I'm Back!

Okay, so it's a little embarrassing that I have ignored my blog for almost 4 months. We have been busy, as always, and that's a contributing factor to my absence from the blogging world.
I've been debating whether or not I should go back and up date the last few months activities, and I've decided to give a brief summary of what we were up to.
October is always a busy month for us. Carly's birthday is at the beginning of the month. She had a great celebration that day. We all went to Gattiland for some pizza, a movie, and arcade games. She's such a big girl. She is my helper extraordinaire. She loves to help me with anything and everything, from telling the boys what to do, to cleaning the toilet. I really hope to keep her enthusiastic about household chores.

A few days after Carly's birthday, Jarod and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary. We went out to dinner to celebrate, and it was nice to spend the evening together "just us" and reflect on the last 8 years of courtship and marriage. Where has the time gone? I'm truly a lucky girl to be married to such a wonderful man, and my best friend.

In the middle of the month we participated in the ward Halloween Carnival. I won second place in the chili cook off with my P. Beans. Woo Hoo! Of course, the only thing I won was bragging rights. Good enough for me, though!!

Carly also had a Halloween themed birthday party with her little friends. It was a blast. The kids all had a great time, and I who knew kids loved duck, duck, goose and red light, green light so much?!

We also went to the city's free Halloween Carnival for the kids. It was great. The kids had fun with the games, and with all the candy and treats they got at each station.

Then it was Jack's turn. He turned 2 before Halloween, and he loved his dinosaur toys. He's quite the dinosaur lover. (I don't have any decent pictures...sorry!)

By the time trick-or-treating came on Halloween night, I was a little burnt out on Halloween. I think it's kind of a bizarre holiday already. Isn't it a little weird to dress up and go begging for candy from strangers?! Haven't we always been taught not to take candy from strangers? It was fun to watch the kids collecting candy from our neighbors. They had such a great time, and got such a haul, that we've still got bags of Halloween candy in our pantry. Maybe it just shows how good I am at not letting my kids become candy junkies. ;)

Josh was especially funny this year. He kept asking for more than was given to him, or telling the givers exactly what candy he wanted out of their bowls, no matter what prompting and reminders he was given. It was actually pretty hilarious. The holidays are progressively more fun as the kids get older. I get a real kick out of them. It's great to watch them enjoy holidays and traditions.

November was fun for us also. Josh had a root canal in November, and we're going to have a follow up appointment to make sure it took care of the problem. The main highlight of the month was Thanksgiving, of course. This year we hosted Thanksgiving Dinner at our house. While we missed out on the fancy china and crystal we're used to at my parents' house, they were good enough to bring their nice silver. I was in charge of the pies, turkey, and green beans. We were blessed to have my parents and Jarod's cousin Brittney and her family with us for the day. It was a fun celebration. After dinner I got hyped up for Black Friday shopping from looking at the ads. I convinced my mom go out in the morning with me. We discovered though, that if you're going to go out on Black Friday, you have to be serious about shopping. We didn't get out until 9:30, and by the time we got to the stores, pretty much all the door busters were gone. People are crazy. I'm not sure yet if I'm gonna be down right serious about shopping next year, or not. I also discovered cyber Monday. How is it that I'm just participating in that for the first time this last Thanksgiving? It is great!!

December was fabulous as well. Jarod's cousin Don and his wife Mieka and their son Tony moved to Round Rock, and it's been a blast. It's been great to have a built in friend with Mieka. We were happy to go to the city's free Christmas celebration with them. It was fun to see the kids decorate gingerbread men, and enjoy the other activities that were provided. We love living in Round Rock. It has been such a fun experience for us.

I love the Christmas season. I love the focus it gives me. I love the Christmas carols that remind us of the Savor's birth. I had several occasions in the car with the kids when I turned off the music to talk about the meaning of the songs, and was touched by my children's understanding of the meaning and purpose of Christmas. I couldn't ask for sweeter kids. The ward had a great Christmas party, and as always, the Santa was great. He's actually the Santa they used when I was a kid. They've gotten a lot of use out of that Santa outfit. His wife was touched when she saw me this year. They were in my parents' ward years and years ago. Carly was very serious about making sure she knew what to ask Santa for. She kept saying she wanted the Second Pocahontas movie. I don't know about the rest of you, but the first isn't my favorite movie, so the thought of having the sequel made me twinge a little bit. I suggested after we had already visited Santa, that perhaps she should chose a movie that she didn't already own. Since I had already bought the Snow White movie, I planted that seed, and she was excited about it. Of course, when she realized that she already told Santa she wanted a different movie, she was a little distraught. I suggested she write a letter to Santa, and for days she was reminding me, and checking to make sure I'd sent her letter to Santa so he'd get it in time. Kerilynn and Dave came for a few days and we really enjoyed sharing Christmas with them. We did Christmas Eve with everyone at our house, including the newest Round Rock Valdiviesos. We baked goodies and went caroling to our neighbors, and had dinner and a Christmas program put on by Jarod. I was touched by his efforts to share the Christmas message presented to us in the Bible, Book of Mormon, and by modern Prophets. It was a wonderful way to focus on the Savor's birth and life.

Christmas morning was so great. We were awake anticipating the kids' reactions to their stockings and their gifts. I'd woken up early to put the breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls in the oven, and was all too ready for the kids to wake up and discover their goodies. Carly was the first to emerge and she was exclaiming "Santa came" over and over. The night before she left out cookies and milk in the cute Santa dishes Kerilynn gave them, and she was thrilled that Santa had eaten her cookies and milk. When my folks and Kerilynn and Dave got over we started the day. It was so perfect. Everyone got what they wanted. Jarod was surprised by the ipod and stereo he received (who said I can't keep a secret?) and the kids all got the things they'd wished for.

Sunday afternoon Jarod's family including his mom and dad, sister Elle, Aunt Jan, and Aunt Lydia arrived. We had a great week with them. Jarod's mom gifted her kids' journals, photo albums, and family movies. It was touching to hear Jarod read the journal his mom has kept for him for almost 30 years. It's such an inspiration to continue writing in my kids' journals. He was so moved by it, and truthfully, I was also. I felt more connected to him, and I was reminded of the importance of journal writing.

We had a great time with Jarod's family, eating great food, playing games, flying planes in the park, reading journal entries, and watching movies, walking around the San Antonio Temple, and the Alamo, and visiting a couple of Austin's sites.

This Christmas season I was reminded of how blessed we are to have the families we do. It is wonderful to watch my children develop relationships with their grandparents and Aunts and Uncles. We have been blessed with the most supportive parents, that are willing to do anything to help us achieve our goals. Our lives are richly blessed in so many ways.

As the new year has started, I've enjoyed taking stock of my life, and my goals. While I never feel like I am very good at keeping "New Year's Resolutions" I am striving to make and reach certain goals this year. Hopefully I can rededicate myself to the blog, so that our extended family and out of town friends can be kept up to speed with our family adventures.

HAHAHA!!! I wrote this back in January! So much for rededicating myself to the blog! Oh well. It's May now, and we've been up to some fun things since January, also. I think I'll save that for the next post, though!

Teeth Check Time

Josh went to the dentist this week. While Mama Tess was here Josh got his mouth bonked by Jack's head. He had a blood blister looking sore show up above his chipped tooth. A while ago we had his tooth looked at by a dentist in California. At the time he told us not to worry about the tooth, since it's just a baby tooth. Well when this sore showed up a few weeks ago, and wasn't getting better, Jarod and I got concerned. After taking an x-ray, we found out that he has an abscess above his front tooth, between the baby tooth and the permanent tooth. The dentist prescribed an antibiotic for Josh and we're hoping that it will clear out the infection. If it doesn't, he'll have to have a root canal to get the job done. The other bad news we received is that this tooth will probably fall out before its time leaving an empty space in the front of his mouth longer than most kids. Depending on how long the infection has been sitting there, his permanent tooth might be discolored. Having had bad luck with my teeth since my accident when I was eight, this news really bums me out, to say the least. When the dentist told me he might need a root canal, the sensations I felt when having both my root canals came screaming back. Needless to say, our fingers are crossed that the antibiotic will clear up the infection and our little boy will be able to have a healthy smile. I was relieved that Josh did extremely well during the visit. I was able to leave my other two kids with my mom (I love living so close to my folks) while Josh and I went to the dentist. I had prepared him earlier in the day by telling him that the dentist wanted to see his pretty smile, and look to see how pretty his teeth are. He was practicing his smile all day. I was nervous about taking him, since the last time he went he freaked out about sitting in the chair and having someone look in his mouth. I guess that's one of my big worries, having him come to fear and have anxiety about the dentist. For now though, he did great, and I was very proud of him.

Guitar Lessons

One Sunday we were ready for church about 45 minutes before we needed to leave. How did that happen?!! Jarod let Josh strum the guitar while he was playing. The kids love to hear him play, and always want to be in the room when the guitar is out. I think they are a pretty handsome pair.

Taking Life by the Throttle

Jarod had a team building exercise for work a couple weekends ago, and my parents were generous enough to watch the kids so I could accompany him. The exercise consisted of a ride out to Marble Falls and back. It was a beautiful day, albeit a little warm. The ride was great, and the scenery gorgeous. I enjoy watching bikers pass each other on the road. There is an unwritten (or maybe it's written, I dunno) code of conduct for bikers on the rode. All cruisers wave to each other as they pass. It's so interesting that so many people from so very many different walks of life all become friends, part of the same club on the road. I love it. A few of the riders behind us.

A view of the lake.

While not everyone in the store participated, there were about 13 bikes in our group. An impressive sight on the road.

Preschool

We were lucky to form a preschool group at the very last minute. I was thrilled when I got the call. I didn't think we'd have a group this year, since all our friends from last year were either doing kindergarten or a private preschool this year. We are doing the same program as last year. This time there are just three little girls in the group, including Carly. So far it is just fantastic. I love the Funshine Express curriculum, and hope to continue with it next year for Josh. It is so great. Carly loves the girls in her class, Kate and Jenna. It's great to see the information sinking in with Carly this year. It's amazing to see the difference in her from last year to this year.

Grandma Tess' Visit

Well, to get to caught up on what we've been doing, I'll start with Grandma Tess' visit in September. We were lucky to get Jarod's mom for a few days in early September. She got to be here for Carly's first day of dance class, and Jarod and I were able to go on a couple dates sans kiddos. It was a great time. I'm lucky to have a mother-in-law that I can consider a friend. I think our mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship is pretty unique. We had a great time making jam, shopping, and as always, eating too many baked goodies. Here are some of the high-lights in pictures.

Jarod took off early to pick his mom up from the airport, and they spent the afternoon having lunch and browsing the Whole Foods Corporate headquarters in down town Austin. They brought home some delicious treats. The kids loved the cupcakes that Mama Tess got them. The grown-ups enjoyed the other deserts later. Man were they good!!

It was a happy coincidence that we had to switch Carly's dance class from Tuesdays to Fridays, because of our preschool schedule. Mama Tess was able to be here for her very first class. She and I were both on the verge of tears watching my baby girl go into class. It's hard to believe she's 5 years old already. I know I'll be a mess when it's time to drop her off for all day kindergarten next year. I really like the studio we chose. It has a cafe and lounge area with television screens that allow you to watch the classes in session. It's so fun to see Carly progressing each week.Did I mention it rained the ENTIRE time Mama Tess was here? Here's Josh with his Lightning McQueen umbrella that Papa Steve brought with him when he came to visit in June. The kids love having books read to them, and it was a special treat to have Mama Tess read to them. We also spent time shopping, and baking treats which got shared with Jarod's employees. The kids love going to see Daddy at work, and Mama Tess found this cute pink leather jacket that was Carly's size. Unfortunately, the arms were too tight for her liking.As always, we were sad to part, and the visits never seem long enough. We all had a great time, and we look forward to the holidays when we'll be together again.

A Visit from Family

Jarod's cousin Brittney and her cute family stopped by to say hello this past weekend, on their way to and from San Antonio. We were so happy to have them stop by, even though it was so short. We were able to go to church together, and the boys spent the whole time "sharing" cars with each other. I loved having someone else's baby to hold during sacrament meeting...there's nothing better than being able to kiss and cuddle a baby, and pass them off when they need to be fed, or if they're fussy. I was very happy to get a little baby fix, so THANKS BRITTNEY!! Carly and the boys loved the baby. I thought their reaction to his gummy smile was pretty hilarious. Thank goodness babies don't come with teeth, right?!