Today

Today was just a Laundry day, Steve took Ky and Orion to a Birthday party up at the Bowling Alley, I stayed home with Quinn since I went to the gym earlier, We all took a afternoon nap and some how I'm still tried. Kylor is sleeping over at Jon's house tonight, he was so excited to go over there. Orion just hung out with us at home. we really didnt do much, just laundry really.

The cats both had showers today, this is 5 days after there frontline flea treatment, we are keeping up on the Flea's here. On This island Flea's are every where, it's really hard to avoid them. We are trying to keep Seka in the house now since we've spotted Flea's on Felix, Felix's fur so white we can spot them, then Seka it's so black and thick can't see anything, but Seka goes outside sometimes, no longer though....We are going to get them both declawed and then Felix fixed next month....We love our animals!

We have been trying to get Quinn to take a bottle today, Yeah that didnt happen, he's so against that idea. He wants nothing to do with it, B. M. or formula, I have an idea he'll be like Orion and go staight to a cup at 10 months or so, I've just been getting sore from him....Kylor was alot more willing to take a bottle when he was a baby and he was the only one who'd do it willingly.

Orion's Birthday Celebrations!!!

What have we been doing lately? We've been watching alot of movies and trying to stay awake to keep up with the boys, needless to say we are still sick, Audrey, Steve mostly now. Quinn has his cough still. We've watched, Bourne Ultimatium, Bee Movie, Star Dust, A Christmas Story, Grinch, seems like we have alot of time of fit in movies since their really is nothing else to do. Yesterday Ky and Orion spent the day with Theresa while we ran errands in Praia , We finally sent off Quinn's passport info to get his Social from the Portugal US Embassy.

We had a good Day it was busy, We invited some friends over for Cake and Ice Cream to celebrate Orion's 3rd Birthday! He has a sore on his face from a burn, he turned on Audrey's Curling iron (Christmas eve evening right before bed time) and After we told him to drop it! Stop! put it down!, we didnt get their in time he singed the hot iron with his lips Ouch! We can never seem to protect him from himself. He's everywhere. He got a few gifts for his birthday and we had a great time. He was so excited it was his birthday!

I got some cute shots of Quinn I just had to share with you all!!

Christmas Eve!

making Christmas Wreaths

Dyed hair Medium Brown

Our Merry Little Christmas!

Christmas Is ready at our house!

Our boys in their Christmas Pj.'s
Ask a Question!

Kinder Eggs
Tummy Time
Bob the Builder

Our Christmas Lunch

Porto Martins

Mae, Ky, Quinn Soriah, Gena

Merry Christmas to you all both near and far. We had a great one. We opened presents then We had Christmas Lunch at home just our family. Audrey made, Ham, potatoes, Green bean casserole, it was probably the first Christmas we've been able to do Christmas dinner on our own. It was nice. We went and visited our friends Gena and her familyat their house in Praia she had made some yummy cakes for us to try, then at night our other friends The Walkers came over we watched "surfs up" and the kids played. It was a nice Christmas. We talked to some family on the phone late Christmas night! We miss you! Hope you all had a good one!

Branch Party

Our Branch party was tonight, it was so much fun. We all took soup and had scones. It was at Pres. Oldhams house, they did a great job! There were animals, baby cows, bunnys, horses, sheep, goats, and the Primary children dressed up and made an Original Manger scene display of the Christmas Story, we sang songs and it was really nice. As I watched Kylor watch the kids remake the manger scene, I thought wow! You can't get any closer than this, to what it would have been like the night of Christ's birth. What a magical night that must have been to see the Savior be born! Having given birth to Quinn recently I can't imagine having to ride a Donkey for many miles, 9 months Pregnant as Mary did. What an Amazing Woman she must have been. Here are some pictures for the night below. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL!!!!!

New member's of the Family!

We decided to get ride of our Chinchilla's Chi Chi & Monte just just didnt have enough time to give them the attenchen they need. We sold them to the Praia Pet store where we got Chi Chi from & we got 2 turtles, Kylor named them Mario and Luigi...see the picture down below. Kylor was so excited since we've talked about getting turtles ever since we got here. We can move with them too! Last night was our Christmas Party for the Comm SQ in was nice. The best part was winning 4 crystal glasses and $10 cash! Lucy our part time nanny watched the 3 boys and when we came home...She had folded laundry in the baskets , trash thrown out, and dishes all in 4 hours. She's magical! Quinn is picky about taking a bottle, good thing he slept most the time for her. Hopefully he'll take one soon.

I am a mother! I am a mother!

Late tonight I just finished the book I was reading " I am a mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. My friend Amy let me borrow it. I loved this book, it was so uplifting to read. She quotes alot of scipture and their are alot of good stories in it. One of my favorite quotes is in their...I will share it with you.
"Cleaning and scrubbing can wait for tommarrow, For babies grow up, I've learned, to my sorrow. So quiet down, cobwebs, Dust go to sleep. I'm rocking my baby, and babies don't keep" Author unknown
In my own reflections of being a Mother I have really tired to spend good quality time with each of my boys. When I hear that quote it just reminds me of what is most important. I daily tell my boys how much I love them. I remember my own mother growing up. My Mom was such a loving mother who made me feel safe and loved espeacially when times were hard. Thank you Mom! I miss you. I love being a mom, it's rewarding, challenging, fun and exciting! I can't think of a better full time job.

" Your success as a family...our success as a nation depends not on what happens inside the White House, but on what happens inside your house." Barbara Bush.

Latest Pictures

Here are some pictures to share!

all this week

Can you belive only 5 days til Christmas? Wow time sure goes by fast.

Yesterday was Orion's turn to go to the Dentist, we had to cancel though. We had a Bomb threat at the school so the base went to lock down. I'm glad I was not on the base with boys. Steve was up at the school getting Kylor and he had to stay until they could leave. Everything is ok now.
It was so windy again yesterday though so I didnt feel like going anywhere anyway. Today a day of appointments, my postpardom 8 wk check, Steve is really sick near flu like he's on "quarters" for two days which means he's pretty much stuck at home and then Orion went back to the Dr. ear infections still both ears...he's on another medication for 10 dys, I hope it kicks it. The whole family is sick! Kylor is the only one who is not. Even Quinn has congestion, his 2 mo well baby check is tommarrow. I'm glad I've had energy to take care of everything at home though I don't feel good, still coughing alot and sound like a frog I feel good though, the sinus infection part is gone pretty much.
Kylor is having a Christmas party at school Friday they are having a short day and wearing PJs to school and talking about the book- The Polor express. We just love that movie! We watch it all the time year round.
I feel so bad, Steve is so sick, but he's been getting lots of rest this afternoon and yesterday so hopefully it doesn't last long.
Our plans for Christmas is pretty much stay home and be together watch movies, We will cook our own dinner, Ham, Green bean casserole, mashed potoates..this is really the first year we are doing this just our family--cooking our own Christmas Dinner yum! In the past we were with family and last year we were with friends I think?

Windy Days?

Today Kylor's school was cancelled due to high winds. This is a new idea for me, I guess these are kinda like our snow days back in Utah. It was really Windy and I guess the School Administation didnt want kids plastered along the chain link fences during recess. It was really windy today, you gotta watch you cars doors on days like these. Kylor went to the Dentist for the first time here and he was so AWESOME!! during his whole appointment, I was really impressed, he didnt talk much, I could tell he was a little nervous. No Cavities! Orion was so well behaved today at home with me, he's such a good helper he cleaned up his toys without me even asking. Tonight for family home evening we decided to have a family outing and face the high winds and go out to Praia and Angra as a family. We didnt get home till past 9 but the kids were so good at the stores for us. Kylor pushed a little cart his size he liked that. We were looking for some of the Portuguese music we heard at Orion's school party. I must say it's been an adjustment for all of us to have Quinn in our lifes, not that the baby is hard, but seems like we are trying work together as a family more. The kids go in and out of phases and we have to change with the challenges they bring us. As they get older things just consistantly seem to change and things become more difficult and other things more easy. I like this quote " Change is the only consistant thing in our lives." not sure who said that, but I liked that.
Life is good and today was a great day, not too overwhelming. It's Christmas time!!! This week is full of appointments I'll update you later.

Orion's video's

Orion had fun with his program we have to replay his video's at home..He really likes the music they had and he'll sing it alot at home.

Pictures

Our week!

Another full week is gone now. We are still sick Audrey has it the worst, Steve coughing too, They say it's viral but seems otherwise. I'm on antibiotics now hopfully that works then we can treat Steve for the same thing. The moist air here just makes things worse.

We went to Orion's preschool Christmas Program Friday. YES! They have a Christmas program here in the local schools, there is nothing like "Politically correctness here" it's great, Orion had pictures of Jesus in the manger at school and Christmas tree too. Our America has become such a land of rules and regulations, yet we can't inforce the rules that our Four Father's founded it upon "In God We Trust" When I was watching Orion's programs I was thinking, how different things are done in the US. I'm so glad we have gotten him into Portuguese school it's so good for him to learn there. We have thought about moving Kylor, but feel like he would have a harder time adjusting to that big change. Plus KY and Orion would be in the same class. We live in a totally different world now and it's sad that some changes are for the worse. Orion wore his green elf sweater and hat they made at his school. They had lots of Songs to sing from the Kids the whole school...Then suprise SAnta came, and I guess the local "Modelo Store" donated toys to the kids they were all wrapped and recieved a gift from Santa. The Program was all Portugese of course so we understood about 1/2 of everything If that.

Kylor slept over at his friends house John and he had fun! Today we took a family trip to the Duck Lake pond in the middle of the island and to the highest point on the isalnd Santa Barbara, where Steve's other Radar can be found. We were up with the clouds there. We could see them floating by us. It was great the kids had fun feeding the ducks, and it's nice to see new parts of the island, Being at Duck lake made me feel Like I was in Oregon cause all the big trees

I uploaded all our recent pix to our shutteryfly account so check it out when you have a minute:

Merkley Elfs

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1389740604

Merry Christmas!

Behold your Little ones

I thought I would share a little something from this months message:
Decembers Ensign First Presidency Message: From Gordon B. Hinkley
Here are some points I really liked in this months message.
"Behold your little ones,and teach them. Your example will do more than anything else in impressing upon their minds a pattern of life." The obvious includes four imperatives with reference to children: (1) lovethem, (2) teach them, (3) respect them,and (4) pray with them and for them.
"It is so obvious that the great good and the terrible evil in the world today are the sweet
and the bitter fruits of the rearing of yesterday’s children. As we train a new generation,
so will the world be in a few years. If you are worried about the future, then look to the
upbringing of your children. Wisely did the writer of Proverbs declare","Train up a child the way he should go: and when he is old,he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6).

We are trying to follow the advice given last conference and on our Family nights read or watch the past Conference talks. The more we read these things as a family the more love we feel in our home. The boys are doing alot better in listening as we read together. We try to make it fun. Today I bought some santa hats for all of us and we took a picture infront of our poor Christmas tree, It's a danger zone since it's broken. Today was pretty uneventful but a good day. Orion has 2 ear infections we found out on Friday so he's on meds. He's got the same icky stuff going all over..We all pretty much have a touch of what ever is floating around here.

Sunday

The Sabbath Day is always a challenging one for us here. We still never seem to get to church on time no matter how early we wake up. I notice I've become a bag lady, a bag for this a bag for that, just so I can get everything out the door. Another beautiful day, clear skies and it's so nice here these days. I went to a friends dance recital on base, she does ballet and tap it was so cute. We had some good friends over for dinner last minute. Their family has 4 boys and we've been taking turns dropping off and picking up our boys from school They drop off in mornings and We pick up. Perfect arrangement! It's nice we help each other out. It's so nice to think no matter what backround we come from we can still find great people who we have so much in common with. Ky and their oldest David are alot alike in alot of ways. It's crazy! Tonight another adventure for Orion: he was supposed to be in bed, and Steve was talking to his Bro on the phone about 10pm tonight I was baking some goodies for our friends to pass out tommarrow. Steve asks me...Honey do you smell baby powder? My first thought oh! GREAT! yeah, I went upstairs and Orion had gotten into the babies top drawer, I found him at the top of the stairs with baby powder on his NOSE! I walked into the room and it was all over the floor. I couldn't help but smile but Orion was well aware he was in trouble. He also pooped in his Pullup...(He wears pullups at night still, I'm tired of changing sheets... AH! I wonder if this is pay back for my childhood. I love our crazy Gummy Bear Boy! I told Steve I hope we can survive his childhood, laughing of course. This was the 2nd time he's gotten into the babies room in 1 day, Steve told me he made a mess earlier today when I was gone. AH! Just had to share...Oh and Yesterday Orion somehow pushed over our Christmas Tree and we'll it's on it's last leg literally, the stand is cracked now in two places we've glued it tonz of times and this is it's last christmas with us... We'll enjoy it while we have it though, even come Christmas it may be leaning against the wall? HAHAHAHA Having Kids certainly keeps laughter in the home, if it's not laughter it's the opposite and I would rather be laughing...

Our Day!

Today was fun we went to the beach again. It's great December and nice weather, no SNOW! Friday Kylor had his first Sleep over at our house, they had alot of fun stayed up later watching movies and having snacks. Later on tonight was our Date Night, went with some good friends down to Angra for dinner, yummy Chinese they have only 1 chinese resturaunt on island now, they closed the other one from what we heard. It was nice.

Simplify

We wonder why we get so stressed out during the Holidays seasons, it could be an indication that we have too much stuff and give gifts of obligation instead of the goodness of our hearts. This Christmas season, I'm trying to focus on the simple things like baking cookies for my friends and spending good quality time talking to friends and family either in person or on the phone. I'm just tried of being rushed going here and there. So I'll let my house cleaning slid for a bit, cause I can always do it later and take a walk with a friend instead. Sometimes we forget to think about the people we care about the most cause we get caught up in the rush of life. It's important to take the time to say "I love you" to the people that we care the most about After all ,we are one big family aren't we? Let's simplify and just hang out with friends instead of worrying about our daily routine of those thing we have to do like Laundry and Dishes. I'm greatful for so many good people in my families life. We miss you!

Quinn 6 weeks today

Yeah the time has gone by fast. I put his sweater on him and got picture happy again. He's such a cute baby! He's starting to figure out how is hands move, cute. I could just stare at him forever. It was another busy day, we are feeling better though good thing. Steve and I got a break this afternoon from the kids, and went shopping for some things in Praia while the kids were all with Theresa, our nanny that we usually use, she's a different one that Saturday. Orion has a school Christmas Progam on the 14th we had to get tinsel and a green shirt for him to wear. It's nice they do a Christmas Program. We are really enjoying him be in Preschool. He's learning Portuguese Songs and he's not usually shy to sing too it's so cute. Steve is now working 4am to noon. They lite our Base Christmas tree tonight, we walked and saw the tree and then had dinner at the Grill on base.

Check out the Shiner!

Orion and Kylor were with a Nanny Friday night when we went to dinner, Guess the story behind this black eye is, Boys were wrestling & Kylor pushed Orion into the coutch and this is the result. Poor Orion, he got mad at Kylor for this one. Ouch!

The Smile!

Here's the cute smile!

Quinton's Blessing Day!

Quinton was blessed today. It was a beautiful blessing. We almost didnt think it was going to happen today, We had a bad morning and to say the least- we are all sick, Orion was barking like a dog in the morning sounds croupy, Steve bad cough with sick stomach and Audrey coughing up a lung almost, it's like a bonchidus sound It's moved into her chest now, Baby is congested and has a slight cough, Kylor is healthy as can be, but later on in the day showed signs of sickness all on our Sunday morning. There is opposition in all things we know. Audrey taught Relief Society today, and Sacrament was actually combined with the Praia Port. Branch today. It was so neat to hear testimonies in Portuguese. Quinn had his white tuxedo on and it was so cute. Audrey somehow forgot the pants at home, but nobody could tell he was wrapped in a blue afaghan grandma Egan sent to us. After church we felt good enough to grab some quick shots up near the Mary Statue they have here. It was such a clear blue skied day, a nice man on a motor cycle actually took some for us. Saturday, we had a good time. The Pampered chef party went good made some yummy veggie pizza. Kylor and Orion went to a Birthday party then at 5 pm we went to a good friends house for a home teaching dinner. It was so nice, we are doing a secret santa thing with a few families this year. It's going to be lots of fun. It's s so great to have friends you can call your family we have truely been blessed.

Dinner night

Theresa our regular nanny was unable to watch the kids, and Marcia's # was Disconnected. I went next store to my neighbors nanny Lucy asking her if she has a cousin or friend that could watch our kids for us tonight she said, that she would do it, What a nice woman. I know her counsin Natalia, she's so nice. Portuguese people here are so great. Steve and I were able to still go out to dinner to bozio's down in Porto Martins, It was so nice all three kids at home. I had tried Penne Vodka Chicken and Steve ordered Fettuccine alfredo, they have the best bread and sausage. It's one of our favorite places to eat it's kinda expensive though about 30 euro for two . Our friend Jay is going to Japan moves on Sunday. We have fun going out. Sure do want to do it more often. One of the best ways to enjoy this place is see more what's out there. Lucy was great for the kids, she will clean, do laundry and watch the kids for us, it's so nice. I'm sure we'll use her again...I have a pamper chef party I'm hosting in the morning, I better get cleaning...after this I'm all partied out for the next 6 months!

Time out.

Today took some time out and got a hair cut, much needed one. Orion was humming in his class at preschool when I left. Steve was home with Quinn, They are doing an excercise so he came home in the evening. He was on call and never got called in nice! Today was the day to begin my body shaping again. Baby being 5 weeks, I'm ready to get moving again, it takes time though, can't just go and run 3 miles like I used too. Time will tell though.
Tonight Steve went home teaching and our friends son came over.Their little boy is 6 and Kylor totally looks up to him. He's a good kid. They were really good. We have a going away party to go to tommarrow, STeve and I are going to make it our Date Dinner Night, no kids, even Quinn will go to Teresea's home our nanny, she's great!...frozen milk for him on the go, good thing I've been pumping. Tonight Orion was so sweet. He picked up a diaper and threw it away and then put the wipes on the shelf for me, I didnt even ask him to do it. I gave him a big hug and told him what a good boy he is. He's being so much better these past few days, he's becoming easier to reason with, well as long as he's not tired, but I'm hard to reason with too I guess you could say. Quinn smiled again at me, he's so cute.

Quinn Updates

Quinn is now 5 weeks old. Here is some pictures I took tonight while he was awake. He's getting big so quickly. Also a little video of him swinging ...Enjoy! He's been smiling more,when I get a picture of it I will share.

Tree

so far this week.

Exhaustion has set in, amongst being sick here. Audrey has a bad cough and it's spreading to Steve, there are all types of bugs (sicknesses here now) It's that time of year. I've been none stop, feeding Quinn and running the boys around to their school and picking up kids and so on, I feel like the end of the day comes just to start another one early the next morning. Quinn is up at night a few times past two nights, and this afternoon he was crying alot, seems like he has borderline reflux, sometimes he'll spits up alot, but nothing like Kylor, Ky had the same thing. That and among being sick, I'm sure that's why I feel so tired. Steve is tired too. He's at working now from 6pm -6am they decided to have a excersice this week. Joyious! They cancelled the kids Dental appointments due to the excercise, not to mention it took me about 4 months to be able to schedule it for them, go figure. It's been kinda frustrating.
The base has been crouded with people due to the holidays, traffic was backed up two days since they relaxed who could shop on base Mondays and Tuesdays, they have given out more base passes to local people. It's definately Chirstamas time. Online shopping is great!!!! You can get what you are looking for. I love the Holidays! But let us not forget the real reason why we celebrate it all. Our Savior's Birth. We've been trying to talk about that alot with the kids and still have a little fun with the Santa thing. I'm sure you are all busy doing your own Christmas things. Even though it's small here, I've found myself starting to get overwhelmed, I think I really need more sleep. Night Night!

Quinns Smile

Today while we were getting ready for Church, Ky and Quinn where on our bed, Kylor was smiling at Quinn and Quinn Cooed and Smiled back. It was the cutest thing and Kylor just was so happy about it. Orion was off playing with the cats, He loves Felix so much.
Steve and I spoke in Sacrament today on Baptism and Repentance. This has been a really long weekend full of activites and lots of good food. We are Thankful for all our blessings we have been given. We put out our Chiristmas decorations Saturday and decorated the tree and the kids even got a special letter from Santa that was hidden in the tree, telling them how good they have been this year, and that Santa is watching always, just like Heavnenly Father.
(Audrey wrote them out) We are trying to start some of our own Christmas Traditions since we are far away from Utah and hopefully instilling some good memories for our children.
Today after church Orion was in the car waiting for the door to open, he was pulling on the seat belt singing..."Yo ho Yo Ho a pirates life for me"....I thought that was the cutest thing, He's so funny and always makes us laugh. Quinn is already a month old and I can't beleive it...Orion will be 3 next month and I wonder where all the time has gone..Life is short and we need to enjoy every moment we have...I will try to post things the kids do so you can see what fun we are having here...until them good night I'm so sleepy...

Turkey day pictures

The Bird!

Quinn & Bear Jacket

Orion with his friends, Miles, Sam, Henry

The Flower is from Kylor he picked for me outside...he was so happy!

Turkey's done

This was fun, Orion and Kylor love playing in the church yard, it's pretty big, they run all around the church when we have gatherings like this, and after church also. It's hard to get pictures of them when they are no where to be seen. We had a good day! Tonight Steve and Ky and Orion are camping at Cabo Da Praia on the beach...Audrey, Quinn at home having a quiet evening. Tommarrow we'll probably all go down, they have horses we can ride, right there on the beach...just like we did back in the summer.