Merry Christmas Everyone!
For anyone wondering, we really haven't fallen off the face of the earth. We have had a heck of a fall and winter so far. We have survived the chicken pox, bronchitis, a minor "procedure" and pretty much one runny nose after another since September. I think we are getting back on our game though now.
So, short update...
We celebrated Kyria's first birthday last month 
as well as Alaric's 8th! I can't believe how fast they are growing up. The past year has flown by so quickly. Alaric is becoming such a little man and Kyria is quite the princess. She is walking and starting to talk. She still prefers me over anyone and has quite the case of separation anxiety. Once in a while I can get a workout at the gym that last longer than the normal 15 minutes before I am called to come and pick up my screaming baby from the child center. But, I am sure there will be a time when she will prefer others over me.Thanksgiving was a BIG celebration this year. We hosted Maren's family. So, we had nine kids and four adults at our house for five days. It was such a blast. The kids got to catch up and had some much needed cousin time. We had dinner on Thursday with everyone. My father in law and his wife as well as our friends Rick and Lynn joined us for dinner. We had a TON of food...double batches of everything! The next day we took the kids to to Cosley Zoo
. Allbeit freezing, we had a really fun time and even had a duck that put on a performance for Maren. In the evening we went to the tree lighting in Elk Grove and then on to roast marshmallows. This was all after Maren and I got up at 3:30 AM (actually Kyria had a rough night, so I didn't go to sleep) and decided to go shop some doorbuster sales. Although a teary good-bye, we created so many great memories. I hope this is a tradition in the making. (wink, wink Maren)Alaric and Jaydon both finished up their first semester at Home School University and have loved every minute of it. Because of HSU, they are both now Spanish speaking, Karate orange belt, bird expert, mathmeticians. It has proven to be a great investment... as well as a much needed break for me.
Callan is still at the school district for preschool and is making tremendous progress in speech. It is amazing how far he has come in the past year. He is in a class of seven kids and the teacher says he is the kid in class that will at least try and answer anything. He wants every day to either be his birthday or Christm
as...because you get presents for both (gifts child? I think so)Zander is still our little wild card. We affectionately refer to him as our Burger King kid...He thinks that everything is "His way, right away" We are finding ways to help him realize it is mommy's way, right away though. He has such a soft spot for Kyria and it is really sweet to see the two of them starting to "play." He forgets often that he is more than double her weight and therefore should not sit on her. But, she seems to be able to run with the boys pretty well.
Well, signing off for now. Will try to update again soon! We hope you all have a very merry and safe Christmas and New Year!
