2012 Christmas Letter

As we approach another year’s end we’d like to reflect back on all that has happened in the year 2012. The kids are growing like little weeds and are constantly learning new things (also teaching mom and dad a thing or two). We started our year off keeping busy with work and school. Nina finished her associate degree at Central New Mexico Community College in May. She is studying at the University of New Mexico and will be graduating in the fall of 2013. Larry is still working hard in the nutrition program and will be graduating spring of 2013. He is involved in the nutrition club and in KONU (an honors society for the College of Education). Larry is still working hard for Dr. Billards and goes all over the state to work on pool tables. We bought a Harley Davidson Street Bob in April and went to new towns all over New Mexico and participated in a poker run. Everyone has really enjoyed getting out and traveling. We bought a new house in Edgewood, which is on 2.5 acres and we all love our country life!

 

Lana and Maximus are busy kids spending most of their time outside. They go on many adventures hunting “bears” and looking for treasure. Lana started the UNM Children’s Campus Pre-K program in September. She really loves her class and all the activities she has been able to participate in. Lana has gone on field trips to McCall’s pumpkin patch and to Popejoy to see Clifford live. Maximus loves riding his sister’s Power Wheels Quad all over the house doing tricks. Any chance he gets he climbs on his dad’s bike and pretends to drive. Maximus has really enjoyed being the “chicken man” and both kids love helping dad outside and stacking wood. Lana has been praying we will get a horse to add to our 6 hens and a rooster named Randy along with two goats named Chocolate Chip and Cookie Dough. Xena, Belle and Opie love having a ton of room to play and really enjoy chasing rabbits.

Love Larry, Nina, Lana. Maximus and all our critters

 

Ahh it has been too long!

Well here I am finally remembering I have a wonderful blog to keep those who are far far away semi-involved in my life. It has been an extremely busy busy year. I finished my schooling at CNM (although I was going to UNM as the same time) and I  graduated with my associates this past May. I am still planning on graduating from UNM in 2013, the latest would be spring of 2014.

I finally, yes I said finally, quit working at the pharmacy and started working as a student employee for the housing maintence department at UNM. I love my new job and the extra time I have with the kids! I finally feel like a mom!! I was able to travel to Mason, Ohio while I was with the pharamcy and learned a lot of new skills.

Larry is still trucking along with school and has 7 classes left for his BS! We are very excited. He is apply to physical therapy and nutrition graduate programs. So we will see where that adventure takes us! Hopefully to the Northwest!!!!

The kids are both growing like little tumble weeds! Everytime I turn around they seem to be a little bit bigger, and getting into something new. Max is out little climber; if it is possible to scale it he has. He is also our little dare devil. He enjoys doing tricks and stunts on the little power wheels quad. Lana is growing bigger and amazes us at all the new things she is learning. She is one smart little girl whose questions range from: how an engine works and where does the fire inside it come from to what do bears eat.

Both of the kids love science, the outdoors, math, art and reading. They both really love life and everything that it can offer. They both beg dad to give them rides on the motorcycle and love playing pool with him. Lana is actually pretty darn good. Max does anything and everything his sister does; he is really good at baseball and football. That little guy has an arm that can get him to the big leagues!

I'm really glad I have my new job; its less hours but worth every moment I've gotten back to be with the kids. I have rediscovered my love of baking, cooking and reading. I've also had the chance to play the piano and go hiking! I feel like I've gotten a little part of me back :)

I plan on posting pictures soon!

Twinkle Light Parade

 She waved the entire parade without stopping

It is hard to see but its a car that was made to look like a train. 

Twinkle Twinkle

I finally have some time to update the blog!! The tiny teething monster is snoozing right now and the little bug is playing :)

We, as a family, can finally breath a little easier now that the semester is over!!! Hallelujah!!!!!!!!! It has been a pretty ruff one. It was my last semester for a while, so hopefully that makes everything easier.

We have been chugging along with our normal Christmas/holiday traditions. We were a tad late putting up lights (which has become a continuous project) and our tree because we all came down with a bug for Thanksgiving :( We took the kids to see the Twinkle Light Parade, which has become a tradition for us. We haven't made it to see the Bugg light display yet, but plan to this weekend or next.

ho ho ho

Happy Holidays

It’s that time of year again when we gather together to enjoy the holiday spirit and spend time with family. This is also a wonderful time to reflect back on the past year and remember our joys and all that we are thankful for.

We began our year by being sealed together as a family on January 2^nd. It was a wonderful experience and we were blessed to have so many come and partake of our joy.

On February 24^th we were blessed with our 2^nd child, a little boy named Maximus Myers McCracken. He has been a wonderful blessing to our family. He is now walking all around and waves hello. He enjoys following his sister around and doing everything she is doing.

Lana turned 3 this year. She has really become a big girl in the last year. She is a wonderful big sister and a big help around the house. She is full of life and energy and has recently put it all to use with dance classes. She really wants to be a ballerina. She is also very excited to start school this coming January.

Larry is busy with school working as hard as he can to graduate by next December. He was accepted to the University of New Mexico and is pursing his degree in Nutrition/Dietetics.  He became a certified personal trainer during the fall semester. He fills his spare time playing pranks and going to the gym.

Nina has been busy with school and work. She also became certified as a personal trainer in May. She has worked as a trainer at a few gyms here in town. She also watched a few kids over the year; one being Lana’s best friend Emma. She keeps busy with everyone’s activities and has started doing baking and crafts with Lana.

All in all our year has been a busy one with a lot of people we love. We look forward to the coming year and all it has to bring to us. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year from our family to yours. 

Up, up and away

Since we are the poor college students were we skip events that require any type of payment. This includes the International Balloon Fiesta. Every year we find a place close enough to watch the balloons take off or wait for them to come over the neighborhood.

This year was no different. We waited for balloons to com e into the neighborhood and did our annual chase the balloon until it lands.We saw one balloon crash thanks to power lines and then we found the hot spot at the food stamp and SSN office's parking lot We watched 5 balloons land.

The kids each got a balloon card and a balloon pin. They had a good time. Once again I was in sweatpants and slippers for the events,

And he's off!!!!!!!!!

Little man has been cruising around for a few weeks now by holding onto the walls. In last last couple of weeks he has been doing it freely. We were able to capture this awesome moment on camera!!

So we will soon have a toddler on our hands.......... Now I can't wait to finish school!!!!!!!!!!