Christmas begins...

My mom, dad, and youngest siblings came to play in Texas this week. We took them to Lackland AFB to check out the planes. He would run from plane to plane to announce we were coming to another one.We enjoyed some nice weather outside. We played at our local park and explored the trails together.

Mom and dad held down the fort so I could go to a cookie exchange with my BAMC ladies. Now, we have way too many tasty treats in the house.

We have eaten our share of Mexican and other San Antonio fare.

We went downtown and took the riverboat tour of the riverwalk. It is beautifully decorated with lights but I forgot my camera. I'm not sure I could have taken photos because it is crowded and on the boat I was wrestling a toddler that was absolutely sure he wanted out. I might do the boat tour again with just Matt someday.

Matt and I went to the temple together and really just cherished the stress free time together.

Jimmy and Rachel, my youngest siblings have indulged their big sister and are participating in some Christmas traditions I am testing out on them. Love them :-)

Then tonight my mom and dad allowed us to leave and go to a friend's Christmas party with JOSHUA. We were going to leave him but decided at the last minute to take him after I made sure that everyone would spare him for a bit.

Santa came and Joshua was mesmerized.
He said Hi to Santa and high fived him.

Santa was cooler than that though he wanted to fist bump.
Then the fact that a stranger with a cool suit and big white beard but definitely a stranger hit and it was back to mama.
It has been such a nice week and tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We still have more fun to come.

I hope that everyone has a Merry Christmas.

What's going on?

A quick run down of what we have been doing and what we are currently doing...

Matt-finished one rotation and is now working orthopedics doing amputee service. He doesn't like that he starts at 5am and sometimes leaves at 9pm. He does like and feel honored to be taking care of the patients that have sacrificed limbs for our freedoms and are anxious and willing to go back to serve again. He was called on Sunday to be in the Sunday School Presidency (now we just have to get him to church to do it).

Vanessa- Still busy busy chasing after Joshua who is all toddler and no baby. He makes me sing primary songs to keep from getting frustrated. He makes me laugh out loud at his view on the world. He also gives me a love like I've never felt before. I'm sitting at the table typing this while he eats is cereal and I have to pause as a little boy continuously says, "Mama kiss" of course he gets one every time the sticky milk is an added bonus.

My calling at church keeps me way busier than I ever imagined. I still feel like when I read out the summary of what I accomplished I end up asking myself the same question. Why did that take hours? Hmm...maybe it is me. :-)

I am making great friends here in San Antonio because the people are fantastic. I am also still going to activities with church and with the BAMC Auxiliary (military medical wives). I attend when time and Matt schedule permits but there is always a social or service option with the BAMC ladies. Not only are they a lot of fun but the service offered goes to the Wounded Warriors Support Center. I can't think of a better way to feel connected to my hubby than to serve the families and soldiers of those that are currently receiving treatment. My 2012 goal is to find a way to do more of the service activities.

Joshua- Talking, talking, and more talking about everything even though truck sounds like duck and shirt is missing the "r" we love hearing him talk

Running, walking, and climbing on everything even when it results in bumps to the head as seen below

This update was brought to you as Joshua and I quietly sit in the kitchen while everyone sleeps. We are hosting my mom, dad, and youngest 2 siblings for Christmas. Matt is actually on Christmas leave and everyone is getting some extra zzzz's to put them in the Christmas spirit for my frolicking today.

Crazy Work Schedules

Is December really almost over? This month we have been so disoriented because Matt was working a weird work schedule. He worked Saturdays and Sundays ALL DAY and then would be given a day off in the week followed by staying home the next day only to go in to work at 7pm. He would then stay at work until around 11am the following day come home exhausted sleep for a bit but then need to get up because he was back on a day shift the next day. This was awesome and disaster for us almost simultaneously. Anyone that knows us well knows that given the choice I would choose Matt anytime any day of the week over anyone else. I'm never much into girl trips because I don't want to miss out on a chance to be with Matt. With that disclaimer fully in place having your husband home during the day when you are accustomed to running the show well let me just say it can require some give and take. In addition to that after Matt would be around so much in the middle of the week he would then disappear Friday not to be seen again by Joshua. Fridays Joshua would stand at the door and cry for DaDa. What a rotation?!

Thanksgiving 2011

We had our first Thanksgiving in San Antonio. We were surprised to have company for this short holiday but no distance is too great for family when you have the best or only grandchild. Matt's parents and sister Kira joined us for this holiday. I made my first turkey which I must say was one of the best I've ever eaten. Just sayin'

I wasn't sure when Matt would be home from work on Thanksgiving so we planned a 5:30 dinner which meant we had time to play at the park before all of the cooking. Well we went earlier than I've ever gone before and the park was soaked! Joshua tried to play anyway. This is what happens when the big slide is really wet.

He was spitting and pulling bark out of his mouth for awhile following this trip down the slide. He didn't cry though. He just kept walking around and saying mess and wet.

We went back and hung out at home. We cooked and played the wii WITH MATT who was able to come home by 11!

We had the Hyatt Family over too (love them) and Joshua was showing Eliza all the things she shouldn't do. Luckily, for her parents she just smiled sweetly all night. :-)

Friday, Matt had requested and been granted the day off. We made our second trip downtown since we've moved here to take the family to the Alamo, Riverwalk, and The Market. We had fun and enjoyed a tasty meal downtown.

Joshua was not overly impressed though. Despite, his face it was a fun week!

Trick-or-Treat

We only went to a few houses on our street. Joshua liked to knock and was happy to hold out his bucket. He would transfer the candy and the bucket to his left hand so he could do the baby sign for thank you with the right hand. He would then wave bye bye and say bye all the way down the sidewalk. He did not want to go home but being the mean parents we are decided he only needed the few pieces of candy plus it was bedtime. I love all of these holidays and excuses for me to relive my childhood. Somehow though trying to create the magic for someone else is more fun than enjoying it for yourself.

Air Show

It was too warm for the jacket this afternoon but Joshua had to take a picture in this jacket going to the air show. Plus, it was a gift from our Aunt Kacky who lives in GA so she would only be able to see him using this cuteness via picture.

We all enjoyed the air show. Joshua loved pointing and waving at the "panes."

Whew, that was a summary of Matt's time off of work and our adventures. Matt is back to work tomorrow but he is doing an elective in anesthesia right now and his schedule is awesome! It is going to be a great week.

Trunk-or-Treat

Joshua practices carrying his halloween bucket.

Posing with the cutest little dog I know

Joshua saying "boo" to his dad

We've got a runner on our hands

Joshua had a lot of fun trunk-or-treating and even ate some candy. He has had a very deprived life of candy so he was thrilled. :-) Unfortunately, we didn't get any pics to prove it.

Going to the Weese

Joshua loves to ask to go to the weese. He says wee the entire way down the slide. He LOVES to slide. Anyway, his word for the park is the weese. He will bring me the keys and say weese please. It took me a little while to figure out the weese was the park. His invented word makes me smile and usually earns this cutie a trip to the park.

Pumpkin Fun

Next on the plan for having fun with dad was a local nursery to get a pumpkin. There was a cute little maze set-up for little ones.

We got a big pumpkin and a little pumpkin. Joshua was checking out his little pumpkin all afternoon.

Time for carving and everyone was able to help

Ta-da finished product

Beach Trip

We returned from SC on Saturday to Matt who was ready for us to be home and had big plans for us. He had taken 3 days of leave for my birthday. Wednesday we took off for the beach. It was a nice drive and we thought the beach was beautiful. Our hotel room had a beach view and Matt and I enjoyed hanging out on the balcony playing cards and enjoying the view while Joshua got his hours of zzz's.


Joshua was okay with the water until the sand kept shifting under his feet. He wasn't too happy. He did love running down the hard-packed sand from mom and dad.

We went to HEB for a delicious cupcake to enjoy for my b-day. We also ate some delicious seafood at a waterfront restaurant. We just had a great time exploring a new area. The downside of this adventure was the fever Joshua started running on this trip. We spent the evening/night taking care of Joshua. That's real romance right?

Joshua ended up sleeping with us. Poor sick boy!

Updates

Well I hate when I get behind in blogging because then I feel like I owe my 2-3 readers a massive recap which seems daunting and hard to remember what has even happened. I don't have the energy for it but I do want to post something so I will get back on track.

Matt just finished up 2 months of internal medicine which was intense. However, I am pleased with myself because I adjusted and we all survived. We are making some great friends here in Texas. I enjoyed playgroup, lunch group, and the medical/military wives group that I joined. There is always an option of something to do here in San Antonio. Of course, I am also happy to stay home and play with my little boy.

Speaking of my little guy, he is just that a little guy definitely not a baby anymore. He will be 18 months soon. He loves to run, climb on anything and everything, walk backwards, spin in circles, splash in the bath, play in the shower, make funny faces for us to copy, open the fridge, try to open the door, and play at the "wee" or the playground. He loves to slide by himself and swing. He will repeat anything we say to him but has a few words he likes to use on his own such as hi, bye, mama, dada, please, milk, teeth, cup, eat, more, bowl, keys, car, animal sounds, and our family members all by name. He only signs thank you. He does so many sweet things these days he basically melts my heart, makes me laugh, and keeps me on my toes.

We just returned from a trip to SC. It was wonderful to see my family and Matt's family. I was able to see some of my friends (not all which is sad but there just wasn't time for it all). The weather was amazing and just felt nice to be "home." Joshua loved all of the attention. He also loved playing the piano at Nana's and PopPop's as he calls them. He loved playing with the cats and dogs at both grandparents houses. He gave the dogs several bonus treats during his stay and also learned a new word "hush." He was only using it on the dogs but he may have told me to hush today. I'm not quite sure. He has gained some new tricks and definitely increased his ratings among his fans (aunts, uncle, and grandparents.)

We are happy to be home with Matt and looking forward to his month on pain management. He got home on Friday at 4 or so he reported. Hoping for that to continue.

Unsolvable Mazes and Unsuccessful Apple Dish

I just joined a cooking and book club online led by one of my friends that we made during our time in Columbia. This month we were to read The Maze Runner by James Dashner and make something using apples. Here is my entry below (beware there are a few spoilers since this was written for people to read that have already read the book):

If you enjoyed The Hunger Games then you will enjoy The Maze Runner by James Dashner. I must say that I found The Maze Runner to be captivating from cover to cover. I admit that I didn't read for very much detail even though James Dashner does a fabulous job of visually describing their world, but I simply couldn't slow down. I loved the opening line describing Thomas's arrival. "He began his new life standing up, surrounded by cold darkness and stale, dusty air." I was impressed by the determination of the runners. I have a hard time committing to my few miles each morning. :-) Would I run for 2 years from dawn to dusk looking for a pattern or a way out? The people of the Glade definitely needed the arrival of Teresa and the remembering serum from Tomas to get a hint. No way would they have ever figured out the clue in the maze otherwise. I also was impressed with the society established in such trying circumstances and all of the jobs with their creative titles. I wonder what job I would be assigned? What job would each of you be assigned? This book ends without satisfaction though so book 2 is on hold for me at the library and the final book in this trilogy releases this October so I am hoping closure for this well-written book is just around the corner.

I love to read and I am learning to love to cook. That being said I don't have a ton of tried and true recipes at my disposal. I found this recipe for apple-cinnamon baked french toast. We love breakfast at our house so I was excited to try this recipe. First, I omitted one of the 1/3 cups of sugar thinking it would be too sweet. Wrong-never leave out sugar. Save calories in your day someplace else. Second, I learned that I'm not a nutmeg person. I would reduce the amount of nutmeg to 1/4 tsp. Otherwise, I think this would be a delicious treat. It was certainly easy and it made the house smell wonderful. My husband was sure surprised/disappointed when he took a big bite. Oh well, I hope for more success on my next cooking adventure.

I took a picture after I had scooped out samples for all so it isn't beautiful but you get the idea. Enjoy!

Some videos for grandmas to adore

Joshua paying attention during Sunday school....

Animal sounds by Joshua

Joshua finds his eyes, nose, mouth, and head

Weekend Fun

We celebrated a 1st birthday with this sweet family. We met this family at a welcome picnic for the military and the moms and kids have been great company for each other while the husbands work so hard for us. Happy Birthday to a sweet little girl!

My sweet little boy pausing for literally 5 seconds at this birthday bash!

Matt had Labor Day off and wanted to get out of town. You know sometimes you just feel like you want to get in the car and drive away from the place that represents work so we explored Austin, TX. It was a cooler day overall in Texas but it is even a few degrees cooler in Austin than San Antonio. We loved walking around the grounds of the state house.

I liked that this was in a prominent place on the state house grounds.

"Which way should I go next?"

"I don't want to be in this stroller."

We went to the botanical gardens and enjoyed the shady views and a constant breeze.

Then we ended the Austin adventure with some waterfront BBQ. My hubby says he can't have Labor Day without some BBQ. It was delicious!

Finished the day with some outlet shopping, naps, and relaxing as a family.