Here is a video of Caeleb with some playdoh...I hope this works...he's pretty cute (in my opinion) so I hope you all agree! :)

The kids!

Now that I have pictures, I wanted to show ya'll Caeleb and Eiliana. Some are from the tumbling gym Caeleb goes to during the week and the others are from the Children's Museum of Austin that we went to during Christmas break. Eili also got a hair cut right before these pictures were taken. Her hair used to be half-way down her back...but she looks so good with her short hair. Caeleb is also a little cutie in these pictures...once I figure out how to post videos, I'll get those on here so you can get a taste of what they're really like!

Eilie loves getting her picture taken. She will stand there for a full 15 or 20 minutes just making faces at me if I have my camera out. And then she turns around and shows me her butt and that's where I draw the line...

Here they are pretending to be either dogs in their kennell or prisoners. I can't remember which, but they had some fun with it.

This is classic Caeleb...he makes this face a lot...and usually when he's screaming or whining...or just playing around.

This is classic Eilie...this face is her usual face besides the few big grins she gives me every once in a while.

There was this music room filled with a stage, country music costumes, and wooden guitars and violins/fiddles. The guitar of course was too big for Caeleb but it was the one he insisted on playing with the whole time. :)

Update from Austin!

Hey everyone! I finally had some time on the computer to write about what's going on in Austin and how life and work is. First off, the family is really great so far! Caleb, who is three, is just adorable! Today he started randomly saying, "Tanks fowa being my fwend" which, honestly, melts my heart! He has a dimpled grin and these big brown eyes. He's definitely a boy who likes to wrestle and play and run, but he is also a snuggle bug through and through. He is one of the easiest kids (along with his sister) to put to bed. I read him a few stories before naps (usually Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, Dr. Seuss's ABC book, and Guess Who with Elmo) and then I lay him down and that is that...he rolls over and essentially falls asleep right there. No tears, no fussing, no fight! I am spoiled! But it's the hours that he is awake that make up for the easiness of his going to sleep. He rarely speaks when he isn't whining or raising his voice, he repeats the same phrase about 20 times despite any attempts at consoling or understanding, and, my favorite, he puts his little hand in my face and yells, "Don't say dat to meeee!" And then, if that weren't enough, he sleeps for two solid hours at least giving me a wonderful break in the middle of the day to do whatever work (or rest) I need. Eiliana (pronounced Haley Ana...without the "H") is eight years old, a gold belt in martial arts, and a girl through and through. She reminds me a lot of Tavy with the energy, the way she talks like a baby when she wants something, and the way she hangs all over me whenever we are in the same room. She's pretty fun and good natured, but she is certainly a challenge in that she struggles with staying focused in school and with homework, she lacks the needed work opportunities that I was blessed with growing up, and desperately wants attention and affection from her parents but doesn't have the opportunity to receive it.

The parents though are pretty good so far. The last couple of working days have been somewhat awkward simply because one of them have been home consistently but regardless of that, it's great with them. Monte, the dad, told me that I don't need to ask about using the car when I'm not on duty and he is also pretty laid back with how I manage the kids. He is particular in the end result with them however. He wants me actively involved in Eili's school work and to teach her the importance of her actions now. He is very much about the consequences that come from his kids' action and inaction. Nalie, the mom, is more...demanding when it comes to the kids. She has very high expectations of me and is constantly telling me how to do things and what to do with them. It is to be expected though, so I don't mind it much. I do my best to follow her instructions and still find ways to be myself with Caleb and Eili.

I have a private bedroom and bathroom with a walk-in closet (WOOT WOOT!!!) and a car that I have for my personal use...an amazing silver '08 Audi that drives like a dream and is just pretty! My bedroom is gorgeous! The bedding is so pretty and the walls are a golden yellow with black picture frames and a black bookshelf as the accents. The bed is a queen sized bed and it's actually the same bed as the one Mom and Dad have...with the pine cone looking things on it...I think it's the one in the guest room, if I remember correctly. They have a baby grand piano that is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen! They have a home theatre room, complete with awesome surround sound, big screen, and over-head projector. The house is really an amazing thing to see...it's insanely gorgeous and well furnished.

The singles ward is also great so far! I had lots of people come up and introduce themselves to me within the first hour of church and right after Sacrament meeting I was set up with FHE information as well as meeting both counselors in the Bishopric. I am yet again, one of the youngest members in the ward, but I'm used to it. So far it reminds me a lot of the ward I attended in Alexandria except that I'm not as intimidated by this group. Pretty much everyone is very friendly and warm which makes it easy to feel welcome and a part of the ward.

I got to see Juliana Herzog this weekend and I expect to be seeing more of her in my time in Austin. I don't think I'll be getting much time off for Christmas so I'll be heading over to her house for Christmas. Ju says hi to everyone (that she knows, anyway) and Rachel sends her love as well...especially to you, Mom. And for now, I guess that's it. I can't think of anything else to write about...I hope you are all doing well! Love you and miss you all! And when I get pictures of the kids, I'll post them so you can see how cute these two are! :)

Halloween!

I want to see everyone's Halloween costumes or just pictures if you were lame and didn't dress up. This was our little pirate family! And yes I know Madison looks like a boy, next year i think well go with the princess theme so she can wear pink!

Thanksgiving

Assuming everyone is able to make it home to Florida for thanksgiving, we thought it would be a good idea to do a family pictures since the Woods have not been all together for over five years and the one family picture I do have is really cute but old!!

I wanted to prepare everyone for this event, because it will be an event I will make sure of that! I thought it would be fun to coordinate at least a little since the very well could be the only family picture for another 5 years!!

Mom suggested a park near the house as a good setting, and she is going to talk to some friends that might be able to take the pictures for us.

My thoughts were to get input into the coordination part so that people can bring the proper attire, if necessary.

I scrounged up some examples from the internet to get your feed back on colors or if you think it would be best to not coordinate that much... of course we could just go with the Hawaiian shirt theme and make it a tradition...

Mandy's blog

Sorry to anyone that tried to go to Mandy's blog yesterday and got really confused like I did! She gave me the wrong address! IT has now been updated and you can check it out at your leisure. Now you just need to post on it Mandy!

Our Newest Addition to the Family

Scott and I decided to take the plunge and bring my 3 year old dog Sydney to come and live with us. We've been watching a lot of the "Dog Whisperer" lately so we already feel like we're professional dog trainers. She's learned how to walk on a leash and sits before and after going out for a walk or to potty. Scott also likes to take her roller blading and we think she likes it too....well...you can watch the video and judge for yourself:




And we play all kinds of games with her...fetch, tug of war, and - our personal favorite - The Wheelbarrow Dog:




Sorry that it's sideways....oops...

We love her. Lots.