April 2013

Well, I got a call from the real estate agent saying he wanted to come take a look at the house. We have been very vocal about our desire to purchase this home in the near future. We had asked if we could renew our lease for one more year as we would be able to buy it then. When he came to the home he started taking pictures and then walked outside and slapped this sign in the front yard. I felt like he literally hit me in the gut. I asked what the deal was and he just said, "the owner needs to sell". He didn't tell me what day it's going to hit the market or any other real information. I'm so sick about it. People will drive by and slow down, take pictures of the outside of the home and the sign. If I'm outside, they get out of their car and ask me tons of questions. I hate it.

In better news, Coco continues to hone his ball skills. Not only does he throw a mean fast ball, he now can dribble a basketball, and kick a soccer ball. Granted he's not walking but he makes it happen. He really has amazed me. On day at the girls soccer practice he was watching them kick the ball around. He then saw a free ball and bear-crawled (his current choice of movement) to the ball, angled his body just right and kicked that sucker with all his might. Then, he chased it down like Mowgli would've, and kicked it again. This day me and Jill were outside shooting around and once we put the basketball down he promptly went to get it. He rolled it onto the pavement and grabbed it with two hands, threw it down (dribble), caught it again, and threw it down again.  I just can't believe it sometimes.

I ended up putting the girls on the same team for the spring soccer season. This meant that Camille was playing up. Although it is tough for her playing against bigger kids, she didn't give up. It was a lot easier on me and my schedule to have them on the same team, but I don't think I'll do it again.

I've been following a few yogi's on Instagram and I always want to try what they do.

Our ward has an annual camp-out and we were able to go. Texas this time of year is just gorgeous with all the blue bonnets blooming like crazy. The campsite had a large meadow with huge patches of the flowers. It was so beautiful.

The weather was perfect but the fire made it a little too warm during the day.

Jeff's good friend from HS invited us to his wedding in Marfa, TX. It's about 6 hrs away so I told Jeff to go and I'd stay with the kids. At the last minute was pawned off the kids with our wonderful friends for two nights and had a getaway. We brought our bikes and had a great time riding around the small, artsy town. It was such a slow moving, small place, that I felt like I had be transported back 50 yrs.

Here's the bride and groom: Rich and Megan Coffey

We had a warm patch of weather and had to take advantage of our backyard while we still have it.

March 2013

March was busy, busy, busy. We have made some great friends in Round Rock. A few of us love to try out new restaurants. This night we went to a place that served us Rattlesnake. It actually wasn't too bad.

Me and the kids hit up the Austin's Children's Museum one Saturday that Jeff was working.

I worked a little on my inverted yoga poses. I really would like to take Yoga more regularly but every time I'm at the gym I opt for a cardio class.

For Spring Break we made the long trek back to AZ to visit family. We made a pit-stop at Jeff's friends ranch in Ozona, Texas. It's a working goat ranch. We all had a great time, riding the range in a four-wheeler, and feeding all the goats.

Once we finally made it to AZ our week was filled with hanging out with the cousins.

 

My old Zumba class had a "reunion' night. It was so much fun to dance with this group again.

The Cranes had a little get together at the Comptons house.

Wyatt and Coco got to know each other finally.

We visited the Gilbert temple.

I had some good quality sister time.

These girls were inseparable.

The three Jeff's united.

We don't miss much about AZ, but we sure do miss these peeps a whole bunch.

On the drive home, while stopping for gas, we ran into some familiar faces. They were traveling to a Taylor reunion/camp trip in TX. We ended up caravan the rest of the way.

(side note: Here's one of the bluebirds I've been feeding. And here's the pesky squirrel I've been feeding)

The same week we got home from AZ my dad had a work trip to San Antonio so we got a visit from my parents. It's always so nice to have them here. We visited the park downtown and rode the train.

We also visited a cave that's really close to our home. It was unbelievable.

Easter was low-key and perfect. We attended a few eggs hunts, went to church, and then had a large dinner with some friends.

With all the activities we found time to squeeze in a trip to the Austin Zoo/Rescue. We all actually loved it, despite it's poor reviews.

Febuary 2013

My brother Jeff and his family moved to Houston right before the holidays. I am so happy to have more family close! We planned a long weekend to visit them and had a great time. Here we are at church, a whole long row taken.

They live about 45 mins from Galveston, so we had to make a quick trip to the beach. There was a huge pier with a mini-amusement park on it. The streets were alive with Marti Gras partying but the 'Pleasure Pier', as it was called, was totally dead. We practically walked onto every ride. We all had a blast.

The beach wasn't busy at all as it was a little chilly. The cooler weather didn't stop us.

My brother lives in a really nice, newer community...with alligators. It's crazy!! This is about 4 blocks from their house and right behind the elementary school. I was freaking out.

Jillian celebrated her 100th day of school with her class. They had to wear a shirt with 100 of something on it. We choose 100 letters and we cleverly put them in a Word Search.

Friends in our ward hosted a 'White Trash' karaoke party, complete with a root beer keg and all. It was a blast, and of course we all dressed up for the fun.

Jeff took the girls to their annual 'Daddy Daughter Dance' around Valentine's Day. They girls talk about this all year around. It's really a special event for them.

We have a really pesky squirrel in the backyard. He is bad! But still fun to watch. He has chewed through (twice) and ultimately ruined my hammock. Now he is eating all the bird seed. I have been watching a family of blue birds and cardinals enjoy my backyard. Now the squirrel is ruining it.  

Back in October I started teaching Zumba at the YMCA. At my evening classes, I average 45-65 people. I'm still so conflicted about wanting to teach. Sometimes I feel like I'm being a total egomaniac by being on stage with a mic, blaring the music, and I hate that feeling. Other times, I talk to students that have lost over 100 lbs with exercise and find my inspiration and fun in my class.  Jeff doesn't love me teaching Zumba, he thinks is really silly and annoying, but he knows I love to exercise so he's only a little supportive. I think I just really want to move away from the fitness-dance and into a more fitness-athletic realm. I don't know what I'm going to do.  Here I am right before one of my evening classes.  

before TX

when the decision was made to move to TX,

i knew there was a few things that needed to happen first.

a girls outing with my Taylor family.

we decided to go to Time Out for Women.

this is what i was greeted with on my way out the door.

it was great to get away and spend some time with the sils and mil.

of everything in AZ, i miss these peeps the most.

a few last visits with my ailing grandparents.

my girls LOVED visiting grandma and grandpa Pete.

he would take his teeth out and make us all laugh.

we got to practice holding a baby when Wyatt came to my sil Caitlin.

the girls were fascinated and in love instantly.

jeff and i were inflated with love for wyatt and excitement for out little boy.

we enjoyed one last AZ rainstorm with one of the girls

favorite accessories: an umbrella

the girls had their soccer banquet and received some awesome trophies.

jeff and i got a few nights out on the town.

pei-wei and barnes and noble:

asu vs. arizona football

we hit up a bunch of fall festivities and fairs including the AZ state fair

we got to visit with mom and dad peterson and brett's family for thanksgiving.

the girls loved the quality time with the cousins.

my family and a few friends had a get together to celebrate the baby and say good-bye.

do you think i like the boots?

i taught my last zumba class and they all stuffed their shirts with balloons for the warm-up.

it was quite comical.

i'm in the front in all black without a balloon. i really miss my class.

the girls were bats for halloween and i was a pot-belly pig.

we trick-or-treated with the cousins.

we even had some crafty times around halloween to help with decorations.

after all the fun times we packed up and left, but not without one

last group hug with the cousins and grandma.

(phew. that was a long mixed-up post.)