The Southwick Family

Noah and his friends at the zoo

2009-11-25T16:24:00.001-08:00

Last week we were able to spend the day at the San Antoino Zoo. We went with a few friends from Geneva and walked around the zoo, had a picnic lunch, and rode the train. The weather was perfect and so were the kids.

Dylan playing football

2009-11-25T16:17:00.001-08:00

This was Dylan's firt year playing flag football. He loved it. All the boys on his team go to his school so it was great getting to know the other families better.

More Summer Pictures....A bit late

2009-11-25T16:02:00.001-08:00

Summer so far!!!

2009-07-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

The Southwicks go to the Snow

2008-12-30T10:39:00.000-08:00

Getting ready to attack mom

WE took the boys to Tahoe with Aaron's parents and boy did they have fun. It was so pretty up there and Tahoe had a ton of snow this year.

A trip to the Zoo

2008-12-30T10:31:00.001-08:00

Papa Brad, Grandma Terri,

Dylan and Noah

When Grandma Terri is around

Aaron and I don't matter to these

boys

We went to the Oakland zoo for the day and the boys loved seeing all the animals. The part they will tell you about is when they saw the elephant poop. For some reason they thought it was the best part of the trip.

A Southwick family gathering

2008-12-30T10:23:00.001-08:00

Ben, Noah, and Dylan having a blast together

Noah and Papa

Grandma Carol and Noah

Uncle Aaron holding Isaac

We were able to get the family together for a breakfast at Elios one sunday after church. WE had a great time seeing everyone and were able to go over to Dan and Andrea's house for some cards and pizza. It was fun seeing the boys play together!

Christmas in California

2008-12-30T10:07:00.001-08:00

Papa Brad and Dylan got a new wii

game from Santa!

Noah was still tired from
a late night out with the cousins

Noah loves holding Jeremy!

Noah and Pa ( aaron's grandpa)

Stephanie, Alisha, and Dylan sharing a special

moment.

Thanksgiving at the Giffords

2008-11-30T18:20:00.001-08:00

This year we spent Thanksgiving at the Gifford's, our good friends here in San Antonio. The Duffy's, some more friends of ours, also joined us--we had a great time!

Shaun Gifford, Steve Duffy, and Aaron

The Gifford's neighbor, Catherine Gifford, Dylan, Brayden Gifford, and Noah.

The Four Kids

Loretta Gifford, Deanna Duffy, and Kristi

2008-11-30T18:10:00.000-08:00

The other day we took the boys bowling and they had so much fun. To my surprise they did quite well.

Dylan getting to bowl his first frame

Noah very excited about bowling

I just thought i would post this picture of my hot husband getting ready to help Noah bowl

Thanksgiving Feast

2008-11-30T17:58:00.000-08:00

Every year Dylan's school has a thanksgiving feast. Dylan's class got to dress up as indians and had a great time. Here are some pictures of his first feast at Geneva. As you can see Noah was able to go with mommy and join in on the feast.

Halloween 2008

2008-11-09T17:00:00.001-08:00

WE took the boys to a hockey game

2008-10-12T14:25:00.000-07:00

So I know I am way behind in pictures but now that we have a computer again I promise to post more. There are two sets of pictures here one is of Dylan's first day of school and the other are from this weekend. We took the boys to an ice hockey game and they had a blast.

a

2008-10-12T14:07:00.000-07:00

Dylan ready to head to kinder round up

2008-07-29T11:58:00.000-07:00

Aue (the public school he may go to) had a kinder round up where the kids got to ride a bus, have a snack (cookies and milk), hear a story, play on the playground and tour the school. Dylan had a blast

A night at a friends pool

2008-07-29T11:52:00.000-07:00

WE went to my friend lisa's house and teh boys went swimming. I know lisa because I coach her daughter Tori (pictured with Noah) Dylan burned his face that day and that is why he has a rag covering his chin

A few pictures from March

2008-07-29T11:47:00.001-07:00

In March we went to Cowboys for Loretta's birthday and she kicked Aaron's butt on the bull.

A little late

2008-07-29T11:36:00.001-07:00

Here are some pictures from our trip to CA in May. WE had a great day with our family

Our trip to Branson

2008-06-09T12:15:00.000-07:00

Notice the shirt
The guys reading the paper

Noah and Great Grandpa "PA"

Great Grandma and "pa"

My hot husband and adorable son
Mommy and Noah

Noah managed to get grandma into the pool in her dress

Dylan and papa Mike playing some basketball

Here are some pictures of our recent trip to Branson where we visited with Aarons parents and grandparents. We had a blast and miss them already. I will post more pictures of other events soon

A little late in posting

2008-06-09T12:05:00.000-07:00

Dylan and Catherine

Noah and Shaun Hard at work with drink in hand

The boys relaxing

So my computer screen has not been working that is why I have not posted in a long time. I am sorry. Here are some camping pictures from April. we went camping with our friends the Giffords

Easter 2008

2008-03-24T11:39:00.000-07:00

For Easter we went to our friends the Giffords and spent the day over there. The Giffords are from NY and moved here because Shaun in a surgeon in the Military so they have no family out here as well. They have become our Texas family. We laugh about it all the time because we see each other at least 6 times a week and now we don't even knock on one another's door. It is nice to have someone out here that understands and has kids that our boys enjoy playing with. We will be going camping with them in two weeks so we will be sure to post some pictures

Friends

2008-03-24T11:33:00.000-07:00

Dylan and Noah love their friends Catherine and Brayden. It is so cute when Loretta and the kids get here in the morning Noah and Brayden run to give each other hugs.

Splashing around

2008-03-24T11:24:00.000-07:00

Here are some pictures of the boys playing in the pool at the Giffords. Man did all the kids have fun. Mommy however got burnt.

The Rodeo

2008-03-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

About a month ago the boys went to the Rodeo with our friends The Giffords. Here are some pictures. The one with Noah in PJ's is when he decided to wear Catherine's dress up shoes. He loved them and did not want to take them off (much to Aaron's dislike)

Pictures

2008-02-25T05:41:00.001-08:00

Here are some pictures of my new haircut and the boys with the new chairs they got.

Better late then never

2008-02-19T05:08:00.000-08:00

Well here are the long awaited Christmas pictures. My camera died after only three pictures so here are the three I got. Now that my camera is charged I promise to take more pictures and post them soon. We have had a great few weeks. The sitter that I had for the boys I no longer have but I do have on who is ten times better. Her name is Loretta (loretta I hope you are reading this) and she has two kids a four year old and two year old that she brings with her and boy do all the kids have a blast. A few weeks ago she took the kids to the rodeo and Dylan even rode a pony. Outside of babysitting for us Aaron and I have gotten a chance to become friends with Loretta and her husband Shaun(who is a surgeon for the military). I will post pictures of Dylan on the horse soon.

NEW EVENTS FOR US

2008-01-16T06:01:00.001-08:00

This week has been full of new things. I started my part time job for a family at the school. The family that I am working for is a great family and Tami was also one of the volleyball coaches at Geneva this year. The boys love the babysitter that I found and Dylan even asked Jaime if she could spend the night last night. She has her BA in Early childhood development and is working on her masters. Aaron and his team just played their last basketball game until playoffs and they had a great season. They only lost one game and it was their very first game. Aaron also just found out that he is indeed going to be the baseball coach at Geneva and their first game is in the middle of February.
We have have had great weather the last month or two with it being in the mid to high 70's however, yesterday it rained and was so cold and only going to get colder (from what the news says) This makes Dylan and Noah both sad since we have been going to the park almost everyday. Now when I leave the house to go to the store Noah yells out swing. Well that is all for now but I promise we will post more pictures soon.
We miss you all and are always up for visitors.

SORRY NO PICTURES!!!

2007-12-27T12:36:00.000-08:00

This update is without pictures. Our camera battery died and we can't find our charger so I will post pictures soon I hope. We had a quiet Christmas but the boys had a blast. Christmas Eve we went to church then headed to the Shelton's house. The boys had fun playing with Emily and Erica and Noah loves Rob. Christmas morning we woke up around 8 and Dylan woke up around 8:40 we then had breakfast and opened gifts. The boys were so pleased with what they got. The rest of the day we just hung around the house while the boys played with the new toys they got. Yesterday we were able to go to the Spurs game. A family at the school gave us six box seat tickets so we invited The Shelton's to go with us. The girls were are grandma and grandpas house so it worked out perfect. Once we got to the game and in the box the boys were so excited. Noah loved the seats although he was not quite heavy enough to hold it down. Dylan loved watching the game and thought it was so cool. Noah clapped every time everyone else clapped and when the lights went off to introduce the spurs and the music started playing no was laughing so hard. He had his hands over his mouth and kept bending down to laugh. It was fun to watch them.

Also I just got a call from my best friend saying her cousin just found out her cancer is stage four. Please keep Korrine (13 years old) in your prayers.

Dylan turned FIVE!!!!

2007-12-23T20:21:00.000-08:00

Well three days ago our baby turned 5! Can you believe it? Everyone always use to say how time flies but I never thought so that is until I had kids. I wish there was some kind of pause button we could put on life. Just to hold on to those little moments. My parents have told me to cherish the moments that they want you and want to be held or played with because the time will come when they won't want mom and dad around. If I only had that pause button so we will never arrive upon that time. I have a book that I write to the boys in and as I get ready to write in Dylan's book all I can think is what a blessing! What a blessing he has been to me and our family. He is so smart and so loving. He truly cares about people and loves his family and for him I am thankful. There is not a night that passes that I don't thank God for blessing me with him.

Here are some random pictures of Dylan over the last two years. Dylan says he is pretending to be papa brad in the superman picture because papa Brad really is Superman the only real superhero! Can you guess who has been telling him that?

Locks of Love

2007-12-23T14:02:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I found out my best friends cousin has cancer. She is only 13 and was diagnosed with Choriocarcinoma this is the same kind of cancer Lance Armstrong had. They had to remove an Ovarie and part of the other. They also found that it has spread to her liver. They are now going to have to do chemo. Two of her biggest fears are not being able to have kids one day and losing her hair. I have personally decided to grow my hair in honor of Korrine Croghan and donate it to locks of love this is just a small way I can help her and others in her situation. This will be a battle for Korrine and her family please keep them in your prayers as they will be in mine. A website is being created for her and I will post it soon.

Man we miss home!

2007-12-22T17:59:00.000-08:00

So, for some reason I am feeling more home sick then normal. I love it here where we are but I think the idea of not having my family here to celebrate Christmas with or my house to decorate like I did last year is getting to me. So with that being said We love you all and miss you. We wish we could be home.

Here are some pictures from Christmas last year

This years Christmas pictures!

2007-12-16T12:08:00.000-08:00

While in California I was able to have the boys Christmas pictures taken thanks to my friend Rebecca Pratt (who took the pictures) and grandma Terri (who bought the boys matching outfits)
Here are a few of the many great pictures that were taken. We are sad that we can't be home for Christmas but are hoping to take a trip back to California in January once again without Aaron.

Noah turns 2!!

2007-12-04T19:56:00.000-08:00

So we decided to take Noah to chuck-e-cheese tonight since he had so much fun last time. This time Daddy went with us and boy did we have fun. Once we left chuck-e-cheese we went and got ice cream and boy did we get lucky because tonight is dollar scoop night!

Chirstmas festivities in Boerne

2007-12-04T19:43:00.000-08:00

Saturday we went to Boerne with our friends Heidi, Zac, Jon and Cloe. It was so much fun! They had a huge Christmas parade all the shops were lit up and it even snowed. We had some great food (sausage links, cookies, popcorn and cupcakes) but we had even more fun saying hi to Santa and playing in the snow.

Noah did not want the snow on his shoes and Dylan was happy to have it on his head

A day out with the boys

2007-12-04T19:39:00.000-08:00

Well last week Dylan convinced me to take him to chuck-e-cheese we did not only go once but twice. Here are a few pictures of our fun trip. Noah also had a blast and cried when it was time to leave.

Halloween in California

2007-11-14T15:02:00.001-08:00

We were able to spend halloween in CA and had so much fun. Papa Mike and Grandma Carol spoiled the boys by taking them to Vals Dylan's favorite place to get a milkshake and a grilled cheese. We then went to Redwood Chapel for the pumpkin patch there. After that we went trick or treating with papa Brad and Grandma Terri. I was not able to get any pictures of the boys trick or treating but I got some great ones at Redwood.

Arednwood pumpkin patch

2007-11-14T14:41:00.000-08:00

While is California we were able to go to the pumpkin patch with papa Brad and Grandma Terri. We had so much fun and got some great pictures. Dylan played hide-n-seek with papa in the hay maze and Noah loved the wagon weather he was in it or pushing his brother he was happy.

Today is National pregnancy and infant loss awareness

2007-10-15T19:04:00.000-07:00

Myspace

Graphics- At Myspacejunks.com

I know I am not the only one who has lost a child. This is also to all of my friends that have experienced a loss. I am thinking about you and pray for you.

The toothless wonder!

2007-10-11T10:12:00.000-07:00

The tooth fairy had to make a trip to our house this week because Dylan lost his first tooth and it was comical. He was ok until he saw himself in the mirror then he started to cry. He told me he did not like it and wanted me to put it back. When I told him I could not put it back he started to cry even more. He asked me why would you do that how am I going to eat my breakfast in the morning. I told him he has other teeth but he did not seem to care. So I told him to go show daddy he did and was fine until Aaron said you lost your tooth wow. So then Aaron told him it was normal and that it happens to everyone. Then Aaron started talking like and old man and Dylan was ok. He was even better the next morning when he found 5.00 in the bag under his pillow rather then the tooth that was there the night before.

Our new pet!

2007-10-11T10:07:00.001-07:00

On our way to see Aaron we saw our new little or big turtle Rex in the middle of the street. We moved him off to the side of the road and continued on our way to go see Aaron. Well on our way back home a little over 2 hours later Rex was still there so we decided he needed a home. We put him in a box and brought him home. Once we got home we placed him in our backyard and he has been roaming ever since. We have had him for about 2 weeks now.

Bath fun

2007-10-11T06:21:00.001-07:00

Noah has been having a blast in the bath these last few days. He has been getting brave and is now sticking his face in the water.

A fun week with great friends

2007-09-22T17:36:00.000-07:00

We had a great week with our good friends the Richardson's who came out to visit us. We got to meet Sophia and play with Karis. We had a blast and it finely felt like home again. At the end of every great visit is a sad goodbye. I realized that it was harder to say goodbye to the Richardson's then it was to our family. I think this is because I know my family will always be there and I will see them on holidays, birthdays and just because I love my family and would not know what to do without them but with good friends who have become family you realize how hard and rare it is to come across friendships like that.

Sweet Revenge

2007-09-07T06:31:00.000-07:00

We have always told Dylan he needs to be nice to his brother because if he is not one day Noah will get him back!!!

Favorite thing to wear

2007-09-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

The last few days Noah has had an obsession with his brothers Mickey Mouse ears. He has a pair of his own but wants brothers. He also only wants to wear the ear nothing else. He gets this from Dylan who would walk around naked all day if he could and Dylan gets this from....well lets just say they are Southwicks alright!!

Surgery Day

2007-09-01T07:14:00.000-07:00

The last few days have been very eventful. On Thursday I called Kaiser and told them that Noah has a hernia and it is getting lager and harder to reduce. They told me since he is in pain to take him to an urgent care or ER. I took him to an Urgent care center in Boerne since we know the Dr there(his daughter is on my volleyball team and one of Aaron's students) They told us he needed to get it fixed ASAP so they called a local surgeon who said he could do the Surgery on Friday.

So Friday came and we went to the ER around 9:30 the Dr got there around 10:30 and said Noah needed surgery and he would prep a room. They got the room ready and sent us to a pre-op area. In this area are a bunch of beds for kids who are about to have surgery there is also a toy room. One of the nurses took Noah to get a toy he came back with two toys on his way back he lost his diaper and everyone in that room thought it was the funniest thing. At around 11:45 they gave Noah a medicine to calm him so that when they took him from me he would not be so upset. Well noon came and they took him but I do not think the medicine worked because he screamed. They said the surgery would take about an hour and they would come and get me when it was done. Around 1:30 they came and got me the Dr said the surgery went great but it was a pretty big hernia. At this point it felt like I had already done this. That is because we did a year ago. I went into the recovery room and there Noah was in a hospital Crib hooked up to all there monitors. The nurse said you can hold him just make sure he does not take the IV out of his hand because he has been trying to and that is his pain medication. Well no sooner did I pick him up that he tried to pull it out. He was so disoriented he was screaming and trying to get this thing out. After about 5 minutes of him doing this he fell asleep. While he was asleep his breathing was not too good so they put him back on oxygen for about and hour. He continued to sleep and at about 4pm they said since his breathing is ok you can go home when you like. So they took the IV out and I got him dressed. We got into the car and Noah seemed happy to be going home. He kept saying Bye. On our way home he fell asleep again. Once we got home he ate like nothing I had ever seen before. He at a package of Graham cracker, 2 slices of bacon, 2 eggs, 2 biscuits, a cup of juice, and a cup of water along with some fired potatoes. He went to bed early that night around 7Pm and woke up around 6 this morning in a great mood. Once he woke up he wanted something to drink and he drank a whole cup of water in about 2 minutes. With all that being said he is feeling much better and we are so thankful for helpful doctors.

What a fun week!

2007-08-24T07:49:00.000-07:00

Noah just cleaning up!!

The boys with new cooking stuff now mommy can have hers back!

The last few weeks have been crazy but fun. We have had quite a few visitors or guests in the last week and 1/2 but our favorite visitors of them all was Grandma Terri, Papa Brad and Auntie Jamie. They arrived the day of my birthday (what great parents and what a great gift) and stayed for 4 nights. We showed them pretty much everything there is to see and some. The boys were spoiled while grandma and grandpa were here. They got all kinds of candy and fun drinks, movies and a toy that has not been put down since they got it. We are hoping that when they get home they will love it so much or miss us so much they will move here.

There's No Need to Fear--Underdog is Here!

2007-08-03T16:25:00.001-07:00

I took Dylan to see Disney's newest movie: "Underdog." Needless to say; Dylan loved it! In fact, he loved it soooooo much, when we got home guess what Dylan was doing? Yes, that's right, he was pretending to be the caped canine himself! I wish all of you could have seen it!

What's more, the boy cannot stop talking about superhero's. Just before dinner tonight I was teasing Dylan, and telling him that I was a real life superhero. Here is how the conversation went:

"Nuh uh, only Papa Brad is a Superhero!" said Dylan.

"How do you know?" I asked. "I've never seen him in his costume."

"He is too a superhero, he just doesn't wear his costume in front of you!" said Dylan.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because he doesn't fit into it any more! Don't you know? He put it in some washer place
where they wash it forever!!!" exclaimed Dylan.

To which I graciously acquiesced. :-)

If all the boys in this world could be as cute as mine! As I write this post right now Dylan is shouting in the bath tub: "Here comes Underdog..." I am telling you, the boy is nuts!

Anyhoo...Go see the movie. Here are my favorite lines from the movie:

Shoeshine Boy (aka Underdog): Y'know, you never see dogs hurting each other for money.

Jack: You never see people sniffing each other's butts.

Shoeshine Boy (aka Underdog): Touché.

The Boys are Back in Town!

2007-07-30T08:52:00.001-07:00

I took Dylan to the Dallas Cowboys Training Camp at the Alamo Dome this morning. He had a blast! These were the only pictures I could snap before the camera died--sorry--but these should suffice to make my dad and brother jealous!

The boys at the River walk

2007-07-29T14:11:00.001-07:00

Today after church we went to the Rain Forest Cafe on the River walk and the boys had a blast here are a few pictures

Chocolate coconut bundt cake

2007-07-29T14:07:00.001-07:00

Well this is my first bundt cake ever. Papa you would be so proud

Dylan got glasses!

2007-07-27T17:00:00.000-07:00

Today we took Dylan to the eye doctor just for a check up and found out he has really bad vision. He is 20/50 and his prescription is 3.0 in one eye and 4.0 in the other. Mine is only .75 that is a huge difference.

Having fun!

2007-07-25T19:21:00.001-07:00

The boys were having a blast playing on mommy and daddy's bed. The picture with just Noah was him holding up mommy on the step ladder.

Our new addition

2007-07-23T17:14:00.000-07:00

Well, as most of you know, before we moved out here we found out that we needed to replace the Jeep. So, we have been car shopping the last few weeks and found our new addition. Now that we have an Expedition we have room for all of our visitors! We are looking forward to seeing y'all!

Getting Situated

2007-07-12T10:29:00.000-07:00

Hi Y'all,

We just wanted to give you a quick update on how and what we are doing. We arrived last Monday and had visitors our first night. The Sheltons were kind enough to bring us food. The next day we, or I should say Aaron, Rob Shelton and Steve Jones, unloaded the truck in a matter of just a few hours. With the help of Tamber and Kathleen I was able to get my whole kitchen and most of the boys stuff unpacked. How great it is to have friends!

For the fourth of July we went to Austin to spend it with the Jones family. We also made a few stops along the way: we went to this really cool outlet mall, and it is the largest outlet mall I have seen. Aaron was in a hurry to get out of there before Dylan and I found stuff we wanted to buy!

We have also, in our first week, experienced our first big thunderstorm! The boys (all 3 of them) were lucky enough to be at home when it started to pour. I on the other hand was not so lucky! I was at Lowe's, which is only 3 exits away. When leaving Lowe's Aaron called and said that they were really hungry and did not want to have to wait for me to cook the chicken--could I pick something up? The closest fast food resturant is one exit past our house. So I got into my car and started to drive. Within 1 minute of entering my car the rain started coming down! The lightning started, and so did the thunder. I got to McDonald's and just in the short time that it took me to order my food the whole left side of me, and the inside of my car, were soaked. I called my parents so that they could hear the thunder and rain, but I think I it worried them more then anything. Once I got into our housing development the main road I take to get to our house was covered in water that came 1/2 way up my tires. So I decided to drive through it anyway thinking of the sign I read a few days earlier: "turn around don't drown." Then I noticed a car behind me and thought: well if I start to drown they can help me or drown with me! Needless to say I got home safe and sound, and 5 minutes after I walked in the door the rain came to an end.

Sunday we took Dylan to the River walk after church. We attended the Shelton's church, which is downtown, and loved it! After that we all went to the Rain Forest Cafe. The kids had a blast! Dylan loves playing with the girls!!!

Well, that is about it for now. We can't wait to see you when you come to visit us. We have enough room so feel free to stop in anytime.

Saying Bye

2007-06-30T10:01:00.000-07:00

Well the last few days have been crazy! We have left the place we have called home for the last two years the state we have lived in all of our lives. We have had to say goodbye to our family and friends which was not easy. We will miss our family, friends, my favorite neighbor (who made me my favorite banana bread and Aaron brownies for the road) and her family. The boys have had so much fun playing with Sydney and Hayden.

Although this seems full of sadness yesterday was also a good day. We were able to stay with our good friends Andrew and Bekah. We had so much fun with them. We were able to take the kids to the park, to down town, and to see the church Andrew works at. They boys have had so much fun playing with Karis. We can't wait to see them again.

The place we will soon call home!

2007-06-13T16:16:00.000-07:00

Well, as most of you know, Aaron has accepted a teaching job in Texas. We will be moving to San Antonio the first of July. Aaron will be working at Geneva School of Boerne. We are very excited about the opportunity, but we will certainly miss everyone here.

Since I have never been to San Antonio, we went there a week ago to see how I would like it...I loved it! What's more, we found the perfect house! This is a picture of it, and we are very excited about the community we will be living in. It is only 5-10 minutes from where Aaron will be working; we have a community pool, park, and basketball court. Dylan is very excited about the park and pool, and can't wait to go swimming!

We hope that you will come to visit us once we are out there, and maybe we can entice some of you to move out there!