Merry Christmas

Home Decorating, Kallon Lost a Tooth, Tennis Lessons, and First Day of 1st Grade

After living in our house for almost two years we have finally gotten some decorating done. This is a big deal for me because I am not the decorating type, I do not have an eye for it. I wish I did but unfortunately I just don't. Back in May we did Kallon's room. I forgot to take before pictures. oops!

I am very happy with the way it turned out, although I don't think I will be doing stripes again any time soon. Next we did the master bedroom and bathroom. Again no before pics. We painted, got new bedding and curtains and Cory built our lovely headboard! I love it!

Kallon finally lost his first tooth on Monday September 3, 2012. He was pretty excited and told us that the tooth fairy was going to leave him 967,985 dollars. Umm, I wish! He has this obsession with "9" numbers. He kept his tooth around for about a week and then finally decided to put it in an envelope under his pillow for the tooth fairy to come. He was given a whole dollar!! He was excited even though it wasn't the amount he originally wanted.

Kallon also started tennis lessons in August. He loves it and he has a knack for it. The day of his first lesson he told me he was going to play just like Federer. Way to make his parents proud!

Kallon started first grade this year on August 27th. He really likes his teacher, Mrs. Klepac and has lots of friends in his class. I think its going to be a good year.

June

June was a busy month for us. Between birthdays, visitors, trips, and swimming lessons the month seemed to fly by. Our month started off with our first visitors my mom and my brother Jonathan came for week of fun. We sure packed it all in too. We went to Lake Belton

We celebrated Kallon's 6th birthday!!

Impatiently waiting to swim in the pool grandma and grandpa Green gave Kallon for his birthday.

We went to Kallon's favorite water park...Schlitterbahn!! Had way too much fun there and no naps which meant sleeping on the tables during dinner at Rudy's.

Both Kallon and Kate are out cold in these pictures! That's when you know they've had a busy day.

Jonathan was forced to hold the baby. :) We loved having grandma Mary and Jonathan visit and were sad they had to leave. No time to be too sad though because on the way to the airport we stopped and had lunch with grandma and grandpa Spicer!!! We quickly all had a fun lunch together and then took my mom and brother to the airport. That day we visited and went boating on lake Austin with some old Spicer friends from Texas. It was a fun day but we did get stranded and had to get towed back to dock. Monday morning was Kallon's first swim lesson of the summer. After swimming we rushed back home picked up grandma and grandpa Spicer and drove to meet up with Cory at school to attend his awards ceremony. Cory was given a scholarship for his academics and portraying what Scott and White Hospital is looking for in a future physician. How cool is that?! We are so proud of him! He works so hard he is really deserving of the award. After the ceremony we went to lunch at Jason's Deli. Tuesday we had to say goodbye and took grandma and grandpa to the airport.We rushed back to make it Kallon's tball invitational game which they won! To wrap up the month we celebrated Cory's thirtieth birthday!! I can't believe he is thirty. We celebrated by going to Texas Roadhouse for dinner and came home to enjoy Texas sheet cake and ice cream. I think that might be a fire hazard with all those candles.

It was a very fun, very busy month. *Yay Jonathan you finally made the blog!!! ;)

T-Ball

This year Kallon wanted to play t-ball. He had graduated from pre t-ball to t-ball this year so they actually kept score. I thought this was going to be a nice, calm quick t-ball season that would be over before it got too hot. Boy, was I wrong. Mid April Kallon started practice with his new team the River Dawgs, cool name huh! I know, it's awesome. Who comes up with this stuff? Kallon started off playing pitcher but was moved to first base mostly because he couldn't keep his little hands out of the dirt. I needed a recording that said, Kallon, pay attention, get out of the dirt. Anyway the team played in a pre-season tournament and our team lost, badly. None of the kids really cared they were just excited to be out on the field playing. The parents were a different story. Some of the parents on other teams were SO competitive, I was shocked. I mean come on, they are five years old. Seriously wanted to slap some of them. Kallon had practice twice a week and the team slowly started to improve. They played a few more games still without a win until the coach came up with a motivation tool....ice cream! Coach Robert told the boys that if they won their game that weekend he would buy the whole team ice cream, that was all they needed to hear. They won their weekend game, and next few after that. I started dreading them winning cause it meant dirty, sugared up kids and late bedtimes. After a few more wins and a couple losses we found out that the team had placed second in the season which meant they were headed to districts, in JULY. In Texas July heat=death, it's SO hot. I do not enjoy being outside in Texas summer unless I am headed to water. At districts we drove to a neighboring town every night for a week for the games. The other crazy thing going on for districts is that many of the teams actually drafted players. Can you believe it?! Again people they are five year olds this is supposed to be just for fun and learning. At districts the River Dawgs didn't win a single game, it was kind of sad but I don't think the boys minded too much because it meant no more hot uniform and sweaty bodies.I think the most exciting part for Kallon was earning an "awesome trophy" and a "really cool silver medal" (can you tell he's been watching the Olympics? The funny thing is its actually a bronze color.)What I thought was going to be two month t-ball season ended up being a three and a half month, crazy, fun, season. Kallon has really improved and we have really enjoyed watching him play, even if it was in July. We are so proud of him.

Karly's Blessing

Today Karly was blessed in church. It was a last minute decision that we made at the end of church last week. We chose to do it sooner rather than later because Karly is a big girl and she just continues to grow. I wanted her to wear the dress that I was blessed in as well as Kate. I was afraid if we waited much longer the dress wasn't going to fit. Not a really good reason to choose your child's blessing date but oh well. I was also a little disappointed that we wouldn't have any family there with us. Anyway as we were waiting through the announcements to be over so we could bless her the Bishop went right to the Sacrament. Cory and I looked at each other a little confused wondering what was going on. Cory decided to go up during the Sacrament hymn and ask the Bishop if they had forgotten. Turns out the guy Cory spoke with last week about setting the blessing up for today forgot to let the bishopric know. Oops! It was no big deal after the Sacrament was finished they called Cory up to give the blessing. In the circle Cory had asked Jason Smart (a school friend), David Burstedt (a school friend), our previous bishop, Bishop Prescott who was just released last week, and a friend Scott Swendson to participate. Right before Cory and Karly were to go up the to stand Karly got the hiccups and was getting fussy and I started to worry that she wasn't going to cooperate. She did, and Cory gave a beautiful blessing. Later I was standing in the hall waiting to go into Young Women's and David walked past. I gave him a quick thank you

for standing in to bless Karly. He said "sure I was happy to do it." "She was so peaceful during the blessing, I was watching her and she was staring straight up as if she was looking at something, probably angels." My eyes filled with tears and my mind immediately went to my little niece, Teagan who's sweet little spirit was only on earth a very short time. Teagan and Karly were only going to be a few months apart and I have no doubt in my mind that they were best little buds before they came to earth along with their little cousin Kyle. I also thought of my grandparents who have passed away and Cory's grandmother as well. Here I was worried that we weren't going to have family with us when in reality we had family all around us. It comforts me to know that heaven isn't so far away and if we live righteously the veil can become thin and we can feel the presence of our loved ones. I am so grateful to know that we can live with our families forever. Today has been an emotional, spiritually fulfilling day. It is days like today that I am thankful for the Gospel in my life to remind me what the purpose of this life is all about.

Easter

We had a great Easter this year. The kids had lots of cookie decorating, egg dying, egg hunts and way too much candy. We also made Resurrection rolls which I really think helped Kallon and Kate understand the real meaning of Easter. We will be doing those every year. I am grateful for the true meaning of Easter. I know my Savior died for me so we could be with Him and our families forever.

Helpers

I seem to have two overly eager helpers on my hands. Often I will find Karly in her swing with it set at the highest setting with the music on loud which is not how I left it. Or I will find her with multiple blankets wrapped all around with a plethora of stuffed animals to keep her company. Both Kallon and Kate just wait for Karly to let out a little whimper or whine so they can rush to her side and attempt to put the binky back in her mouth. I have even found Karly in a different spot from where I left her, we had a big talk about picking up baby after that. At least it was Kallon and not Kate attempting to move her. They are more than happy to rush and get diapers or wipes or towels. Today as I was making dinner Kallon insisted that Karly was too hot. To please him I responded OK thank you, I'll check on her in a minute. When I walked out of the kitchen I noticed Kallon was swinging a soft pink outfit looking thing in his hands. When I saw the baby I knew exactly what he was swinging. Kallon had taken off her outfit trying to help her cool off. I just had to laugh, Karly didn't cry so I guess he wasn't too rough with her. To be honest it has been nice having extra little helping hands. They have both been so sweet and we have discovered that Kallon has a gentle side that we've never ever seen before in him. These two love their baby sister and I spend my afternoons trying to fend them off. I'm so happy that they love each other now because I know in a few years these sweet, gentle children will not be so sweet and gentle all the time. :)


Kallon reading to his sisters

Newborn Pictures

Here are a few of Karly's newborn pictures taken at a week and half old. Karly was not very cooperative but my friend Sherise got some good shots anyway.

Welcome Karly Jane

I had scheduled an induction for Friday February 10th. We decided to go that route because of Cory's hectic school schedule. The night before I had to go in was the longest night ever! Poor little Kate had stepped in a pile of fire ants earlier that day and her little feet were so swollen and red she had a hard time sleeping that night. Cory and I were up most of the night trying to help her get comfortable. I guess in a way she was just breaking us in for the new baby. Friday morning at 4:25 I got up and drove to the hospital. Cory stayed home to get Kallon ready and off to school and get Kate to her friends house to spend the day. By six am I was all hooked up and ready to go so the nurse started the pitocin and I took a nice nap. Cory came around 8 am right when my doctor showed up to break my water and check me-I was at a two maybe three. I was fine for a while and then around 9:30 I couldn't stand the contractions anymore and asked for the epidural. The anesthesiologist came in and explained to me the risks and had me sign forms blah blah blah. I wasn't really listening anyway I was in pain! Just bring me the drugs please. He finally came back with his "team," Scott and White is a training hospital so there is always a group of people around learning. I didn't mind I just wanted my drugs. The anesthesiologist finally got the epidural in around 10:10, he told me it would take about 30 minutes to really kick in. Once he was done and had cleaned up the nurse decided she was going to check me. I was still really hurting but my right leg was completely numb. I was at a seven. I thought okay good, by the time I get to a 10 the epidural will be working and it will be no big deal...WRONG! As soon as the nurse left not 5 minutes later I had the overwhelming feeling to push and I couldn't even lay still. We called the nurse and I told her what I was feeling. She was very surprised and said OK, I'll check you again. Guess what! I was at a 10!!! I went from a seven to a 10 in less than ten minutes. My doctor got there and in about three pushes Karly was born. She was a chunky baby weighing in at 8lbs 4oz and just under 20 inches long. Definitely my biggest but shortest baby. Kallon and Kate were both over 21 inches. Karly has a skif of blonde hair and looks almost exactly like Kallon did when he was born. I actually got to hold Karly for quite a while before they took her to clean her up which was a first for me and I loved it.
Karly is perfect and healthy and we are really enjoying having a baby at home. We are a little sleep deprived because Karly has her days and nights mixed up but hopefully in the next few weeks we'll be able to fix that. Kallon and Kate absolutely love her, which is good because I was a little worried about it. They are always asking to see the baby, hold the baby, putting in her pacifier, and wrapping the blanket around her. They have both been so helpful and it's so fun to watch them interact with her. It feels like Karly has always been a part of our family, we love her so much already and are so grateful Heavenly Father sent her to us.





Getting ready to come home



Grandma Mary

Kates Birthday and Christmas 2011

Our little Kater turned three this December. Her birthday was on a Sunday and it also happen to be Young Woman in Excellence so it made for a busy day. We had cake and ice cream and she opened her presents. She got a little Bell doll and a pink pony. They both were big hits. Kate is growing up so fast, I can't believe it. She is talking up a storm and is such a smart little girl. It always amazes me that little kids can know so much. She knows her numbers up to 12, sings the alphabet, loves the colors pink and purple and likes to follow her big brother everywhere. She asks all day long when Kallon is going to get home from school. Kallon is pretty good to let her be his little shadow all afternoon. She also is very stubborn which can make for some interesting days but we love her all the same and we are so grateful she is ours.









This year for Christmas Cory and I decided that we were going to drive home and surprise our families. The only people that knew we were coming were Cory's parents. First we drove to Salt Lake to take the kids to Temple Square and show them the lights. Grandpa and Grandma Spicer actually surprised us by coming to Salt Lake. That night I had told my sister Becky that she needed to meet my "friend" at Trolley Square to get the gifts I had sent home for my family. We set up a time and I told Becky where they would meet. Instead of my "friend" showing up we ran into the mall and scared her. It was quite the surprise. The next day we walked around The Joseph Smith Building and watched the movie Joseph Smith. It was really good and the kids even sat through most of it. After having lunch with Becky, grandparents, and the Field cousins we continued on to Pocatello. My sister Katy was at work at Costco about to get off. We talked about how funny it would be to hide in her car and scare her when she got in, but thought there was no way it would be unlocked. We were wrong, it was unlocked so I got in and hid in the back under some blankets. The time passed when she was supposed to be off and I was getting cold. About the same time I decided to get out Cory saw her walking over to the gas pumps. I carefully climbed out of her car trying to go unnoticed which was no small feat being almost 8 months pregnant. I got back in our car and we drove over to the gas pumps, stopped right in front of her and I said fill 'er up please. It took her a second to recognize us but when she did she was freaking out. She kept saying I hate you, come give me a hug, I hate you. We got her pretty good. Then on to my parents house. We rang the doorbell and no one came. We had Kallon continue to ring it until finally my mom opened the door. We yelled Merry Christmas and she just stood there, stunned. Finally I asked Can we come in? She moved to the side so we could come in and kept saying are you really here is this real? Then my brother and my dad all came into the room surprised as ever. After a quick visit it was on to Spicer's house. Cory's parents knew but his siblings didn't know. We knocked on the door and grandma answered it Kallon ran inside saying Merry Christmas. I think everyone was pretty surprised, there were tears and all. Just seeing the looks on everyone's faces was worth the trip and that was only the beginning of the fun we had. We went sledding, or sliding as Kate called it with Uncle Daniel and Aunt Courtney and grandparents Spicer. Kallon went skiing again this year, he did very well. He even did a few runs without the harness. We took Kate up to the hill also but she didn't ski she hung out with me in the lodge. We met Santa and Mrs. Claus on Christmas Eve which the kids loved. We played at Randy's gym, Outer limits and celebrated cousin Stratton's 5th birthday. It was such a fun trip and we sure packed a lot in. It was so nice to see family, visit, eat and hang out. We had such a good time and we were all exhausted when we got home.