At Long Last

Okay. So, here is the news since the last post. We are all moved into our new house (HOORAY!) as of February 1. We are enjoying the added space and peace of mind that we aren't dealing with a derelict landlord anymore! The kids all love the house and are settling in well. I think their favorite part of the new digs is the staircase that is open to the living room below. Stairs alone would be thrilling, but when you can launch things over the railing to the tile below . . . heaven.
Although we didn't move far, we are in a new ward. The Primary is probably twice the size of our last ward's and the kids all have lots of potential friends. Half of Parker's preschool class is in this ward, and his preschool teacher is now Truman's nursery leader!
I have been busy scouring Craigslist and contemplating the decorating questions that weigh heavily upon my mind.
Todd was hired into a new position which required him to change offices. It is a promotion, though similar to what he was doing before. Great news except that he now commutes to Orange County instead of San Diego, so he is up and gone very early and sometimes home late.
Anyway, that's the recap, and here are the pictures that we managed from January/February.

Truman turns three! Grandma and Grandpa Rudd were here for the celebration.


Parker starts t-ball. His first game was on moving day. That was an exhausting weekend.

Emma, Parker, and Truman with Aunt Janelle, Coco, and Jett who dropped in for a fun afternoon to see us before going to Disneyland.


Parker's Star Wars birthday party which was three days before the move and a great success.


The boys loved the "Yoda Soda".


Using the Force to keep their balloons in the air with pipe insulation light sabers. (I go all out. You should have seen the Death Star Pinata we made, held together with masking tape.)


He's five!

Thiis was one of those times when the kids said, "Mom! Come take a picture of us! For some reason the purple gloves made Emma into the superhero's nemesis. I don't know. I just point and shoot because it's easier than questioning.

Truman tries to copy Parker's superhero pose but looks slightly less coordinated.



Please ignore the mayhem in the background. Everything was skaddywampus as we packed up.

Christmas

On Christmas Eve day we went bowling with Holly and Steve.











I think there is a similar picture somewhere of me and and my siblings looking out of this window when we were little. My dad grew up in the house he and my mom live in now.



Two angels, and we had to rope in adults as Mary and Joseph. I don't know what's up with the wiseman glasses/nose.


Trevor and Truman entranced with Geotrax. (More! Those things are so bulky.)



Emma with what Santa Claus brought. (No real kitten, again.)







Christmas was really nice. We hadn't been with my family at Christmas for five years, so the long trip was worth it. (Right, Todd?) This is a short-winded blog because I am short on time, but we hope you all had wonderful holidays as well!

Snow

This is the plowed road. At least it protects you from a collision with oncoming traffic, although having a median this high makes a left hand turn more tricky.














Family Party

The Monday before Christmas, all of my siblings but one were able to gather in snowy Idaho Falls at my sister Julie's for a great party. This was no small feat considering the weather and distance. Here I am with Janelle, Holly and Holly's son, Trevor.

Below are Steve, Julie, Mom, Todd, Rob, Michelle and Lowe.


Singing carols with the cousins.




Truman was really excited about "Jingle Bells", seeing as it's the only song he knows.



All of the grandkids, minus Jenna's four and Maia and Coco who were already asleep.

Christmas Programs

Emma's class performed "The Elves and the Shoemaker" at the holiday open house. Emma was the lead lady as Gretchen, the shoemaker's wife. She was a whiz at memorizing lots of lines and keeping cool.
Parker's class had some very cute choreography, as usual. "Oh ho, the mistletoe, hung where you can see. Somebody waits for you, kiss her once for me."




For Christmas I was surprised with a new camera, so hopefully the next program's pictures will turn out better.








Last Hurrah at Disneyland

You are seeing the last Disneyland photos for a good long while. Our season passes expired at the beginning of December. We went a lot. Enough that we are ready to give it a rest for a few years. I never knew I could get my fill. Of course, it's only been a month.



Sometimes you have to use the camera to kill some time. The boys and I are waiting for Emma and Todd to get off Soarin' Over California.