Orion Portuguese School Pictures 2008

Orion's best friend is Zaca lower right in blue, they get along really well...

These were taken in Feburary or so..doesn't he look so young?

Pictures to share!

Orion's art work...

This is how we roll

***************

Memorial Day fun!

Found the perfect spot,

Walking home from School yesterday..With David and Peter

Orion love's this playground

Kylor's funny face

Quinn love's his food, can't you tell?

Suprises!

One Step closer!

Steve got word on his Psychology clep test...He got the credit! Whoot! We are still waiting to hear back on English it's not yet posted online. He only has English credit left to have his CCAF...His Community College Air Force Associates degree! We are very excited about this!
Today was a hard day...Just really busy and tired at the sametime. I was very thankful for Kylor yesterday who folded and took up towels for me upstairs...without me asking him too. He earned 10 marble in his Jar. Orion has been learning alot and talking really good and today painted on a small canvas at school I'll post a picture later. Quinn is crawling backwards and has two teeth he's eating alot of table foods and still wants to Breastfeed, I guess I can't complain it's cheaper, I think he meowed yesterday at the cat but I'm not sure...it sounded like it though..he loves our cats..and smiles at them all the time! Here Gas is going up to $4.31 gal on Saturday ouch! that's painful. Good thing we don't have to drive very far here...though we are feeling the effects probably like everyone else is...

Lack of Patience, who lack Respect...

Today took the kids to the playground near our house...It's a new one just this year and it's amazing how beat up that playground already is...It was perfect when it was installed, some kids have pulled up the rubber tiles and they are tearing it apart (making it a bit unsafe)...I guess they think it's fun or something..I got after Kylor and Orion when they were tempted to do it also, it's such a nice playground and it's sad to see kids or who ever did it do things like that. I really want to teach the boys, we need to respect ourselves and other's belongings. and should take care of what we have. We have a friend who lives in Angra and she got her house broken into (I've heard this is the 4th time) since she's lived there. She was understandably upset about it and frankly it's just frustrating...If people would just respect other's this world would be 100% better.

Back to work...

Today was a busy day. Orion needed a Painting Canvas for tommarrow, so Steve, Quinn and I took a stop down in Praia at the Chinese store to get Orion one of those..We bought two just in case somebody didn't have one...Steve went back to work and so did I. He works 2pm -midnight so I had plenty of time to go crazy with all the afternoon things I do. We had the last Awana's Awards night tonight. Orion finished his Cubby book and Kylor got a ribbon for going to Awana's, It was fun taking the kids but Honestly I'm glad to have my Tuesday night's back which means I don't have to pack the kids up and go from 6-8pm..It's a great program for kids though and They will surely miss going each week. When we got home my friend Chris and Sara came walking by and told me you can see a whole bunch of Dolphins swimming near the back base gate..just a 5 min walk, so I told the kids and we walked over there. Yes, there was a bunch! They were far away and looked like birds diving, but this island is known for having lots of Dolphins around I think 5 different kinds...Must be breeding season out in the big open waters..
I Cleaned for about 2 hours tonight picking up things and getting organized since we didn't have time on Saturday and we went to the Beach yesterday and had to put our Beach stuff away...I have been none stop ever since we got home from Italy it's been a busy week and the house was being neglected!! Time to get back to the daily rountine of things...Now that our vacation time is done...

Beading

While surfing the internet at Oriental trading company shopping for Craft idea's ,I think I found something that would be a fun new hobby...I ordered a catalog and going to check it out...I could make braclets as gifts for friends etc..They have a free beading class coming up here...so I think I found a new fun thing I could spend time doing...

Good, Better, Best

Happy Baby!

Today Audrey taught the lesson at church..Steve was supposed to in Elders Q but was too sick. He picked up some stomach bug. It was a great lesson that we can all learn alot from. Just about priorities and how we can best use our time, either spending time with the family, serving others, and doing things that bring us closer to Christ all around. To me, Family time is so important. I asked Kylor what his favorite part about Italy was and he told us, playing on the play ground... I guess from that, we can learn that...Yes, there are spectacular things to see there in Italy, but when it comes right down too it, our kids are going to remember the simple things we do with them...We had great fun there! We made a Choo Choo train on the slide..as you can see below...That was fun! I know the kids are going to grow so fast I just want to catch every memory and experience all that we can together as a family..Life is just too short!

I decided to post some pic about Quinn, he's growing so fast...His eyes are so blue and so beautiful. He's 7 months now and I have no idea where the time has gone, he's grown faster than the other two did... The kids were great today, Kylor and Orion spent time playing with their new toys we picked up in Italy...Plant Heroes charactores and a Lego's helicopter that we got...

Steve is awaiting his Clep test results and also where we are moving still no word...

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND!!!!

Family Naples, Italy trip

Ready for take off...

Ipercoop Italian Market Place..
Kinder

Bay Area

Famous Volcano of Naples... Mt. Vesuvius

View from Jer's Work Area

Down town views

Neat Domes
Playing on the playground...
Brothers

Quinn Cute as can be...He's sitting up alone now and has two teeth broken through

*We left on Wednesday and returned on Friday. It was great! Short and sweet! Gotta love Military free travel...the perks are awesome! We were able to see sites of Naples and spend time with Steve's Bro and Wife Jen who is in the Army and stationed there. The kids did great, though it was a juggle at times. Traveling is always an adventure...that's the fun of it all! Kylor was excited to get kinder eggs in Italy, Orion loved the Plane and bus rides we got to go on, and the snails and bugs he found on the ground, Quinn was just happy and cute as ever. We had some good food and saw the beautiful scenic views of Naples. At the Naval Base we played on the playground & shopped a little. We got home without any complications, a little less exciting as when Audrey and Quinn went back in February. It was so nice for us to take this little trip..The kids had alot of fun and didn't want to leave.

Italy is great!

Italy

Tommarrow we are going to take a Italy trip for 3 days..it will be a nice get away from the island and spend some good time together as a family.

Sunday Pix of the Festival!

The crowns for the Holy Ghost they bring to the Holy Ghost Houses,
This little girl has the honor of wearing a crown..Next year it will be someone else's turn...

Those baskets are huge!

Eating Sweet Bread, Yum! Gena and Her Mae on the right
The boys with the Praia House behind them..

inside the Holy Ghost House where they parade too...

Cabo da Praia Holy Ghost House, Every village has their own throughout the island...

Reflections of Christ

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

Busy Weekend

Having a blast! The boys played with the other kids...

Here he comes, better run! Or climb..This cat was funny to watch, Yes he's doing what you think he is..

We had 2 birthday parties, 1 baby shower, bull fight all today and we tried to make it to them all, I never knew how busy we could get on such a small island.

We had a late night last night and the kids were tired so we had to pick and choose. I took Kylor to a friends party and then we just relaxed. We went to the Praia street bull flight our friend Gena called and asked if we wanted to go with her..It's BULL FIGHT season now! now until September they have these every weekend through out the island, Terceira is the only place that still does these Street bulls fights in Portugal.

Sunday Steve and I spoke in Church on the "Gospel the plan of happiness" People said we did a good job, and I'd like to think so, We think we did better than last time...we get good practice here having a small branch...after church we went into Praia and got some sweet Bread part of the Portuguese Celebrations Holy Ghost Festivals..Gena invited us down like last year and that was nice..The kids were exhausted having 2 late nights in a row so we came home and took naps..Quinn's teeth are right on the surface he didnt have a good day at all. He wolk up awnree not wanting to eat and when ever he did it would cry.. Poor guy!

Orion gets the Fishy's from school

Quinn eating his Portuguese Cereals, Quinn doesn't really like the American foods...it's kinda funny...His favorite the Variety fruit one..

Orion was so excited to bring the School fish home for the weekend. They have some that are passed to child to child in his school...Steve was telling me that today, Steve told Orion to wait in Portuguese (Espera) and Kylor said "Orion doesn't know what that means" and Steve asked Orion " Orion what does Espere mean?" Orion said..." Nao Agora" * meaning Not Now!....it's that neat? Dang it's so cool! And Steve was impressed.. We are so proud of Orion...Kylor is learning and growing alot!

Audrey went out with the ladies and had a going away her good friend Angie that she used to walk with she's moving to Alaska flying out on Sunday's Plan. We went out the the best resturant on the island..."Taste of the Chef" It was great! I'm realizing how much we love it here as we grown and learn so much...I'm not taking anything for granted anymore..I even stop to check out the Stop signs, they are cool I'll have to take some pictures of them and post it. Everything is done with Cement...and the flowers every where are so pretty... I had a great night.

our table..there was about 10 of us..

MOPS

Today went to MOPS (Mother's of pre schoolers group) it was nice to socialize with other mom's. Today was the last meeting until Sept 4th when we start up again, it's only during the school year. Come this summer several people are leaving, PSC, or just getting away for the summer like the teachers etc. Honestly the summer is the best time to be here on the island. The beaches are great and it's so nice to just hang out. Steve is off tommarrow and if it's nice we are heading down to the beach for the day!
We went to the Grill to have family dinner, the kids like going out to dinner with us. They watch their TV and We get to talk about other things...After we picked up Orion from Preschool Kylor said to me while I was driving in the car.. "I wish we could stay here forever" I explained to him that no matter where we go we'll always have a good time and enjoy it. It was nice to hear that he likes it here too. His teacher is moving tommarrow and is leaving the island for good to have her twins and then on to Turkey they go. We are surrounded by people coming and going it just puts a new twist to life.
Orion is speaking more Portuguese and it's cute, he was saying something in Portuguese in the car, I was not sure what it was though and he say's "COCO nose" coco is poop in Portuguese he says it cause he thinks it's funny...Lucia told me today, that last night when he put the kids to bed he said "Ata Menia" which means "until tommarrow"...and Lucia said when she talks to him he understands her...but he doesnt reply normally in Portuguese it's usally English..He can count that there is 3 Lucia's though we know ...one at school, Cody's Lucia (a friends nanny) and one in our home. He's a funny kid. Then he will not say small...he refers to anything small as "cute" like his baby toe is his "cute one" Cracks me up...Gotta love my kiddos...

Quinn slept through the night solid!

Ok I got so much sleep I'm not sure what to do. I didnt get up with him once..He slept from 9pm to 7am WOW! I was so happy, I was in a little pain though, I'd filled up with milk during the night, first thing for me when he wolk up was to feed him! I hope this continues...

Hi

I guess it's time to write again, this week has been nuts! I've been a bit stressed with the kids and Steve has been working ALOT! 2-mid night so we don't really see him much, and he doesn't really get the chance to sleep either. He has friday off though. Then next week we are taking a break from the island and going to Italy for 3 days...that will be great!
Last night Ky and Orion decided they would have a food fight while I was in the bathroom, they were throwing pea's at each other!! AHHH! Yeah I was not a happy person..I made them clean it up 20 pea's each...Then Quinn was Crying alot he was teething and I was just exhausted, I volunteered at Awana's Store night 6pm-8pm and that was a joke, Orion was so awnree!
Today was much better, Orion listened better and was able to be in a good mood. Quinn was happy as can be, he loves his MAMA! He's starting to recognize when I leave the room, he looks at me and is starting to reach for me..He's so cute! I can't resist just squeezing him, it's so exhausting being a MOM, but man it's so much fun. I went to the GYM today and worked out my frustrations just from being stressed and it was so great!!!! I have missed a few days and it makes such a difference in my attitude, I'm much calmer once I work out. I'm trying to offer Quinn the Cup more so I don't have to Boob feed him as much...he's a Boob Boy for sure though...he's growing so fast so I need to not wish him to grow up so fast...I went to the ESC meeting tonight and Lucia our nanny watched the boys (Steve was working) so I just went out and played Bingo with the ladies..it was so nice to get dressed and do my hair and have no kids I had to watch...when I came home it was perfect like always, house clean, kids in bed and laundry done...Lucia is a miracle woman...what would I do without her..
Steve's schedule is nuts like always...I tired to go visit him at work but he was gone to the Radar, He's been training the newbee's and it's going to be a hectic summer with new guys just from Tech school. Next month we find out if he made Tech or not!!! let's cross our fingers...Steve's such a great worker, I'm so blessed to have such a supportive husband who loves me for who I am and is such a great Dad to our boys! I wish he was home more but I really can't complain...If life was always easy we wouldn't grow and learn all the things we need to learn , I must still have alot of learning and growing to do. Don't we all? I'm excited to be with my hubby and kids in Italy and see some neat things!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!!!

To all you Mother's out there, This post is for you. Mom's, Grandma's,Sister's and Friends! We love you!!! Thanks for all you have done to enrich our lives with your love. We hope you all have a great day!

Quote: "I'd like to be the ideal Mom, but I'm too busy raising my kids.." author unknown

This Mother's day has been the best one so far...I got spoiled!!! Flower's, Chocolate, Drawings, perfume, candles, marble game, and homemade gifts my favorite of all, the boys played a huge part in making it the best ever...Oh yeah can't forget, Kylor shared his new talent at the dinner table, acting like STITCH and making us all laugh really hard the picture I think explains that one...

HAPPY DAY TO YOU ALL!!!!!!

SCRATCH MOVING LIST...

Since Steve is a SSGT the list doesn't apply to us really...they don't have any slots available for SSGTs...so it's to be continued...I'm hesitant to say much more until we find out what's going on..seems to be changing so much to guess...But trust we will announce the plan once it's in play...Sorry ppls...

Thought's on the Future move...

I've been talking to lots of people about this up coming move...Steve and I are hoping to stay oversea's ...This experience living oversea's has been so great and really has brought the family together, it's been a challenge living away from Utah and missing out on all the family events, holidays, birthdays etc. It's been so much fun at the same time. Quinn was born on this island and it's so neat! When we leave this place, we'll always be tied to this place. It will always have a special memory in our hearts. We have grown together, and had trials together here. We know no matter where we go we will have friends and the church that gives us strength to get through those trials..where ever we go, that's where we are meant to be. Like we are meant to be here. We are finding how small this world his and seeing familiar faces every where we go. We wouldn't trade this experience for anything. What an adventure it would be to stay oversea's to move to Germany, Italy, Turkey and to be able to share and teach the kids about the World, It's the best Geography lesson ever! I know we are making some good memories with the boys...We will probably always miss family as long as we are away, but you come to appreciate them more too....

Awana's Night

Awana's Night with rewards!

Ninja man & Soon to be crawling Quinn

Yesterday, the boys we full of more energy that usual..They each got to take home the Awana's Sparky and Cubbie for a week, they get them if they are really good in their class and for Sparky they have a journal where they write what they did with spark all week.. When they called Kylor up for "Sparky of the Week" he was SOOOO excited saying "YES!!!!" It was cute. Wow that boy has some motivation, and he's really enjoyed going to Awana's Orion too, but he like to just play.. I volunteered with the cubbies in Orion's class and wow! That's exhausting..It's much different than going to our church but it's neat for the kids to learn Bible verses and learn more about what the Bible is.

***********************************************************************

Quinn had well baby check today he's 19 lbs 9 oz and 37 inches I think? He's tall and 95% he's growing so big.

Oversea's Moving List out!!!

List came out today...our options that we know are...
Germany, Spang
Aviano, Italy
Turkey
We put them down on our request list in that order too. We will keep you posted

Our weekend

Praia Chapel one of them..

"I am king of the forest"

Friday, Steve got volunteered for helping with the "Taste of Asia" fund raiser for this month, he handed out drinks and I helped him for a while too. I took Orion to the island grill just me and him for lunch a Mommy & son moment, he was so good. He wanted to eat pizza, that night went birthday, Kylor got face painted with a blue tiger and Orion decided he wanted his done too. They had alot of fun on the jumping castles again..those parties are alwasy so much fun

Saturday we got some free flowers from housing to help beautify the yard..so this morning planted those with Ky and Orion, they like playing in the mud. Later was our date afternoon. We went around pretty much every where and talked and then went and got our Basket we ordered from the B. Man

A day for Teeth

Today was rainey, I took Orion (no school today for him)and Quinn to MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) A group of ladies who meet at the base chapel and discuss important topics about being a mom, life, etc. Today's topic was PPD (Post Pardom Depression) we had the Dr. From base clininc speak, it was very good. It's something that effects so many woman weither we realize it or not, I've had my own touch of it. There is such a strong since of community here. We pretty much know or see everyone on a daily if not weekly basis, at the commisary, Bx, school etc.
Steve took his clep English test and feels pretty good about it should be a month or so before he finds out the results..
Kylor has a soon to be loose tooth, when we were brushing his teeth tonight we checked his teeth, one tooth is a little loose, seems like somtime in the near future he'll have the tooth fairy paying us a visit...TBA...He thought that was pretty cool! and is excited to get a treasure chest for his tooth. Kids at school get little treasure chests to keep their tooth in if they loose it as school. Quinn is teething and seems like he'll have a tooth very soon. He's been very wakeful even his naps didnt last very long..I hope it doesn't take a long time, poor little guy, my guess-0- meter says within the month, but never can be too sure on it. When I gave him a bath tonight he just splashed and splashed, he's so adorable! How blessed I feel to have him as part of our family. I've been counting my blessings alot today.
I have been very tired and little sleep last night we all have had a touch of this little stomach bug and I just have not had a appetite lately..