Decisions decisions......

OK so this has been my thought process since the beginning of the year: Maybe we will move to Illinois. Or Las Vegas. Maybe California? Florida? Ooooh or what about Australia? No no, maybe Colorado. Or Illinois. Vegas? Illinois?

Yes there is a lot of uncertainty right now. I have been kind of stressed about it, but really I guess it's not that bad. At least Keith will have a job, we just know that after May, it wont be here. When I was lamenting to a friend about our situation a few weeks ago, she just told me she thought it all sounded so EXCITING. So yeah I'm going to go with that - it's sooooo exciting.

The current situation (it changes all the time) is we are looking at Bechtel jobs in Las Vegas, Pueblo, CO, and western Illinois. Illinois is WAY down on my list for a variety of reasons, mostly because Keith would be working outrageous hours and the job is quite stressful. So for now I'm just taking it one day at a time, which I guess is all you can do.....

Isn't she cute? We're watching Max and Ruby right now. It's Kate's favorite show. Where are Max and Ruby's parents anyway???

This and That

A few of the things that have been going on....

-Kate slept in her big-girl bed for the first time the other night and she loves it. I can't believe how big she's getting!

-I was at the grocery store on Tuesday and they were selling King cakes.....this is a throwback to my childhood when we lived in New Orleans and celebrated Mardi Gras. One of my only memories of the first grade was eating a King cake (one of the pieces has a hidden little plastic baby, or "king.") Whoever got the king had to bring the cake for the next week, for 6 weeks leading up to Mardi Gras. Anyway, we ate it that night, and Cameron got the baby so Keith informed him that he would be the king for an entire year until next Mardi Gras. I can't wait to see how Cameron's gonna work this....

-I came to the realization that I might actually survive my last winter in Wisconsin!! And it hasn't been that bad, thank goodness. Maybe I am just getting tougher.....

-Keith and I are planning a trip. Without the kids. I am not going to say anymore because it is still in the early planning stages and I don't want to jinx it.

-And yes, we are having a baby! July 26th is the due date. I have an ultrasound coming up in a couple of weeks and it just isn't coming soon enough! The funny thing about all this is I have no idea where we will be living in July. So yes it keeps things exciting :) Hopefully we will have something decided in the next month or so. I hope. Because the not knowing is killing me.

Kate's first night in her new bed. Is it just me, or does she look a little unsure about it?

Connor loves the snow.....I can't wait for it to go away!

I guess grandma knew what she was talking about....

My grandma once told me that January was her FAVORITE month of the year, beccause there was nothing important to do and nowhere to go, so she could just sit at home and read. I personally have always dreaded January because it is such a let down after all the hype of Christmas, nothing's going on, plus it is just so cold and dark outside. blah.


But this January has been nice.....almost enjoyable actually. I have liked the slower pace, the chance to get a bit organized, to feel like I have enough free time to read or even play Super Mario Bros with the boys (I am their new hero by the way, who knew mom actually knew how to play video games!!) I hope February is more of the same. Only February should be even better since I'll be over all the morning sickness garbage (Wait, what did that just say?!?!?)


Sorry I don't have any pictures, I guess I have been taking a break from that too :) I'll do better next time....

What do you do in the wintertime???

Some of the things we've been up to these last few weeks.....

I can't even remember where this is (Discovery World maybe?), but it's Connor lying on a bed of nails. Notice I don't have a picture of anyone else lying on the bed of nails......

Milwaukee Bucks! We have been to 2 games this year and took the kids to this last one and had a great time. Go Bucks!

Feeling pretty cool in his Bucks T-shirt and sweatband....


Right before New Years we spent the night in Chicago and went to the Museum of Science and Industry. I LOVE that place. For anyone who lives in the area or might visit Chicago, I think it is a must. Great for kids, but Keith and I are even thinking we'd love to go sometime without the kids so we could check out more of the exhibits and not be so rushed.

Some random pictures....

They were all decked out for Christmas - check out that tree!! My picture doesn't do it justice. The entire exhibit was decorated with Christmas trees representing different countries.

This is Keith with the kids in front of the Croatia tree (where he served his mission.)

I just came across this picture of Kate and her cousin Jada from when they came out to visit. Maybe it's just that their hair color is the same, but I think they definitely look like they're related....

I just have to put this in here because it just happened and I thought it was cute.......whenever Cameron comes home from school, Kate is SO excited to see him so she follows him around saying "Cameron! Cameron!" - she leaves out the -er so it's more like "Camon." Anyway, it drives him crazy befause she wont leave him alone. Today I said "Cameron, she just follows you around because she loves you," to which he responded "I'm TIRED of her loving me!" It was so cute!

Resolutions :)

Some of my goals for the new year:

1- Potty Train Kate (January)

2- Get rid of Kate's binky (February)

3- Stop complaining about Keith's work schedule and getting upset when he comes home late and has to work Saturdays - so far I am failing miserably at this one, might take all year for me to improve!

4- Get Cameron to eat something besides chicken nuggets and Life cereal.

5- ORGANIZE the house before we move. This includes going through ALL our closets, boxes, drawers, etc and throwing out what we don't need. - I can be kind of a pack rat so this is going to be tough. It's like I just need someone to go through my stuff and say "D0 you really need 27 pairs of jeans in your closet?! And that shirt that is 12 years old that you haven't worn in 10?! And by the way, you will NEVER be that size again so give it up already!"

6- Try not to lose my mind as we deal with all the uncertainties of this year: moving to who-knows-where, selling the house, etc. It keeps me up at night.

Well I just thought I'd put that out there and then I can follow up in a month or so and see how things are going. Wish me luck!

Jingle all the way

I am still kind of in shock that Christmas is over and it's January already. A new year and a new decade........when did this happen?? But anyway, we had a great Christmas. So nice to stay at home this year, because travelling around the holidays is torture. The bummer of that of course being that we didn't get to see all the family we wanted to. My dad and Camille did come for a bit right before Christmas, and then my brother Dave was here for our not-so-white Christmas (it rained. ironically.....) The kids got more than their fair share of loot and I am already losing my mind over all the toys all over the house. I am about ready to throw it all out!


Making a gingerbread village, complete with skyacraper (which might have been taller had we not run out of graham crackers.....)


I love Christmas trees :)


Kids hanging out with Uncle Dave. I was pretty sure he enjoyed his time here, but the look on his face might be telling a different story.....

Ugh there is too much going on in this picture, I can't even look at it!

Kate with two of her favorite things - Daddy and Elmo!

Putting together one of MANY MANY lego sets.

Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Cameron lost his first tooth! When did he get so old? He has been waiting and waiting for this day for quite some time, because apparently EVERYONE in the 1st grade has already lost at least one tooth. Slacker parent I am, I almost forgot the tooth fairy, but Keith came to the rescue. He woke up randomly at 3:30 the next morning and miraculously remembered to take care of it - way to save the day!!