Good Luck

So first I want to wish all my friends and family back home a great school year! I know you will all do great! Today I sat here thinking about how I would decorate my room, and what "first day activities" I would have... sigh... One day I will have my own classroom.

As for now, my classroom is my house and my student is Colin. Colin, Colin, Colin, who screamed at the broom today because part of it was stuck under the couch and he couldn't pick it up. Colin, who got frustrated because he couldn't fit between the footrest and seat of his highchair. Colin, who will stand in the middle of the room with nothing around him for a good minute or more, but refuses to walk. Oh child of mine, I love you, but you are DRIVING ME CRAZY! Ok, maybe not crazy, but can't he walk already??? I know, I know, he will walk when he is ready, but I want him to walk... soon.... or do I?

So, the last week, has been a little crazy here at the West house. We have been in meetings, fixing cars, and just running lots of errands. One fun thing that has happened is Colin has cut TWO more teeth. It's hard to believe that my little man is growing up SO fast!!! I can't believe in less than a month he will be a year old! Where has the year gone????? We are still working on the walking... Colin has been standing up but still a too timid to take those steps. He has started scooting on one knee and one foot. It's REALLY cute :)

 Hopefully this week the weather will cooperate and we can get some of Colin's 1 year photos taken... and posted.

Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest

Yesterday was a FUN day! We drove to Sherwood Forest with some friends to the Robin Hood Festival. There were little shows and people dressed in the era's garb telling stories about how they eat, dress, make weapons, etc. They also had a jousting tournament, a battle and games for the kids. Colin seemed to LOVE sitting and watching people pass by and the different little shows.

 Entering Sherwood Forest

 Yep... That's right we are getting into the theme :)

 Colin, FINALLY let us put the hat on him

 Sword Fight!!

Breathing Fire :)

After a day of fun in Sherwood forest we went to Nottingham with friends to eat at TGIFridays!!! American food... and it was soooo worth it :) All in all we had a fun day with our friends :)

Day 2: 1st Art Project and Daisy

Today was the last day for us to keep our furry friend, Daisy. She and Colin had so much fun this week playing together. I really think Colin wore her out. I'm glad that she got to go back to her family and I know her family is glad to have her back

So I finally got brave today and decided that I was going to do my first "official" art project with Colin today. Since EVERYTHING goes into his mouth I decided to use some of his oatmeal and color it with food coloring. 

I then took a manilla folder that I had lying around and let Colin swirl it around. 

He seemed to be having fun and of course the oatmeal made it's way to his mouth. By the end of our project, he had a green oatmeal gotee... TOO CUTE. 

Of course this meant we had to get a good bath, but we had lots of fun :) And the end result, if I do say so myself, is AMAZING :)

Catching Up

Hellooooooooo... to anyone out there! I've done an AWFUL job at keeping up my blog and have decided that I am going to blog everyday from now on. (Who wants to help keep me accountable)
I've decided that I may not think my life is very exciting or that the things we do on a daily basis will interest anyone, but who knows, maybe it does. So here we go...

A TON has happened since I last wrote, 7 months worth of stuff, so we will do a quick rundown on major events... and from now on, you will get up to date West Adventures!!

January- I turned 25!! We also went to Garmisch, Germany for a week. Bubba got to snowboard and Monkey and I enjoyed the snow and LOTS of German food! On the way home we stopped in Brugge, Belguim and ate waffles, fries, and chocolate!!! We also saw some beautiful scenery! It was a great trip and so glad that we got to spend the week together :)

February- Bubba started in the Alarm room so we didn't go anywhere as we got used to his new schedule (for the next six months). We also started looking for a new house to live in. We loved our house and living on base, but it was super small for all 3 of us with Colin's new jumperoo.

March- Monkey is moving and groovin... or just crawling. ALL OVER THE PLACE. He picked it up so quick, one day he was somewhat inching along and the next I was chasing him around the house!

April- MOVING DAY!!! We found an AMAZING house in the village of Littleport... it's 3 bedrooms, and the downstairs has an open floor plan! It's PERFECT! It's 25 mins from base and the drive is on a somewhat major road, so it should be gritted in the winter and I won't be afraid to drive... well maybe I won't.

May- Aunt Kyla came to visit!! We were so happy to see her and have her stay with us for a week! We had fun going to see Ely Cathedral and it was gorgeous. We took her to all the little tourist places in our area. I think she had lots of fun.

June- WE ARE GOING HOME!!! Well... at least for a month! If I do say so myself, it was great :) Monkey had a great time visiting with his Grammy/Granpa, Nan/Pop and all his other relatives. He also got WAY spoiled.. I know they were all making up for lost time, but geeze! :) The kid is definitely loved. He also started standing up on his own, and got 4 teeth!! That's right FOUR!!!

July- Unfortunately we had to leave everyone behind and come back to England... and unfortunatley we missed the England summer... Fall has arrived :( I don't really know why I'm complaining since it was 150 in Texas. Bubba and I also celebrated our 4th anniversary this month. Can't believe how fast the past 4 years have gone!

It's now August and we celebrated Bubba's 23rd Birthday. We also went to the Wayland show, which is a British Stockshow. It was really interesting to see the way the British do things. We had lots of fun :)

As you can see the past 7 months have been fun in the West Household. Hopefully the next 5 will be just as fun :)

November and December

November flew by and December is almost over too! Where has the time gone?!?!

With November came Thanksgiving and Grammy and Granpa! YAY :) I don't know who was more excited about them coming to visit and meet lil man. I was so happy to finally have them here and get to spend time with them. We had a good visit, saw some of the local sites, and went to London. It was a short visit and I was sad to them leave, but we will get to see them again soon :)

With the end of November and beginning of December brought our first snow! We were super excited about it... and I was super nervous about driving in it. Not only do I have to drive on the wrong side of the road and car and drive a standard, I have to worry about snow and ice! Are you kidding me? God really does have a sense of humor... and I'm sure he gets a good laugh every time I drive. Now on the 21st day of December, and first day of winter, I have decided that I'm tired of the cold and spring can come at any time. (If only)

Our little man is growing SO FAST! It's hard to believe he is 3 months old! He has started to try and roll over, and is trying so hard to talk and make sounds :) He has the sweetest smile that we can't get enough of and he just LOVES to look around and see what is going on. He's a little ham already, which I'm sure will make our lives interesting when he gets a little older.

Here are a few pics of little man, snow and Grammy and Granpa.

Little Man

Winter Wonderland

Granpa, Grammy and Little Man

I want to say a quick thank you for those of you who have been praying for my grandpa. After multiple surgeries and almost 40 days in ICU, he has been moved to another hospital that has a rehab center. He is not anywhere close to being back to normal but he is on the road to recovery.

1st Halloween and set of shots

The past couple of days we have experienced a lot of firsts!! Like Colin's first Halloween. We enjoyed some time at the Fall Festival at the Fire Station. We even got to watch Bubba in a donut eating contest. (he didn't win)

 

We then went Trick-or-Treating with some friends and passed out candy too. Even though Colin slept the entire time he was super cute in the outfit his aunt Hannah got him. 

We even took time to take a little family picture :)

On Monday, Colin had his two month appointment. He is now 11 lbs 4oz and 22 1/4 in long. He is growing so FAST!!! I told him he could slow down a little. He also got his 2 month shots :( He took them like a champ and was asleep by the time I walked out of the clinic. He was extra fussy all day Monday, which isn't like him at all, but he is back to normal. :)

Bubba starts taking a math class this month, and George and Julie are coming to visit! YAY! We had lots of fun last month when the Wests came to visit. Here are a couple of pictures from their visit!