Animal Farm

We planned going to an animal fair for Wesley's birthday in Phoenix. It was freeeeezing cold that day with lots of wind and chilly air. The petting zoo was fun for the boys, as well as the bull/sheep judging. We all enjoyed some nachos and seeing all the livestock. The boys were sad b/c they couldn't ride sheep like little Buckeroos as we had planned, maybe next year.






Pipa and Grandma surprised Wesley with a Birthday dinner to his favorite spot: Golden Corral. We blindfolded him and he had a very sweet smile the moment he saw his grandparents, and especially inside GC. What little boy wouldn't love to dish up his own dinner (we make him have two plates) and then load up on jelly beans and ice cream. Lots of sugar and loves for Wesley.

Happy birthday our big boy!

Rainy day

Homebound today b/c of all the rain and freezing temps. We are going to be in the 20's by tomorrow! Poor Wrangler is stuck in the garage since he refuses to seek shelter when in the backyard.

I am starving today. 9 weeks along.

For breakfast: Toast w/ peanut butter at 5am (before teaching a TBC class at gym), Raisin bran.
Morning snack: two pickle/cheese/mayo sandwiches
Lunch: Banana
Afternoon snack: cheetos and more raisin bran

I am still starving! Sick of finding things to eat! Nothing sounds good! So frustrating.

Lots of smelly toots too :(

Austin, Wesley and Isaac are getting along pretty good. Few fights. Austin went to time out on his bed and fell asleep. Wonder what time he'll go to bed tonight?

Isaac keeps crawling on top of the table asking for food (oranges, marshmellows, chex mix)

school pictures

Here we are representing Arizona Charter Academy 2010-2011 school year (pics in August):

Austin, Kindergarten. I am SO GLAD we took this picture b/c those two front teeth were pulled out the following month...and will be gone for the next two years! Oh how I miss that grin!!!

Wesley, First Grade (those two teeth have already grown in)
Mrs. Wilson, 5th grade. This is my first picture...didn't like my outfit or fluffy hair...I am so vain.
Re-takes with the wavy hair. I liked this one better.

Christmas 2010

Christmas Eve....the night before... Isaac was a great helper setting up bikes...look at that face!

In our Wilson family, we decided to let Abu buy ornaments each year and let the kids open them up on Christmas Eve. Isaac received a hand print that he painted in.
Wesley was happy with his Santa Mailbox
Austin got a really cool digital recording phone ($18!!!)
Of course we had some pumpkin pie for dessert...leftovers were for Santa Claus.

Christmas morning....fresh Monkey Bread (that Jared prepared. I went to bed sick and vomiting by 9pm. Jared really stepped up and finalized all the last touches for Christmas; the Santa letters, my stocking stuffers, setting up the big presents under the tree, etc. Thanks honey!)
Our tree and gifts. Each boy received three things: A need, a want and something to share. Wesley got a bike, GameCube games and the hoop. Austin got a scooter, a helmet and the hoop. Isaac got some shoes, the Woody doll and...anything else that we could find :)
Our adorable cowboy stockings that I bought in San Antonio...the boys chose each of theirs.
The Wilsons
Stockings: DVD's!
Stockings: more Wal Mart Black Friday Promos ($2!)
Isaac caught on quickly how the stocking thing worked.
Even Grandpa Lowe enjoyed his treats.

Woody was a real hit...although Austin was super jealous.
Helmets from Grandpa Lowe
Grandpa Lowe's long awaited watch...he has waited over 40 years to own one!
I loved my new Kathy purse, thanks Gpa!
Oh...the delightful clean up...
Starting the prep for our big Argentine Christmas dinner, Gpa Lowe was my helper.
Setting up the new Basketball hoop.
Final touches: turkey empanadas, ensalada rusa, Squirt and hand breaded milanesa. Everything was made from scratch and took over 3 hours to make! Sheesh! Good thing it only comes once a year. Physically (on my tummy) it was very challenging.
The Christmas letters...
Our family bikes!
Isaac thinks it's pretty cool too.

Christmas Letter

First days of school for Austin who started kindergarten, and Wesley in first grade. They both attend Arizona Charter Academy with their me.Energy is spent while Jared and I prepare for a ½ marathon in January. While training separately, we hope to cross the finish line together. I also enjoyed the “Wasatch Mountain Ragnar Relay” in June where I ran with 5 other friends over 36 hours and covered many miles under our feet. Such a great memory.Loosing teeth. Austin had his two front teeth pulled (two years early) due to an toddler fall he had 3 years ago. He loves to stick his tongue through the gap, which goes well with his jokester personality. Wesley is growing in a bottom set.Isaac is our “bipolar baby.” Turns 2 in January. Happy or mad. No in between. He loves his morning smoothies with papa, demands to play with every ball nearby and will give kisses only if you are lucky. Z (sigh) still trying to figure out what language we are speaking at home...with two boys in school all day long, their Spanish tongue is slowly turning into a Spanglish mess. We are doing our best to maintain it, but we can feel it slipping away. Isaac can now say, “eat, shoe, agua...” who knows what will come next?


Never a dull moment as I teach 5th graders all day long. I am figuring out how to teach fractions, the importance of respect towards others, and still squeeze in some fun. Another move! We bought a short sell and moved in October. Move #16. This one is permanent, or at least we hope so! We are still in Surprise, AZ. Very exciting sports year! Jared coached Wesley and Austin in soccer. Austin has yet to really love sports like Wesley, but they had a good time chasing balls across the fields together. Wesley just finished up his first year of “coach pitch” baseball. Although I find baseball to be very boring, it was worth all of the cold night practices to see Wesley up to bat and hit the ball!I am doing all I can to find balance between work, family, homework, friends, exercise, church and sanity. Still a work in progress. Dollars, bonds, memos and meetings. Jared started a new job as a surety bonds assistant with EMC insurance. What is that you ask? I am still trying to figure it out.After the boys are asleep, my favorite part of the day is re-tucking them in and remembering how much we love our family...these little ones will be big boys soon and I already miss them. Dad Lowe, aka Grandpa Lowe, is now living with us for the winter months. We enjoy his company, his unconventional ways of expressing himself with words, and of course his sense of humor.
First days of school for Austin who started kindergarten, and Wesley in first grade. They both attend Arizona Charter Academy with their me.Energy is spent while Jared and I prepare for a ½ marathon in January. While training separately, we hope to cross the finish line together. I also enjoyed the “Wasatch Mountain Ragnar Relay” in June where I ran with 5 other friends over 36 hours and covered many miles under our feet. Such a great memory.Loosing teeth. Austin had his two front teeth pulled (two years early) due to an toddler fall he had 3 years ago. He loves to stick his tongue through the gap, which goes well with his jokester personality. Wesley is growing in a bottom set.Isaac is our “bipolar baby.” Turns 2 in January. Happy or mad. No in between. He loves his morning smoothies with papa, demands to play with every ball nearby and will give kisses only if you are lucky. Z (sigh) still trying to figure out what language we are speaking at home...with two boys in school all day long, their Spanish tongue is slowly turning into a Spanglish mess. We are doing our best to maintain it, but we can feel it slipping away. Isaac can now say, “eat, shoe, agua...” who knows what will come next?


Never a dull moment as I teach 5th graders all day long. I am figuring out how to teach fractions, the importance of respect towards others, and still squeeze in some fun. Another move! We bought a short sell and moved in October. Move #16. This one is permanent, or at least we hope so! We are still in Surprise, AZ. Very exciting sports year! Jared coached Wesley and Austin in soccer. Austin has yet to really love sports like Wesley, but they had a good time chasing balls across the fields together. Wesley just finished up his first year of “coach pitch” baseball. Although I find baseball to be very boring, it was worth all of the cold night practices to see Wesley up to bat and hit the ball!I am doing all I can to find balance between work, family, homework, friends, exercise, church and sanity. Still a work in progress. Dollars, bonds, memos and meetings. Jared started a new job as a surety bonds assistant with EMC insurance. What is that you ask? I am still trying to figure it out.After the boys are asleep, my favorite part of the day is re-tucking them in and remembering how much we love our family...these little ones will be big boys soon and I already miss them. Dad Lowe, aka Grandpa Lowe, is now living with us for the winter months. We enjoy his company, his unconventional ways of expressing himself with words, and of course his sense of humor.

Christmas with the primos

We did our Christmas with the Wilson's a week early at our house. It's fun to be the gathering spot for family occasions, especially when Pipa and Grandma Wilson are so helpful with food and child entertaining! Check Pipa out as he sat on the floor with Isaac to help him his biscuits 'n gravy.
Jared served up the BBQ Chicken
Wesley and his favorite primo Jaden.
The little cousins...it really is fun to see our second generation grow.
My little squirt.
The volcano of presents...what privileged kiddos.
Wesley loved his new Puppy blanket from Grandma Wilson
Pipa got loves too
Isaac loved getting presents too

Christmas Traditions

December is a busy month with lots of things to do before Christmas arrives!

The Mesa Temple lights are a favorite...especially with the Resek's and Gpa Lowe.

Isaac really liked all the lights...and running around trying to get lost.

All bundled up!

Microwaveable s'mores???They were gooey and delicious.
Building gingerbread houses with the Souder Family. All that candy was put to good use.
Jennie and I enjoyed frosting too
Isaac would eat one, and then lay one down. Eat, then lay, eat, then lay.
The putting together was probably the hardest part. Way to go dad's.

The ACA school Christmas concert...how fun to be Mrs. Wilson to enjoy my 5th graders singing, but also Wesley and Austin's mom to enjoy my son's singing! Such handsome children.

Putting up the 'ol Christmas tree. We finally bought a new one this year. Last year we were in Argentina and didn't set up Christmas. Year before, we were in Maryland where we bought a fresh one. Now we can store this spruce up in our attic. The boys were thrilled and very proud of themselves for doing it all alone!

The Ward Christmas party! Isaac was very unsure of the scary white bearded man.

Wesley asked for an x-box.
Austin asked for Buzz and Woody (Toy Story) dolls.
A cute family pose.