Highlights from 2012 (April-December)

 My last blog post stated that I was a little overwhelmed and I guess I stayed that way the rest of the year.  So here is a quick catch up of what we did in 2012 (It took me all of January to get this done). Hopefully I can do a little better this year, I plan on blogging some events from January now that I have this done. It is a new years resolution but I am slow to get started.

We managed to get a garden planted and even expanded this year thanks to the boy scouts from our ward who built a new garden bed for us in the back yard. We grew peas, green beans, cucumber, bell peppers and jalapeno peppers, basil and oregano. Our carrots were a total bust but we learned a lot this year and still have peppers we are eating

In April we were elated to welcome home Noel. We were all happy that our first deployment was over. The kids were very excited to have their daddy back.

In may Grace graduated from preschool. Finishing a successful year of learning. She also had a dance recital she was super excited about and did great.

We also took a family vacation to Branson, Mo. It was a great time, We rode the Ducks, Brian wouldn't get off the carousel at Silver dollar City, we swam at the hotel, saw some shows and raced some go carts.  Not much else we could ask for. One highlight was the Butterfly Palace. Grace had one land on her forehead and that made her day.

We also took a camping trip in May. The first time we braved one with the kids. We went to Turner Falls in Oklahoma. We are hoping to make camping a more regular adventure as we have invested in some gear now. 

In June Grace went to Princess camp. She had a lot of fun there and was awarded, Most Generous at the end of the camp.  (Noel went to scout camp with the boy scouts from our ward)

A summer wouldn't be complete without a trip to Texas for some water skiing. So in June we also were able to go home and spend some time on the Lake. Brian found the boat to be relaxing and often fell asleep on it.  Grace loved swimming and tubing and skiing with mom.

One of the great things about Texas is we get to spend time with all the cousins. Here is a picture of Grace and Brian with their Conrad Cousins.

We spent the 4th of July with friends in Oklahoma. We ate great food and watched fireworks!

In August Grace and Brian did swim lessons.  It was a great time as many of our friends did it with us.  Brian was a character and gave his teacher a bit of a hard time. Grace was super brave and got really good at going under the water.

In August we went to Lake Granbury in Texas for a Conrad family reunion. We had a lot of fun playing, relaxing and spending time with family.

 

Dinner during the summer often looked like this. They will eat their vegetables but not always sitting up. Also, they generally want to eat them like some favorite animal.

 

The Oklahoma zoo is so fun and we go there often.  Here is a great picture we were able to get with the grizzly bear.  If the glass wasn't there I would be running.

So I might have waited a little too long to get Brian's haircut but he was such a cute little boy that I didn't want him to look big.  But we finally did it and he is one handsome little man.

In September Grace started Soccer and another year of preschool. Noel got to be the assistant coach. She was quite the little soccer player. She managed to score a few goals during the season but after falling and busting a lip she was ready to return to dance in the winter.
 

 

Also in September Grace had her 4th Birthday. I know where does time go.  We made a trip to Oklahoma State Fair to Celebrate and Uncle Bryson was able to come up for a visit to help us celebrate as well.

Grace made friends with the lama at the petting zoo.

On the Big Farris Wheel.

For Halloween in October Grace was Tinkerbell and Brian was a frog.  We did the typical trunk or treat at the church and trick or treating in the Neighborhood. Grace has her costumes planed out for the next 4 years. We will see if they stick.

On November 2nd Brian turned 2 years old.  Two is such a wonderful age! 

This is what happens when you let a four year old take the Thanksgiving picture. We stayed here in Oklahoma for the Holiday but were fortunate to spend it with some good friends the Wadsworths and the Farmers.  We had good company and good food!

Let her sleep for when she wakes, she will move mountains.

  December is always such a busy month. The kids got to see Santa at Noel's Holiday Party at work! That was a fun time.

 

We decorated gingerbread houses. Grace's was very artistic and Brian loved eating all the candy.

 

We got a Christmas Tree, the kids enjoyed picking it out n the PJ's.

 

Santa came and visited the kids but unfortunately Brain wasn't very into Christmas morning.  The poor boy was up all night screaming inconsolably. We think he had a tummy ache and his legs were hurting him.

 

 After being up all night it didn't take Brian and Mom very long to look like this on Christmas day.  But it was still a fun time with the kids and with our family.

 

 

After Christmas Aunt Jamie gave Brian an awesome birthday present of a trip to Topsey Exotic animal park.  We have an awesome camel video I will try to upload but I haven't had any luck yet (I guess I will have to get a YouTube account or something).  Anyways this picture captures the kids wonder and amazement as seeing some exotic animals like  ostriches, llamas, camels, goats and zebras.