Random Updates....

If I were a student, I would surely flunk on posting new updates on the blog. My apologies...life has been nothing short of crazy the past few months. So, allow me to bring you up to speed. Zo still changes her clothes no less than five times a day. I her took to the Prom Walk the other day and ever since her choice attire includes some sort of dress and heels. She is all girl....

Kai LOVES his vacuum cleaner. Yes, it is pink but I think he is manly enough to pull it off. No doubt he is trying to clean up one of his messes but I love him for trying!

I have no idea where "Because I Love You Day" came from but Zoie insisted we celebrate it by picking random presents out for each other from around the house and wrapping them in various gift bags and boxes. Zo and Kai gave me a stuffed elephant and some cards. Just what I always wanted....

I continue to be amazed at Zo's teacher, Mrs. Greiner. She somehow managed to teach the kids two plays and put on a show for the parents. It made my day for sure. Zoie was the "ugly duckling" and got to wear her white fur vest and sparkly skirt after she became the "beautiful swan" so she was excited. They all did an amazing job.

Wow, this update is from Valentine's Day. Just another reminder of how behind I am! The kiddos were spoiled rotten from most everyone and Lori Dixon made sure they had some pretty special gifts. Try to ignore the horrible smile Zoie is giving--I have no idea what she is doing!

More V-Day fun...heart shaped pizza!

Kai adores his daddy so much and he does EVERYTHING he does. Very sweet. Bittersweet for me. Every time he does something cute I think about how much I will miss not having a toddler around in a few years.

Life has thrown a couple curve balls our direction lately and I continue to be thankful for the family that surrounds me. No matter how hard the day has been, both of our babies greet us with smiles and hugs and that pretty much fixes everything. I often wonder what exactly the Lord has in store for us and where he will lead us but I never wonder about what my first priority is--this family. I resolve to do better about posting more frequently...at least I will try to do better! Love always, Shan

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Happy 38th Birthday Daddy!! Thank you for putting your heart and soul into this family every day. We love you--Shan, Zo and lil man

Our Holiday Season.....

2,000 miles, 5 Christmas celebrations and one 6th birthday later we are FINALLY home and getting back to normal. We had a wonderful time celebrating the birth of Jesus with our families, ALL of them! We are so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives. I just wish they all lived a bit closer to together! We even managed to squeeze in a trip to Pennsylvania to see Nana Janet, my sisters and their families. We had several "firsts" while gone including ice skating, sledding (ending in injuries of course) and Zo's first visit to The Little Diva Day Salon. Where, believe it or not, you can get your little one a mani for $5 and a pedi for $10. Totally worth the giggles, grins and fun they had for $15.00. Thanks Nana Janet!

Zoie and I spent a lot of time talking about Jesus and reading bible stories. She is so interested in religion and it was fun for her to really understand what it is all about. I returned a duplicate gift I had purchased for one of the Grandpa's shortly before the holiday and she told me that Grandpa wouldn't care if it was a duplicate because Christmas was really about baby Jesus being born, not the presents. I was very proud of her. She is growing up to be a young lady with a big heart.

Fun as it was, it is always nice to get home, unpacked and back into the routine. Well, except that I can't seem to get Kai to figure out that bedtime doesn't really mean stay up as long as you can stand it. :)

Ryan's mom always get the kiddos matching Christmas p.j.'s for our annual picture but went one stop further this year and managed to get the entire family in Iowa gear.....

One of Kai's favorite presents was a plastic razor. He watches Daddy everyday in the morning and couldn't wait to join him.

Look Mom...I'm a big kid now!

I wanna party like a cheerleader!!

Although her actual birthday isn't until the 21st, Zoie had her 6th birthday party on Saturday. We have found that the closer to Christmas you get, the more conflicts people seem to have. The "theme" was cheerleading and the DC Mustang cheerleaders and Monty the Mustang joined the party to teach the girls a few cheers, some tumbling and, of course, how to build a pyramid! I think the pictures speak for themselves.......

I know, I know...the blog posting has slowed to a virtual halt these days. My sincere apologies but life has simply taken over around here. Sadly, I have even failed to take regular pictures--something I already regret. BUT, Grandpa Rex and Grandma Mary took a few in front of their tree last weekend and I thought I would share.

Our Thanksgiving was the usual drive all over Iowa affair and Christmas is set to to be much of the same, plus one LONG airplane ride for everyone to Pennsylvania to see my family. We wouldn't have it any other way though so bring on the festivities!

Zoie is still loving school and is reading a ton of words. I continue to be so impressed with her teacher and the entire Davis County School system. Seriously, they rock. She is still in love with horses ( no idea where that came from) and my uncle Karl saddled her up on Thanksgiving on Scooter, a GIANT horse. Okay, maybe not giant but when my little girl got up there it sure looked giant! With the entire family outside, all carrying cameras, we failed to get even one shot of the event. Typical for around here but she loved it. Her 6th birthday is the 21st but her party is set for this Saturday to try to avoid the Christmas stuff everyone has going on. I promise to get pictures and post. No promises on how quickly that happens though.....

Kai is still entirely BOY. If he can hit, kick, throw or bang it together, he is totally game. He runs on high speed all day until bedtime, when he crashes in his big boy bed. He does pretty good other than he thinks the day starts somewhere between 5:15 and 5:45 most days. We are still working on a plan to get that resolved. At the moment, the plan is to wait a few years until he decides being up that early really isn't all that great. Other ideas are welcome...I'm having hard time convincing Ryan that we need another one around here with a 2-year old up and at 'em at the crack of dawn.

Since we can't manage updating the blog on a regular basis, we of course didn't get Christmas cards out either. So, to our blog watchers, family and friends we wish you a very Merry Christmas! Zoie and I have been spending a lot of time talking about the birth of Jesus and why we celebrate so remember to celebrate your faith this season. We are continually grateful for the blessings the Lord has given us and I thank him daily for my healthy babies and wonderful husband. Merry Christmas!!

My Family....

For no particular reason at all I am feeling pretty grateful these days for this family. They keep me grounded and help keep my focus on what is important in perspective. I'm lucky to have a amazing hubby who always loves me and is always a very attentive father. My kids are happy, love each other, love to sing (which always makes me smile) and seem to just enjoy life. Which, in what usually feels like a very hectic and chaotic week, seems to be quite an accomplishment for me. I'm grateful for each and every one!

What a difference 2 years makes...

Different house, different town, different job....the same babies just a heck of a lot bigger!