Let's try this again...

Hello again!
It's been a little over a year since I've found the time (i.e. remembered) to write on the blog. This is going to be a much better attempt on my part this time! Most of you know a lot of what is going on, but we'll update real quick...

The main big news is that we are expecting a baby in April! We are scared and excited and happy and all that good stuff. Halle can't wait to have a baby sister (though she says if its a brother, she'll still lvoe him!), and Artie and I can't wait for a new son or daughter. Artie's got his fingers crossed for a boy and I really don't care so long as all body parts are there :) Though don't get me wrong...I must know it its a boy or girl as soon as humanly possible! Whoever thought that waiting until 20 weeks was ok...just mean. I'm way to impatient! I'm at 14 weeks and I'm just not sure I can wait 6 more! LOL.

Halle turned 4 this past September and we threw a big party at Airtastic Playland in Aurora. It was her first party that she got to invite some friends and she LOVED it! 2.5 very bouncy, sweaty hours! She had a great time and we didn't have to clean up - the perfect party! On her 4th birthday, she started her first day of 3 yr old preschool (stupid age cut off dates!). I was really worried about her being so much older than the other kids and able to do the things that 4 yr old preschool was doing - plus those little ones that just turned 3...there's such a difference between them!!! I thought she'd be bored. But she loves it - the teachers focus A LOT on the social aspect of development and she really needs that - she's so shy and clingy to me since I've left work and am with her every day! She's doing great and making friends and learning a lot! She also started dance again and is loving it even more than before! I'm definitely seeing a lot of improvement from last year...she's able to focus a lot more now. Next up is deciding if she will start swim classes or tumbling (I can't handle both!), so we'll see what she picks!

Artie is still kicking butt at school - he's been on the honor roll every semester so far...what a brainy man he's turned into! If things keep going the way they are, he should be graduating next Spring :) Work wise, things have been going pretty well...though busy! I feel like everyday he comes home exhausted from another overly busy day - they are making more windows than ever before (as far as I know anyways!). In this crappy economy, it's definitely something to be VERY thankful for. As far as fun stuff goes (b/c really? who wants to hear about school and work? I just wanted to brag about him a little!!), he's getting excited for the winter. Besides football, winter means snow, and snow means snowboarding! Hopefully, he'll get a few good trips in this year...he's already talking about it (and football) nonstop!

For me, things are the same, but different. I'm still watching the girls 4 days a week...just added some chauffering to the mix, what with all of the activities and school and stuff that Halle and Liv are doing! Sophie and Claire are getting so big and turning into little girls instead of babies. They are learning so much and understand so much (although they don't listen to much!). Livie is doing great in 4 year old preschool...seems to love it more than last year, for sure! Life has been tiring lately and I'm looking forward to some time when it slows down (yea, right!), maybe in Feb or March...just in time for the baby! Otherwise, not much is going on with me - I am in desperate need of some kind of me time, though I'm too tired after these kids run me over all day!

I'll check back in soon - like i said, i'm really going to try this time! I'll get some pictures up soon

Do I know me or what??

Told you all I'd be bad at this!! Just over 2 months later, I'm back. Carissa has started a blog, too, and she is doing much better at it than I am so to see a bit of what Halle (and a little bit of Artie and I) have been up to, check her out http://familymurph.blogspot.com/


Anyways, time has flown this summer, and it's starting to wind down just a bit. Artie is well into his first class (and kicking a little butt, I might add!!), I've left work and am now working harder than ever, and Halle is loving spending time with her cousins every day!!

Halle with Sophia at 9 days old

I am in the process of getting back on track with pictures - I have tons to share - so hopefully I'll get back in gear!

Hello!!

Hi Everyone!

I've been pretty bad about keeping in touch with just about everyone lately! Our lives are so crazy and change so much practically everyday that it's impossible to keep everyone updated (assuming you want to be kept updated!!). So this is my attempt...let's be honest...I probably won't keep this very up to date either, but at least I'm trying!!

Just to get everyone up to speed...there has been a lot going on recently!! First and most exciting is that Carissa and Ryan and Livie welcomed their 2 baby girls, Sophia Grace and Claire Elizabeth to the world on May 9th - 3 weeks tomorrow. They are too fricking cute and so tiny!

Soapie (as Liv and Halle call her) and Claire lead me to our next big news...I am once again venturing into the land of daycare and craziness! When Carissa is ready to go back to work, I will be leaving work, packing up my Halle and heading to the Murphy house to care for their brood! I am excited like you wouldn't believe! (Or as Artie and Carissa tell me "You are crazy!") I'm thinking that a much more organized approach is in order this time around, that's for sure :) Anyways, with Artie still working 10 hour days, our whole family will have a 3 day weekend every week - I can't wait!

On the subject of Artie - after this summer, he takes on a new project as well...he'll be back in school finishing up his degree now that he's figured out what he wants to do! (I'm so jealous!) We are very excited for him...

That's all for now...I'm sure there's more but Halle's sleeping and unfortunately the dishes are calling my name...