El Paso, new house

Fibula

Sweet Annabelle has broken her fibula. Walked out the door for school and stepped off the step wrong. Unfortunately, Daddy didn't know she was hurt so bad and he took her to school.

We're Back!!!

After a 2 year break I have come to realize that I really miss our blog. So, I am going to give it another go.
We are all doing great. John is in school this year and we are enjoying this time in Kansas. We should find out by the end of the month where we will be moving to this summer. We were really hoping for Savannah but they are overstaffed at this time.

Austin will be turning 8 this month and is loving the 2nd grade. He is our amazing athlete. He starts basketball this week so I will be posting lots of pictures. Still awesome at soccer. Those are definitely his 2 sports. He is doing extremely well in school also.
Miss Annabelle just turned 6! I still can't believe they are getting so old. She is our actress. Loves anything and everything to do with being in the spotlight. She told John yesterday that she wants to be a singer like Taylor Swift. So funny! She is now sporting some pretty pink hearing aids. She really loves them too. She is really building a love for learning and doing great at school.
Spencer is 2 3/4 and is the comedian of the family. He is sooo funny! He is also quite the momma's boy. Doesnt like to be away from mommy to much. Should probably start going to school a few hours a week. He too is going to be amazing at sports. He can play soccer with the big kids.

9 MONTH CHECK UP AND 4 YEAR CHECK UP

Annabelle had her 4 year old check up today. She was such a good girl and even handled her shots well. She went into the room really brave and did well until the 4th shot when she cried big crocodile tears. There was no yelling, the tears just started flowing. The best news about it is she doesn't have anymore shots until she is 11 years old. That is 7 years. Woohoo!!!! I took her out to lunch afterwards. Here are her stats:
37 lbs.
40 inches tall.

Spencer had his 9 month check up last week and he is also doing really great. Here are his stats:
18 lbs. 9 oz.
27.36 inches
head cir. 47 cm.
He is now climbing. Oh my goodness is he busy. I put him on the ground and he immediately crawls over to something he isn't supposed to get near. He stops right before he gets there looks at us and grins. Or, he pulls up on something and starts cruising. He has let go a few times but isn't standing for a long period of time yet, just a few seconds. He can walk with a push toy put isn't walking on his own yet. Hopefully he will wait a little bit longer for that. He is eating everything.
Best of all, I think he has an amazing smile. I especially love his sweet dimple on his left cheek. Oh my, it is so so sweet.

Number 2

Spencer got his second tooth yesterday. It is his bottom right. One side of it has popped through the gum. He has tried to bite me a few times but it doesn't seem to be a trend so far. Hopefully he won't be A BITER. I don't think he will but we will see.
We have been Winter cleaning around here and it feels really good. It is frustrating how messy the house gets by organizing and cleaning out closets and drawers but it is so nice when it is done. Might be a while until I finish but we are well on our way.
I have really enjoyed having the kids and John home over the holidays. Well, he has still been working but a little bit less. Two 4 day weekends in a row. We have had so many nights of just hanging out playing games and even days of staying in jammies until late and playing with new toys and watching movies. I LOVE THESE DAYS! Oh yes, we have had some good days of snow also which is always fun. Hoping for a few more at least so we can go sledding on "the hill" at the commisary.

Just The Beginning

John got a taste of what it is going to be like as Annabelle gets older and really starts liking boys. She HAD to leave the table at lunch today to get a picture from the playroom. She comes back with this photo. Under the photo, I have written what she said. Then the next photo with the story that goes along with it. All I have to say is Heaven Help John AND the boy Annabelle first falls in love with. For those who do not know, Brady is Annabelle's little boyfriend. He is my friend Jen's little boy. They used to live in the same building as us here in Germany. She is going to be heartbroken when she realizes he is moving halfway around the world from us very very soon. We will sob together.She is certain they are getting married.

"Daddy, this is a rainbow when me and Brady are getting married. And when I'm having my baby in my tummy."

" This is me and Brady going to the hospital." Austin asks, "Who got hurt Annabelle?" She then continues. "Nobody I am getting my baby out of my tummy."

VIDEOS

I updated some videos on Dropshots today. Just look on the right side of the blog. You will have to scroll down some but it should say My Videos and then have a link under it. One of them is of Spencer walking with a push toy. I am just amazed by this childs progress. He is like a big kid stuck in a baby body. He got the toy in the mail today from John's sister Cynthia and her husband. I put it together and he pulled up on it and off he went.
I have a lot of videos and pictures to post but this is at least a start. I will also give you my favorite picture for now. By the way, Spencer was 9 months on the 26th of December.

The Christmas videos should be on there too, of the kids coming upstairs to see what Santa brought them. Then one of them using there new gifts(BIKES). They really enjoyed Christmas this year and it has been a lot of fun watching them really start grasping the reality of what Christmas really is. They kept telling people that it was baby Jesus' birthday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNABELLE!

Our baby-girl is 4! Happy Birthday Annabelle. We love you so very much. You have grown up so much this year and it has been a blast. We love listening to your singing and watching you dance. You are very eager to please and you take the time to make everyone in this house feel LOVED every day. You wake up happy and make sure to say good morning to everyone. I am positive that not a day goes by that you tell mommy, "Mommy, you are the bestest mommy eber!", "You are the bestest mommy in da whole worwld", or "Mommy you are so beautiful".
You make sure to give your big brother a hug and kiss every morning when he is standing in line before he goes into school and the same for Spence before you go into your class. It almost makes mommy cry each time. Now for your daddy. Well, he gets the huge DDAAAADDDDDYYYYY, everytime he comes in the door. Oh yes, and all day long you say to me, "Mommy I miss daddy". What a lucky man he is. I love your big heart.
You are also my independent child who enjoys to play by yourself sometimes. I love that you can do this. You are never really afraid to try new things or meet new people. There are no worries of you getting pushed around either. You sure no how to hold your ground. Stay tough baby girl.
I must say a big THANK YOU to God for another wonderful year with you, Annabelle. You are such a blessing.
You even became a big sister and you are a great one. You are the only one who can get Spencer to stop crying and it is with your beautiful singing. This is what you sing to him. WEST VIRGINIA, WITH MY MOMMAAA, TAKE ME HOOOOME, TO MY COUNTRY ROAD(your version)it is so cute.