Orion's 4th Birthday

I can't believe it, our cute little Orion is four! We tried to video conference with Daddy on the computer but MSN was acting up and didn't find the web cam. That was frustrating, He later called from work and were able to put him on speaker phone so we all talked to him. How we miss him-We celebrated Orion's day with the family at home, had cake and ice cream and opened gifts it was a simple party, but those are the best ones of all. Enjoy the video & pictures

Night Out!

Saturday, I went out with my Sista in law and some friends to a Mexican dance club in SLC, There was 6 of us who went. It was great! I learned to dance the Cumbia, a traditional mexican dance...It was so much fun!... I miss hearing Portuguese language, so being surrounded by Spanish speakers was cool! I haven't stayed out that late since I was in my early 20s, I didnt get home until 4am, it was a blast!

Steve found an apartment and will move in Jan 6th, he's excited! He's busy with work so he's tired all the time. This distance between us is very difficult. We all miss him so much. Hopefully once he's in his own apartment and has access to internet and phone we can have more contact.
Kylor tonight said, I want to be in the Air Force when I get older, I asked him why, his response was "because Daddy is", He look's up to his Daddy so much. He then told me he wants to get married and have 4 kids too. He's cute! He's growing up so fast.

My latest Guilty Pleasure...

I have started watching this great series! I can really relate to the character's. I'm not sure if it's the fact that Steve is currently in Korea or the fact that military members and their spouses are a different breed in general. I know I've shared my own hardships with my husband in the Military, as I try to support him. His job not only effects him, but it involves the whole family commitment, and it's a way of life for us. I suggest if you'd like to see a piece of what our lifes are like, watch it!

Orion's 4th Birthday Pix

I know I'm a stud!!!
Orion's 4th Birthday is on the 30th, I went ahead and got his pic done today though. Enjoy!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!

Today was a great day! I was ready for Christmas to come believe it or not! The kids wrote Santa letter's early in the month and they had fun with that. Santa didnt' bring everything they wanted of course but they got plenty of gifts, and that made them happy. It was great to see their reactions and Yes! Our boys beleive in Santa still...it's part of the Magic at Christmas~ I've forgotten how nice it is to spend Christmas around family. It's been two years since we've been in UT for Christmas and WOW! Steve was able to video conference with us in the morning and the kids were able to show Daddy some of their gifts they got. It was nice to see his face and he even got a Christmas gift from his roommate, some Chinese balls, they looked neat from wat we could see. The kids got some sleds so in the afternoon I took the kids outside and we had a blast! Orion was cold so he didnt last long, but he had fun.

I took some good pictures so click on the link down to the right (our Pictures link) if you want to see more.

SNOW. SNOW. SNOW

It's been snowing alot! I've gotten the kids their first pair of winter boots. We've never had to get them those in the past. They enjoy going outside and playing in the snow, they get cold though. The roads today were bad so I was able to use the 4 wheel drive that was fun. I can really feel a difference once it's on. We've had a constant stream of storms move through and they say this winter is going to be a bad one. Lucky us! I miss the warmth of the AZORES! I also miss my friends back there. Things are going fine, here in my little world, I've been trying to stay busy. The kids have had a nasty stomach flu bug so I've been having late nights and I've been doing laundry much. Poor Guys! I think we are over the most of it though. Tonight Orion flooded and clogged the bathroom sink with toothpaste, he was supposed to be in bed....I had my mother-in-law help me take the plumbing apart so we could clean it out. I walked in there and there was water everywhere. AHHH! I was going to take a picture, he had his Pj bottoms in the water saying he was trying to get them dry....funny boy, I sent him off to bed again and cleaned up the mess.
I don't hear much from Steve, his emails are few and far between, he says work is really busy.

Christmas Gift from Kylor

Orion with Santa when we went to the Symphony on Monday night!

Kylor made this ornament in his class at school. Merry Christmas to us!

Pictures

Quinn and the Train

Quinn just starred at the train for the longest time, watch his eyes...it's cute

Broadcasting the News

Lajes Radar Shop

Kimmey, Kevin, Bizer, Sulley

Steve, Lennetta, Manuel

I never posted Steve's Shop picture while in the Azores so here it is.

Puppy Progress....

I didn't get much sleep last night, Quinn was up, Orion peed the bed and Daisy was up on and off. I went to work and it went well, I'm starting to feel more confident about not messing things up there. I learn something new everyday there. I'm starting to house train Daisy and it's going well. She only pooped once the 6 hours I was at work. I left her in the bathroom with a puppy pad and food and water. This evening, when she started to whine, I took her outside and she pooped on the ground. YAY! I just remember House training our Lab several years ago and that was so much work, I think I can do this small dog business piece of cake! It's fun to have a puppy in the house. Ky and Orion are so cute with her, Quinn just wants to cuddle her. I was a little worried with her being so small but it's actually better this way.
Steve in processed the base. We miss him since he's gone. We see Christmas lights everywhere and it makes me want to be with him even more with it being Christmas time. He's doing good though. It's cold there in Korea.

Miss Daisy

We got a new puppy....I know I have enough going on but just to add to the excitment I couldn't resist and get this adorable puppy...She's 6 1/2 weeks old and a dachshund & chihuahua mix, she will only be 8 lbs max her father 3 lbs and mother 6 lbs...she's cute....The boy's named her my idea's were...IZZY, LADY, NALA, then Ky came up with Daisy...

Duck park

I took the kids to the park today, Orion had a run in with a duck and got bit on his cheek. The park is such a nice place. Those Ducks are not shy at all....They were hungry today

Count Down to Christmas

Christmas Countdown & MySpace Layouts

Today

***Steve made it safe and sound to KOREA*** He called this morning and told me he'll probably be living off base all the housing is condemed so he's going house hunting after he gets some much needed sleep. I'll post some pictures as soon as we get some.
I found out today our friends are having triplets....they don't have kids yet and they are, well expecting their first 3 all at once. Congrats to them!!!! I'm so excited for them at the same time shocked! What a blessing....
Last night I had the boys create there "Dear Santa" lists, I explained to them that Santa can't bring everything they want but it's fun to want things...Kylor was happy that he'll be getting even some of the things on his list...Orion we'll he doesnt really want much other than a scooter, simple pleasures. With the economy in a mess and seems like everyone is down sizing there wants more for needs. I think this is a wonderful thing. We are so spoiled as it is... It's time to keep it simple and count our many blessings each day.
I've been working out and I'm going to try and loose a bunch of my baby weight by doing a cleanse/ detox come January...

Family Pix

So it begins...

Last night before Steve left for Korea


This morning 4am I dropped Steve off at the Airport for Korea. He was in Utah over the Thanksgiving holiday it was bitter sweet.... talk about months of emotions crammed into 5 days, it was just too short to be able to do and say everything we wanted to do. We had thanksgiving, and were able to get away for the night on Friday we went and saw the "Twilight" movie together we visited with family. Went to Temple Square, build-a-bear for the kids they picked a animal and Steve recorded a special message each of them. We visited with some good friends and it was amazing how much we complished in such a short time. I'm so sad to see him go. This year is going to be a hard one with ups and down and happy and lonely moments. "We don't remember days, we only remember moments." so....I will keep my favorite moments we've had together in my mind and hopefully the time will go by quickly.

Give Thanks for everything..

I'm thankful we will be all together for Thanksgiving.

Change in Plans

OK! So much has happened. I was putting Orion in preschool/Daycare on Mon and Fridays while I worked it was costing alot so I decided that I would forget that completely and just drop him off there just in case I need it. My Mom is nice and said that she would watch him and I could just pay her. I work three days a week. I'm planning on putting Kylor in Piano lessons once a week and Orion into Karate on Tues& Thurs the days I have off. I figure the money I could be spending would be better used on those programs other than just a baby sitter. I can't believe school is so much. If education is so important, why should/does it cost so much?? It was free in Portugal, I guess we were spoiled in ways living outside the USA. I can't wait to move to Germany!!! I'm not used to the American way of life still and If we have any choice in the matter, we'll be living oversea's as long as possible once we are outta here. Our pretty white cat Felix has gone missing we let him out a few days and he was fine he came back to the house no problem, Sunday night we let him out around dusk and we have not seen him since. I've checked the animals shelter and nothing! He has a microchip so we are hoping somebody turns him in. I'm worried that someone stole him but ya never know. I'm much more settled now. Steve comes Wednesday for a visit then he'll be off to Korea. We are all very excited to see him.

6 Yr Molars

Kylor is getting his Molar's in. I totally fogot about those. It's neat to watch your kids grow. We had parent teacher Conf. last night and his teacher told me he's a great kid and does really good, he's really quiet though. She said that during the conference this was the most she had seen Kylor talk, those of you who know Ky, know that he's not quiet, but he's like that at school only. He's always been a bit shy, but once he's comfortable he really comes out of his shell.

Deer in the back!

Yesterday I was resting on the coutch down stairs and O was next to me watching TV, he gasped and I looked outside. He saw two deer eating the tree's, I took a closer look out the window and their were actually 5 back there grazing on the trees and grass. Orion thought it was so cool! He went outside and they praced away. Later Kylor came home from school and we told him about the Deer he ran outside and was so excite to see one. Orion took him back and they spotted two but they ran away. Last week I was coming home and I saw a buck crossing the road and went through the houses and down into the valley where the tree's are. It was shocking, I feel like I live out in the woods. Kinda neat!

Base Gym

I had a good night with my sister-in-laws at a play that Becky, one of our Sister in law's is in, it was really good. I took a trip to the HAFB Gym and it was nice, I wanted to check out the Family room, they have a good one here. Including weight room with an area for the kids to play in. I was really glad to have a work out. I cleaned up some more and I'm turning this house into my home for the year. It's not been an easy adjustment though. I feel like things are falling into place though.

Update.

Steve is doing well at school in MS, and is excited for Thanksgiving just as the rest of us. I've been catching on to my work schedule, I'm starting to get the hang of things there, and I'm learning alot about TVs. It's nice working with family too. I'm pretty much unpacked, and things are starting to fall into place. I'm trying hard not to overdo it, but I have so much going on, it's hard not too. Today I have off, so it's nice to be with Orion and Quinn, Orion has been so clingy and wants to be with me all the time. Quinn is now off the bottle and doesn't want to drink his milk. He's a juice monster which has to change cause that juice can bring on alot of teeth problems. I just have to brush them extra good. I'm a little homesick for the Azores, I miss seeing the Ocean and miss the warmth there. It was such a great experience there, something our family will always remember. Life in Utah is so different that there. I miss the island life.

Today

Kylor rode the bus to school Awesome! Orion went to school too. I had the day off and Quinn went with me. I got so much done. I signed the kids up for "Give parents a break" an time when I can take the boys and have some Me time thanks to the Base. I went and got Quinns 1 year shots. Ouch! He got 6 of them. Poor thing he handled it well. I apologize I have no pictures I don't have a way to put them on my computer yet...Give me a few more weeks and I'll be able to upload them.

2nd move in two weeks...

Ok, Yesterday we made the move to Steve's Mom house where we will call home for the next year or so. It was almost sad to leave my mom's house in Kaysville though I'm only about 3 miles away max. The kids were used to that house and here we are adjusting to new rules again. New sleeping arrangements etc. I've been unpacking many of our boxes. Our computer was broken in the mail, that's the only box we got insurance on so we'll see if the good'ol US postal service will give us some money for the broke computer. Actually many things are broken, but the most important things made it. I'm trying to stay positive about the whole situation. I'm so used to being on my own and not asking for must help, but this year I'm going to need all the help I can get. The boys are doing good though. Kylor can start taking the bus to school. Orion only in school two days a week. Monday and Friday. Quinn has a new little pack-n-play for his bed. When we get to Germany we'll have 4 twin beds so we can change him when we were there. He's all over the place, he likes to pester Ky and Orion, most the time they are good about taking it, but sometimes Orion get irritated. Quinn is a cuddly baby. He's so cute. The other day he said "Mommy" so cute. Steve and I are excited for Thanksgiving, he'll be home for 5 days, before he leaves for KOREA. It's just not the same being apart. We have been video Conferencing so it helps being able to see each other. GOTTA LOVE TECHNOLOGY (when it works that is)

Culture Shock

I have not written about the changes I've felt since coming back to Utah. Did you know that everyone here has a cell phone? Crazy... Being on that little island it was like time stood still and it was quiet and peaceful and quite SLOW... Coming to Utah..Wow! It's fast, everything is big, and I drive so much in the car... TRAFFIC yuk! Though I am from here it's nuts to have culture shock when you come home, but I'm feeling a bit of this as I try not to take my surrounding for granted. Though we have so many things at our finger tips, it's almost sad that we forget about the Simple life. It's nice to see gas prices below 4.95 per gal, we were paying so much oversea's so I'll take my 2.61 :) with no complaint. Lets all remember to simplify and enjoy the scenery.

One day at a time...

Honestly I didn't realize how our life would change once we left the little island. My eyes are in awe! I've taken on so many things, moving with out Steve. I've been able to get much accomplised though. I got the bunk beds for the boys and the mattresses delivered, I'm hoping this weekend I can move over from my parents house to where we will be living in Layton. It's been so exhausting for me. Not to mention I miss Steve, and know that if he were here with me, my Stresses would be nearly gone. I've been working with family 4 days a week 9-3 that way to be home with the boys after Ky's done with school. I think I can juggle it all, but it's not going to be easy.

Take one step at a time...

Today Kylor started school. He was so good. I was a little worried about him having a anxiety attack, but nope, not even one tear. His teacher is Mrs. Mehr she seems really nice. He likes her too. I promised that if he's really good when he startes school in Utah that we'll get him some Pokemon cards that he's been begging me for months now. So after school we were down to walmart getting him started on his collection. I told him that him being happy really makes my happy and that it helps me out alot. We went to dinner together with the family. We have lots of October Birthdays to celebrate..When we were eating Kylor was opening a Fortune cookie, and as he was opening it he said "I really hope it says, I love my mommy, but that's ok if it doesn't" Shelley and Kassidy heared him say that too, it was the sweetest thing.
I helped My Mother-in-law move some things from the house we are moving in,so we can paint the boys room, I'm currently living with my parents until the rooms are ready for us to move over there. I'm just taking one step, one day at a time in adjusting and I already have spent so much money at Wal-mart, that place is so overwhelmingly huge.

Hard to back track...

So much has happened this past week, I don't know where to begin? Today the boys carved a pumpkin with the Gparents, they had fun. We went in the hot tub later with Gma and they had so much fun. I'm pretty sure I have everything done for Kylor to have him Start school tomarrow we'll see...I'm exhausted, but I've been having good times.

Ky's lost tooth story

The day before our final inspection at our house in the Azores, Kylor wakes up to go to school, and Steve was going to help him brush his teeth and his tooth was completely out. We searched for it all over, and nope we think it was swallowed. HAHA! The tooth fairy came later in the week telling Kylor that she noticed his tooth was gone and to keep up on those pearly whites. He earned $1.00, this was his first tooth and he was so excited!

We have arrived!

We are in Utah now. Steve in MS. We were so blessed to have Steve fly off the island with us. We said our goodbyes in Norfolk, Va, Audrey's Mom met us there and flew home to Utah with us, even the car survived the travels. Poor Felix! What a trip I must say. The kids did good. no major problems, no way, I would have done that alone though. It's so beautiful here in Utah in all the fall colors. I'm already missing Steve though. I have much to keep me busy though and alot of work ahead of me, to help ease my loneliness. I miss talking to him after we put the kids down. It's great being married to your best friend.
I love our new car! It's perfect and it's really fun to drive. Thanks to my Mom and Dad for doing the paper work for me. That saved me from one other stress.
I'm going today to get alot of running around done. Get Kylor registered for his new school, Tricare, etc. Busy work that just needs to get done. The boys are happy to see there Grandparents and cousins, It's so nice to be home! I do miss the Azores though. I'm still in a bit of Culture shock.

Last blog until I'm in Utah

Steve for sure is leaving the island, hopefully after I do next Saturday. That is to be determinded later. It's a made house, Friday they are coming to pick up Steve's Things to Korea, Monday they pick up for Storage for the year. We are figuring out the details, and it's getting a little stressful. Our phone & internet will be out here in the next few days when ever they decide to turn it off.
~so Until we arrive in Utah no more blog entries from us. Wish us Luck!

Moving update

Steve has a training to be at in MS by the 20th, they are changing his orders so he'll be leaving next week not sure what day though. We are still hoping to get out of the house, things picked up and shipped out ASAP! We are just waiting on those changed orders to say that he can leave this month. Depending on seats on the 17th Me and boys will be leaving if not it will be that Sunday..Steve will most likely go straight from MS to Korea with no stop in Utah due to the timing. We'll see him in June though. Things are happening so fast.

Conference weekend

Hanging out in the back
Dinner

We were able to listen to many of the wonderful speakers this Conference Weekend. How great it is to be lifted up and hear the words of the Prophet's. And exciting moment there will be a temple built in Rome Italy soon, every conference it's so great! We look forward to reading them soon.

~ during the day we took time to go visit Gina and walked across the street from her house to the beach, the kids had fun, then we went back to her house and she showed me the way to make Bifana'a YUMMY! We visted with Gina and her Mom a few hours they are so nice.

Fun Day!

Facing the bull

Fountain in Praia

Eating Ice Cream, Our little Santa!

Fun at the bull fight

Daddy with the boys, ready to climb in to the tiny hole

yeah! We are explorers

Mama with the boys

Fun at Monte Brasil

Aside from the stress of moving, Steve will be leaving probably the 17th or 18th to attend a training in MS before Korea. We are figuring out the details, we have been really busy doing things trying to get everything ready, basically running here and there.

We took a family day and did it all yesterday, We went to Monte Brasil, we saw some dolphins out in the water too! We explored the Christmas caves as a family. Went to a bull fight with our friend Gina, and went to her house after and had some cake from her Mom's birthday, The boys did good considering we were gone all day. We ate Bifana's from a Bifana truck we call them, near the area where they collect the bulls for the end of season bull selection they were the best we've had so far. The kids keep asking when we are leaving..We are still hoping to get out on the 17th plane granted if there are enough seats for us, other wise we'll have to pay to change our tickets and leave on that Sunday plane for Baltimore, we are hoping for plan A but we'll know more the 14th when the traveling list is more accurate. Traveling Space A can be a pain, but as long as we get to Utah Safe and sound that will be a blessing...we may have to be flexable though.

Thrusday night~ Steve had to work I took the boys to the "Tops in Blue" concert, it was fun. It was worth the work going.

magnitude of the move sinking in...

Today we got about 7 of the 30 boxes mailed off that we are sending. We can home and packed up more to ship out later this week. I have a lot coming too me this year (we all do), alot of moments where I will think "What in the Heck were we thinking!" I told Steve that I know when I get there (Utah) and see all the things that need to be done I'll get frustrated and depressed and probably cry, then the next day "I'll get to work" ... I've got aot on my plate, I've always been a very determined woman and I know how to get things done, but this year is not going to be easy. Those first months are challenging in any move, but with this one, I'm moving without Steve, living with family, painting the boys room and taking on a few other things like choosing, preschools, Ky's school, baby sitters for Quinn and a part-time job etc, plus not only helping myself adjust, but assuring the boys that everything will be ok and see that they are adjusting too to these changes..I'm going to be very sad to Leave my Love here and start our new temporary life in Utah without him. Thus there are exciting things too about this change. We got a new car, we get to celebrate the holidays around the family, pay off some bills, let the boys know what America is like, and get to have the kids get to know their cousins again...etc. All I'm saying is that as the time comes closer to us flying out, I'm getting a bit more nervous about the changes...I guess that's to be expected

Cute Boys

I made a paper air plan for Orion and it's one of favorite things. Quinn is growing cutier each day. I just can't believe how fast time is going! Each time I look at the blog count down to Utah, it's so crazy! 19 days to go~

Friday we got our TB tests and Quinn got his Iron level checked and He didnt even cry, Ky and Orion were really good during there TB tests

Busy, as a Bee!

I've been still boxing things up, I know so exciting! I've been doing so good on my workouts too, I feel great! Nothing real new or exciting has happened this week. We found out that Steve has to work on Saturday so that's a bummer! We were hoping to go to the Piscina this weekend.

Our weekend

Flea Marketing went well made a few more bucks off our stuff...We attending a Leadership training meeting in Angra with the Mission President, it was a very imformative meeting, Steve and I afterwards went out to the Beira Mar Hotel Resturaunt and ate out on the Patio it was a perfect night with perfect weather. They have a live piano music and it was nice and relaxing. We have been so exhausted lately. We taught lesson's today at church and then came home and took naps. I was released as a Counselor in R.S.

Countdown

Today

It's such a beautiful day outside. This Saturday is another Flea market and I'll be going to sell the last of what we want to get rid of, I went and paid for my table and talked to a friend Saundra, I asked her if she's still Kyaking in Praia, she said no, last month she saw 2 Hammer head sharks and said that since it's that time of the year when the Sharks are breeding, she doesn't want to be Shark Bait. She said that her friend even saw one that came close inland where people swim in Praia...I have not seen one shark here, and I Forget that they are out there. Crazy! Yeah I know there are shark's out there but I just don't ever think about it.
I've been packing up and boxing things for the move. Pam and Gma left Wednesday for Italy we saw them to the airport and the boys said goodbye before School. It was a nice week having them come here. I weeded outside and picked the watermelon in the back, Orion cracked them open and him and Quinn went to town on them. They were juicy! Steve is working on getting his Orders for Korea, there is a check list before they are given to him. We only have 30 days left on the island, as time comes closer, and as I put away our things, everything is becoming more real. It's crazy! I'm torn right now, I'm sad to leave, but excited to go, all those emotions that go along with a BIG MOVE!

Quinn Goes Bye Bye

Quinn's 1st Step

Tonight we were all gathered to say our prayers and Quinn took his first step..We all cheered and he was so excited too! We were all together it was just perfect, Our baby is growing up so fast! WAY TO GO QUINN!

Pam and Gma Visit from Utah

A little windy! View of Praia

Bus stop

Views of the island

Pam and Steve viewing the waves

Here Ducky, Ducky!

We have family visiting from Utah, Steve's Mom and Grandma Egan we have taken them to many of the popular sites of the island, Mary Statue, Biscoits swimming area, Porto Martins area, Praia, and last night we went to the Brazillian Rest. in Angra, it was very filling with over 10 types of meats, beautiful view of the Ocean & Monte Brasil. Today we went to the duck lake and fed the ducks it was foggy but it was neat! I don't think we have done so many things in one week in a long time. The boys are enjoying having Gma's here.

In Remembrance...

Mr. Blue Eyes

1st full day

This morning, coming out from the rain
Monday-
Orion went to school all day today 9-12 then 1-3, I took Orion and Quinn to lunch at the playground. Guida said he was really good. He even wanted to give kisses a 2nd time before he left his teacher's today.