Kansas City

We thought we'd be in Kansas City for a year while Jason finishes a 12-month refractive fellowship at Durrie Vision. Turns out, that we'll be making our home here long-term. After months of interviewing with various practices around the nation, Jason accepted an offer from his current boss, Dr. Dan Durrie, to join Durrie Vision. We are thrilled. Kansas City has felt like home to us since we moved here last May. We love our ward, our friends, the climate, the non-stop to Salt Lake City, and much more. We met some wonderful people during the interview process in Orlando, Atlanta, Memphis, Utah and California. So grateful for the time they spent showing us their beautiful cities. I really loved a lot of different things about each city, and had pretty much found a house that would be "just perfect" for our growing family wherever we moved. So grateful for the Durries, Stahls and all the people at DV who have made such a positive impact in our lives.

Christmas

We spent Christmas in Kansas City. My parents and brother were able to come out for a week and join us. Anyone who knows me knows I love Christmas. And, I love spending Christmas with my family. Jackson and I went and picked them up at the airport Christmas Eve. He and Grandpa looked for Christmas lights all the way home. We ate a yummy Kansas City barbecue dinner, then opened presents (pajamas) and read the Christmas story. Santa found his way to our house around midnight. Thank goodness he came early this year because Jackson woke up at 2 a.m. and luckily I was able to convince him to come sleep with Jason and I until 6ish. Christmas morning we opened gifts, ate pancakes and went to church. I love having Christmas fall on Sunday. It brings the right focus to the day. The program was amazing. Our Relief Society president is also the ward choir director (yes, she volunteered for the latter assignment) and did an incredible job. She really is a phenomenal lady. Jackson received a bike and his "fireman" engine and Kate a princess car. They are so cute riding around together. Christmas night we ate a traditional ham dinner and enjoyed helping Kate and Jackson have fun with all of their new toys. The next week was spent going to the gym (had to try and get rid of all that yummy food we ate), fixing things around the house (my dad is a whiz; Jeff, too), playing with the kids, etc. I also went shopping with my mom. My favorite bargain find: nice grey window-pane slacks from Ann Taylor for $7.00 :) Love that! Sure loved having my family here. We also enjoyed talking with Greg and Sally and Sam via SKYPE. So happy that modern technology allows us to communicate with loved ones around the world.

Updates...and lots of them so scroll down :)

Fun moments with Kate

These pics highlight a few fun moments with my Kate. She loves to ride the rocking horse at the Gymboree class we take Jackson to each week. She loves to wear mommy's glasses and get her hair done and make-up, too (she insists I put blush on her in the morning. She stands there waiting until I brush her cheeks, then satisfied, she goes on her merry way. Silly little girl). Love my princess Kate.

New Year's Eve date

Jason and I went to dinner at Pierpont's restaurant for New Year's Eve. It was a beautiful setting in the historic Union Station downtown. We like going there. Wish I had felt better that night (tummy troubles) but the dinner was good and the company the best ever! (and, sorry about the grainy cell phone pic...)

Playground in the Winter

Yes, it's the dead of January and we're going to the playground often. Can you believe it? Love it. I have also discovered how much of a "girly" girl Kate is. I sat her down in the dirt for a minute while I helped Jackson climb up onto the tallest slide and she looked at me like I was doing something terrible. She refused to touch it and plead (well, cried) for me to come get her off of it. Funny girl.

Scared of the train

Jackson loves trains. We can't read enough about them, watch enough "Thomas the Train" (although his favorite is James), and play with them enough. So, why when we took Jackson to see the amazing train display at Union Station in downtown Kansas City, did he refuse to ride on the train? No idea. But, he wasn't having it. Oh well. Maybe next year.

Christmas decor

I love Christmas. I love decorating for this wonderful holiday but found this year that I really dislike when Christmas lights don't work. Anyone ever seen Christmas Vacation? You know the part where Clark drumrolls and tries to plug in his lights and they don't work? Yes, that happened to me. Not once. Not twice. But so many times that most of our Christmas lights are in some city dump. But, when we finally got the lights to work on the tree (well, most of them anyway) and the stockings were hung, I loved how it turned out.

"See You Later, Sa!"

December 1, 2011 was a difficult day for our family. Our dear friend Theresa who's been helping care for Jackson and Kate since March 2010 returned home to Australia to help her ailing grandmother. I don't know who it was harder on: me or the kids. Lots of tears were shed at the airport. We love Theresa. She has been such a source of strength and comfort to us. The kids adore her like an older sister and she has become one of my very best friends. We are so grateful for all she has taught our children while she was here. Jackson always says "Sa, Back" when he wants her to come back from wherever she is is going and has said it numerous times since then. We wish Sa all the very best in her new adventures in Australia and can't wait until we see her again!