Backus

This week has been a good week going to parks, story time and spending a lot of time over at grandparents house. Last night Matt and I went to the temple for date night. We saw Joy's mom, Mindy's Grandpa, Claire's dad and Kristen Allen Shclink (I have no idea how to spell her last name.) It was fun to see them. Unfortunately, I didn't get to talk to Claire's dad, he was already surrounded by lots of people who wanted to talk to him as well. We also went to one of my favorite restaurants. Mango's. I have decided that Horchata is my favorite drink. I honestly could drink it all day everyday. Anyways, is has been nice to have sisters near by who are engaged, but their fiances live out of state. They are always asking me if I need a babysitter. We are definitely taking advantage. 

My boys are in a "pack rat" phase. They are constantly hiding their toys so Lacey won't play with them, at least that is what they tell me. I find piles of toys in the strangest places. They haven't quit figured out that when they hide their toys, they can't play with them either. So now they are always bored. 

Blake is convinced that I am having twins and has Tyler thinking the same thing. Tyler wants to name the babies Deodi (De-oh-de) and Luke walking sky. He is really into Star Wars but since he has never seen the movies he can't get the names quit right. He means Yoda and Luke Sky Walker. Even though I am already in maternity pants I am hoping it is because I am just fat and not because I am having twins. I guess I 'll find out when I go to the doctor in a couple of weeks. Here's hoping I'm a fatty. :) 

Woolleys

Hello Ladies! I'm so glad we are doing this, Thanks Lindsay for putting this together!! We are into our second year of Physical Therapy at Creighton. I never thought I would say this but I love it here! Not enough to stay forever of course but I am really enjoying it here. Olivia just turned three and she is crazy tall!!! She is already in size 4t! She is constantly talking, singing and dancing. Literally. Her mouth and legs do not stop moving ever! She's a lot of fun and I love playing with her. Trevin just turned one:( I'm still a little sad about that one. I just can't believe how fast he is growing up! He walks around everywhere and gets into everything! Jon and I are just trying to survive the last year and a half of school and figure out what the future holds for us. Jon is considering the air force or Alaska so I fear we are going to be away for along time. Anyway, Life is good and I am hoping to see you girls in March when Noelle and Nellie get married.

Frost Update

Well, there isn't too much to update on since I last saw you all.  A little over two weeks until Meili is born and I am ready NOW.  I don't remember my back and hips hurting this much with Bekah and Elena.  With the anticipation of Meili's arrive we decided it was time to purchase a larger vehicle.  So, this last week we bought a 2006 Honda Pilot.  It is in good shape and I am loving the extra room.

Brian has made the decision to take a semester off from law school.  He is working full time as a contractor for the company he worked with before law school.  He is doing really well and it is nice to have a full time income again. :)  We will see what his decision is for next fall.  He decided to take a break since Meili is coming and he thought going to school and work part time, plus new baby may be a little too much.  We enjoy seeing him at home more often.

Bekah is now 4 years old and loves to sing and dance.  I just cut her hair to her shoulders and it is amazing how much older she looks with shorter hair.  She is so excited to meet her little sister soon.  She is always trying to feel Meili move and loves to sing to her through my belly.

Elena will turn two next Friday and is currently recovering from the stomach bug.  It has not been a fun week with illness for her.  She is quite the talker.  We can understand about 85% of what she says and it is fun to see Bekah and her interact a lot more together.

Well, there you have it.  My next update probably won't be until after Meili is born and I will post pictures up then.

Backus

Thanks Lindsay for putting this blog together! We have officially moved back to AZ. We are in an apartment for at least 3 months and then we will go from there. Matt is still working hard looking for a job and has found some side work while looking for something more permanent. We really love the weather right now and are happy to be so close to family. I think most of you have heard, but I am expecting baby number 4. I haven't been feeling fantastic, but amazingly I am not throwing up like I usually do. YAY! I am due sometime end of July and I am declaring this baby as the last one. Matt's not so sure. :) That is about it for now. Can't wait to hear the rest of your updates.

Albrechts

Hi girls! What a fun idea for a blog. I have a couple other blogs I already do, one being a family blog(as most of you know). I keep it updated regularly with all of our family happenings, so I will probably cut and paste for the most part :). I just did a general recap of 2011 here: http://joyandaaron.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-year.html

Teaching is going well. I have 25 students this time around, but quite a few behaviors and special needs. I am the team leader, student council sponsor, and a mentor for a 1st year teacher this year. My principal wanted me to have another student teacher for this semester but I had to draw the line somewhere ;). Although I would rather be at home I do love my job, and there is never a dull moment in my classroom which makes for some awesome stories! Stay tuned for those!
 -Joy

Powell Family Update

Hey ladies,

I'm SOOO excited to get this started! Here's our update:

Nick is still busy with work :) HUGE blessing considering it's winter time. Do we have winter time in AZ? He is still working at the same company doing commercial heating/air conditioning. He does residential work on the side if someone calls and asks. He teaches the 17 year olds in Sunday School.

Allie is 5 going on 16. That girl worries me sometimes! She is such a big helper and so sweet sometimes, but other times she is mad that I won't let her listen to "I'm Sexy and I Know It" on the radio or let her wear a spaghetti strap undershirt around the house without a shirt over it. YIKES! Nick asked the other day if I thought she was bipolar :) She is in her second year of preschool and will start kindergarden next August. She has done t-ball and soccer a couple of years, but hasn't really gotten into it. So today she starts dance! We will see how that goes. I always pictured my girls playing sports like me...not dance! This should be interesting.

Brooklynn is 2 and talking up a storm. She will be 3 in July. She has full conversations with people and loves asking why :) The other day she was talking with my mom and my mom had a frog in her throat. Brooklynn said, clear as can be with her hand on my mom's shoulder, "Grandma, do this..." and cleared her throat. My mom laughed and cleared her throat and sounded normal again. Brooklynn said, "See Grandma!" with a big grin on her face. She is quite the social butterfly, such a big helper at home (sometimes a little too much...poor Dallas) and loves nursery at church.

Dallas. Oh Dallas. We LOVE having a boy! He is 6 months old in two days! He is such a sweetheart and so chill. I'm hoping his "chillness" continues and isn't all about drama like the girls. He can sit on his own and play with toys, rolls every now and then, and such a snugglebug. He always is smiling. Nick is so happy to have a boy and has already made plans for golfing, rappelling, and camping when Dallas is older :)

I am working at the hospital...still in Labor and Delivery and LOVE my job. It is hard leaving the family, but so exciting for me to go and be nurse Mindy and help get those new babies here. I am so grateful a pool position opened up right before I had Dallas. I work 6 nights (7p-7a) a month and can pick up more shifts if I want instead of my full time position working 3 nights a week. It is the perfect way to be a mom and still keep my license current. We decided to try and not have a babysitter since I was only working a couple times a month. So...I work my shift and then come home and be with the kids all day. Sometimes I go over 40 hours straight without sleep and I'm sure it shows :), but it sure beats paying a babysitter and having to leave the kids. Heavenly Father has really blessed us. I just got called to teach in Primary over the 6 year old and am realizing I need to brush up on my scripture stories. Those kids are smart!!

Ok, I promise my next post won't be this long! I think I have you all up to speed and now I can just add tid bits here and there. I can't wait to hear about your families and keep in touch better!! Love you girls!

Mindy

Riding Family Update

I will start the updates going since we have had an eventful and a bit overwhelming past few days. 

On Saturday, the two boys and I were outside helping Cody with some if the trim work. I can't go into details, but Cody turned off the table saw and reached over it. Unfortunately, he did not reach high enough. He cut off his right index finger just below the middle knuckle and thumb just above the middle knuckle. 

Cody had surgery Saturday night, but they were unable to reattach the fingers. We were in the hospital until last night because they were unable to control the pain and Cody kept vomiting. 

We have an appt with the surgeon on Thursday to see how the hand is fairing and to schedule his second surgery which should be in about 3 weeks. 

Cody is taking this week off of teaching, but begins his masters program a week from today. 

Through all this, we have realized our blessings. We have amazing family and friends that don't wait to be asked. Within an hour of the accident, several people from the ward came and cleaned up our backyard and put the tools away without being asked. Our ward fasted for Cody on Sunday. His name was put on the prayer roll at several temples. 

Our good friend, a surgeon at Good Samaritan hospital, interrupted a surgery to ask that hand surgeon if he could come do Cody's surgery at John C Lincoln hospital. Dr. Reed, instead called his partner who was in a surgery at our hospital and asked him to make our surgery a priority. Because of this, we moved ahead of four other surgeries. 

Through everything, Cody has been very positive and optimistic.

Claire