Dallas Surprise!

A few weeks after we moved in, Kelvin had to go back to Dallas to work on a Mon and Tues. So we decided that the whole family would go.  We left on Sunday night and when we got to his parents house, Maritza was crying and grabbed Jason.  I thought she was still sad we moved so far away, but found out shortly thereafter that Krystal was going to be coming home from her mission on Tues or Wed on a medical release.  We were hoping that it would be Tuesday so we could be there but alas it ended up being Wed and we had to be back in Lufkin so Kelvin could be at work on Wed morning.  So just 2 days after we got back from Dallas we pack up and head out again.  We got there late on Thursday night but they were all still up and got to hold the kiddos.  Lydia was half awake and excited about "Krissy" being home.  Jason was jsut thrilled to have someone make silly faces at him.  This was the first time Krystal met Jason becasue she left 1 week before he was born. 

The next few days were great as we got to talk with her and spend time together.  Friday night we went to Lisa's for dinner and the whole family was back together for the first time since she left.  I must say that I love how Lydia and Isabella play together now.  Before they had more of a rough time because of the age difference, but now that Lydia is getting a little older they seem to have more fun together.  Their favorite thing is to go to Isabella's room and play dress up.  In fact I went to check on them once and they were all dressed up in their fancy clothes and having a Tea Party.  It was so dang cute!

Then on Saturday the extended family came over for a welcome home lunch for Krystal.  We got to stay until after Sacrament meeting on Sunday when Krystal recieved her plaque.  We were sad to leave since we only got a few days with her but we are so happy to have her home and are impressed with her service to the Lord through all she was struggling with at the time.  We love you "Krissy"!!

Another Year of Savings

So about a year ago I did a post about making laundry soap.  Well, I just ran out and made some more.  There were 2 different types of soaps you could choose from and so this time I thought I would try the other soap and compare.  So far I haven't noticed much difference, but I did also find a recipe to make liquid soap and I think I might try that next and see which of the three I like the best.  So here is to $20 and almost a years worth of soap.  Although, I do laundry A LOT more now than I did when I first made the soap so it might only last 8 months or so.  We will see.  Either way, it's still a lot of money saved.

 I also found out that you can use regular vinegar as a Fabric softener. I was curious about this so I tried it and it really does work. It gets any film from soap left on clothes off and doesn't make your clothes smell at all. I put about 1/2 cup with a few drops of essential oil in my washer (you can use a downy ball if your washer doesn't have a spot for softener). I'm going through vinegar quick, but it's cheap and I've liked the results so far. 

First Sunday

The very first Sunday we were here the kids were pretty sick so I went to represent the family.  The next Sunday everyone was better so we went together.  I must say I was pretty nervous about sending Lydia to Nursery.  Ever since her first couple of months in nursery when they lost her, I have been a little anxious.  I started to get a lot more comfortable when they changed things up in the nursery before Jason was born.  I felt very confident that she was having a good time and was well looked after.  So starting a new nursery where I didn't know the leaders of the kids caused me to be a bit unsettled.

Sacrament was very small.  I guess that's due to a small town and people being on vacation because it is summer.  People weren't unfriendly to us, they more ignored us until we started to introduce ourselves.  Then it was like "Oh! Your new? I can talk to you?"  Or they would see someone else talking to us and decide they could talk to us as well.  It's a sad thing that that happens in Church, and it happens everywhere not just here.  But after we took the initiative, people have been very friendly.  I think we will like our ward.  At the end of Sacrament I had to take Lydia out and Kelvin was already in the halls with Jason.  He had actually been talking to a sweet lady who introduced us to her daughter and son in law and their kids.  In fact, she has a granddaughter who is the same age as Lydia and she came over and took Lydia's hand and they went off to Nursery together.  I had to catch up with her and introduce ourselves to the leaders.  I must say that when I explained that I was a little anxious because of what had happened before and that if I check up on her a bit, that's why, they were so awesome about it!  The lady I was talking to was so sweet and let her husband know that Lydia was going to be a great kid but they need to keep an eye on her so she doesn't escape.  It was said so lovingly that from that moment on I knew Lydia was in great hands.  It was a huge blessing to me.

Jason didn't do very well.  He has started that age where you just walk the halls for all 3 hours until he goes to Nursery.  Not a fun stage for Church.  The women in Relief Society loved that he had a little suit on.  I was only able to stay for a few minutes of RS and then walked the halls with him.  Toward the end of church there was a couple with their little baby girl in the foyer.  The Spanish branch meets at 1 so their sacrament meeting was going on and this Hispanic couple were out with their little one.  Jason however saw that little girl and was going to let NOTHING stop him from getting to her.  He kept practically jumping out of my arms to get to her.  So I took him over and held him in a standing position so he was facing her.  She was about 10 months old and Jason was 5 (one of the few times in his life where it was alright to hit on a girl twice his age).  He was so excited and she was still thinking about who this guy was.  I laughed really hard when he reached out and grabed both her hands.  She warmed up pretty quick to him and they were laughing and cooing away.  They played for about 20 minutes and then it was time for us to go.  He's a little charmer already.

She has a thing for her belly button right now and is always playing with it.

He was obviously not happy about the picture but I had to post how cute he looked.

The Squeakers Settling In

Apparently the two kiddos are starting to feel right at home....in our bed!  Jason thought it was the coolest thing ever to get to be in mommy and daddy's bed with his big sister.  It was the best way to keep them somewhat occupied while we got ready for church.

Dancing With Daddy

One of our favorite things to do is dance around to music.  Lydia loves doing this and Jason gets all excited when we do it too.  I know he is itching to be a part of the fun.

Day At the Lake

One thing I really like about living in Lufkin is that Kelvin's work has an "Employee Club".  You pay $50 for the year and they do activities through out that year for your family.  I am really looking forward to the Christmas party.  They have two, one for the adults and one for families complete with Santa.  A couple weeks ago they had a day at the lake and we thought it would be a lot of fun to go.  We were right!!

We got there a little late because we had some trouble getting off, but once the kids were strapped in the car, we were off.  It was about an hour drive but it was a gorgeous drive.  It is so pretty here is East Texas.  When we arrived, some people had been there all day.  They started a fishing competition at 6am and had boast rides and such all morning.  We got there about 1pm and boy was it HOT!  We talked with some of his friends at work one of which couldn't get over how much Lydia was like Kelvin.  After some lunch we played some throwing games with Lydia and then headed to a big boucey thing they had on the grounds.  It was massive and Lydia loved it.  Some teenagers soon came over and were ruining Lydia's fun on the bouncy mat so we left and went to the lake.

We were in the lake for about an hour and a half.  We just talked with people and had a good time.  I found out about some great parks around for the kiddos and other good stuff to know about the area from other moms.  It was great getting to know some of the people he works with and we had a great time.  We left after swimming in the lake because Jason was too hot and tired.  After changing diapers and packing the kids up we drove back with the kiddos sound asleep again.  It was a great day.

You were supposed to throw the metal rings into the holes but she had more fun dropping them in.  Whatever works I guess.

Fun with Daddy!

"Higher daddy higher!"

Mommy's turn!

It was a gorgeous view of the lake!

One tired girl.

He's So Close!

Just before we moved, Jason started to get on his hands and knees.  I knew that he was getting ready to crawl and now it's so fun to watch him rock back and forth.  He tries so hard  and gets frustrated when he doesn't get it.  We cheer him on and then he gets excited (although he has no idea why we and he are excited) and falls.  It's still so cute.  Lydia crawled for about a week, maybe less and then took off running and has not stopped.  She never did the warming up to it either so it's been lots of fun watching Jason do the normal baby crawling phase.  He has actually been getting so good at balancing that he will move his legs as if he is walking even though we have to hold up his weight.  I fear I might have another early walker.

These were taken a couple weeks ago and he has since mastered getting up on his hands and knees and will even try to move his legs and hands.  It's getting them coordinated that is the trick for him.