Time to get caught up!

It has been an extremely long time since I last posted a story. I'm sorry! We were having a hard time being back home after Tony's funeral, so it took me a while to get back into our usual routine. We're doing a lot better now. There's some stuff I didn't have a chance to post this past month, so I'll try and get caught up!

So Kristin had her very first dental checkup March 31st. She was so excited about it! To be honest, I probably would have waited another year before taking her in, but she has been pretty adamant about wanting to go (for the past year now), so I finally decided I should take her before she gave up all hope and lost interest! It's difficult for me to comprehend why anyone would want to go to the dentist. I don't think I've ever had a positive outcome as far as dental checkups go (and those who know me well - know this to be true). Each of my checkups have always resulted in multiple follow up appointments - full of poking, probing, numbing, filling, cutting and credit card swiping. Ugh. It's definitely not my idea of fun! I forgot to mention that I actually take good care of my teeth!! Rrrrr... It's all a scam I tell you! A scam! ;)

Anyways - Kristin also takes good care of her teeth...but with my personal experience - that doesn't mean anything! We took her to a pediatric dentist - hoping they would know how to keep a kid entertained and not scare them away. It was such a cute office! It had a gingerbread house built into the wall, so little kids could go inside and climb up some stairs to a little loft-type thing with windows. The girls loved it! Jason and I even enjoyed being there! There was also a TV with family-friendly movies and the office was all painted and cozy. Maybe I'll start going there! I wonder if they'd let me... ;)

I'm strangely comfortable...


Katie in the gingerbread loft - she loves it!


When they called Kristin's name, they asked her if she wanted to go in by herself or bring her Mom in with her. Of course the little wench said, "I can go by myself." Pssh! What am I? Chopped liver?! ;) I was glad to hear she wasn't scared, but I was slightly disappointed that I couldn't go back and take a couple of pictures of her during her first visit (when the dentist wasn't looking of course)! After 20-30 minutes, they called us back to meet her dentist and hear the verdict. Much to our surprise - Kristin had no cavities or any other dental issues! The only thing she wanted to show us - was the x-ray of Kristin's teeth. She just wanted to give us an idea of what we'd be up against in the future. She said, "I just wanted to give you a heads up - Kristin will be needing braces when she's older and she'll probably need a few teeth removed to make some room." She told us that Kristin's adult teeth were extremely large compared to her baby teeth and that she has a small mouth that won't be able to accommodate such large teeth (when they all come in). Then she flipped on the light beneath Kristin's x-ray. Both our jaws dropped. We couldn't believe how huge her adult teeth were!! I can't even imagine what she'll look like with those huge chompers! All I can picture in my mind is Cindy Lou-Who from the Grinch!!

Eek! It's Kristin Lou-Who's X-ray!


Overall, Kristin had a great visit. We couldn't figure out at first why she looked so sad afterwards. When we went back to get her, she was holding a toy in one hand and a new toothbrush in the other - along with a forced-looking smile. We found out in the car that she liked everything except for the fluoride treatment - because it tasted gross. Jason did a video clip on our camera of us asking her how her checkup went. It's pretty sad...but funny! Jason reassured her he was joking afterwards, so she's fine - no damage done!! ;)

Kristin's forced-smile pose for the camera


Poor little Kristin-poo...


The next afternoon, we got a surprise box in the mail from Marigold! She handmade 3 adorable stuffed cupcakes for Kristin and Katie! They were so cute and the girls love them!! After that the girls and I headed out to a home school seminar at a local hotel. Even with all of the information I received there, I still don't know which company I want to use to start homeschooling Kristin in the Fall for Kindergarten! Argh! There are too many choices!!

Yay! Presents!


Kristin, Katie and their cute little cupcakes!


It's Sea World time again! Sea World opened back up again in March and we have our season passes, so that means we spend just about every weekend at Sea World - especially now that the water park is open!

A squished family picture at Sea World


Me and Katie looking at the aquarium in Sea World


Jason, Katie and Kristin


Who needs a double stroller when you have two miniature girls?! ;)


Kristin, Jason and Katie trying to pet the dolphins


Aw...


Nope - Kristin's still not tall enough for Journey to Atlantis.
Uh...sorry Katie - there's nothing for you to ride...


Jason and Katie at Sea World's waterpark


Jason and Kristin


Jason and Kristin drying off


Me helping Katie practice her walking


Jason and Katie in the baby pit at Sea World


We celebrated our 11th Anniversary on April 5th. We went out to Red Lobster for dinner and it was delicious!! We had the girls with us (of course) and surprisingly Katie went easy on us and didn't give us a hard time. It was great! One of these days we're going to try out a babysitter and see what it's like to go out to dinner on our own... After that we went out to one of our favorite places to read books and drink coffee - Barnes and Noble! You can never read too many books!! A couple days later we received a fruit arrangement for our anniversary from Mommy Capra and Rachel! It was great!!

Kristin and me getting ready to dig in!! Mmmm...


In preparation for our upcoming trip to Portland, OR to visit my family for a week - we stopped by the commissary the next evening to pick up some snacks for our flight. As usual, Jason made even something as mundane as grocery shopping fun!



Two short days after that, on April 9th, we found out about Tony and our lives were forever changed. Jason's Anesthesiology Flight took no time at all in calling us with their condolences, contributing money and giving Jason an additional week of emergency leave on top of his one week of scheduled leave before sending us on our way. They were an amazing help during our time of need. We canceled our flight to Portland and we drove up to Dallas the next evening to stay the night at Aunt Shelley and Uncle Jim's house and then we followed behind them all the way to Virginia the following two days.

On the days leading up to and following Tony's memorial service and funeral, we spent all of our time with family and friends. All of Jason's aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents as well as parents, siblings, Angie and her family and of course our little nieces and nephews were all in town to support each other. Even close friends of the family were there to help. Jason's parents' church brought in breakfast, lunch and dinner (in massive quantities) for over 2 weeks!! It was amazing to see all of the hard work that people put forth to take care of all of us! Everyone worked continuously - maintaining order, keeping the house clean and helping to make preparations for the funeral.

Although it was a very sad time, it was also a time to celebrate Tony's life and enjoy the company of our huge family. We were able to make some time one day to get the groom and groomsmen's fittings for James' wedding while we were there. We went out for donuts at Krispy Kreme afterwards and then later that night we spent time sharing stories with the family at home.

James after asking, "What do you think guys? Do you think these need to be taken in a little bit or what? I mean - because I'm not sure."


Jason getting fitted


The Best Man, Mike, waiting for his fitting


Uncle Nate taking care of Katie during the fittings


Tish doesn't look impressed with James' manly pose ;)


Jason can never pass up an opportunity to tell the infamous story of his "Dad and the bucket." I wish I had videotaped it!!!!


You can't not laugh during this story!!


Tish and James doing their pose for the camera


Cousins Mark and Jesse


Joe and his cute little fiance Dillon


Mark and Jason


Me and my sister-in-law Rachel and my soon-to-be sister-in-law Dillon


Joe and Dillon on Joanna's tiny ATV


Me and Jason on the tiny ATV. I was totally scared! Jason is a crazy driver!!


Our friends from medical school - Luigi, Stephanie and one of their babies, Bernadette


Katie enjoying all of the attention


Inseparable!! Aunt Joanna and Kristin (a.k.a Mama Shamu and Baby Shamu)


Me and our most wonderful Aunt Shelley


Katie enjoying Uncle Jim as usual


Rachel's two new kitties were temporarily living in the bathroom and this is what they did to Jason when he went in to use the toilet... Don't they look cozy?? ;)


Me and Mike


You're not a Capra if you don't play soccer...


Brothers, sister, cousins, nieces, nephews and friends playing a vicious game of soccer


Jason and our nephew Mark


James rounding up his team of little women


A lovely shot of Joe Shmo taking off with the ball


Joanna using her mad soccer skills to sneak up on Nate ;)


Angie, her Mom, sister, friend, niece and baby Anna watching the soccer game


No Capra male can resist a pile up!! :)


Not one...


They also can't resist a good wrestling match... (Jason and cousin Doug)


This all went on for a few days. The day before we left, Mom Capra, me, Mike, Rachel and Nate went to Arlington to visit Tony's grave site. It will look so much better once the grass grows in and his headstone is put in place.

Looking out from Tony's grave site


Tony's marker until the headstone is put in place


Mom Capra and Rachel


Arlington


Arlington


Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington


Changing of the guard


Jefferson Memorial


Air Force Memorial


Later that night, we went out bowling with some brothers, sisters and friends of the family. We couldn't stay out too late though because we had to leave early the next morning to head back to San Antonio. :(

Rachel apparently displeased with her last throw...


Joe Shmo and Dillon - do they ever take a bad picture? Sheesh! ;)


Jake giving Nate some bowling tips


Me and my bighead Jason


Jason and our nephew Mark


James' signature arrogant pose ;)


Me and Dillon


We left for San Antonio in the morning on April 23rd and got in late on the 24th. During our stay in Virginia, Katie was practicing her walking every now and then (no more than a few steps at a time though). Then somewhere between Tennessee and San Antonio, she finally figured it out during a stop at McDonald's! Finally she can walk!!! ;) Here' s a clip of her at McD's!



Sorry for the picture overload, but I needed to get caught up since I've been out of it for a while! I'll be sure to stay on top of my stories from now on! I miss you all!! Take care and stay safe!!