Just to let you in on what's new in our family, I thought I'd post a few highlights.
David
- He has officially started the an MBA program at Drexel University. We are both very excited about this opportunity. Kaiser is supportive of his decision to go back to school so he can continue to work his way up in the management team. The program is two years and will consist of classes two nights a week at the Sacramento campus. We were hoping he would find a program that would give him the opportunity to network with other students and not be strictly online. Drexel so far seems to meet David's expectations. We are glad to be able to start back to school sooner than we planned.
- He continues to work as an Asst. Nurse Manager in NICU and in addition, has been fulfilling some of the role as Manager since his boss took a new position in the hospital.
- He has squeezed some golf in while he had the chance, including a round at the Pasa Tiempo Course near Monterrey.
Ashley
- I'm in the midst of helping with two weddings, my brother Chad and his fiance Aubrey. Also, my brother in-law Jordan and his fiance Megan. Chad is getting married in May in the Washington DC temple. That same week he is also being commissioned as a Marine and graduating from VMI with his Bachelor's degree in International Business. Then in June, we will be attending Jordan and Megan's wedding in North Carolina at the Raleigh Temple. I am excited to be gaining two new sisters this year!
- I am really enjoying just being a mom. I have less church responsibility in my ward and it is nice to be able to focus on my family. I drive a carpool with two other families in our neighborhood and enjoy being outside with the kids during the nice weather.
- I recently, this week, joined the mom trend of having a DSLR camera. I have even taken a lesson. I am not looking to be a photographer, I just want better pictures of these cute faces I look at everyday. I am thrilled already with a few shots I've taken, so much better than my old camera.
- Otherwise I'm usually finding a way to craft, make a new recipe, plan something (party, shower, wedding ideas, etc...), talk on the phone and take care of my little family.
Josh
- This boy is loving 1st grade. He was struggling with his reading at the beginning of the year. We started a learning program at Kumon. They do excellent work. It's not a tutoring program, it is a program that helps students learn in a way that will benefit them through their educational experience. (We used it as a tutor program to get him up to speed initially). Now he is excelling and continues to progress with his reading skills.
- He loves being outside. We have a lot of kids in our neighborhood, including two of his classmates. So when the weather is good you can find a herd of kids running around out front. Josh prefers being outside than in.
- He will start Karate in April at our neighborhood community center.
- He's a fantastic big brother as always. Emmi loves her brother. She always has a smile for him. He is good at getting her out of bed, carrying her around, and playing with her. He has changed a few wet diapers, but not on a regular basis.
- He is so tall. He is one of the tallest in the whole 1st grade. He is proud of being tall and that makes me smile (since I know it's the Surganovich in him!).
- Right now Josh loves legos and art. He is taking art lessons from an uncle and loves it.
Parker
- He is in preschool and enrolled for Kindergarten. He is also on a waiting list for the Foundations program. It is a pre-Kindergarten class our district offers for kids who have late birthdays and may not be ready for Kindergarten. We haven't made a decision which way we want to go yet. I think a little extra time might make Parker more successful in Kindergarten, but we will wait to see over the summer.
- He is full of life and says the funniest things. This boy makes us laugh all the time! He recently had his tonsils and adenoids removed. Before the surgery they gave him some kind medication to relax him. He became so loopy. He started looking at me funny and I asked what he was doing. He said, "trying to read your mind." Then when a nurse came in (and thankfully she didn't hear him), he pointed his finger at her and said very matter of fact, "I don't like your face." Oh, this boy.
- He is Mr. Social. He talks to everyone when we're out in stores. Always introduces himself to other kids at the playground. Hangs out with the big kids who are our neighbors. He gets them to swing him around or let him ride their skateboards. They all know who Parker is.
- Parker is an excellent big brother too. He hugs and kisses Emmi all the time. Sometimes he says, "she needs her big brudder"
- He continues to like Super Heros and especially Super Mario Brothers right now.
Emmi
- Is the sweetest, happiest baby I could have ever asked for. She is almost always happy, has slept through the night for months, she naps, she keeps herself entertained, drinks from a bottle/a little from a cup, eats (unlike Parker), and makes us all ooh and aah over her.
- She loves her mommy, but her daddy is her special man. He walks in the room and she lights up. She watches his every move when he comes in the door. It is so sweet. After having two mama's boys I prayed (really I did) that this baby would adore his/her daddy. Sure enough, she does.
- She has two bottom teeth. She can sit. No rolling, just a little side to side. She loves her basket of toys. She will take the toys out and then load it back up. She started putting her arms up when I pick her up. She can feed herself some puffs and small foods.
- Having a little lady to dress up is fun also. Even the boys love looking at the clothes for Emmi.
- We are so blessed to have her in our family.
