Yummy....cookies!!!

Ian received cookies from his grandma for Valentines Day!! They made the trip just fine. They are wonderful!!! I need to stay away from them. She made all kinds of hearts, fish, palm trees, and dinosaurs. Those are all of his favorites. He is finally getting over his cold...he has been so congested...YUK!! I have been up so much this week because he wakes up and gets me up. I know I will miss this someday, but I am not a pretty sight in the middle of the night. We went to Addison's 1st birthday today. There were lots of other kids there and it was alot of fun. I spent my time holding a new baby...he is sooo cute. He just layed their like a little angel. I bet he was getting ready to stay up half the night like Ian did at that age...and when he has a cold.

No Pain...No Gain...

I haven't written in so long because everytime I get on here, I have been trying to post a picture and I can't get it to post. Jeff started to try last night, but I decided to wait until another day because it was late. It is a picture of my trainer. I wanted to let those of you that have only heard about her to actually see her. I think she is a cute lady. She won the title of 2007 Fitness for the World. She is really into this whole working out and eating right thing....yes, we've had our battles. I have to admit that she had taken me to a new level of fitness. I never thought I would be able to run or lift what I can at this point. I did think I was going to be really thin, but I have found that is not what "being fit" is about...really?? Anyway, we have worked on getting rid of my body fat and toning up my muscles...I really do have some!!! Working out is actually fun...did I just say that....yea that was me. I really do enjoy it. I think I never really knew how or I just stopped when I got tired...waste of time. She has taught me how to push myself until I am pouring with sweat, vomiting, and think I can't go anymore...but I can...it is all in your head. That sounds awlful, but it is such a great pain...I promise. Anyway, I will try to get the picture up soon. I am off the the gym!!!

We went to Rome in October with Jeff's parents. We had a great time seeing all the sights and eating all the great pizza!! We rented an apartment for the weekend so that we could all stay together, rather than in separate hotel rooms. We also hired a guide for a tour. She did a really good job of showing us around and telling us bits and pieces we wouldn't have heard otherwise. It was amazing to see all this in person. The pictures just don't do it justice. Rome has been one of my favorite places this far....

Rome

Tennis anyone???

Ian has been taking tennis lesson since September 2007. I have to admit he is doing much better than I thought he would be at this point. He is taking one private lesson a week and just started taking a group lesson once a week. He is the youngest in the group lesson, but he seems to do fine with the older kids. Here comes the proud parent part....the teacher explained they are opening up a group class for his age, but he is too advanced for that class. OK...I am done. Seriously, it did make me glad to know we are not wasting money on private lessons. The only reason we started this is because he was bored and we couldn't find anything for 4 year old to do...except soccer...oops...football. They really just do drills during that also rather than playing, so we settled on tennis. He seems happy. His teacher is great!! I will get a front shot of her someday. Don't look for him in Wimbledon this year.....maybe in about 12 to 15 years....or not.

"Sweet Sixteen"

Amanda turned 16 on December 28th!! Here is a picture of Amanda with grandma and grandpa. I can't believe she is 16!!! How does she age and her mom and I don't???? Go figure... anyway we had a nice time with everyone. This was the night before we headed back to the UK.

Ian had been his usual witty self this week. I really need to start remembering more of the things he comes up with because he has some good ones. This morning he explained to me that his dad doesn't brush his teeth right because he doesn't wipe off the toothpaste lid when he is done getting out the toothpaste. That is my son alright...can you even imagine getting toothpaste out and not wiping the lid???

Christmas pictures 2007

I randomly picked a few pictures from Christmas to post. Ian had a great time building a snowman, playing with his cousin Grant(shirtless...I still haven't figured that one out), waiting for Santa, and spending time with family. It was great to be home and live a life that we so often take for granted. It is so nice to have stores that are open 24 hours, pay at the pump gas stations, easy driving, no speed cameras, and TARGET...need I say more. All kidding aside, being around family was great. We are just so blessed to have great family and friends!! I take some of these things for granted and feel so rushed because of all the people I want to see and want to see me or us. I really didn't even get to visit with so many that I wanted to due to time restraints. I will be home in the summer so I will pick up where I left off...

Life is back to what we call "normal"

I am feeling so much better today!!! I must say that flu took me down. I do think that it gave Jeff, Ian, and George so bonding time...as you can see by the picture. Ian wasn't feeling that great, but he is not sick, so he must have not gotten it. He kept wanting to be around me and I just knew I was going to get better only to have to take care of him, than JEFF.


We are in the process of planning our upcoming trips for the 2008 year. I think we have settled on a few fun places such as Disney Paris, Canary Islands, Venice, and maybe Egypt. We are still in talks about the latter.

I will post a few Christmas pictures. I thought Ihad tons, but I think I focused on video this year because we always do pictures and I wanted to catch this cute kid age. I guess if it is your kid every stage is cute...sometimes. Ian and I went to lunch today and we sat down at a table in a quiet area of the restaurant to enjoy our meal. Two moms, both with twins, can and sit down next to us. We moved to a different table. I have never done anything like that before, but these kids were loud and whinny....or maybe I am just getting old and cranky!!

It finally happened...

I always wondered what I would do if I got the flu after Ian was born...well it finally happened. I went down about 1:00 a.m. and I have been up all night long. It is now noon here and Jeff just called and offered to come home at 2:00, so I can't even trash him. Why is it no matter how old we are you just want your mom. I was laying in bed at about 4:00 a.m. crying for my mom. This is crazy because she is in the states and I am in the UK. I guess it just makes me feel better to at least say it aloud. Jeff did stumble into the guest bedroom and got me a wet wash cloth. I forgot just how bad the stomach flu is...I was waiting for a demon to come out of me. It is bad. I feel horrible because Ian wanted breakfast.....sorry not today...just fresh fruit. He has been wonderful explaining that I will be better tomorrow if I just rest. He most important rule...don't throw up when he is in the room. He starts gagging...enough of that...I just wanted to keep this updated on our life here.

Dinner at The Falcon

We went to dinner with Jenny and Dan on Saturday night. It was a very nice evening. We were celebrating Jennys birthday. We went to The Falcon and had a wonderful time. The boys stayed together at our house with a sitter. They had a great time also!! We enjoyed great wine and food, while getting a chance to actually talk without the kids.

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Jenny and I took the kids to see Alvin and the Chipmunks today. It is a cute little movie. Max and Ian wanted to visit, but didn't get a chance because we were in the movie. We are going out to dinner tonight with them to make up for it. We are going to a really kid friendly place...they have a play area for kids and dads. Tomorrow night we are going to dinner and the kids are all staying together at our house. I have almost finished my winter cleanup/throw away. I know that will have a great time playing with all the new toys and games. The favorite gift is a flatbed truck/crane that Dave made for Ian. It is handmade and you can tell the difference. That toy has a "special place" on the shelf. I was worried he may by rough with it, but he treats it like gold.

Ian

This is a picture of Ian from the late Fall. He is growing so fast. I just can't believe how time passed. He is still very upset about leaving Illinois. He has been crying every night on and off for hours. It is becoming a real pain, but I do know it will pass. He just loves his grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins so much...I keep telling him we will be with them soon. Anyway, I am 3 for 3 now.

Pictures

Jeff went back to work today and Ian started his Spanish lessons again. Ian is having a hard time being back, but it should get better soon. We have plans to go to the movie with Max and Blake on Friday. I did the usual after Christmas cleaning today. I threw away so much stuff that neither Jeff nor Ian will miss. I am hoping this picture will post and than I will officially be back to blogging!!

The New Year

I am finally going to really keep up with this blog page. I have made it one of my new goals for 2008!!
We are back in England after a wonderful time in the states. Ian loved the snow, seeing his family, presents, and just everything!! Jeff and I had a great time also. It just flew by so quickly. Jeff goes back to work tomorrow and life continues in England. We had a nice New Years Eve. We went to some friends house and enjoyed ourselves. They are moving back at the end of the month....I am so jealous!! My next big step is putting some pictures up. I will do that tomorrow!! Happy New Year to all!!