Hello 2015

It's a New Year and I couldn't be more excited about it.  I have no idea what 2015 holds for me or our family, but I can't wait to find out.  I started off the New Year with new hair.  A little bit blonder, a little bit shorter.  I'm slowly working my way back to super blond, like I was as a kid. 

 We have spent a lot of time inside this January since we can't seem to stay healthy.  First off, all the kids got a horrible head cold and cough which seemed to last forever.  I think we were all healthy for about 3 or 4 days and then Rex started throwing up earlier this week, and now Ty has it.  Let's just say it's been a long week.   I kind of have a love hate relationship with sick kids.  I hate that they feel awful, and that there is a lot of extra laundry or midnight tears.  But on the other hand I love all the cuddles, movies and all day PJ wearing days.  

During our few healthy days we had beautiful weather, so the kids played baseball in the yard and Dahl and Ty even went on a 3 mile run with me.  I was very impressed.  I thought for sure I would be dropping them off at home after a mile or so.  They stuck right with me the whole way.  I have been trying hard to stay healthy so I have been working out and running, which is tricky with sick kids.  Hopefully when everyone is better it will get a little easier.  Every time I lay on the floor to do sit-ups Rex crawls on top of me.  Stinker.  

I have finally decided, and have convinced Reid, to make him a new blanky.  The one he loves has been loved for too long.  It is falling apart.  I have patched it multiple times, but I think it is to the point that it can't be patched anymore.  I thought if I let him pick the back fabric he would go for it.  It seemed to work.  So I am slowly in the process of making him a new blanky.  

Well, so far January has been OK, minus the sick kids.  Here's to the rest of 2015 and all that is has in store for us.  I love my family and am so blessed for 5 amazing boys to love.  

2014 Ends

This Christmas was spend here in Sherman, Texas.  No traveling, just low key.  Not a lot was going on which was kind of nice.  It was great to spend a lot of quality time together as a family over the break. 

 We had to make a few trips down to Dallas to get our Immigration Medicals (the hassle of trying to get green cards). But we made fun days of it.  Eating yummy food, Sushi and In N Out, and going to movies.  It almost made up for having to get re-vaccinated for the sole purpose to suck every last penny from us (so it seemed).  We also did our favorite family tradition and got a fun collection of glass bottle sodas for the holidays.  This year the Hill family joined us.  Fun (gross) flavor...PB&J.  The boys also got to meet Santa.  I think Dahl was feeling a little silly this year sitting on his lap.  Why do they have to grow up so fast?  Although, I am unsure if he is still a BELIEVER or not. 

A few days before Christmas Aaron came down with the Flu and was sicker than I have ever seen him.  I don't thing he got out of bed for about a week.  So I was on solo duty when it came to wrapping presents and setting up for Christmas morning.  It was a long evening, but well worth it. 

Christmas came, Dahl turned 10!  What?  Yes 10.  I have a 10 year old boy.  Dahl might just be the best kid ever.  He is kind, loving, caring, smart, and the best older brother ever.  Couldn't have asked for a better kid.  Love him to pieces.  He makes me smile ever day, and I am always amazing at how much random stuff he knows.  He is filled with questions, and when he finds out the answers it locked in his brain forever (just like his dad).  

We rang in the New Year with a big family party at our house with some of our dear friends.  We had fireworks but got stopped by the police, bummer.  He told us to go down the street so we were out of city limits.  It was a little too chilly so decided to stick with sparklers and noise makers.  All the kids made it to Midnight and cheered and hugged.  Good times.

We finished off the break by taking the boys ice skating for the first time.  They must be Canadian because Dahl and Ty picked it up so fast and were rockin it.  They loved it and have been asking constantly when we are going back again.  Hopefully sometime soon.  Well that was our Christmas break.  Here's to 2014.  

Bring it on 2015

St. George - part 2

We made in to St. George and all the men had some pretty awesome mustaches to show off (I personal am not a fan of mustaches).  I think Reid's little Hitler was a clear winner in my opinion.  We spent the week eating, laughing, hiking, playing games, playing football in the park, hiking more, eating more and relaxing.  It was a great Thanksgiving.  The kids loved being back together with some of their cousins that they don't get to see as often as we would like.  Reid and Ida became BBFs, I don't think I saw them all week long.  Rex and Mabel (the dog) also became little buddies.  Rex spent the week using her as a real life pillow pet.  She didn't mind, she knows how soft and comfy she is.  It was a fantastic week, and it was very hard to say goodbye.  I cried, and then cried some more heading out of town.  

On the way back home we stopping in New Mexico to see Aaron's cousins, Tara and Jordan, and their families.  We wish we had more time there.  It was a couple short hours and then we were back on the road to Texas.  When we got home we quickly set up the Christmas tree to kick off the Christmas season.  I think we need to do this trip every year.  It was great!

road trippin - part 1

Over Thanksgiving break we busted out the beef jerky and movies and took a 20 hour road trip to St. George, Utah to spent Thanksgiving with family.  The drive was well worth it.  I would drive 100 hours to spend time with my siblings.  I just wish all of us were able to get together.  We were missing Chuck and Nena's families.  The way there we broke the drive up into three days.  The highlight of the drive out was spending an afternoon at the Grand Canyon.  It was amazing.  So beautiful and Grand.  The kids travelled amazingly well, so I see many more road trips in our future.   

Halloween (last year)

A few months ago we had Halloween.  Man I am way behind.  This was a fun year.  All the kids were really into it, and our new community was a perfect place to go trick-or-treating.  The weather couldn't have been better.  I remember every year growing up dressing as a snowboarder to keep warm.  Big difference having Halloween in Texas over Canada.  This year we joined forces with the Browns and took all nine kids around running from house to house.  It was great.  This years costumes were...

Dahl - Marty McFly

 Ty - Grimm Reaper

 Reid - Ninja Turtle

 Rex - little Monster

 The Crew

Afterwards the kids gathered around the table and traded candy until everyone was happy with what they got.  Sugar for weeks!  Until next year Halloween.