Happy, Happy, Happy, Birthday, Birthday, Birthday!!!

August and September brings lots of Birthdays at the Dean house. Gabe, Josh and Bailee all turn one year older within less than two weeks of each other. It is like Christmas for me around this time as I have to plan for three birthdays and we eat more cake and ice cream than should be consumed in that short of time period. Being here in a new place meant we didn't have to throw any parties (since we haven't met a lot of people yet) which I was happy with, but we did manage to find some fun things to do around here as a family. For Gabers special day we had pizza, opened presents and went to a big bouncy place...you know those germ infested places with all the inflatable toys that the kids roll, sneeze, jump and slobber on. The kids loved it maybe even a little more than Josh, and I was perfectly happy to be the one taking pictures and catching the kids coming down the slides. Josh's birthday was pretty low key. It happened to be on Labor day, so that worked out nicely. He went biking in the morning and we just kind of hung out. We went to the Big Texan restaurant so Josh could get his free prime rib on his birthday. It is definitely a one of a kind place and pretty touristy, but it was fun to see it in person. I made Josh's favorite, carrot cake for his birthday and must say I was pretty excited that it turned out so yummy (considering the last time I made it, was disastrous)! Bailee talks about her birthday for weeks. Since hers is the last of the three she starts asking about it and planning things out weeks in advance. So, when the big day arrived she really milked it. She said things like. "I don't have to take a nap because it's my birthday huh." As always she was spoiled rotten, but living in TX and being obsessed with horses, she made it pretty easy for me. We bought a bike for her in OH before we moved here and have been hiding it ever since. Both her and Josh got bikes for their birthday, and they both love to ride them equally. It's been a fun filled couple of weeks for us, and it's a good thing I get a full year to recover before we get to do it all over again! No matter the month, I am so grateful these three were born, I love them all so much and couldn't imagine my life without them!

"City of Joseph"

So, now Josh is graduated, we had some serious vacation time on our hands. We took advantage of every minute and started off to Nauvoo. We got there Sunday and walked around the temple and looked out over the landscape. It was absolutely beautiful! We went to as many historical sites on Sunday as we could and were able to attend a choral concert by the Sister missionaries. We decided to try and save a few bucks and camp...that was our first mistake. It was 90+ degrees and felt like 100% humidity! Josh set up the tent as the kids and I sweltered in the sun and fought off the mosquitos (do I have your sympathy yet?) We settled into bed, and no sooner had I fallen asleep did I hear Gabe coughing followed by vomit. I rolled off the partially deflated air mattress to discover Gabe covered in throw up (which he did a few more times). I went searching for the flashlight, only to realize, we didn't bring a blasted flashlight!! I used my cell phone and tried to clean Gabe and the mess up by the light of my cell phone. We got things cleaned up and settled back down when Bailee starts crying and complaining about the smell (just thinking about it now gets my stomach turnin). But, that's okay because as soon as I convinced her to relax and go back to sleep, the heavens opened and it started to thunder, lightning and rain (I have never been so happy to be in a thunderstorm). It is now we realize, it probably wasn't the best idea to camp and we are willing to spend a few bucks on a hotel. It was the best 100 bucks I've spent in a long time! Gabe decided he wasn't finished with his antics and threw up once in the hotel and in the car on the way home. Can I just say that throwing up in the car...especially in a car seat should never be allowed to happen!! Anyhow, we managed to do some fun things and see all that we (or the kids) could handle. I highly recommend visiting the church history sites as every time I have gone my testimony has been strengthened and I have a greater appreciation for the early Saints. It builds faith and helps to better understand and visualize history as it was. It wasn't the ideal vacation, but we definitely made some lasting memories. ;)

Rewind!!!

Okay, so back up about three months, when we were still in Ohio and life was crazy. We were getting ready to move, looking for a place in TX to live, squeezing in every last minute with friends, and gearing up for graduation! It seems like forever ago, but it was a special day. Along with Josh's family, Bailee and I attended the hooding ceremony for Josh's Dental class. There was a nice reception following, and it was a little bittersweet knowing we were seeing some of our friends and accquaintances for probably the last time. Josh didn't really want to go the the actual graduation (for all OSU students) but I talked him into it, telling him "You only graduate from Dental school once." Mama Dean and I went in the blazing heat and watched Josh, along with 8,000 other students walk into the "Horseshoe". I have to admit, I was (and still am) so proud of him, I even got a little teary eyed. Throughout all four years of Dental school Josh consciously made the decision to not overstress (easier said than done). He was an amazing husband and father through it all, and in notorious Josh fashion, managed to have lots of fun and adventures along the way! Those four years in Ohio were definitely some of the best years of our lives. We already miss it, but we are looking forward to what our future life has to offer...

"My town to Chi Town"...Josh's bike series-Part II

Actually it ended up being "Chi town to my town", but my crazy husband decided to do another bike trip with one of his buddies. Since it was raining the day they planned on leaving they decided to drive to Chicago and start the next day and bike back. They did 100 + miles a day, and during that time, Josh only had one beer can thrown at him! You'd better believe they followed the biker hatin', beer throwin', truck to the gas station down the road for a "friendly chat". Don't worry, just a couple kids up to no good, whom Josh called in for a DUI...that's my hubby, makin the world a safer place one drunk at a time :) Anyways, Josh forgot his sunglasses (kind of important), so after dinner when they got to Chicago, they went to the nickel arcade where Josh's friends were kind enough to donate all their tickets to furnish Josh with a pair of sweet 80's style glasses, florescent green sides and all! Without much training they were able to make it back home and accomplished yet another awesome feat!

Dancing Queen

Nothing is cuter than a couple three year olds runnin around in tutu's. Just like any other little girl, Bai loves to dance, especially ballet. A girl from our ward taught a little ballet class a couple months ago and Bailee loved it. They had a little recital and it was so funny to see how Bai responded to performing in front of a "crowd". She turned into shy, silly Bailee, but still did a great job! The funniest part is when Gabe (who was running around behind where we were seated) somehow snuck up on the stage, ran to the front, and with the biggest grin on his face started waving with both hands. He stole the show for a couple seconds, but it was pretty funny, and boy, was he proud of himself. All her friends in the class have moved, or moved previous to the recital so I am glad she was able to do this with them before we move as well.

Accomplishments...

Bailee and her little co-op preschool class had their graduation a couple weeks ago. We took turns teaching and it ended up being a great experience for Bailee and I have a greater respect for teachers! (especially teachers of toddlers!) The students wore their dad's white shirts/gown and a yellow construction paper hat/caps (poor Bai has such a large noggin that I actually had to rip her hat in the back in order for it to fit on her head...sad, I know, I just have to keep reminding her, "Big head, big brains" and that seems to make it okay :) They walked down the stairs to "Pomp and Circumstance" and were awarded their diplomas. They really had no idea what was going on, but knew there were treats on the table that were soon to be eaten. A lot of things seem to be coming to an end as our days here in Ohio get fewer and fewer. Lots of last time this, and last day that, but I managed to sneak a first in yesterday. Josh and I ran the Capital City Half Marathon. I have run quite a few races, but never a half, and figured it was now or never. My father in law paid for us to run it, which was even greater incentive (it was either that or pay back the $). So, we headed out in the rain to run, and it wasn't too bad ("too" being the key word). As I was running, I realized I consider myself a "casual" runner (running a couple miles a few times a week) and at about mile 8 I realized I didn't train as good as I probably should have. But that was no excuse cause there was Josh (who didn't train a stitch) running next to me the whole race and I had to keep telling him to slow down...annoying! Bless his heart for staying with me though. All in all, I reached my two goals of not stopping to walk, and finishing in under two hours. It really wasn't too bad, and I think it's kind of like having a baby, give it some time for me to forget all the unpleasant, uncomfortable parts, and I just might do another one.
Oh, and just so Gabe doesn't get left out, this is his latest accomplishment...

Class of 2010 Signing Day!

So, it's official we FINALLY made the decision as to where we are moving! Josh and I are still trying to figure out how the two most indecisive people ended up together...but after much pondering, praying, and possibly even a few ulcers, we are excited about our decision! Also, a special thanks to Josh's bro. Jacob who came up with the ingenius, yet extremely cheesy idea of a press conference. Of course, I think Josh wanted to do this because he missed the opportunity of becoming a professional athlete, but also he needed something of this magnitude to make the decision concrete. Anyways, this is it, and as one of the last in his class to make our decision, we are goin' to...