Houston Astros

When we first moved here we went to an Astros game with one of James' cousins and her husband. They lost, which has been happening quite a bit lately from what I hear, but it was still fun to go and hang out with Camille and her family. We're sad to see them go... the next week they moved away...

Lonestar State

Shortly after graduation we moved from Columbus, Ohio to Houston, Texas. Quite a move! It took us three super long days! We left Columbus on Wednesday afternoon, after spending most of the previous day and night packing and cleaning... may I say NOT fun and NOT easy with two small munchkins! We are sooooo grateful for James' sister Robin and her kids for coming and helping us the Saturday before.

Tuesday night we stayed in a hotel in Columbus and forgot a super cute bag with some small fans in it in the room. Sad day! I really wanted my bag back and James wanted those fans... so he called the hotel and they mailed us the fans - MINUS the cutest bag in the world! Grrrr! Anyway.... after lots of driving and a whole lot more driving we finally made it to Texas! And then we had to drive some more... Members of our new ward helped us move in. Our new ward has been so welcoming! We are so grateful for that. We are beginning to get back into the swing of things. Life is finally beginning to settle down a bit! Hooray!

So far we are loving Texas! There is so much Texas pride! It's everywhere! Texas edition this, Texas style that... It's fun! It's kind of like buckeye fever in Columbus. It's not as hot as I thought it would be, but it is definitely more humid than I expected. YIKES!! I walk outside from the air-conditioned apartment and I'm instantly wet (with or without sweating)! The things I love so far.... pico de gallo, the library (well almost... that's another story), the park, the people, the many many things to do in the city... it's great to be here!

Graduation

In June James graduated from The Ohio State University College of Optometry. Yea!! His parents came out to congratulate him. His sister Robin and her family also came down from Cleveland. I am so proud of him and all of his HARD work! And I am soglad we're finally finished with school! Yea!!

Ethan loves to do everything that Daddy does...

Joshua spent most of the day in a box! Grandma took him down under the stands to get out of the sun.

He was so happy to get home and cool down!

These are some of the guys that James graduated with... they are the other LDS guys in his class. They are from the left - Thomas Moser, Chris McQuivey, Landon Hagberg, and Brandon Hicks. Congrats!

Three Years Old!!

For Ethan's birthday I made him a super yummy chocolate cake!! We had friends over to help us enjoy it. Ethan loved it!

I love how easily amused small children are. Ethan loved this card! He would have loved to stop there and not open anymore of his gifts. Thanks Grandma! He loved it! And thank to his other Grandmas for their gifts too. You sure know the way to your grandson's heart!

After the cake and ice cream we sent all those little boys outside to run off the sugar overload! We tried to sit them down for a picture... this was the only one that caught all six of them looking at the camera. I wish we had a camera going the other way to catch all six of their parents trying to get them to smile...

Here are few cute ones of Joshua. He love love LOVES to eat. Good thing too! He's continuing to get bigger and bigger. Yea!!!

This week we surprised the guys and took them out. It was so nice to get out without our kidlins. This is Casey and DJ Hovermale and Thomas and Delight Moser: the parents of all those boys that don't belong to James and me. We are really going to miss you guys when we move to Texas!!

We're back...

So... we didn't get lost on our way back from Minnesota! We made it back to Columbus all safe and sound... and a little bit frozen, but we've finally begun to thaw out.

When we got back my dad came out to help us finish our basement. James and Dad worked really hard and it looks great! Sorry Dad, still haven't taken any pictures of your handy work... I'll get on that.

Since then, we've been raising boys and getting a house ready to sell. Anyone looking for a charming three bedroom ranch with a finished basement? Yes, that's right we're moving to Houston, Texas. James has a year long residency there. I'm excited for a change of pace and for warmer weather.

Ethan is talking more. Which is great! Except that I still have a hard time understanding him. I catch most of what he's saying, but it's usually because I know what the context is. I am just glad he's vocalizing more and ATTEMPTING to talk instead of just jumping right into a tantrum. It is a blessing. He is making progress.

Joshua is finally growing!! YEA!!! When we first returned from MN he weighed 13 lbs 4 oz (for a child that started out at 8lbs 13 oz that is tiny!) Now a month later he weighs 16.5 lbs. YEA!! We had to juice up his formula and started him on solids. Now he's becoming quite squishy! Not quite chubby yet, but very very squishy.

So, if you stayed with me long enough to get here... I'll post more pictures next time.

Adventures in Minnesota..

So, this is Minnesota

And Ethan is just as surprised as the rest of us...

This is what those mountains of snow really look like... we're not quite sure what's underneath all that snow.... maybe a secret passageway into Canada.

One weekend we ventured a little bit west into Fargo, ND and went bowling. This is Ethan's victory dance. We love bumpers! Especially me! That was my best game ever!

Another weekend we went to St.Paul/Minneapolis and went to the temple...

and to Mall of America. That place is HUGE! And still I couldn't find any shoes that fit!

We have a lot of pajama days.

No stay in northern Minnesota would be complete without ice fishing. James went out on the lake right outside of our apartment with a guy from our branch. They drilled holes in the ice and waited and waited in their little hut until.... they finally caught a ..... minnow! Okay so that was just the bait, but Ethan was sure excited about their "catch." Until next time you slippery walleyes!

And finally our cute little elf man...

He sure is growing and growing despite the cold.

We made it!

After two long days of driving we finally made it to Minnesota! Whew! On Friday morning we packed everything we could possibly fit (I had zero leg room and stuff on my lap) into our car and drove about half way. It took forever because of all of the stops for Joshua. YIKES! Then on Saturday we did the same thing and arrived in Detroit Lakes on Saturday evening. It is beyond FREEZING here! I don't think we'll thaw out until we return to Columbus in the spring... The people we met at church were all very welcoming and kind.

My favorite thing about MN so far... is that everyone believes 20 is warm...