Day 3: I am thankful for...

I am thankful for moving to Utah.  We moved from Chicago to Salt Lake City in March.  We have already done so much in the 8 months we have been here that what we did in Chicago in the past 5 years.  We have more opportunities to do things as a family.  We are more a family now that ever.  Our quality of life has improved 110%.  You can see it in the kids smile, laughter and personalities that this was the right move for us.  I realize that there are some of our friends that are scared of change, but we were ready for a change, we needed the change, change was good for us.

We get asked why Salt Lake City? Why Utah?  Robert grew up in Colorado, always on the mountains during the winter months.  He wanted to move to the mountains.  I wanted to live close to an International Airport, have good public education and a family friendly environment. Salt Lake City is perfect.  We are still in the city but so close to the mountains....and come on people it is the capital of the scrapbooking industry.  (that is going to be a different post all together.)

So I believe we are here to stay. We were talking to some friends and someone said that "Salt Lake City is a little hidden gem."   It is so true, the beauty of a city and the beauty of mountains that surround you everyday.  AMAZING!  So to us we feel like we are in a little suburb of Chicago but with mountains and cheaper taxes.

So today I am thankful for moving to Utah.


Here are some pictures while in Utah.

Our little house

Drew and Sammie

Maddie and Sammie

Caroline, Sammie and Drew off on a hike with Robert

Jumping in Moab, UT

Now do you see why I am thankful for moving to Utah?  We love it out here in Utah!

Day 1: I am thankful for ...

I am thankful for my neighbors Tom and Carol Lee. They are both in the Utah Symphony and  passed along some tickets for us during the summer including tickets to tonight's performance with Riders in the Sky.
It was amazing! A cross between folk music and classical music...it reminded me of a Disney Western.  That was my fist thought when they started playing together with the Symphony. Later during the set  I discovered they performed a song called  "Woody's Round Up" for "Toy Story 2"  The entire performance was entertaining and amazing.

Unfortunately, I had to attend the symphony by myself because Drew had his last T-ball game and someone had to stay home with the kids.  (By the way, Drew came home with his first trophy. Wooo Hooo! Go Drew!) Thank you Robert for watching the kids so I could go listen to some Old Folk Country songs accompanied by the Utah Symphony.  Tonight was a good night.  Date night..solo.  Try it.

So that is what I am thankful for today.

Happy Halloween

Halloween this year was crazy for our family.  Drew had two parties at his school and Sammie had a program and a carnival to celebrate Halloween.  Caroline was able to participate in the class program with one of Drew's classes. It was so cute to watch and see them perform.

We did our trick-or-treating on Saturday.  It was raining and cold, we only went down to the end of the street and back up the street.  The kids made out like champs with the candy.  I can not imagine how much candy we would have if we would have walked around the entire block.

Here are some pictures of our weekend.

Robert and the kids ready for the school carnival.

Drew as Dracula

Sammie as a Unicorn

Baby as a Princess Cat.

First week of August

We had a busy first week of august.
I was in Chicago for a trade show and my flight was delayed. I didn't get home till Sunday.
Monday was all about getting laundry cleaned and unpacking.
Tuesday was Robert's surgery on his hand.
Thursday it was our 10 year anniversary. We celebrated at Ruth Chris steakhouse.
Friday we went to The.Gateway, and I worked the rest of the weekend.
Saturday night was went to Deer Valley to listen to the Utah symphony and Randy Travis. The kids enjoyed it even though it was a long day for all of us.

This week the kids are back taking swim lessons. It is "back to school training" this week we are going to change the schedule of when we wake up and go to bed at night so we are ready for school. Wish us luck.

Sammie lost her FIRST tooth!

I can not believe Sammie is already old enough to loose her first tooth. I was able to capture the excitement. We had to go to the craft store today to make a tooth box so the tooth fairy could find her tooth tonight. She was soooooo excited to make the box. It was a special trip we took in getting the right box, paint and the decorations for the box. I am just glad we finished the box in time. Check out the pictures below to show here excitement. (Don't mind the dirty face and all. I wanted to capture it in true essence of Sammie.)

Smile show me the loose tooth.

Sammie pointing out what tooth is loose. (She would wiggle the tooth back and forth.)

The smile with the loose tooth.

Close up of the loose tooth.

The tooth box.

Sammie showing me the tooth box.

See the tooth missing?

Calling Robert and Drew to tell them the news.

We are so excited for Sammie loosing her first tooth. YEA SAMMIE!

No Training Wheels

Video of Sammie and Drew riding their bikes.

Field Day Video

Enjoy.

Drew Turns 4!

Caroline turns Three!

Yesterday we had our traditional birthday cake breakfast. I can not believe that Baby is 3 years old. See you in two weeks for Drew's birthday.

Sledding

Robert took the kids sledding. Here is proof of all the fun!

We made it to Salt Lake City...

Okay.. So I need to update the blog...but I just wanted to let you know we made it to Salt Lake City. We have been here for 2 weeks. We absolutely love it. I will post some pictures and stories from our trip. Just wanted to let you know we made it!

Vegas Baby!

A fun picture we took while in vegas.


Vegas was our last stop before Salt Lake City. We meet Tia (aka: Phyllis), Pop Pop, and Gramma Lori in Vegas. We stayed for a week and enjoyed the warm weather and great company.

the Texas tour is coming to an end....

Sad to say that the Texas tour is coming to an end. We are heading up to Colorado Springs on Monday.

Little recap:
yesterday we visited Cowboy Stadium. Can I just say everything in Texas is bigger! Amazing stadium. The funny thing about everything is that Robert and Drew wore their Chicago Bears jersey to the tour.

Last week I was at CHA (Craft Hobby Association) in Anaheim, CA. I was there for buying new product for Windy City Scrapbooking and helping Candace with Therm-o-web. It was nice to meet up with friends and meet new friends in the industry.

January we were able to catch up with some family and friends. Houston for New Years, Sue came to visit with the kids and she took me away for a little girl time. We also were able to catch up with Wade's family and Daniel and his family. During this time we also took a mini vacation to Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, TX. We were able to meet up with Debbie, Sarah and Heather. We were also able to hook up with Sloan while here in Texas.

Wow..busy, fun and really made me feel whole again. It was great to catch up with old friends and finally meet family members to prove that I really exist.

We will be heading out to Colorado Springs to visit Laura. We will be heading to one of the mountains out there so the Cratin's can snowboard. Then we will be headed to Arizona then to Vegas. After it is all done we will finally make it to Salt Lake City. We are planning a day trip while in Colorado to find a place to live before we head off to AZ. We will keep you posted on the progress.

See yall soon. :)

New hair cut...

Finally got my hair cut.

What a busy day...

Happy New Year!

Today we had a fun day...
1. Princess and the Frog
Loved the movie and the kids loved it. Okay...Caroline fell asleep half way through the movie but at least she saw some of the movie. Went to a early show= cheaper tickets...totally worth it.
2. Park
Short time at the park but we ran around with the razor scooter and Robert on the skateboard. The kids always love the park.
3. Ballet
All the kids are in ballet. Yes Andrew is in ballet. The teacher is really good and they are learning the basic techniques and having fun. Andrew is doing really good with direction and focus. Baby was tired but still enjoyed the class.

Long and tired day. But we had fun.

A day at the mall....

Made it to the mall today. We made an attempt to go shopping but that was quickly dissolved when Andrew and Sweet C were climbing on the detectors at the front of the store to make sure you are not stealing anything...We weren't stealing anything just our kids thought it was a jungle gym. Not a good start.

We got off to a slow start and didn't get to the mall until noon. So we headed off to the food court. As some of you know I have my Chick-fil-a obsession since leaving Texas I have to have it once I am back. So needless to say I got a chick-fil-a sandwich. Yum!

So after lunch we let the kids ride the merry go round in the mall. Okay.. they rode it 4 times. They had fun and I am glad Robert is able to go around and around and not get sick on the thing. NOT ME.

After the merry go round we head to go ice skating. Get our skates on and everyone has to get off the ice for the Zamboni to clear the ice. Nice great timing again. By the time it was done and they were allowing people on the ice my feet were already killing me. Make it to the ice with Drew and Sammie, and I am crying by the time I get to the first corner of the ice rink. Sammie and I were hanging on to the wall. I just wanted her to get use to the ice. By the time I was half way around the rink with sammie I was done! My feet were not letting me do a thing. Now I have tears in my eyes from the pain from the skates. RObert took Drew around the rink a couple of times...man..Robert is a trooper. I had to get off the ice and take off the darn skates. I was done. But Robert was able to get Drew around a couple of times then Drew was done. Then Sammie's turn...it was good she did a great job. By this time Sweet C and Lola were at the ice rink too. I took Drew's skates and put them on Sweet C and sent her to her dad. Poor RObert had to stay on the ice with all the kids. But overall they had fun...and isn't that was the whole thing is about...the kids?

We make it home and right before bed Robert says...my stomach hurts...I ask ..is it something you ate...no just from ice skating with the kids. Great ab workout...ice skating with the kids. Try it sometime...just don't fall on the ice.

Have a great day. Having fun in Texas! Keep yall posted on our everyday ordinary life. Love ya.

Texas Snowman

Yesterday Robert and the kids made this....a Texas Snowman.


Thought you would get a kick out of the snowman. He was about 3 feet tall. (taller than the kids.)

We are having fun here with family. Keep posting more pictures soon.

We made it to Texas....Merry Christmas

We made it to Texas. Yesterday was wonderful and in the 60's. The kids played outside and had a great time.
Today...cold and it is snowing. It never snows in Texas. Oh well. Maybe we will have a white Christmas. Had a great dinner with mom, dad and Jubert. Kids are taking a bath and getting ready for bed and waiting for Santa. I will make sure I take lots of pictures. Party at my cousin's house for lunch...Merry Christmas.

Halloween 09

Warning...ton of pictures! We had a great time. Enjoy.

Drew loved his spiderman outfit. I painted his face because
I didn't like the mask that it came with.

Sammie wanted to be a seal so I had to make her costume. She loved it!


Getting ready to go trick or treating.





Everyone needed a buddy. Zu zu and Sammie paired up.


Caroline and Drew paired up. Then we were off.


Up to the door "trick or treat". It was soo cute to hear the little voices and all of them would open their bags.


Mission accomplished. Off to the next house.


Drew even helped out opening the door.


Drew was soo excited that he got a BIG Candy.




Poor Sweet C was scared at some of the houses.


Sam is a pro.


Spidy Drew!


After the trick or treating we partied over at Temple's. Great party Temple.



Count Cratin...got any blood?



Cindy and Jackson



Enjoying the homemade mac and cheese. Yum.



We had a great time for our last Chicago Halloween.