Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Here's to a new Country.

So we made it to France with the 4 boys. Traveling with four wasn't too bad other than in Paris we had to pick up our luggage and recheck it with a new airline at the same time checking in our double strollers as well. so now we had loose 4/5 year old kids and each of us carrying a twin, backpack, and a duffle bag. amazingly it wasn't as bad as you would think. all the boys slept most of the first 10 hr plane ride and was entertained by the dvd player the rest of it the other two plane rides were not too long. and we got here about midnight (france time. which is 8 hrs ahead of home). We had to take a couple cars one for bags and a couple for the family. but we got here.
(the view from the balcony)

This time we have a house...well i guess more like a condo. but its a lot bigger than i was expecting. It is two levels, on the first floor is the living area, ½ bath, kitchen and an AMAZING balcony. On the balcony theres some lounge chairs, bbq and table. you look out to lush green trees of many kinds with a row of rooftops poking through just before the ocean. Part of the ocean goes to the horizon the other part you can see the another part of the island. At night it is also gorgeous looking at the night lights over there. Downstairs there is three bedrooms, Jiovan and corbin sleep in one, it has two beds and french doors that go to the downstairs balcony that is shared with the Master bedroom. The master has its own bathroom with a pretty good sized tub. Then the babies sleep in the other room. It has two beds with a matress under each of them. The babies sleep on the matress on the floor since they should still be in cribs. In that room there is a door to go outside to a little patio where you hang the laundry to dry. Next to the patio is a little outdoor shower. As you go into the babies room is a small room that holds the washer. It is a very small washer and the wierdest one I’ve seen to date. After you open the lid at the top you have to also open the drum of the washer. Then you pour the soap/bleach/softener into the lid. It seems to work well And I actually like hanging the clothes out on the line to dry. Possibly better than having a dryer. Next to the laundry room is another bathroom that has a toilet and shower. All the doors are heavy dark wood doors. Its all furnished and the people who own it left most of there stuff here which i wasn't used to and it was hard to feel at home at first but now it's starting to feel normal.

we live right next to the ocean but right in front of us is too rocky but the sandy beach is to the right about 1/2 mile and there is a beach that had really fine rocks to the left about 1/4 mile. We've been to both and LOVE the rock one because it doesn't hurt your feet and the clean up is SO EASY you can just brush the rocks off. The boys love going to the beach and are always asking when we can go next. I'd be going quite often if it wasn't for the babies.

We're still waiting for them to get us the car that will fit all of us. (It's a little more difficult in Europe to do this since the average size car is the size of a mini cooper) so I haven't been to the grocery store yet or anything so I haven't had to talk/try to talk to anyone yet. We'll be starting french lessons as soon as we get a regular schedule down. Jiovan and Corbin started school today and will be there from 8-4. It is so hard to have them go knowing that none of the other kids will be speaking English. Jiovan says he's just not going to talk to anyone. I know it'll be good for them and they will learn quickly, but it's still REALLY weird to be here with just the babies.
Vic left on an away trip on Saturday and everything went well until my dear little corbin decided he should stick the little had to the lego guy in his ear. I was in the shower when Jiovan came running in to tell me Corbin stuck the lego hand in his ear and then pushed it in with his finger. So I told corbin to come in my room and put his ear on the bed and NOT put his finger in his ear until I got out. So I hurried to finish showering all the while thinking what the heck am I going to do if I can NOT get it out?! I have the number of a english speaking guy "in case of an emergancy". but really, call him over a lego hand in a child's ear?! Luckly the I could see the very end of it and was able to reach it with tweezers.

The babies have learned to crawl onto the couch now which wouldn't be a big deal if they a) knew how to get down feet first instead of head first and b) the floor wasn't all tile. I swear they are going to knock a few screws loose if they don't figure it out quickly.

I have been really "states sick". It's hard to leave the comforts of the states. The 24 hour stores, the dr's, the teachers, my family. people who speak english. Just the regular ol stuff that I grew up with knowing... but it seems like it wont be too hard to enjoy here.



Tuesday, February 8, 2011

I finally did it.

I finally took the time to do it. I went private. I hate private blogs because I always forget to check them. But I know people who create open blogs to let people know of updates. Maybe next year right?

Right now I'm in Spain visiting Victor for a couple weeks while my Mom and family take care of all the kiddos back home. I am eternally in debt to them for this. It was a necessary trip though.

The babies are doing great. They have started eating baby food (total nightmare if you are not fast enough). Though they are doing great with it. They are able to roll around now. This does create a problem when one rolls just right to kick the other in the head. It's amazing how often this actually happens.

Jiovan is still doing his pre-school. He's such a smart little boy! And it is amazing the things they start to do at home when they are in school. He is a perfectionist and is ALWAYS still working on his stuff when it's time to go. 99% of the time we are finishing his work when we get home. I'm so proud of him and how well he is doing though. 100% worth the time and money spent going to this pre-school. Talent sprouts is the best there is, I'm sure of it :)

Corbin I think needs a little extra attention now that Jiovan is in school and the babies have been born. Maybe he's having an identity crisis. Middle child syndrome. He is my snuggle bug and love him to pieces. He can't wait to start pre-school. I just hope we'll be somewhere that he can go though I highly doubt it.

Victor is doing great with his Volleyball here in Teruel, Spain. they are in the top 3 and I'm sure they are capable of taking another championship.

I have started working 2-3 days a week at the day care at Desert Palms. I thought it would give me something to do, a little extra cash, and a distraction from having Vic gone. I was wrong. It is just tonz more work to get all the kids ready and out the door to get to work and I'm always getting off right at bed time. But the extra cash is good and has really helped even though it is very little.

All in all we are doing pretty good. Everyone is healthy and I could not be any more grateful for that.


Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Christmas

Best present by far was Vic coming home for about 5 days!
couldn't have enjoyed it more!










My parents gave the babies Johnny jump ups and they LOVE them!! (i love them too)

The twins blessing

Vic came back from Spain for only 5 days so we were unable to have the traditional Sunday blessing for the babies so we just got my family together and did them at my grandpa's house. It was short and sweet and very casual.
My family. I can't believe how big my older boys are getting!


My siblings. Not too often are we all together.

the whole gang... minus Scott. It is finally not MY husband missing from the picture!


my awesome sisters. really couldn't ask for a greater family.

Great grandpa Mont, Grandpa Mac and Grandma Mac.


Sunday, December 5, 2010

Going private!

I am going private 1-1-11.

If you would like to continue viewing e-mail me your address to nicolette_batista@hotmail.com or leave a comment.


getting ready for christmas.








Halloween.


Jiovan had a little Halloween party at school. this was his caramel apple. He was so proud of it.

They had storytime.

They also went trick-or-treating to the surrounding businesses. This is Jovi's little bestie.

Jiovan and corbin trick-or-treating (this is the first year they were really excited about going)

Captain Hook and Peter Pan

Captain Hook, Peter Pan and a couple of monkies.

Xavier's first on camera smile.

They rode in style trick or treating. Pulled mostly by there uncle Josh.