So, wow... It's been a busy last few weeks.
Joe and I (and Jalen) have long talked about moving somewhere.
We all love the beach, sun, nice weather, ocean, & mountains..After having another one of our, "wouldn't it be cool if...we lived by the beach.. La la la, jalen said "when are we ever gonna do it?!!"
That got us all talking about how much we wanted to go explore somewhere.
Joe and Jalen wanted Australia at first. I wasn't really down, because it's so far, it's a whole other country (which means work permit laws, residency, stuff we wouldn't have to deal with in the US. Then Costa Rica came up.
We researched it, looked at different advantages and disadvantages to it. None of us were opposed, but not totally sold either.
It's Spanish speaking (mostly), there are lots of crazy wild animals.
Like huge spiders, and things like jaguars and stuff. So I said "what about Maui"?
After discussing, We all agreed it would be a good fit for our family.
We said "let's go for it", "make it happen".. So we put our house (slater) up for rent. Just a few days later, we had interested renters. That's a whole other story in itself on how we found them..
We liked them alot, and they had to be out of their place in about 9 days, so we had to get a move on it!
I was the packer, and Joe was the mover.
This is a 4,000 sq foot house we are talking about!
With the help of my brother Chase, bro Zach, and Joes buddy Landon, we got our whole house moved in about 5-6 days.
Joe and I just got tattoos the day before starting the move. Joe did it all barefoot. By the end, his tattoo was tore up! It was split open in places, and very painful.
We left August 1, for our 12 day pre-planned vacation to California.
We stayed at the Shores, and went to La Jolla for the mini family reunion. Joes foot healed, we were completely out of our home, and moved into the old house(joes house before he met me), and were on vacation.
Talk about hectic..while in California we decided to take the old house (our 2nd home) off the market and find renters.
At the same time, my brother Zach was looking for a place with 2 guys from school.
It worked out just perfect.
They are allowing us to keep some stuff there, which allows us not to have to pay for storage.
So, we got our flight booked, and we are leaving August 31st.
We are very excited and have lots to do before we leave.
Joe is looking into a job over there, and plans to take some business classes to further his career at Gill Studios (the family printing company)
I am excited to connect with my little family on a whole new level.
Jalen, good luck starting 7th grade tomorrow! It's a new year! Have fun and keep being the awesome kid you are!
Hallie and Jalen are in for a good year:)
I will try and keep my blog updated while we adventure through our next chapter in life!!
Wish us luck!
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Happy 1st Birthday Hallie Rose!
Whew...its been a busy couple of days!
We are in the midst of moving all of our stuff out of our home, and into storage. Our little family of 4 is headed to Hawaii for an adventurous year!
In the mean time, Hallie turned 1!!! Yayyy Sugar Bear!
I want to say a couple things to you, my sweet little munchkin...
You are more than what we could have ever dreamed of!
You light up our life like the bright sun.
You have not left our side since the day we got you.
We love sleeping with you, waking up to your smiling face, and spending every waking minute with you.
Jalen is such a good big bro bro.
He carries you around and you love to go into his room and play around. Although we must be very careful when you do, because it is a war zone in there.
You are the most comfortable with Mom, Dad or Jalen. If any of us 3 are holding you, your a happy girl.
You are always smiling, and always wake up happy! How lucky are we??
We just had you birthday party and it was doggy themed. Every time you see a dog, you make a high pitched noise, smile, and want to pet them.
Your doggy pillow pet is one of your favorite things, which you love to lunge at, and lay on.
Stuffed animals are a favorite also. In particular, the froggy that was Jalens when he was little. You grab it, and hug it.
Glowy, the glow worm is special to you also. Gramdma Debi got that for you, and it has definitely got alot of use.
I just cannot express enough what a joy you are, and how blessed we feel to be your parents. We could have not made a more perfect little girl.
We are so grateful that God, and your birth mom, Jennieke, chose us to be your parents.
Its funny, because people are constantly telling us how much you and Jalen look alike.
Some people even say that you look like your Dad or me. We love hearing that!
It proves to us that God made you especially for us!
You havent shown much interest in food yet.
Some things you do like are raisins, grapes(not the skin), strawberries, scrambled eggs, and your favorite...black beans!
And your most favorite thing of all..your Mommy's milk!!
You still dont hold your own bottle, mainly because we lovingly feed you every time.
We sing to you, rock you, or lay in a quiet bed with you to drink your milky.
We feel it is very important for you to feel loved and secure at all times.
The sling and backpack are what we use to carry you in whenever we need it.
When your in the backpack, you love to stand up on the bar, and look around at anything you can!
You are very curious and very active!
The other day you started kicking a soccer ball around the living room.
No one taught you, it was just something you decided to do on your own. I can almost guarantee you will be an athlete of some kind.
We will expose you to all different sports and hobbies to see what you like to do.
Jalen is very into music and so are you!
When he plays his guitar, you want to get over to him as fast as possible so that you can help him play.
Recently, you started dancing when there is music on. It is the cutest thing ever.
Your walking all over the place, and getting into every cabinet.
Sometimes you even run! When you think Oki is coming to get you, off you go, screaming and laughing.
We have been on many vacations since you were born, and your a great traveler. (Colorado twice, California, and The Lake)
You love the water, and just this summer you got very used to being on Uncle Casey's boat. The lifejacket was not your favorite at first, but eventually you got used to it.
Mommy got a tattoo on your birthday that is a rose and says "Hallie Rose". Daddy got one the day before.
We both love you more than words can express, and so does big bro, Jalen.
All your Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins love you too.
We are excited to see what the future holds for you, and we promise to try and make your life the best one possible.
We <3 you Hallie Rosebud!!!!!!
We are in the midst of moving all of our stuff out of our home, and into storage. Our little family of 4 is headed to Hawaii for an adventurous year!
In the mean time, Hallie turned 1!!! Yayyy Sugar Bear!
I want to say a couple things to you, my sweet little munchkin...
You are more than what we could have ever dreamed of!
You light up our life like the bright sun.
You have not left our side since the day we got you.
We love sleeping with you, waking up to your smiling face, and spending every waking minute with you.
Jalen is such a good big bro bro.
He carries you around and you love to go into his room and play around. Although we must be very careful when you do, because it is a war zone in there.
You are the most comfortable with Mom, Dad or Jalen. If any of us 3 are holding you, your a happy girl.
You are always smiling, and always wake up happy! How lucky are we??
We just had you birthday party and it was doggy themed. Every time you see a dog, you make a high pitched noise, smile, and want to pet them.
Your doggy pillow pet is one of your favorite things, which you love to lunge at, and lay on.
Stuffed animals are a favorite also. In particular, the froggy that was Jalens when he was little. You grab it, and hug it.
Glowy, the glow worm is special to you also. Gramdma Debi got that for you, and it has definitely got alot of use.
I just cannot express enough what a joy you are, and how blessed we feel to be your parents. We could have not made a more perfect little girl.
We are so grateful that God, and your birth mom, Jennieke, chose us to be your parents.
Its funny, because people are constantly telling us how much you and Jalen look alike.
Some people even say that you look like your Dad or me. We love hearing that!
It proves to us that God made you especially for us!
You havent shown much interest in food yet.
Some things you do like are raisins, grapes(not the skin), strawberries, scrambled eggs, and your favorite...black beans!
And your most favorite thing of all..your Mommy's milk!!
You still dont hold your own bottle, mainly because we lovingly feed you every time.
We sing to you, rock you, or lay in a quiet bed with you to drink your milky.
We feel it is very important for you to feel loved and secure at all times.
The sling and backpack are what we use to carry you in whenever we need it.
When your in the backpack, you love to stand up on the bar, and look around at anything you can!
You are very curious and very active!
The other day you started kicking a soccer ball around the living room.
No one taught you, it was just something you decided to do on your own. I can almost guarantee you will be an athlete of some kind.
We will expose you to all different sports and hobbies to see what you like to do.
Jalen is very into music and so are you!
When he plays his guitar, you want to get over to him as fast as possible so that you can help him play.
Recently, you started dancing when there is music on. It is the cutest thing ever.
Your walking all over the place, and getting into every cabinet.
Sometimes you even run! When you think Oki is coming to get you, off you go, screaming and laughing.
We have been on many vacations since you were born, and your a great traveler. (Colorado twice, California, and The Lake)
You love the water, and just this summer you got very used to being on Uncle Casey's boat. The lifejacket was not your favorite at first, but eventually you got used to it.
Mommy got a tattoo on your birthday that is a rose and says "Hallie Rose". Daddy got one the day before.
We both love you more than words can express, and so does big bro, Jalen.
All your Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins love you too.
We are excited to see what the future holds for you, and we promise to try and make your life the best one possible.
We <3 you Hallie Rosebud!!!!!!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
She said MAMA!!
So much has happened in the past few weeks!!
Little Sugar Bear is walking all over the place now. She looks so adorable, with her little stick legs, wobbling as fast as can be across the room.
This past weekend, she started getting up in the middle of the room, and taking off!
She also did something I personally, have been waiting patiently for..she started saying "mama, mama"!! When she wants me, she just says "mamamamama"...I love it!
Jalen is doing good. He is getting into acting a little, and was very successful at a weekend event here in KC.
He got 6 "callbacks" from agents in LA, Chicago, Atlanta, and KC!
He already has a script to read, and they all want updated pics of him. We will see where the road takes us.
We are being very cautious, as we have heard not to pay any agent any money!!
We went to the lake over the weekend with my 4 brothers, wives, and kids.
It was a blast!
The lake house where I grew up, was sold out of the family for a little while, but is now back in my immediate family.
So happy!!
It was fun rising in the boat, eating pizza on the lake, cliff jumping, and stopping at Mimosa for ice cream.
Dinners around the table were very loud and eventful!
Babies crawling around, footballs being thrown around outside, and living in our bathing suits is where its at.
THANKS Casey and Rachel for having us all down! What an "epic" weekend is turned out to be!!
Arlie Mae
Me and my sister in laws
hanging on the boat!
Getting ready to eat some PIZZA!
Uncle Zach and Chase with their nieces
Dinner time!!
Kayla and Arlie helped me make a cake!!
Little Sugar Bear is walking all over the place now. She looks so adorable, with her little stick legs, wobbling as fast as can be across the room.
This past weekend, she started getting up in the middle of the room, and taking off!
She also did something I personally, have been waiting patiently for..she started saying "mama, mama"!! When she wants me, she just says "mamamamama"...I love it!
Jalen is doing good. He is getting into acting a little, and was very successful at a weekend event here in KC.
He got 6 "callbacks" from agents in LA, Chicago, Atlanta, and KC!
He already has a script to read, and they all want updated pics of him. We will see where the road takes us.
We are being very cautious, as we have heard not to pay any agent any money!!
We went to the lake over the weekend with my 4 brothers, wives, and kids.
It was a blast!
The lake house where I grew up, was sold out of the family for a little while, but is now back in my immediate family.
So happy!!
It was fun rising in the boat, eating pizza on the lake, cliff jumping, and stopping at Mimosa for ice cream.
Dinners around the table were very loud and eventful!
Babies crawling around, footballs being thrown around outside, and living in our bathing suits is where its at.
THANKS Casey and Rachel for having us all down! What an "epic" weekend is turned out to be!!
Thursday, May 26, 2011
annoyed
So, tonight I got a phone call from a good friend of mine.
She was laughing as she told me that at HER family Easter dinner, the subject of MY parenting came up.
She was sitting next to one of her family members who is friends with one of our family members.
The person started saying that she heard about "how we are" with our baby...that we hold her all the time, and wont put her down (not true).
It made me mad.
It just really disappoints me that people feel the need to gossip about our parenting.
I mean, we are doing a damn good job.
How about talking about that?!
How about telling your friends that we are great parents, and that we love our baby so much, that we hold her alot, because thats where she is comfortable?
Ok, end of rant.
She was laughing as she told me that at HER family Easter dinner, the subject of MY parenting came up.
She was sitting next to one of her family members who is friends with one of our family members.
The person started saying that she heard about "how we are" with our baby...that we hold her all the time, and wont put her down (not true).
It made me mad.
It just really disappoints me that people feel the need to gossip about our parenting.
I mean, we are doing a damn good job.
How about talking about that?!
How about telling your friends that we are great parents, and that we love our baby so much, that we hold her alot, because thats where she is comfortable?
Ok, end of rant.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
Happy 10 months!!!
Just wanted to give a big shout out to my little Sugar Bear, who is 10 months old today!!
Hallie, you are the light of our life, along with your big bro, of course.
You bring a smile to so many people's face everyday!
Whenever we go out in public, you smile and wave to all the strangers. You are a very social girl. As long as they dont try and pick you up:)
You will smile, wave, and when you get a response, you lean into Mom, as if your being shy. It is the cutest thing ever!
Welp, you just popped your little head up from your nap, so I gotta go!
I love you my sweet little Sugar Bear, Munchkin butt!! <3 <3
Love,
Mama
Hallie, you are the light of our life, along with your big bro, of course.
You bring a smile to so many people's face everyday!
Whenever we go out in public, you smile and wave to all the strangers. You are a very social girl. As long as they dont try and pick you up:)
You will smile, wave, and when you get a response, you lean into Mom, as if your being shy. It is the cutest thing ever!
Welp, you just popped your little head up from your nap, so I gotta go!
I love you my sweet little Sugar Bear, Munchkin butt!! <3 <3
Love,
Mama
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Trip to Coronado!!
So, we just got back a few days ago from a wonderful, much needed family vacation!
We went to Coronado Island, right off of San Diego in California.
Joe's family has a kick butt 15th floor apartment right on the beach which we stayed at. His Grandpa bought the place back in the 70's, and his aunt now owns it.
It is ocean view, and just beautiful!
We were busy pretty much every day doing something fun!
We took the ferry from Coronado to SD. Shopped around the Gas Lamp District. Shopped some more at Horton Plaza. Ate good food, and enjoyed ourselves.
We also hit up the Sad Diego zoo. I didn't think Hallie would notice the animals very much, but boy was I wrong!
She got SO excited to see the giraffes, and flamingos. We took her around in the backpack, which she loves because she is close to us, and can see everything we can see very well.
When we went past the giraffes, she was flapping her arms up and down and squealing. She is definitely an animal lover:) <3
Throughout the trip, every time we would see a person walking a dog, which happened alot, she would make the cutest little sound. As if to call the doggie over to her. Then if by chance we got to stop and pet one, she would smile so big, and try to get as close as possible to it.
We have officially decided we are having a doggy themed 1st birthday party for her. Joe even mentioned calling around and seeing if we can get a pet store, or a breeder to bring some puppies to our house for an hour for all the kids to see and pet.
Anyway, Jalen had a great time in Cali also! He rode around on his long board, got a new pair of cool shoes, begged and begged for white Oakley sunglasses (which he didnt get because they are too expensive, but got a cool cheaper white pair), went on a Segway tour with his Dad, and even got to boogie board in the ocean and swim in the pool.
We all got along really well, and were not ready to come home. Even after 10 days!
Overall, it was a very successful family vacation.
Oh my. I almost forgot to tell you..Hallie Rose took her first steps while we were on vacation! She took about 5-6 twice in one night. She has done it a couple times since then, but prefers to crawl. The exacr date was May 11th!! Yayyy Hallie!
We went to Coronado Island, right off of San Diego in California.
Joe's family has a kick butt 15th floor apartment right on the beach which we stayed at. His Grandpa bought the place back in the 70's, and his aunt now owns it.
It is ocean view, and just beautiful!
We were busy pretty much every day doing something fun!
We took the ferry from Coronado to SD. Shopped around the Gas Lamp District. Shopped some more at Horton Plaza. Ate good food, and enjoyed ourselves.
We also hit up the Sad Diego zoo. I didn't think Hallie would notice the animals very much, but boy was I wrong!
She got SO excited to see the giraffes, and flamingos. We took her around in the backpack, which she loves because she is close to us, and can see everything we can see very well.
When we went past the giraffes, she was flapping her arms up and down and squealing. She is definitely an animal lover:) <3
Throughout the trip, every time we would see a person walking a dog, which happened alot, she would make the cutest little sound. As if to call the doggie over to her. Then if by chance we got to stop and pet one, she would smile so big, and try to get as close as possible to it.
We have officially decided we are having a doggy themed 1st birthday party for her. Joe even mentioned calling around and seeing if we can get a pet store, or a breeder to bring some puppies to our house for an hour for all the kids to see and pet.
Anyway, Jalen had a great time in Cali also! He rode around on his long board, got a new pair of cool shoes, begged and begged for white Oakley sunglasses (which he didnt get because they are too expensive, but got a cool cheaper white pair), went on a Segway tour with his Dad, and even got to boogie board in the ocean and swim in the pool.
We all got along really well, and were not ready to come home. Even after 10 days!
Overall, it was a very successful family vacation.
Oh my. I almost forgot to tell you..Hallie Rose took her first steps while we were on vacation! She took about 5-6 twice in one night. She has done it a couple times since then, but prefers to crawl. The exacr date was May 11th!! Yayyy Hallie!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wanna see the cutest little bunny everrrr?? look below..
I have been thinking all day about this one certain thing.
Im not going to tell you what it is, but I will say it is a dream/goal/want of mine.
I am going to start on it real soon.
In the mean time, here are some adorable pictures I took of Sugar Bear today. Isnt she just the cutest little Easter bunny?!?
Im not going to tell you what it is, but I will say it is a dream/goal/want of mine.
I am going to start on it real soon.
In the mean time, here are some adorable pictures I took of Sugar Bear today. Isnt she just the cutest little Easter bunny?!?
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