Learning to skate

 Lydia decided that she wants to buy some roller blades with all the money she has saved up- which is quite a lot  because she never buys anything.  She just saves all that birthday money forever.  Well, I thought before she bought roller blades she should try it first and see how she likes it.  So on Friday she had school off and Mike had work off, so we all went to the roller skating rink and Lydia and Colton learned how to roller blade.  It was so rewarding to see them stick with it even though it was hard and they wanted to give up. 

 We started out using this walker thing with wheels.  It really helped the kids get their confidence, but it didn't take them too long and they were going on their own . Lydia got it down and was comfortable just staying at that level and cruising around.  Colton kept falling and falling, flopping all over because he was always trying to go faster and get better. 
Mike got a good work out!  He even participated in the race for 18 years and older.  It was he and one other man who joined him.  They tied for first! 

While kids were learning how to skate, Josie and I made good cheerleaders- and we also checked out all the arcade games.  It was great family time!  Guess we will be buying those roller blades. 

I'm leavin' on a jet plane . . .

It's time to move again and its been busy getting ready.  I figured I should get something on this blog before we move because I will be busy unpacking and what not once we get to Texas.  I felt so proud because I downloaded an app on my phone so I can blog the photos I take on my phone, but I think the app has a bug because it won't post the photos.  I'll keep trying though. 
Mike's sister came up to Detroit and watched the kids for us for the weekend so we could go down to Texas and look for a house to rent.  There were some ups and downs but eventually we were able to get a lease for a great house.  We had a great realtor- Thanks Valerie!  Here are a few fun things we did while we were there.

 Houston

 Some good BBQ.  Gotta love the local joints.

 Jason's Deli has all you can eat soft serve icecream.  Mike took advantage of this.

 A giant cowboy boot in the airport. Welcome to Texas! 

 Galveston.  It was fun to walk along the beach- especially since it was snowing when we left Detroit. 

Seafood place we ate at along the beach.

I really liked Texas from my initial impressions.  Houston has this fun Urban/Country feel.  You are certainly in  a big city, but there are lots of pick ups and you don't have to go far to get to cows and tractors. 

On another note:   Lydia and her girl scout troop went to build-a-bear and all got teddy bears with girl scout uniforms.  So cute.  She loved it!

 Last weekend, Mike had a recruiting conference back at Purdue so we all tagged along so we could see our old friends.  It was SO SO good!  I love my friends in Indiana.  Seeing them was so wonderful.  I immediately felt like I was home.  Here are people who really know me.  They have watched my kids grow.  We spent time together almost every day for the last 5 years.  And knowing that I had to leave them and go start over in Texas was a little sad for me.   I think I had just as much fun as the kids.  You see all those kids on the jungle gym?  My kids know all of them.  They are all friends.  They ALL play hide and seek together.  They All ride bikes together. They are all wonderful.   Oh can you tell I'm nostalgic? 

 Last weekend Purdue had Spring Fest- a carnival like atmosphere where all the different departments in the school host a different booth.  The kids all wanted these awesome balloon hats.  It's a must!

 Mike took them to the Spring football game where they met Purdue Pete.  Josie discovered the goodness of cotton candy. 

The entomology department always hosts cricket spitting and they have a big tournament.  Colton wanted to do it so of course Mike couldn't be outdone by his son.  Here he is just putting the cricket in his mouth.  yuck.

visiting Indiana

over spring break we visited Indiana. Mike had a conference at Purdue.we saw lots of great friends.it was hard to leave. We went to the Childrens Museum and were the only ones there. The kids had a great time. More photos to come.

plugging along

 Not too much to report.  Life continues on.  A few weeks ago Mike's brother and his family stayed with us for a few days while Mike's brother had a job interview at Ford.  He got the job, but the offer wasn't what he wanted, so he turned it down.  It was still a good excuse to get together!  Lydia LOVED their new baby. 

 We all went to The Henry Ford Museum.  Colton and Lydia helped cousin Will.  We also went out to eat at a good BBQ place calles Slows in Detroit.  Sketchy neighborhood, but pretty good food. 

Colton being goofy.  Those are not HIS shorts he is wearing- they are Josie's pants.

We are currently weaning Josie from the pacifier and I must say the amount of crying around our house has increased.  She doesn't ask for the pacifier anymore, but she is still waking up in the night without calming herself back down very well.  I hope that ends soon. 

Keeping up with . . . the times

I did it.  I got a real cell phone.  I feel so trendy.  I am so hip.  And I will admit that I like being able to check my email from my phone.  Texting is indeed handy.  However, I have already found that I must be in charge of my phone, and not the other way around.  I'm not that busy of a person really, but it seems like it is always buzzing at me. 
So now that I have entered the 21st century, I realize that my kids were already there. 
Today Colton requested music at lunch.  He requested three songs by singing the chorus for me.  The songs he requested were by Pitt Bull, Imagine Dragons, and the Killers.  He's 5. 
Let's continue our examples with Lydia.  Yesterday she was reading Chicken Little for homework.  I was absent mindedly listening as I made dinner.  My ears perked up though when she read that Henny Penny and Goosey Loosey were telling Duck Dynasty that 'The sky is falling'  Yep- Duck Dynasty.  She's never seen that show. 
At least I know what a blog is.  I'm not totally out dated. 

And we are moving . . . again

As many of you know, Mike is in a rotational program for work, so we will be moving again, though we feel like we just got to Michigan. 

Here are a few clues on where we are moving:

1. The armadillo is the official state mammal.
2. The state's cattle population is estimated to be near 16 million.
3.  The King Ranch in this state is bigger than the state of Rhode Island.

And so I'm sure you have guessed it.  Everything is bigger in . . .




Texas- Houston, Texas.  This city isn't quite the image you get when you think of armadillo's, cattle and Ranch's is it?  We are excited, although it's going to be very hot.  Why didn't we move to Texas in the winter and Michigan in the summer? 

It's winter. . . still

 I've been hibernating.  And occasionally getting out this winter- but not much.  Just wanted you all to know that we are still alive and not buried under a snow pile in Michigan.

 Mike took me snowboarding for my birthday.  See that hill?  That's as big as it gets in Michigan.  They build their ski resorts on top of garbage dumps.  Kelly Canyon is looking pretty good right about now.  Oh well, it was still really fun. 
Colton made this bird feeder and we have really enjoyed watching the birds come to it. 

 We signed Colton up for indoor football and Lydia decided she wanted to play too.  So we have two little football players in our house  and guess who is the coach?    Only the best coach in the world!  It doesn't get better than having Dad coach. 

 Josie with Lydia's mouthguard in her mouth. 

 The kids had the day off of school, so we went with our friends to a children's museum.  It was a great day.  

Colton liked the musuem although he didn't like being outnumbered by the girls.  He did his own manly things- like building this fort.