-11-30T13:48:00.001-08:00

For those of you who check this blog, but don't know a lot about me, this is my best friend Rachel. We are the best of the best friends in the world, what I mean is we are better best friends than you and your best friend! LOL! Ever since we met each other our freshman year of college, we knew that we wanted to live in NYC and make a lot of money sewing things together. Well, we have not come that far, but we have finally come up with our little business called RASUN Baby. I've added our blog site to the list in the right, so check it out!

A day at the park

2009-11-24T07:07:00.000-08:00

Nick brought the car over for us one day last week, so we decided to go to the park! When we got there it was completely empty! It was so fun!

Calvin couldn't wait, so he ran to the slide!

Climbing the stairs.

Walking across the bridge.

So cute!

Poor Calvin, the slides were all wet so I wouldn't let him go down, but he had a blast regardless!

Just a random rant...

2009-11-23T17:46:00.000-08:00

We have been in Idaho now for 4 years and have loved the Mormon atmosphere and influence that is here in Rexburg. However, there are a few things that I just don't get... (I don't mean to offend anyone if you do these things or know someone who does, it's just me that I personally do not understand)

*Bows that are WAY TOO BIG! I have seen numerous baby girls with bows like this and even more websites that sell them (like this one)

Don't get me wrong, I LOVE bows. I love seeing little girls with cute bows in their hair, its adorable. When I grew up I had a bow for every outfit, and if I had a little girl she would always have a bow, but NOT one like this! These bows are just too much! I mean its the same size as her head!!!!! I just don't get it!

* Baby on board stickers... why??? Why is it so important that other people know that you have a baby in your car!? If you live in Rexburg, odds are that you do and that people know it, AND everyone else probably has a baby in their car too, seriously! Or maybe these people think that you'll drive more careful when you see that sign? NO! Who cares?

* For such a small town people here should know the speed limits on every road, street, whatever! Honestly! People here should know that we are to obey the law of the land! I have people pass me all of the time! I want to yell out my window and let them know that the speed limit in a 25 mile zone is 25 MILES!!!!!!!! DUH!

*Another thing with driving is the crosswalk situation. With all the accidents that occur around campus you'd think that people would pay more attention or drive more cautiously near a cross walk. I see people speed past one when they see someone walking through it! I have even had cars behind me honk because I sit and wait for the pedestrian to walk all the way across! It's even worse when you are walking, as soon as you are a foot away they gun it! What if I were to fall! I would be dead! Some people are so careless! The city has had to put up new flashing lights and traffic lights so that people will pay more attention!

These are just some things that I will not miss about Rexburg, but there are so many things that we will miss. Our move will be a bittersweet one...

Rolling

2009-11-21T13:09:00.000-08:00

Rock and Read

2009-11-18T08:16:00.000-08:00

Making Dinner

2009-11-10T19:40:00.001-08:00

Calvin wanted to help make dinner this week...

he was doing great until he tasted the food...

...then all he did was eat, eat, eat!!!

Cooking is So Much FUN!!!

East Coast

2009-11-07T14:03:00.000-08:00

So, we took a lot of pictures in North Carolina, but I either uploaded them unto the computer or took them with Mom's camera (we have matching cameras)!

This is the only one that was on my camera! Look at Cal's funny face! Haha!

This is Calvin dancing to the Imagination Movers!

East Coast 2

2009-11-07T13:58:00.000-08:00

Sorry, I didn't take a lot of pictures in Maryland, but a lot were taken by Mom, so check out her blog too!

This is Calvin trying to get into Sawyer and Scouts cage aka "The Clubhouse!"

He just couldn't figure it out!

Calvin playing in the window

2009-10-20T16:38:00.000-07:00

Cute Calvin

2009-10-09T15:59:00.000-07:00

Poor thing loves pasta, but just can't get it all in his mouth!

Loves those otter pops...

What can I say?

Falling Asleep

2009-10-08T11:09:00.000-07:00

Last night Calvin feel asleep on the way home eating a french fry. I wish I had the camera out faster, he was so funny while he was half awake and still trying to eat.

Pop Pop

2009-10-02T16:14:00.000-07:00

Calvin loves popcorn, or as he calls it "pop pop!". Its his favorite snack!

I love this boy!

2009-10-02T10:42:00.000-07:00

I'm so proud of him (and a little of myself)!

Calvin and the grilled cheese

2009-09-29T20:25:00.001-07:00

What you've all been waiting for...

2009-09-28T15:25:00.001-07:00

Pictures!!!

Eating at Apple Bees!

Contrary to the above picture, Calvin was really good at the restaurant. So, we took him to the park!

So happy!

He doesn't really enjoy swinging...

Gratitude

2009-09-28T08:16:00.000-07:00

You might think I am crazy after you read this, but it's okay because I am crazy.

I'm sure you've heard me say that I love The Killers, but you just don't understand. You know that feeling you get when you get goosebumps and your body just can't contain itself... that's what I feel like when I hear really great music, but when I listen to The Killers it's so much more than that. I just feel the music and I don't just enjoy it like I enjoy Taylor Swift or AAR. I LOVE THE MUSIC. It just consumes me and I don't want to do anything else but listen forever.
Seriously, Brandon Flowers is so talented. Go listen to one of their songs and tell me if you are creative enough to even write one line. You might not understand the lyrics, but I do. They may just look like crazy random words, but they are just so complex that you really have to feel them to understand them. Brandon Flowers said in an interview that people look to the chorus for meaning, and sure some of it is there, but the real meaning is in the verses. At the concert he even added different lines to a song, the songs mean something to him and he has the creativity to do that. He has also said that he doesn't just write music to please the fans, sure he performs and records albums for fans, but the music he writes is to express himself, the songs are his. Brandon Flowers does not have the most trained singing voice, but that is what I love about him. He is original in all sense of the word. When he sings live, it sounds just the same as the recordings, because he is not fake on the recordings. He doesn't sing a line over and over until it is perfect; it was perfect the second it left this lips. I love that. I am so grateful that I was able to see him live and to hear the music so loud that my whole body was shaking. It was amazing.

Just watch this...

You don't have to love it, but I can't possibly imagine that ANYONE could hate it.

I don't think that my life would be the same without great music like this. I am so glad that I love music and I am so grateful that it can bring up whatever emotion that the song is conveying. And I LOVE The Killers. I'm sure that his craze will be subdued in time, but i will still LOVE the music just the same. And I really do want that jacket, and I will have one even if I have to make it.

The Killers

2009-09-27T12:56:00.001-07:00

It was A-MAZ-ING! We had SO much fun! All day I was preparing to sing and scream, so I drank gallons of water and I was in the bathroom like 5 times by the end of the night, but I was able to sing and scream the whole time!

They had some pretty lame opening bands and we were just so ready for The Killers to come on stage. When they finally came out they sang one song and after a second of the next one Brandon Flowers was like, sorry we have to get off for a second! OH MAN! We were all so sad! But after 20 minutes they fixed whatever was wrong and they were back!

I wish we could have gotten closer pictures, because Brandon Flowers was wearing this awesome jacket with feathers on the shoulder. P.S. I would love this for Christmas... seriously.

He wears it in the New Day and Age music videos and all of his recent interviews. I was so excited to see it in person, but he only wore it for like one song.

Brandon was SO cool running and jumping. I just LOVE it when musicians get into their music like that!

They sang a lot of songs from their newsest cd and a lot from Hot Fuss, their first album. Our favorite album is Sam's Town and I kept yelling between songs for him to sing my favorite. When I heard the song starting, I got REALLY excited and almost cried.... yes, it's true. I love them.

Basically the most awesome thing in the world to hear him sing live. It was so loud that I couldn't even hear myself sing, so sometimes I screamed the lyrics! It was so sad to see them walk off the stage, I really wanted to cry again! Nick says that we will go another time and get general audience tickets so that we can stand in front of the stage... can't wait!

A special THANKS to Ryan and Ashley for watching Calvin! Thank you SOOOO much! Without you this experience would have been impossible!!!!!!!!! We owe you big time!