I'm Still Around!!

So I've been on a five-month hiatus.  In January I went back to school after 10 years.  So my life these past few months have been extremely busy with no time for blogging.  But now it's summer vacation and it's time to update everyone of what's been happening with the Hamilton clan these past few months!

Christmas Morning

We had a quiet Christmas morning. The kids didn't wake up too early, around 7:00. We make them all come to our bedroom first and then Jim and I go out and turn on the treelights and get our cameras ready. That's my favorite part, seeing their first reaction at what's been left under the tree.

Ries wasn't quite sure what to expect but thought it was great fun anyway. He was happy with just one gift, wasn't interested in opening anymore.  They were able to open a couple gifts and then had to wait for  their grandparents.  We had both Jimmy and my parents over for breakfast and opening of presents.  It was really nice to have them and to be able to be at home.        Santa brought T.J. an electric scooter, Josie a pink Green Machine and Ries a pound puppy.  It was a great day!

Merry Christmas

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! We weren't able to get Christmas Cards out before Christmas this year - so here's my makeup.

As always the year flew by us.  Jim has had some ups and downs as we started to end 2008. His job with Advantus was cut to a part-time position, but then was offered a full-time position at Velocity Designs (John Worthen's company). He loves the variety of work he does there and decided that he doesn't mind not working from home. This past month Jim was very ill and we discovered he has Valley Fever. Now that he's on anti-fungal medication, he's doing a lot better and continues to improve everyday.

Terese has been busy as well running the kids around to their different places, volunteering at school and trying to keep up with Ries. I decided a few months ago that it was time for me to go back to school. So right now I'm taking one class and starting January 20th I will be a full-time student. My mother-in-law is a saint and has agreed to watch Ries while I go.

T.J. is growing so fast! From August to December, he's gone up two pant sizes and three shoe sizes. He's proud to tell everyone that his shoe size is an 8 Mens (emphasize on the mens). He's doing well in school and absolutely Loves his teacher (it's about time). T.J. likes to try everything and this year he's in student council and orchestra. He loves scouts and can't wait for baseball season to start.

Josie is such a firecracker. She loves to gross us all out (like putting a bug and other concoctions together and drinking it) and then makes us call her "Josie Grosie". (I don't know where she comes from.) She started Let's Play Music this year and really loves it. After lots of pondering, we decided to put her in 1st grade this year and she's doing great! She loves to play with her friends and to sing and dance.

Ries is also growing too fast! He's now 20 months, goes to nursery (at church) and thinks he's a toddler. He loves music! He likes to play and listen to music. He loves to turn Josie's radio on full blast and dance. He also absolutely loves dogs. It was his first word after mom and dad and goes crazy everytime he sees one, whether personally or on tv. He's such a sweetheart and loves to give hugs and kisses. If he could only stay this age forever!

We had a wonderful Christmas and always love the time to relect on our Savior and spend time with family!

Christmas Celebrations at School

The fourth graders have various competitions throughout the year. They call them the "Fourth Grade Challenge". Right before school got out, they put on a Christmas performance. Each class came up with something and they performed it for the 2nd graders and parents. The 2nd grade teachers then were the judges. One class stood and sang Christmas songs, one spelled "Merry Christmas" and said what each letter stood for. Another class changed the words to some Christmas songs, e.g. "Teacher got ran over my a school bus" (very cute). And T.J.'s class did a variety of things. They came out with all the lights off and each kid had a flashlight shining on the ceiling and then on their faces as they sang. They also had this tree, and as they sang they put ornaments on. Then some of the kids went behind and turned on their flashlights, which made it look as if the tree had real lights on. It's very good - definitely the best one - and they did in fact win. Which, means they have the trophy until the next challenge.  

I was able to go into Josie's classroom and help out while they made gingerbread houses. I think Josie had more fun eating everything than actually making it. Only half of her supplies got put on the house and then the house only lasted about a day.

Who Stole the Candy from the Candy Jar?

Thanksgiving

I know I'm a little late posting Thanksgiving...sorry! Life has been a little crazier than usual lately. We found out a month ago that Jimmy's job was being cut back to part-time. We have been so blessed these last 3 1/2 years. Jimmy's been able to work remotely from home for a company in Jacksonville, Florida. We have truly enjoyed having him home with us all the time, especially when Ries joined our family. The two of them have such a special bond that the other children didn't get to experience when they were babies. And I have definitely been spoiled. Able to run errands, help at the school, run the older kids around all while leaving Ries home (usually in bed) with Jimmy.


Even though this came as a shock and we were scared as to what that meant financially for our family, it made us stop and remember what we value most in life. Which #1 is our wonderful beautiful children! Aren't they cute...yeah, I know I'm bias...but REALLY they're so dang cute! We're trying to enjoy them more, show them more love and truly appreciate how unique they each are (which isn't always easy).



But we are so thankful for so many things! We're thankful for our wonderful families who love us and support us. We're thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ. We're thankful for Jim's new job (even though he's now gone all day)!

(the list could go on and on and on and on but I think everyone would stop reading)

And we're thankful for so many of YOU our Great Friends who would do anything for us!
We Love you all!


Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and are now enjoying the Christmas Season!

Happy Halloween

I'm seeing double!! This adorable elephant costume was made by Jim's mom for TJ when he was Ries' age.

"Ries 2008"

"TJ 2000"

We had a fun filled halloween! The kids of course had great parties at school, I got to go to Josie's class and help out.  This year they were an elephant, a witch and a ninja - Watch out!!



The Wayas' hosted a block party with delicious food and fun games.



 

And then the big group went trick or treating!  We are so grateful that we live on a wonderful cul-de-sac with lots of great friends!

 

Arizona State Fair

It has been years since I've been to the state fair. I've never taken my kids, just seemed a little too scary and dirty. But this year Josie danced at the fair.



She did a really good job.  She did a tap number to "Pump Up the Jam".  She's really improved these last couple years and absolutely loves loves loves to dance!  We're constantly asking her to PLEASE take her tap shoes off. With so much tile flooring, it gets very loud.

Her cousins, Kami, Mallory and Paighton also danced. So we had a great time together after the performances enjoying the fair.

Going on rides...


eating very fattening fair food...

being so dang cute!

learning to milk a cow...

and petting the animals! Ries absolutely loved the animals. He squeeled and laughed with every one!

We had such a great day and can honestly say...We can't wait for next year!