Twas the night before Christmas.....

Well actually it's 2 nights before Chrstmas but that just sounded lame.  As is the norm with our life, we have been soooooo busy since my last update in September.  I'll start from the most recent, today, and work backwards. My Mom is here with her husband to spend the Christmas break with us. The boys love when Grandma is here becuase she spoils them rotten. Today we went to see Madagascar ICE at the Gaylord Hotel in Grapevine.  We enjoyed the sledding, ice sculptures, and the "How to Train your Dragon" experience.  The boys were ecstatic with all the things they got to see and do. This is the first memory they have of snow and sledding.

Zane and Ryder rocked the Dragon Traning

Here we are inside the ice sculpture tent. A brisk 9 degrees

 In the beginning of December we took the boys Dinosaur Valley. There are actual dinosaur foot prints throughout the park.

 There is also a free roaming animal park. It was a lot of fun. The boys got to see and pet so many animals.

Kib fed the Giraffe. The boys chickened out

My Goofy Boys

Wonder where they get the goofy from?

Big Changes

 

Kari with her shift

 This is how Kari spends her days. In a big, wet, dog pile

Our awesome little family. We sure do love it when we are all together

 None of this would be happening if it weren't for the two of us. I am so lucky to be married to my best friend.

 

 

Kari and the boys before she started the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb. She climbed 110 stories in honor of Lt Kenneth Phelan Engine 217 FDNY.

 

 

The 6 grandkids on Kari's side.

So much has been happening the past few months.  We had a crazy summer. The boys were both busy with camps in June. In July we had lots of visitors, Kristi and Blake; Lana, Jonelle, and Jase; Cheryl and her kids. I'm pretty sure there were more but I have lost count.We took all 4 of our kids to Arkansas for the week of 4th of July, it was a total bust. Everything was closed for the whole week becuase of the holiday.  The kids handled it really well though. We managed a few great moments and either way loved being together.  August brought the start of school for Zane, Ryder, and Kari. Zane started first grade, Ryder started "school" and Kari started the fire academy.  It's been a lot of changes in schedules and routines and figuring out a new way to make this crazy life work.  All in all it has been amazing.  Both boys love going to school everyday. Actually all three of them love going to school everyday.  Kib is keeping up with his cycling and rock climbing. He did the Hotter n Hell ride in August which was a huge deal for us because it marked the 1 year anniversary of his cycling accident.  What can we say, life is good!!!!

FF Winner (oops, I mean Reed)

 There are a handful of people that only read my blog, mainly my step son and my father in law, who happen to be two of my favorite people in the world.  A couple of months ago I was selected to take part in the City of Richardson Citizens Fire Academy.  It's a 10 week course in which we learn about, and get to take part in, the fire dept. I only have 2 weeks left, and it has been an experience of a lifetime.  My fire fighting genes have been in full force.  This week we get to do a live burn, and then next week we graduate. After that, we are part of the Alumni Association where we can continue to help the fire dept in many ways. Here are a lot of photos of what we have been doing. During these last 8 weeks I have been allowed to do ride-outs at the different stations.  It's been amazing. I have seen a lot of neat stuff, trained with the fire fighters, seen their day to day life, and even got to see a real apartment fire.  Truly an amazing couple of months. 

 

Learning how to use the hose

 

 

 A few of the 25 volunteers

 Our ladder truck

 Getting ready for the confined space rescue 

 Here I have a 30 lbs SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) on

 Haz Mat Suit (so much easier than a Pluto suit)

 Cutting open a car

 This had a roof when we started

 Our whole class

 FF Winner (yup, I would totally use my maiden name if I was a FF. It just sounds cooler)

 Our class photo

 Just before repelling down 3 stories

 Trying not to look nervous about climbing the ladder truck

 That's me up there. 100 ft in the air at 70 degree incline.

 Pulling the hose up 3 stories

 Me after running up and down 9 stories with the SCBA on.  It was actually kind of easy

 ET phone home

 Actual apartment fire (started in the kitchen)

 That's me in the vest. I was helping (but of course no photo of that)