2014 in review

When we moved in April, I definitely put blogging on the back burner! So, here is the rest of 2014 in review:

• April: We successfully moved to the Big House. It took some adjustment, but we love it. We just started hanging some pictures...yes, 8 months later. We celebrated Easter in the new house, and we had the kids hide eggs for each other. I just found some of those when we decorated for Christmas.
• May: D turned 7, and we had a slumber party with his friends. Crazy idea, but it went pretty well! Shortly thereafter, he ended up with 12 stitches in his finger from a bike accident. Kind of traumatic, but we made it through. 
• June: We set up the swimming pool and spent many days playing in the water, riding bikes, and hanging out with the neighborhood kids. I am so glad we are close to their friends! We also went to Wyoming for a family vacation with the in-laws. It was at Ring Lake Ranch in Wyoming. What a wonderful place! It was excellent because each family had their own cabin, so we had some space for down time. There was hiking, canoeing, fishing, horseback riding, and a boulder pile. Let's not forget the great food! Although D had a tough time because we were out of routine, we all loved it there. We hope to go back someday.
• July: It was HOT. We swam every day, and my family came for a visit. In this new house, it was really pretty nice. We didn't have more than three people in a room, so everyone was still pretty comfortable. The fireworks were an issue for D (again), but he enjoyed them in the end. 
• August: Back to school! I was concerned about the transition to another school year, especially since D would have a new teacher (he had his kindergarten-first grade teacher for two years); he has done great! He is at benchmark or higher in all subjects, and his behavior has been so much better. His wonderful teacher has an incentive program that includes his behavior at home. D earns special time with the teacher including going out for supper with him at a restaurant. We have been blessed with great teachers! S started kindergarten and cried every day for the first week. She knew the teacher since D had her for two years, but it was hard for her to go back to school. Now she loves it! She has really developed as a leader, and she is a very smart little girl! J started year three of preschool. This year has been a challenge for him behaviorally. We watched our happy little boy morph into a violent, whiny, attention-seeking bully (at school). His behavior at home remains about the same, but he sure gives his teachers a run for their money! 
• September: We learned that S has asthma when we ended up in the ER. The next day, we took a short trip to my sister's wedding. D was upset because it was a change in routine, but he ended up loving the whole thing. He even made a surprise appearance as the ring bearer's right-hand man during the wedding. Oops! S was an adorable flower girl and danced the night away. J mostly sat at the table with Dad. Weddings are not his thing.
• October: S turned 6! We made a cute Frozen dress out of cupcakes. We also enjoyed Halloween with Olaf, Red Ranger, and Elsa. 
• November: We traveled to my sister-in-law's house for Thanksgiving, and I took my 2nd annual mommy vacation. The kids loved spending time with their cousins, and they even went to a model train exhibit. 
• December: What a month! J turned 5 and wanted a Ben 10 birthday. Yes, Ben 10 from 10 years ago. So Amazon came in very handy :) We also traveled to Minnesota and Iowa to see relatives. The transition there was tricky, but the kids had a wonderful time with all of their cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents.