Easter Weekend 2009

Are you surprised to be hearing from me so soon? Yeah. You should be. For some reason I have a little time on my hands and I thought I'd surprise you all be doing something very unlike me...not wait a month between posts! I thought I'd try to get all caught up so I don't have to do such a big post a month from now. ;) Even though I'm sure you all enjoy the extra long posts! ;) We're still in Houston. Jason has 9 more days left at the hospital here before we can head back home, so we don't have much longer! As much as I enjoy not having a whole house to clean or any errands to run - there's something nice about being in your own house...especially sleeping in your own bed! This bed is SO uncomfortable! It makes our bed at home seem like a Temperpedic mattress (or as Tony always called it - an astronaut bed)! :) Anyways - let's get caught up! :)

What better way to start off a post than with a picture of ME and my little boy?! ;)

Caleb at 7 weeks. He started cracking cute little smiles at 6 weeks. Of course the first person he smiled at was Jason...but seriously - who wouldn't smile (laugh) at that crazy guy!! ;)

For Easter weekend we drove out to Dallas to visit Aunt Shelley and Uncle Jim. Coming from Houston, it was still just as far away as it normally is (coming from San Antonio), but the time spent with family is always worth the drive! 5 hours of driving + 3 kiddos = aggravation! Even so - being with family is well worth all the tears, screaming and my bulging angry forehead vein that come with kids and a long drive! :)

The next afternoon, we lounged around being lazy watching TV and doing nothing. For some reason we felt compelled to watch the rest of the Lizzy McGuire movie with Hilary Duff. At the end of the movie, Hilary Duff was singing some song and it was at that point that Becky and Rissy decided to break out with a little enthusiastic dancing. Much to their embarrassment, Jason had decided to videotape them...and to make it worse - I'm putting it on my blog for all to see. I guess I'm one of Jason's accomplices now. I've gone over to the dark side. ;) I still love you Beck and Riss! It was highly entertaining! I wish Jason would have started videotaping it sooner! :)

Becky and Rissy's debut dance off

That night, we met Uncle Jim and Aunt Shelley at the kids' high school to watch Becky and Rissy's softball games. Unfortunately, we got there after Becky's game had just ended! I was mostly upset that we missed her singing the national anthem before her game! Argh!! She sings before all of the games, so maybe we'll make it to a game on time next year...

The crazy Capra clan cheering for Rissy and her team

Don't get in Rissy's way! She's intimidating!! Seriously. ;)

Jason showing his support

The excitement is building...

Jason leading the crazy cheering Capras

Jason breaks out with a robot dance. It was highly entertaining...and only a little embarrassing... ;)

Uncle Jim and Aunt Shelley with a couple of my monsters... ;)

The next day, Jason and I - along with Katie, Caleb, Mike (who also came to visit while we were in Dallas), Mark, Becky and Rissy all went out for a little shopping. I really need some new clothes, but I'm still 13 pounds away from my pre-preggo weight (and I'm breast-feeding), so nothing fits right! Argh!!!! I want clothes!!!! That night - Uncle Jim did what he does best - a BBQ! Mmmm...yummy!!! Before bed, we watched Slumdog Millionaire on their big screen in the theater room. It was pretty good and I know everyone loves it, but I don't think I'd want to watch it again! The guy wins millions of dollars on a TV game show, but he only knows all the answers because all of the questions had to do with something horrible that happened in his childhood/adolescence! It was a great movie, but too depressing to watch more than once!

The next night (the night before Easter), the girls' colored the eggs

Rissy at work on her masterpiece

Caleb enjoying the swing that Aunt Shelley bought for him for when we're visiting. He really did enjoy it - prior to this crying episode!

Later on, we watched another movie called The Changeling. Not as good as Slumdog, but almost equally depressing. During the movie, Caleb smiles for his Uncle Michael while they get to know each other. :)

Caleb and his Uncle Mikey

After staying up far too late watching that movie, I finally went to bed at 2am - which is probably why I woke up too late for church the next morning! Eek!! It's okay though - I can still praise God on my own for the awesome gift He gave us that very first Easter...besides we go church the rest of the year, so I didn't miss out on a one-time thing!

Aunt Shelley, Jason, Michael and I hid all of the Easter eggs while Becky and Rissy hid the girls away in a room. I had originally only brought two Easter baskets, some candy, a little bag of plastic eggs filled with candy and a couple little toys, but Aunt Shelley added a huge bag of candy-filled plastic eggs, stuffed animals and toys to boot! Even Jason and I, Caleb, Mike, Mark, Becky, Rissy and Micah got some Easter surprises! Aunt Shelley is such a cutie! :)

The booty...

Uncle Jim and Aunt Shelley with Caleb - the best surrogate grandparents ever!!!

Kristin in search of more eggs

It didn't take long before Katie got the hang of it (especially when she found out there was candy inside the eggs...)

My two little cutie-poos in their Easter dresses that Jason's Mom made them

Inspecting their baskets

Caleb - still too young to appreciate a good present... ;)

Mike with his goodies

Uh-oh...we all know how much Jason's loves temporary tattoos!!! ;)

Rissy and her Twilight shirt

Me, Becky and Rissy admiring our skip-it toys ;)

Becky sniffing all the new baby smell off of Caleb

Oh no!!!! It's a room full of half naked guys applying tattoos on each other! This can't be good! ;)

Mike helping out Mark

Jason is overexcited...

Aunt Shelley comforting Caleb after his Daddy applies an "I heart Mom" tattoo to his tiny little hand!!! He hates it!! ;)

Michael showing off his tats ;)

He's starting to recover from the tragic tattoo incident...

Nooooo!!! He can't suppress the memory!!! ;)

Jason and Mark are apparently very proud of the work they've done ;)

To make matters worse, the guys ask me to take pictures of them with their new tattoos. I think they were going for a tough guy/trailer trash/red neck look. I think they pulled it off! ;)

More embarrassing photos of the red neck squad... ;)

After a fun-filled Easter Day...complete with temporary tattoos, we packed up the car and headed back to Houston. So far, we've been busy with home school lessons, feeding kids, changing diapers (when is Katie going to realize my need for her to use the potty?) and going to the gym after Jason gets off work. We've also enjoyed some of the local restaurants on the weekends and went to the Space Center. I'll write more about all that later though. For now - I must tend to my little Milk Hog (a.k.a. Caleb). Toodles! ;)

Kristin practices spelling some words on the window (with window markers of course...this is fun for Kristin, but it hasn't proved to be a good example for Katie - who now thinks it's okay to write on windows and walls with any writing instrument she finds fit to do the job)! Eek!

Kristin - my big little helper - with Caleb

All behind and too much to do!!

To my dearest and most faithful readers,

Alas - it appears I have lost it all together and can't seem to get the hang of this 3 kid situation. Not yet anyways. I'm so far behind in keeping up with my blog that some of you have brought it to my attention that I need to suck it up and get some pictures on here. Notice - I haven't received any complaints as to my lack of writing...just my lack of picture-posting (insert my heart shattering into a million pieces here). ;) It's okay though. I know you all probably don't have time to read all of my ramblings. I'm only the most perfectly perfect daughter/friend/relative that anyone could ever ask for, but don't worry your pretty little heads about reading all the nitty gritty details of my life. Sure it may be boring. Sure you may fall asleep and drool on your keyboard, but I'm a person!! I have feelings!! ;) Who am I kidding?! I know why you come here! It's okay - I understand. I don't have an hour to read a bunch of rambling myself. Heck - I hardly have time to read 5 minutes of my Bible these days!! Sorry Jesus - I'm working on it!! ;) Okay - so I'll just go back and write about the stuff we've been doing since I did my last monster post. Don't worry - I'll do more pictures than writing. ;)

The day before Katie's 2nd birthday, we drove up to Dallas to visit Aunt Shelley and Uncle Jim's for the weekend since Jason finally had a few days off. The next morning, Jason and I, Caleb and a few of Jason's cousins went to a nearby golfing range to hit some balls. Well - I didn't hit any balls - I just came along for support and picture-taking. Aunt Shelley and Uncle Jim took Kristin and Katie out with them to run errands and go shopping. There's no way I could have chased Katie around the golf course without one of us getting popped in the head with a flying golf ball! That Katie is one crazy kid!

Jason perfecting his swing.

Mark posing for the camera (like he's known for doing ALL of the time) ;)

Micah following in his brother's picture-posing footsteps

On our back home from the golf course, we drove by huge mansion-like houses. Some of them were enormous and beautiful. Too big for my liking though - the bigger the house, the more there is to clean!! Boo! ;) Jason and Doug decided to jump out of the car in front of one the houses complete with landscaping and its own moat to pose with one of the statues. I was happy to just stay in the car and snap the picture. I don't want any security guard chasing me off someone's property!! ;)

Nerd boys - Jason and Doug

Doug takes a chance for one last picture before we drive away!

While we were out at the golfing range, Aunt Shelley and Uncle Jim took Kristin and Katie out and spoiled them by buying them toys. I think they were just getting stuff for Katie for her birthday, but Kristin lucked out since she was out for the ride. Little turd. ;) They each got a disney princess doll, a Kristin-sized Barbie, Cinderella dress and one of those horse head things on a stick (what are those called anyways?)! Spoiled little girls!! That night, I made up the cupcakes and we celebrated Katie's 2nd birthday! My cute little monster is all grown up and annoying people!! ;)

Katie admiring her cake before the singing begins...

Helping Kristin peel off her cupcake wrapper - if it was up to her, she'd eat the wrapper too!

A family picture minus Caleb (who was snoring away)

Uncle Jim and the girls

Katie opening presents (Tinkerbell house and Nintendog from her Mommy and Daddy)

What's next?!

Toddler bed set (to match Kristin's bed) and banzai water park from Grandma Christie and Grandpa Neil

Mesmerized with the dog's wagging tail...

Who can put a whole cupcake in their mouth? Doug can!!

Katie trying on her Cinderella dress from Aunt Shelley and Uncle Jim

Later that evening, we were fortunate enough to watch Jason and Michael get ready for their 1920's bare knuckle boxing match. Sheesh...what will these Capra boys think up next?! ;)

Let the fight begin!

Nothing came of it. Apparently they were dressed up only for show. They're all talk... ;)

If you were wondering what Caleb was up to all this time...this is what he thought of the whole evening: Zzzzzz...zzzzzz...zzzzz

After a fun-filled weekend spent with family, we headed back home to return to the daily grind of feeding 3 kiddies, cleaning, cooking, changing diapers and taking Kristin to her gymnastics classes. I have yet to get a good picture of Kristin at gymnastics - the lighting is either yucky (it can't possibly be my photography skills that's causing the problem) or I'm too busy chasing Katie to capture any good pictures. Argh... One of these days... Did I mention that Kristin was invited onto the team? Well - not really the team. Since she isn't 6 yet (which is the age she has to be to compete), she was invited onto the pre-team. It's 90 minutes twice a week. They only pick 6 girls out of all the classes who show potential for going further in gymnastics. Aw...my little cutie!! They have to be mature and take gymnastics seriously to get picked!! We're so proud of our little Kristin-poo! I'm so glad she has found something that she really enjoys doing! I wish I had found something I liked doing at such a young age (besides just playing Barbies and riding my bike)! Kristin was so excited to tell us that they'll be getting uniforms next month!! How cute is that?!

Kristin on the beam

We haven't really been up to a whole lot at this point. Just the usual.

Jason and the kids on a typical Saturday morning.

Isn't Katie a cutie-poo?! (when she isn't being a monster that is...)

Me and the kiddie-poos

Kristin is such a big help when it comes to taking care of her baby brother! She's so sweet!

Kristin and Katie testing out the banzai water park from their Grandma Christie and Grandpa Neil

Watch out! That gun is loaded...with water!!

A random picture of Caleb getting ready for a trip in the car (at 6 weeks and just starting to crack smiles)

A couple weeks ago it was Christian Day at Sea World. How cool is that??!! Third Day was there for a couple of concerts, there was a special Shamu show with some Christian singer (that we missed) and there were kiosks with various cross decorations and Turkey legs (I'm not sure what turkey legs have to do with Christianity - it seems as though Texas people just want their turkey legs)! I wish I had some extra money! I really wanted one of the crosses covered in sea shells!! Anyways - it was the first time Jason and I had ever been to a concert before and it was a lot of fun!! They even have a traveling pastor, Nigel James, who comes along with them on tours since they're away from home for big chunks of time (to keep them accountable to each other, their church and to God and he also reminds them to stay focused on Jesus). He was some guy from England and he gave a little shmeal before their concert began. It was great! He pointed out that the music isn't about the guys singing it - it's about worshipping the Lord through their music. He wanted to make it clear that people shouldn't be worshipping the band - which is what a lot of people do (in a way) to most bands and singers. After hearing that, it doesn't make us want to go to any secular concert - because when someone is getting all excited, what are they getting all excited and crazy over? People? I'd rather keep my excitement and worship focused on Jesus and not people!

Mac Powell of Third Day at Sea World for Christian Day

Third Day

The next day a package arrived from the girls' Grandma Capra!! Inside it was some Easter candy and Kristin's Easter dress handmade by Grandma herself!! When we were in Virginia this past Christmas, Jason's Mom took Kristin to the fabric store to pick out her own fabric, so she could sew an Easter dress for Kristin. Kristin has been so excited about getting in the mail, so this was a big day! :) She held off on the candy because she knew she had a dentist appointment in a couple of days. What will power!! Jason's Mom was also making a dress for Katie, but she wanted to get Kristin's dress in the mail before we left for Houston (since we wouldn't be back home for Easter). We didn't anticipate how upset Katie would be over not getting a dress on the same day as Kristin!! We thought Kristin would be the only one excited about getting the dress right away, so Jason's Mom focused on getting Kristin's dress done first (so she could get it in the mail) and getting to Katie's later. Little did we know that Katie would be furious that Kristin had a pretty dress to wear and not her! Jason's Mom felt so bad about Katie being sad that she sewed all day and all night to get her dress done by the following night and in the mail! Luckily it arrived in the mail before we left for Houston and Katie was SO excited!! Thank you MomEE!!!!!

Kristin and Katie and the much anticipated package

Modeling her new dress from Grandma

On a more disappointing note, we found out Kristin has 5 cavities!! So a couple days after the Easter dress and candy came in the mail, she had her first appointment to get 2 of her cavities filled. I took her to Chuck E. Cheese after her appointment as a reward for being a big girl and not crying when she got her novocaine shots. Now it may seem like I'm rewarding her for getting cavities, but that's not what I was trying to do (nor will I continue to "reward" her whenever she has to get a filling)! I was rewarding her for not costing us $300 to put her to sleep to fill all 5 cavities at once! Can you believe they wanted to put her to sleep to fill her cavities?! How ridiculous!!! What lesson is learned when all you have to do is go to sleep and wake up when all the fillings are done? Knowing I'd get a shot in my mouth was the only thing that kept me motivated to brush and floss my teeth (and it still does)! Well - that and the dental bill. ;) I was amazed when they told me that they wouldn't fill her teeth without putting her to sleep! I couldn't believe it! Especially since Kristin does SO well at the dentist and she has never needed Jason or I to go back with her. They only decided to go ahead and try it only with novocaine when I said I'd go somewhere else! I was never put to sleep for any of my filling! Pssh! I understand that some kids (it sounds like most kids - with all the crying and screaming I can hear when they open the door and call for Kristin) can't sit still and they probably cry, but can't they made a decision on a case by case basis?! Sheesh! Maybe it's a money-making scheme - maybe they don't want kids to learn from their mistakes, so they'll keep coming back with their parents' credit card or maybe they just like making money off the anesthesia. Who knows. All I know - is this confirms my fear and dislike for the dentist!! I'm ashamed to admit that I haven't been to the dentist since we moved to San Antonio (3 years ago)! I went to the dentist the WHOLE time we lived in Maryland and "somehow" they were always able to find something EVERY time I went in for a cleaning. Even though I was taking better care of my teeth than I ever had before (brushing 2-3 times a day, flossing, fluoride). Within 4 years time we spent a good $5,000-$6,000 on my mouth alone in Maryland. Easy. How do dentists sleep at night?! Maybe it's hard for me to understand - since Jason doesn't make any more money being a doctor than any other officer in the military. He'll eventually start getting a bonus, but it TOTALLY pales in comparison to what civilian doctors make. I'm actually not sure if having the military pay for medical school is all that worth it. A civilian doctor can easily pay off their school loans within a year or two!! But Jason owes the military 11 years of service for all of his school. Lucky for us - we actually want to be in the military and Jason wants to stay in 'til retirement! Whoa! Okay - has anyone picked up on the fact that I don't care for dentists?! Sheesh Tricia! Sheesh!! ;) No more whining I promise! ;)

Kristin and Katie at CEC

I remember my smiles looking a lot more silly than this (after a visit to the dentist)!

Minutes before biting her lip (since her bottom lip was still numb)

Katie enjoying the benefits of Kristin's trip to the dentist

One day Caleb - you'll appreciate CEC just like every other kid! ;)

Katie enjoying seeing herself on the big screen

My little cuties

Yay! Katie's dress arrived the day before we left for Houston!!! Just in time!!!

That's it for now. I don't think I rambled on too much did I? Well...except for that chapter on dentists. I really don't like 'em. Nope. No I don't. ;) Anyways - I'm going to try and start uploading some more pictures, so I can get started on another blog entry. Caleb and Katie (my two neediest employers) are both taking naps, so I'm going to try and get caught up as much as I can!! We'll see how much progress I can make!! Aw man! I spoke too soon! Caleb just decided to wake up!! Argh!! He's lucky he's such a cutie!!! ;)