St. Louis

After Christmas, we took the girls to St. Louis because we needed to take Samantha in for an eye exam. She did really well during her appointment and everything seems to be looking good for her.
We also went to the zoo for a little bit. It was empty which was nice and we got to see the penguins that was really cool. They had three or four exhibits and we were right up close to them. We also got to see some bears and the insect house. A lot of the animals were put away, but since the zoo was free, it was still fun to go visit some of the things that were out.
We also went to dinner at the Spaghetti Factory which was fun. It's nice to go out to places that aren't available in Kirksville, which is quite a bit.
The next day, we took the girls to the Magic House for a few hours. Talk about crazy. It had to be the busiest day I have ever seen anywhere. You couldn't move without bumping into someone. The girls still had a lot of fun and the place had some really cool things to do. Hopefully next time it won't be quite so busy.
It was a fun trip and it was really nice to get out of town for a few days and be together as a family.

Christmas Day '10

We had such a fun Christmas day. The girls of course had lots of fun opening their presents. Nadya loved all of the art supplies that she got. She is not going to be bored at our house for a while. Samantha loved all of her presents. She got a Mr. Potato head from Nadya and just kept saying "tato head, tato head, I got a tato head." She has loved playing with her little computer and Tag Jr. she got too.
It was really nice to let the girls play with their toys and relax at home. We got to talk to both of our families on Skype throughout the day which was fun too. We were invited to dinner at our friends, the Shepherds, house. It was really good food and so much fun to hang out with them.
I love spending this time of year with my family. It has been so nice to have Earl home from school.

Christmas Pajamas

I decided that I would make the girls Christmas pants this year. It took some time but I was able to get them done in time. I think they turned out pretty good, but they shrunk really fast after washing them. They also picked out slippers from some money that their great grandparents gave them. I even bought earl some Christmas pajama bottoms. It was fun to have them wear their pajamas.

Christmas Dresses

My mom bought the girls their Christmas dresses this year and the were so cute.  We had a hard time getting Nadya to smile and look and the camera but she still looked cute.  Thanks mom for the dresses.  I loved them.

 

Nadya took this cute picture of Samantha.

 

The girls together.  I love that they are holding hands.

Santa Came to Town

This week, the girls got to go and see Santa at Earl's school.  They had so much fun.  As soon as he walked in the door, both of the girls ran up to him and gave him a big hug.  He read them a story and then they got to sit on his lap and tell them what he wanted. 

 

Santa reading a story to the kids and the girls listening intently.

 

Nadya asking Santa for a kitten she can name Susie and a barbie.

 

Samantha asking for a treat.

Halloween Festivities

Halloween this year was very busy. This town provides so much to do. The girls got more candy than they need (of course) but they also had a lot of fun. They got to go to 2 trunk or treats, and at the ward party they got to play a lot of games. They had fun with their friends and lucky for us, Grandma Leatham got to come spend the week with us too. It was fun and the girls had a great time dressing up and getting lots of free stuff.

Halloween Costumes

Samantha the monkey

Nadya the doctor.

Hair Party

Nadya was invited to a birthday party at a hair salon. She had a lot of fun getting beautified. She got her hair, nails, and make-up done. She looked pretty cute and couldn't stop talking about it. It was such a fun idea for a party. Maybe someday we'll do something like that.

Nadya getting ready to get her hair done.

The finished look, after playing of course.

All the girls at the end of the party.

Truman Farms

I got to take Samantha to Truman farms with the SAA a few weeks ago. It was a lot of fun to spend somethime with her. She got to pick out her own pumpkin, pet some horses, take a hay ride, and make some cider. It was such a fun outing and the weather was gorgeous. I love all of the things that they plan out here.

Carving Party

I decided that I wanted to have a pumpkin carving party at my house this year.  Nadya has been asking for a while if she could carve a pumpkin this year so I figured why not.  Earl was really good with her and she was so excited to do it.  We had a good time with our friends and they all brought yummy treats.  Thanks everyone for coming.  I really do love halloween.

 

Nadya with her finished pumpkin.

 

Jenny, Dan and Ryanne, Nadya and Earl getting all of the good stuff out of the pumpkins.

 

Everyone chatting.

 

Samantha enjoying one of the many yummy treats, while Jed and Tiff work on their pumpkins.

 

Samantha and her finished pumpkin.  Thanks Danny for doing all of the work.

It's Official

Ever since Earl got into school, we knew that after 2 years we would have to move to continue on his med school journey.  After moving to Kirksville, we fell in love with this town.  Quickly I realized that I wanted to stay here for the full 4 years.  Then in the last month of doing mock matches, there was a chance that we wouldn't be able to stay.  More people wanted to stay than I expected and than the hospital had room for.

However, after all of the stressing and waiting (they were late in letting everyone know) we get to stay in Kirksville for 2 more years.  I am so excited.  Here are the reasons why:
1.  I don't have to move again
2.  I can get rid of all the boxes taking up space in my garage
3.  Nadya gets to stay in school here
4.  I get to keep doing exercise group
5.  I love my place here and I don't have to settle for something less somewhere else
6.  Earl will get a good education

I absolutely love it here.  I will miss all of my friends that are leaving but I know that this is the place that we are supposed to be.  Prayers truly are answered and I am grateful that ours was.

Dancing and Smores

Sorry for all of the posts today, just finally had the time to do it.
We went to a school bbq on Friday and we got to spend the night eating, dancing, and making smores. Samantha and Nadya loved getting on the dance floor and grooving. Then we took them outside by the bonfire and made smores. Nadya had fun sitting with her dad roasting the marshmellows and then they had fun eating them. It was such a nice night out with Earl and the girls. I really do love it here and all of the things that are provided for us to do.

Flag football

Earl loves fall and this is why. He loves being able to watch and play football. What could be better? It has been fun to take the girls to the park and watch him play.

Labor Day Fun

This is a late post but at least it's getting done. On Labor Day, the SAA had a fun children's activity where the kids got to go meet the Truman State football players and cheerleaders. Nadya had a lot of fun running with the players up and down the field. She also learned one of the cheers and now does it throughout the house. I'm so grateful for the activites that they put on here. It makes it so much fun. The girls love it.

Play at Park

Just some cute pictures of the girls at the park. They love to stay busy by climbing and swinging. Nadya was so proud of herself because she could go across the monkey bars by herself. She even got blisters on her hands at school because she had played on them so much.

Pictures

My friend, Julie, took these cute pictures of the girls and the family picture on the top of the blog. She did a great job and I love how fun they are. They are growing up so fast and it is fun to have pictures that show the different stages. Thanks Julie for the great job.

Big Girl

By the way, this post is a little late.  Not only did Nadya start school last week, she is officially riding a two wheel bike all by her self.  Earl and I have been working with her all summer when she got a bike from her friend Ella, who had outgrown it.  Some days it was frustrating and then other days she really tried hard and started to show progress.  Then all of a sudden she was just doing it.  She can now get on the bike by herself, start by herself and she can ride all over our neighborhood without us having to be right by her side.  I love it.  She is so cute and I am amazed at how well she does.  Nadya I am so proud of you. 

"Osteostache"

Every year at ATSU the second years grow a mustache (called the osteostache) to welcome in the new 1st years. It's kind of a weird tradition but it has been funny to watch what all of the guys come up with. So here is Earl's redneck osteostache. The guys had a fun time shaving it off together. Thank goodness that tomorrow I get Earl's smooth face back.

Earl and his glorious 'stache.

All the boys at their shaving party. Before and After.

First Days of School

Nadya has had 3 great days of school so far. She has had fun taking the bus, so I don't need to worry too much about that. She loves her teacher and having friends in her class. Everyday she comes home talking about what they have done. They read the book "The Kissing Hand" and they have talked a lot about raccoons. It has been so fun to see her enjoying herself and learning. Even the all days have not been too bad for her. She crashes at night but I'm okay with that.

1st Day of Kindergarten

Nadya had her first day of Kindergarten today. I had mixed emotions to say the least. I have been so excited for her to start but yesterday when we met her teacher and she kept saying "Mom, you're going to be sad when I'm gone." I realized that she was right. I am a little sad, but I know that she is going to have a lot of fun.

She picked out her own outfit for the day and popped out of bed at 6:30 this morning. She got dressed, I did her hair, and then we went downstairs where I gave her a bowl of cereal and made her lunch. She wanted to have a turkey and cheese sandwich, with an apple and yogurt drink. I made her some cookies to take with her.

When it was time to go to the bus, Earl walked her to the stop and she barely even looked back. I know she has a great teacher and I can't wait to hear how her first day went. She is such a smart girl and she will make lots of new friends.

Samantha has missed her big sister. She keeps asking me "where Nadya? I want Nadya." It's going to take a few days to get used to not having her around and Samantha having her big sister to play with.

Nadya's school outfit. (Thanks Grandma)

Getting ready to go to the bus.

I at least was able to get her to wave goodbye. She wanted her dad to walk her to the bus.

Can't you see her excitement.

Samantha wanted to watch Nadya walk to the bus. She kept waving goodbye to her.