Holiday Fun

Okay, here are some pics from the holidays. It was fun to see Jaiden's reaction to everything as he is now beginning to understand it all. He always loves to see "nose" (snow) and calls snowmen and santa "Santa". He loved the lights at Temple Square, but was definitely fascinated by the water fountains. The only way we were able to keep moving was to convince him there was another fountain up ahead (luckily, there always was!). We spent Christmas at my parent's and had lots of fun. After Jaiden's 11:00 bedtime (this is an ongoing trial at our house, one we have not been able to fix for almost 3 months now...), we actually had to wake him up a little after 9:00 on Christmas morning. It was nice to be able to sleep a little! Hope everyone had a great Christmas!

I'm working on a post!

I was going to write a bigger post but I spent so long looking at all the new pics I downloaded that now I'm too tired and I'm going to bed! But for Mom and Amy's sake, here are a couple of cute pics from last week when I was at their house. We had lots of fun!

¡Colómbia!

We started out the year by going to Colombia for about two weeks. We went to see all of Carlos' family, but especially his grandmother who had leukemia and kept saying she wouldn't die until she had seen Jaiden. We had a great time and as always enjoyed the beauty, the fresh exotic fruit and the delicious fresh rolls every day. That is one thing I definitely miss about my mission!


Every time I've been to Colombia, it makes me think of the land of bountiful. Everything is so lush and green and abundant. We were able to enjoy more time than our previous trip (two years earlier) as it was only for a week. I was 5 months pregnant with Jaiden then and 6 months pregnant with Austin this time, which was perfect timing because I was still pretty comfortable.


The trip back was a nightmare story and a half, partly because we were traveling on buddy passes - with a toddler! Actually, Jaiden was a dream both on the way down and back, it was just very, very stressful. The airport in Bogota is one of the worst I have ever flown out of, every time I'm there it's a nightmare. The good news is that they are expanding it because part of the problem is that it is too small and all of the flights to the USA for all of the airlines leave at almost the same time each day.


Anyway, overall it was a great trip. Here is a slide show.

Check out my Slide Show!

So Here I Am

So I think blogging is a pretty great way to keep up on everyone since many of us (just admit it!) spend way too much time on the computer anyway. I was going to wait until we had moved and were settled, but who knows when that will be. It's not like I don't spend hours online each night as a wait to go to bed until I'm so tired that I can no longer win even simple games of Text Twist and know I will be able to easily fall asleep instead of worrying about every bump in the night . So I usually go to sleep only about an hour before Carlos gets home from work, plus I'm up several times with the kids and then I'm the one who gets to get up with them in the morning. So I guess I shouldn't complain about me not getting anymore sleep than him, because it's really my own fault. I love the nights he is home, I actually go to sleep at around 10:30 because I know I don't have to worry about anything.
Life has been especially crazy this last while because Carlos is working mandatory overtime, taking two classes, studying for his FAA Private Pilot Test, and flying 2-3 times a week. He is also the membership clerk and has had extra work because they are getting ready to make us a ward (we are in a Spanish branch) and when he started, nothing was organized. I sometimes work one morning a week, but until he finishes his exam, I can't go in. Luckily I have a super flexible job.
The boys keep us busy too and Jaiden loves his daddy so much! It's hard for Carlos to study at home because Jaiden just wants to play and play and play. Once Carlos passes his test, we are planning on moving to Salem, Oregon to go to an accelerated commercial pilot school where he can finish in 10 months or less instead of 2 or 3 more years. So our house is up for sale and we are very, very sad to leave it. Add to everything else that is going on the stress of trying get the house ready, put it up for sale, and keep it clean! Keeping it clean is nearly impossible because I think Jaiden truly believes with all of his dear little heart that all toys and clothes belong on the floor!

As I post, I will probably catch you all up on the last year or so and then move on, who knows...

Life is crazy, but we are trudging on, hoping to progress with each new step we take.