Thanksgiving

I'm trying to get through all the highlights to get caught up.
The week before Thanksgiving, we headed down to Dallas. We left early in the morning and made it to our hotel that night. The next day we went to the park (it was warm unlike at home). We found a pretty cool park. Then we went to see Rex's parents and grandparents at their hotel. We went to the zoo for a little bit and then went out to eat. Rex's brother Christen and family were also there (they drove the 24 hours down straight). The kids were very excited to see their cousins and it was very lively at the restaurant.

Saturday morning was Rex's brother Garrett's wedding. All of Rex's siblings (minus the one on a mission) were there. There was a luncheon after the sealing and the reception was that evening.

Rex's family.

Ian loves his little sister.

Cousins, Kathryn is the only girl on the Jones side.

Garret with all the nephews (6 are from his side, 2 from Emily's)

Grandma holding both Jaiden and Kathryn.

Ian and this girl (one of Emily's nieces) held hands most of the night. She decided he was her boyfriend since he danced with her.

Sunday morning we left to head up to Utah. We got to my parents house Monday evening. We spent a few days with them and my sister Teri and her daughter Elena. Teri actually left Wednesday to go pick up her stepson from Maryland. So we all got to watch Elena since her dad had to work. She is very much a mom/grandma's girl. She was okay with Rex and I if neither one of them were around. Kathryn loved having another girl to play with. We had a Thanksgiving dinner Tuesday evening. My grandma, aunt and uncle and couple cousins came. We went to the zoo on Wednesday. It was a free day and very crowded but the kids enjoyed seeing the animals. After the wedding, we forgot to get the camera out at all.

Thursday afternoon, we headed down to Salt Lake for Thanksgiving dinner at Rex's aunt and uncle's house. There were a lot of people there (Rex's parents and some siblings and other cousins). It was fun to see and catch up with them all. That night we headed down to Rex's parents' house. We stayed a couple days along with some of Rex's siblings. We went down to the Museum of Natural Curosity at Thanksgiving Point on Friday. We stopped to see my cousin Anna and a friend of Rex's on the way back up to Rex's parents'. Friday night Kathryn and then Ian got sick. I got sick Saturday. Since the kids were sick and throwing up we did not leave on Saturday like we planned. Jaiden was glad to have an extra day to play with Luc though. Alex (Christen's wife) helped take care of Kathryn and Ian since I was sick. Rex helped his parents get the house ready for Garrett and Emily's reception the next weekend.

We were finally able to leave Sunday morning. We got home Monday night. We had a good trip. The kids loved playing with his cousins. Jaiden keeps asking to go back.

Las Vegas

We went to Vegas for spring break in March to visit my sister Teri before she moved back up to Utah. We drove out there. My parents also met up with us for the weekend.
We went to one of the casinos that has tigers and dolphins. Then we went bowling.
During the next week we did a few different things. We walked the Strip and went to M&M World. We went to a really cool park, the kids had fun playing there. One morning we went to a children's museum. We took our niece (Teri's daughter) with us while she packed up more things. We went swimming one afternoon though it was in an indoor pool since it was too "cold" for the outdoor pools to be open. We visited the Hoover Dam. Rex and I went out one night. We ate at the Hard Rock Cafe and went to the MGM Grand. We screened a tv show episode which was kind of fun. We had a fun time and the boys want to go back.

Kathryn had fun having another little girl around. She talks about Elena a lot.

We love seeing Grandpa and Grandma.

A diamond car.

On our way home, we went up to Utah to stop and see Rex's family. Rex drove Teri's moving truck up. We were able to see all Rex's family (except Hayden who is on a mission). We met Emily (Garrett's now wife). The boys slept in a tent with their cousins. We also had an early Easter egg hunt.

We're back!

I haven't posted since May, so I have a lot to catch up on. For now I'll just go through the highlights for each person.

Ian:
-He was diagnosed in July with Type 1 Diabetes. It was a steep learning curve with his treatment, insulin shots, checking blood sugar and counting carbs. He is doing great with this. He checks his own blood sugar levels and does some of his shots by himself (in the leg needs help with the arm still). There is a great nurse and health para at his school.
-He played soccer this last summer and had fun.
-He started 2nd grade and is doing great in school. His teacher is great in helping extend the learning of those students who are ahead. He goes with another teacher a couple times a week for extended reading and math. He has some good friends at school.
-He is getting ready to be baptized this year (in July at the family reunion!).
-He started playing basketball at the YMCA a couple weeks ago and is having fun with it. It is a beginning league/class.
-He has lost several teeth this past year.

Jaiden:
-He just turned 5 a week and half ago. Now that he is 5 he can do more things, like help Kathryn up the play area in McDonalds (he couldn't do that when he was four).
-He played tee-ball this last summer and did well. He is a pretty good hitter. He got distracted on the field a lot, but so did many of the other kids.
-He started preschool this fall and loves it! He has made some friends in his class. He goes in the mornings at the same school Ian goes to, which is nice.
-He knows how to read, but only will do so with prompting and help (pointing to the words).

Kathryn:
-She is growing fast.
-She loves playing with her brothers but also loves having time alone with Mom in the mornings.
-She talks a lot and things have to be her way.
-She is sort of potty trained (doesn't always remember to go).
-She loves nursery.
-She has taken several once a week classes through the local Recreation department and does well with them. She doesn't even say good bye to me when I drop her off, she just starts playing.

Rex:
-Still working at the airport and has split shifts which make for long days.
-Teaching the 10 and 11 year old primary class.
-Was doing the 11 year old scouts for church but then was released but still helps out since they have yet to call someone else.
-Redid our upstairs bathroom this year (I will make a post about this).

Becky:
-I am now in nursery at church (my forth time since we have been married, in each ward we have been in).
-Work at home for a family in our ward when they have stuff for me.
-Stay at home keeping busy with the kids and the house.