Persephone's Fourth Birthday

Persephone's fourth birthday didn't go according to plan but it worked out in the end. We just got together as a family for dinner. She was so excited! She loves Grandma Julie's chocolate cake very much. She got lots of presents from everyone! From mom and dad she got a Nintendo DS with games and a case. Lots of little Hello Kitty things (she was going though a Hello Kitty faze), and a giant talking Dora (That I have since regretted.) It is very annoying! From grandma and grandpa Stephens she got fairy wings and a tu-tu and from Ali she got Hungry Hungry hippo's. It was all great!

Halloween

Halloween was great! Persephone really wanted to be a fairy but I just couldn't find the right costume. She ended up being a cheerleader (which she loved)! Orion was a doctor, he didn't really care but had a lot of fun. I always like to carve pumpkins with them. I guess I forgot that I had to do all the work last year. It wasn't so fun for me but the kids really enjoyed it.

On Friday we went and trick or treated at Jackson's work. Now normally this is really fun, but Persephone wasn't being her usually careful self and pocked her eye with a pencil (not sharpened) We didn't think so much at the time but as the night wore on she was complaining more. So, I had to take her to an urgent care. She had a corneal abrasion. She was so brave! Normally they won't even look at kids eyes that young. I thought I was going to have to go to the ER but she did it and got a little cauldron full of candy.

The next day she was fine and was able to go trick or treating with the family. She didn't last long because she got cold but had fun with all the kids. It was a great Halloween.

Orion's Second Birthday

Orion turned two on in September. It's hard for me to see my little boy growing up so fast. He is so full of energy and love. We love him very much and can't wait to see how much he learns and grows in the next year!

We are still here!

I know what you all thinking (the two people that read this). It's about time she posted something. No, the family didn't fall off the face of the earth. I just have been so busy and it's hard to find time to get on the computer. So here is an update.
We are doing great. Jackson is still at the same job and loving it. They are keeping him very busy. Persephone is learning how to read with a program called Headsprout. She loves it and can read four small books that come with it. She is always looking for words when we are out and asks us to tell her what things say.
Orion is getting so big. He does flash card with pictures on them and does really well. He loves being just like his big sister. I am very busy. I just finished volunteering for the hospital in the ER and loved it. I started school on January 13Th. I am doing great (the class is slow paced and easy). I can't wait for it to all be over so I can start working. So, just so you all know we are still around, just busy busy!

Hawaii

I guess it's about time I post our pictures from Hawaii. It was a great experience. Jackson and I had a hard time being at the beach the whole time but we were able to do other things and had a great time. The weather was great and we didn't get much from the tropical storm. Orion had a great time playing in the pool and the sand. He was swimming so well. He was kicking his legs and scooping his arms. He definitely loves the water. Persephone got better about being in the pool and wasn't so scared. Jackson, Persephone and I got to go to Pearl Harbor while Orion played at the beach with grandma and grandpa. We really enjoyed seeing the USS Arizona memorial (Persephone called it the quiet place) and the USS Missouri. It gave me a great appreciation for my grandpa St Clair. He was there during the attach and I am glad he was OK or I would not have even been born. We really had a great time. The flight was long home and at night. We were very tired but glad to be home.

This is the day we went to Pearl Harbor. Persephone really loved exploring the different things they had around the USS Bowfinger. Only Jackson got to go on that because they won't let little kids.

These are pictures from the USS Arizona memorial. It was a truly humbling experience. We had to be very quiet because it is considered a grave site. People were cutting up lei's and dropping the flowers in the water. We could even see the oil still seeping to the surface. They call it "black tears."

The USS Missouri was so fun. It is the ship that the treaty was signed on to end WWII. We got to go to many parts of the ship. We saw bunks, offices, a cafeteria, dish room, and personal quarters. It was so fun and exhausting. It took us about two hours to go through it all and we did it semi fast with Persephone. We ended up having a great time.