New Kids on the Blog: The World's Longest, Most Over-Due Post Ever: PART 1

Boy! 2010 proved to be the most challenging year for us to date. Josh lost his job in January due to the sluggish economy and I lost my desire to post anything about it. But after many (kind) gripes that I have neglected my blog and needed to post, I finally decided it was time. Blogging is like exercising. If you neglected it for too long, it seems like an impossible feat to get back into the shape you were before. But there always comes a time when you realize enough is enough and no matter how painful it is, you've just GOT to get it done.

So when Josh lost his job, and seeing how he was the soul bread-winner, we knew it would be best to put the house up for sale. There had been too many stories of people going under, that we knew we needed to be proactive about this. Luckily, our house did sell (to our friends no less) and we headed up to Rhinelander to live with Josh's parents until something fell into place. As gracious as they were to have us in their home, it was still incredibly stressful. Adult children should not live at home with their parents. Everyone has their own routines and ways of doing things and it can be extremely difficult to mesh your ways. I think we pulled it off without ruining any relationships (lol), but I think we were all so relieved when that chapter was over. Shortly after moving in with them, Josh got a call from Lilly saying they wanted to interview him and after a doing a few interviews, he got the job which would bring us back to Wausau... or should I say: Home. We were so fortunate to find a great new neighborhood and builder that was quick and thorough. We were in our new home in about 3 months. I did have to drive the kids down to school each day (a little over an hour drive each way) for a month and half, but it was worth it to me to have them have some part of their lives unchanged. They were really great troopers through it all and we couldn't be more proud of them.

As awful as much of the year felt to us at times, looking back at a year's worth of pictures has a way of putting things into perspective. We actually did have many great times/adventures and above all, we had our health. So compared to so many who struggle with illness or the loss of a loved one, we really had it pretty good. Sometimes it is so easy to forget the blessings we have and year like this can put it all back into focus. We are so grateful to have each other and such a wonderful support in our family and friends! Thanks for sticking with us and helping us when we were down.

Father-daughter dance

I don't remember what night this was, but we had our friends over to watch a movie and when we came upstairs, this is what we saw! They were all so pooped!

During a trip to Chicago, we went and visited the science museum. The kids were especially excited since they were learning about dinosaurs at the time.

Dr. Seuss day at school. Kate was Cindy Lou Who and Jack was a Sneetch. Please note that Kate's front tooth is gone for the ENTIRE year!!!

Kate explaining her dino project.

Jack's dino-rama!

We LOVE going ALL green for St. Patty's day!!!

Kate and her pal Brooke. Turns out we both moved away only to return later.

Kate in her "Party Girl" dance outfit.

Her group won 1st place at competition.

Jack's buddy's dad is a radiologist, so he got the VIP treatment when researching a community helper.

Jack and Kate posing for a Grandmother's day gift

This is just disturbing, but the kid's look so proud of themselves, so I had to allow it....lol! I do have to say that breakfast in bed is overrated though. It kind of sucks to be woken up and immediately expected to eat a big, heavy breakfast while everyone stares at you!!!

Track and Field Day

Kate and Dani

Kate, Dani and Brooke

Look at that face!!!

All of the neighbors were so surprised to see a hot-air balloon land right in the middle of the neighborhood. It looked like a parade when every neighbor headed over to see what was going on. The operator just came down for their landing and then let the neighborhood kids ride up a little ways and then come back down. A fun surprise.

Do you ever have one of those moments when you just know that everything is going to be okay? Josh and I both felt like this after seeing this full double rainbow right over our home and the opposite side that was creating such an event. It was calming.

My strange, weird puppy wondering why we were boxing everything up.

Every year there is a 4th of July boat parade on Grandma and Grandpa's lake and we like to participate by coming up with a theme and then decorating the boat. This year, Kate came up with Happy 4th of Huly. We decorated the boat with a big grass skirt, fish, tiki torches and such and we went dressed in style. To top it off, we won one of the categories!

The kids wanted to participate in the local parade, so we helped them with their bikes and away they went!

They're sooooo cute!

I can't help but wonder if Kate has a booger sticking out or something! Whatever it is, it must be really good for Jack to be so interested in it.

2nd Cousin Luke getting his long arm around the both of them! lol

Josh's sister Becky and her family came for a visit and it's a family tradition to eat at Paul Bunyan's... how else do you think we all keep our svelte figures!? Please note the two younger kids on the left are goofing around while the more "mature" cousins are behaving on the right.

Kate, Myah, Chloe and Jack (and Paul's boot)

The two families.

Another tradition is visiting Jim Peck's where the kids can get up close and personal with the animals and all that goes with them!

Hey! Lemme out of here!!!

Kate was pretty nervous at first! lol

I really would like to know what goes through Jack's mind most of the time... I bet it's nothing like I'm imagining... on second though, maybe I don't want to know!

Look how LITTLE she used to be!!!

This is one of our all time favorite pictures of Jack!

...and one of the most disturbing of Josh...lol

Kate, Will, Luke and Jack at the worm race! They did pretty well too (or rather their worms did)!

Isn't he SO sweet?! Just look at that face! So picture perfect.... Oh but wait.... look how long it took to get a good picture of him! You don't stand much of a chance when you ask a little boy to pose for the camera!!!

Oh dear... I've created a monster! At least he knows how to work the camera! Grrrrr....

Jack continues to play and dominate at soccer. The boy has some real talent. He will be going year round starting in June.

I have many more pictures of the house, but that will come in post 2 or 3... most of those were taken with my camera so they are located in a separate place.

The kids got to attend camp for the very first time (just down the road from Grandma and Grandpa's house). They had a BLAST! They never even thought to call home. I somehow neglected to get photos of Jack though...oops! Sorry bud.

Oh but here are both of my boys fast asleep!

In August, Josh had training, so I thought it would be fun to load the kids and dog into the van and head to Utah to visit their cousins again. We had a great time.