Finally...5!

I am finally getting a picture of Lakyn at her 5th birthday party at Great Wolf Lodge! It seems like not long ago that she was being so brave in the nicu, swinging in her baby swing, clapping for herself as she took her first steps, trick or treating with her purple cast, running out the door after her daddy with her pink tackle box....time flies! We love our precious butterfly who is so helpful, kind, tender hearted but tough, loving, creative, beautiful, witty and happy!

Happy 5th Birthday, Lakyn!

We surprised Lakyn with a trip to the Pocono Mountains to the Great Wolf Lodge for her birthday! She has been missing the lake and the warmth of south Texas, so we thought being able to enjoy the water would be a perfect gift. At 2pm, we handed her a gift box with a bathing suit, flip flops and a brochure to the lodge! The bags were already packed, so we got on the road. By about 630pm, we were playing at the water park. Lakyn was so excited and rode all the rides for her height. Her favorite slide was the one we called "toilet bowl!" We later enjoyed cupcakes in the room by the fire! It started snowing which was only fitting since it snowed the day she was born!

Lakyn is 42 inches tall and weighs 42 pounds. She loves: Strawberry Shortcake, unicorns, her fuzzy bear named Curley, ballet, Word World, crafts, painting, riding her bicycle, games, candy, spaghetti, comfy clothes, cowgirl boots, her earrings,barbies, and her Daddy! She loves us all, but her Daddy is very special. Lakyn is very kind and giving. She thinks Conley is her little baby! She is pretty bossy with Jayce just like any other little sister. She is very witty and quite funny! She just told me today that she is a doctor for ladybugs! How sweet!

Bass Pro Shops January 2012

What a weekend! We went to Bass Pro Shops in Harrisburg, PA where we met Gene Ellison, a professional fisherman. The kids also enjoyed climbing in and out of boats, looking at the fish, doing a fish craft, and shopping. We enjoyed driving through Amish country which is so pretty. The city of Philadelphia was really pretty that night as we drove home, too!

After we got home, Jayce and I sent Mike Iaconelli, Jayce's favorite professional fisherman a message on FB. Mike responded by telling Jayce "hello" and will send Jayce a list of his favorite fishing spots in New Jersey! Jayce is pretty excited!

It is super cold here in New Jersey, but no snow, yet. I can do without the snow, but the kids are waiting patiently for it. I think it is on its way! We are trying to learn how to live here happily in this very different part of the country. I think we are finding our niche.

What's up with the kids?

Jayce: working hard at school, reading A Dolphin's Tale, playing football on the playstation, having sleepovers with his new best friend and neighbor, talking to professional fisherman, watching football, giving his brother and sister a hard time for getting into his room and his stuff, just grown out of the jeans he got for Christmas, and waiting on the snow.

Lakyn: chose a lime green color for her latest pedicure and manicure, got her ears pierced and didn't cry, loves to tie knots, waiting on the snow, helping us cook, and pestering her little brother and big brother just a little!

Conley: still in his cast, found himself a "cane" the other day, talks up a storm, counts, can just about sit through an entire movie at the theater, wears a size 4T, LOVES candy, enjoys washing dishes, loves to play with his new Mickey Mouse fishing rod, likes to cook, and help with laundry.

Wrap UP!

Wow, I am so far behind with updating this blog! Before Christmas, my computer crashed. I am learning Brad's mac and my new iPad. I am just getting around to kind of figuring out how to upload photos. December was super busy but so much fun!

-took at trip to Arkansas and Texas
-Conley rode on an airplane for the first time. He didn't like it. He cried and screamed the entire time.
-The first plane ride Lakyn remembers. She loved it. Jayce enjoyed flying, too.
-Kids spend an entire weekend with the Grandparents while Brad and I traveled to Killeen, TX.
-Brad was a groomsman in Joseph's wedding at Fort Hood.
-Brad and I had a fun time hanging out in Killeen and at the wedding.
-Spent several more days in Arkansas celebrating Christmas by hanging out with family! The kids loved playing with their cousins!
-Conley fractured his tibia on the left leg. As far as we know, he stepped on a toy while walking through the living room. This part was not so fun!
-Celebrated our first Christmas in New Jersey.
-Lakyn and Conley got a jeep for Christmas!
-Jayce got a PS3 for Christmas!
-Brad and I celebrated our 18th wedding anniversary by getting iPhones and eating Mexican food!

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It is December!

Wow, where did Novemeber go? It is hard to believe December is already here. What have we been up to?

Jayce: He finished up football. He enjoyed it, but we were getting tired of running back and forth. He received all As on his report card (except for a B in PE...I know!). He was honored at an honor roll breakfast at his school. He is reading several books at one time. He is reading Moby Dick and the Fudge series by Judy Blume. He believes in Santa, and has asked Santa for an XBox. Santa feels like he might do better with a PS3, but we will see come Christmas.

Lakyn: She has been sick for a few weeks. She got ahold of a nasty bug. She is just about over it except for the lingering cough. She enjoys playing with Conley all day. She makes up little plays for them. It is so cute! She is enjoying dance so much. For now, she is showing up with 2 holes in her tights. That is just Lakyn! She has always been a little wild!

Conley: OMGoodness, he is growing so fast. The child wears a 4T! He is a thick, stocky child! He reminds me of a lovable teddy bear! He likes to play with trains, motorcycles and trucks. Yes, he still has the pacifier, but we are working on it. He is a happy child with LOTS of questions!

Brad: He is super busy with work. It is really something our family is trying to learn to adjust to. His work is interesting but very time consuming.

Me: Oh, it is cold! I find plenty to do in the house all day for the fear of getting out and being cold. I get out when it warms up to at least the 50s. On some days, we get lucky and see 60s! I cut down some on my running due to the weather but mostly because my ankle started hurting. Right now, I'm gearing up for Christmas and our trip to see family.

As you can see here in the picture, the kids love to cozy up on the coach in the evenings and watch Christmas movies!

Veterans Day

Life has been a whirlwind since Brad got back from Afghanistan. It is hard to believe he has been back almost 5 months. We are sure glad to have him home. He works even longer hours now with this new position. He rarely makes it home for dinner. He is out of town more than he is here. I really do appreciate each and every day he is able to come home to us. I stop to say Thanks to my wonderful husband who serves his God, his Country and his Family! I appreciate the Veterans of the PAST, the PRESENT, and those who will decide to step up to serve their country in the FUTURE.

Trick or Treat!

We had a hard time deciding what to be for Halloween this year. At first, the kids wanted to go as the Flintstones. Well, once we found out snow was on the way, that idea was OUT! I thought of ordering costumes, but I waited too long. I was looking at costumes just 4 days before Halloween. We live so far out that I didn't really have the time to shop for costumes. What to do? Well, I can make costumes, right? What can I do with jogging suits since it will be cold. I found some DIY costumes, and decided on the mummy. I tea dyed everything! I sewed and hot glued the strips on. I hot glued plastic spiders on the boys' costumes. I found a striped dress for Lakyn. I glued on sequences and tulle. She wore a tiara with glitter spray on her hair. I covered their tennis shoes with socks. The makeup was pretty easy, too. I painted their faces white. The boys had black rings around their eyes with black lips. Lakyn had silver around her eyes with black lips. We also put a few sticker sequences on her eyes. I'm really proud at how the costumes turned out. Most of all, the kids loved how they looked. It was a fun night with a neighborhood hayride and trick or treating. Jayce ran through the neighborhood with his pals, Lakyn ran around with her new friend, and Brad and I took turns taking Conley to the doors. He mostly walked himself. He loved getting candy! It was a good night!