Time for a new post!

Wow, it has been too long since I have posted. Partly because I have been busy and it just hasn't really crossed my mind. So much has happened since February. We have moved into a beautiful new home. Summer break came and went. My sweet boy Hunter is now a 4th grader. My princess Olivia starts preschool after Labor Day. We had a great summer break. We took a couple of vacations to the Lake of the Ozarks and Branson. Both kids took swimming lessons. Hunter is a great swimmer and Olivia is coming right along. We managed to hit most of the places I wanted to take the kids this summer. Fritz, Crayola Cafe, Coterie Theater, Crown Center Fountains, T-Rex Cafe, Monkey Bizness, Zonkers, the Zoo, Tunnel Voyage and swimming. We haven't made it a water park yet. The summer has been weird this year, very cool and rainy. Hunter attended Webelos Camp and stayed a whole week with his Grandma and Grandpa Chism and went to Bible School in Stockton. Olivia has been a regular in Gymnastics once a week. We are looking for things to occupy our time now that school has started. Will be nice to get into a routine and figure out Fall activities. My little nephew Easton started Kindergarten. He will be 6 in October so I think he was ready. Hunter's teacher this year is Ms. Weaver and we seem to like her so far. Looking forward to a great remainder of the 2009 year. It has flown by so fast. Time flies when you are having fun! I don't want to waste any time missing out on anything with my babies!

Remembering the Alamo.....from MO

The post says it all. Our much anticipated San Antonio trip had to be cancelled last minute. Olivia came down with a nasty ear infection and RSV. We had no idea she was even sick outside of a cold except for the wheezing that began on Wednesday which prompted the Thursday doctor visit. This is one of those cases where you have to put the love and well being of your child before yourself knowing full well that we lost our money on the airline tickets but the hotel and car rental was nice enough to offer a full refund. Deep in our hearts we could not chance her little ear drums bursting on the plane. Hunter was so disappointed it brought tears to his eyes. So in an effort to try to salvage the long weekend without really nice weather that we were so looking forward too we rented a condo down at Osage Beach for the weekend and were going to attempt Miner Mike's which is a family favorite and whatever else we could find. Good news is the Condo was beautiful. We have stayed in these people's home before but it was the older one across the street. Both are wonderfully decorated , spacious and a beautiful view of the lake. Bad News is that most everything is closed for winter in Osage beach. It really is a tourist spot where even the indoor attractions must not generate enough business to be open. Yet another disappointment...no Miner Mike's. So we thought that we would take the kids to the Outlet Mall to pick out a toy at KayBee. Not happening either, KayBee went bankrupt. So we ended up at Walmart. Mike and I's thoughts were we could do this at home for free. Oh well, live and learn. Hunter and Mike did get to enjoy Bridal Cave and Jacob's Cave and it was a nice reprive from home. Olivia is better this week and Hunter is back to school so routine settling in.

Now...someday we will get to that Alamo I just know it.

Fabulous weather and good family times

First may I just say the last several days have been wonderful here. Mid 60's, mostly sunny skies. Yesterday we had a horrible wind but hey you take what you can get when it comes to warm temps in February for MO. Sadie the wonder dog is certainly fond of this weather as well. She wants outside most of the time. I try to take her for walks each day especially for potty breaks. She is improving so much on her pottying I am so pleased.

This past weekend we went to Lockwood to celebrate my Aunt Candi's 50th birthday (which is today). We left the kids with Grandma and Grandpa Chism in Stockon and Mike and I headed to Lockwood. It was a good time even though most of the crowd cut out about 8:30. Mike and I even danced. The first time in 6 years we have danced together. While neither one of us can cut a rug very well, we had a good time. It was nice to see family there and even my Grandma who is pushing 89 got into the spirit of things by dancing with us. It was priceless and caught on video and a memory I shall cherish forever.

It's been pretty quiet around here the past week. Olivia had gymnastics last Thursday again in which she proceeded to tell the teacher she loved her. Pretty impressive for the teacher for only 2 visits. Hunter went to his first school dance on the 30th of January. He was absolutely handsome and did his mom proud by staying away from the girls and playing tag with the boys. If you ask me K-5 elementary dances are a tad young but what isn't going on these days that I think is too young.

We head for San Antonio Friday. We can't wait and are looking forward to even more nice weather. I think I hurt my back and leg during either my dancing skit or really who knows so hopefully the chiropractor can fix me up before we head out. Our first family vacation of 2009. We are excitied!

Olivia the Gymnast

Today was Olivia's first day of preschool Gymnastics. She is enrolled in a 3-5 year class called Dragonflys. So far there are only 3 in her class but that's enough. She was adorable from start to finish. She was excited about her new pretty leotard that is hot pink with rhinestones. She loved getting to play on the trampolines and climb and do somersaults. I think this will be good for her and me. It's gets her away from the TV, gets me out of the house and is great exercise for her. We go every Thursday at 11:30. She is already looking forward to next week.

Cold and Drab

This past weekend we didn't do much. The weather is just not nice at all. Very cold, intermittent snow and cloudy. They are expecting more snow tonight. We mostly just hung around the house but did manage to make it to church and Cracker Barrel for brunch on Sunday. I took Hunter to get a spiffy new haircut. All I can really do is buzz his head but he needs a decent cut for winter. He looked so handsome when he was all done. We are looking forward to several outings in February. We are all really looking forward to San Antonio. You could say we are all feeling spring fever pretty hard over here.

Spring Teaser

Yesterday was a beautiful day. It made it up to 64 degrees. Unusual for January yes, but nevertheless much welcomed. Olivia and I took advantage and went outside for the afternoon and played on her swingset. She jumped on the trampoline and sat on the porch swing with me and sang songs. Our afternoon was pretty mild until Sadie came off her leash after the cat and Olivia thought she needed to run after the dog which sent me running after her. We ended up in the next neighborhood as my main concern was Olivia and the dog was second. The good news is everyone got home safe and sound. Today it's back in the 20's, blustery and snowing. I hate this when nice weather teases me this way....

Not Much Going on Here

It's been fairly quiet around here the last few days. Monday was MLK day so I took Olivia to preschool and made a day of it with Hunter. We ran to Target to get some items and then he had a choice of going to a movie or me taking him out to lunch. He chose Applebees and a cookie at the mall trip. During our Applebees lunch he barely spoke 5 words to me as he was more interested in the TV's on around him. I then let him try out the bungee trampoline which he enjoyed. Then we stopped by the cookie factory to get our cookie each trip we go there and came home to let Sadie out. Then the festivities picked up when the neighborhood boys returned home in the afternoon and all showed up here.

Today Olivia and I met Erin and Easton at the mall for some playtime, lunch and of course the trip to the cookie factory. Olivia was so cute going into the mall. She said "Mommy, I so really love you". I love moments like that. Even when Hunter didn't speak much to Mom at lunch he always asks me to "stay" at night when I tuck him in.

Tomorrow is supposed to be 60 here. I forsee Olivia playing on her swingset and Sadie running around in the backyard like a crazy dog. Looking forward to when it's warm all the time. It will make for lots more opportunities to make trips out of the house.