Christmas 2009

Christmas dinner (Emma wanted to know if "Nana drinks" when she picked up the sparkling cider at the grocery store. Observant kid--and NO, if you are still wondering, Nana doesn't drink!)

The girls with their new dollhouse (we had to sell the one we bought in Argentina). I don't know how to turn that picture, but come on, you are sitting at a computer, make a little effort and turn your head!

This was my big gift, and exactly what I asked for--a jogger stroller. The plan is to cart around a toddler and a baby to get rid of all this baby fat.

Here are the kids after acting out the nativity for Nana Rebecca and Papa.

Red Sox of McAllen, TX

Dallin is the middle kid in the back row.

One of the things that Jared really missed in Argentina was baseball. So we were happy to find out that baseball is a pretty big deal here in South Texas. We put Dallin in a winter league with games at the end of Novemeber and throughout December. Jared was really worried he would be behind the other boys. But Dallin has proven to be a quick learner and did really well. He was not only learning skills and technique, but the rules to the game. At times, it seemed like alot of pressure for a 7 year old (that's mommy's opinion).

He started the season at 1st base and looked like a mini-Jared. He could stretch and get the balls thrown to him and he was great at stopping balls on the ground. Later they tried him at 2nd base, he did well there too. His batting got better through the season and in the last few games he hit a few homeruns. Actually, his last at bat, the last game of the season, he got a homerun! It was a fun way to end the season.

Spring season starts in a month and we are excited to watch him improve more. Goooooooooo Dallin!!!

My new babysitter

This was our big Christmas surprise this year. Jared and Grandpa Harry set it up Christmas Eve while Nana Rebecca and I took the kids to look at Christmas lights. The look on their faces as they ran out the back door made it so worth it! The kids love it! They jump everyday after school. It's a friend magnet too. We have neighborhood friends coming over all the time to jump. Jared has even tried it out, very carefully. We haven't had any real injuries, other than bumps from bouncing body parts. So if anyone is thinking about getting a trampoline, we would highly recommend it!

We're Back!

Oh my goodness, where do I begin? My last post was 8 months ago. So much has happened since then. Let's see:

*Clara Nina West, my wonderful grandmother, died in June of 2009. The kids and I were able to move our flight plans to be there for the funeral in Bartlesville, OK.
*Jared got a offered a job transfer to Mexico. We accepted.
*My mom, Randy Standeford, was able to put a rush on her passport and took the LONG flight to Argentina with us. She got to help with the move and shiver in the cold of July.
*After a year or so of trying for a baby, we found out that we were expecting baby #5. We took the kids to our favorite restaurant in Argentina, Kansas, to tell them the news.
*We sold everything and made our way to a big, empty house in Mission, Texas.
*We did a parent-exchange for Christmas. My mom went to Oklahoma and Jared's parents came to visit for a week.
*Next big event--waiting the arrival of baby boy (about 4 weeks left).

OK, I'll look for pictures and try and fill in the blanks of my timeline above. Thanks to my friend Jody for encouraging me to get on top of this again!