Catch up... The Galindo Family A Year in Review!

Over the past year (or a little more) I've kept a list of things I need to blog.... and haven't ever actually blogged. In fact, I haven't even gone near a blog in far to long! After Oliver lost his first tooth on Sunday and it hit me like a ton of bricks that my babies are growing up ... FAST, I decided it was time to get back to blogging. This is our family journal after all, and the only way I'm going to remember all of these moments! So here goes nothing! I'm going to do an overview of the last year of the Galindo's and then I'm going to make it a goal to at least post the special moments and keep this thing going! Preschool Ungraduation: In May of 2012 Oliver's preschool had graduation. Since he would be returning again he got to wear the blue cap and gown. He was so shy he stood there and barely did any of the singing or signs or dances! But the whole program was adorable. One of the highlights was a slide show that Miss Sam put together full of pictures and videos of the kids throughout the year. It was so sweet seeing how much Oliver has grown! I loved that... and balled through it of course!

Three T's and a V visit Utah: Tito, Tita, Terry and Vandana came to Utah and stayed with us for a week! We went on a hike to Donut Falls, Went to Wheeler Farm, Went to the outlets in Park City, Took family pictures at Wheeler Farm, took walks in the neighborhood, practically melted (it was HOT), went to City Creek and played on the splash pad and spent time together! It was great fun! We enjoyed having our family here visiting and the boys had fun with their cousin Vandana!

Grandpa and Grandma Anna: My dad and his fiance Anna came for a visit in August! We had a blast as always! We went to the Farm at Thanksgiving Point, went to City Creek and played on the playground and ate, went to Park City and walked around and took a ride on a life up to one of the resorts, Isaac had his face painted (Oliver wouldn't), we took a picture in a bobsled, and swam a lot at their hotel! It was fun and as always the trip went too fast!

Ring around the Rosie: Our cute friend Rosie had a summer internship at IMC here in Murray, UT. We loved it because we got to spend some time with Rosie while she was here! Berto worked with Rosie and her boyfriend Gabe at TEAM Physical Therapy for a few years! Rosie is such a sweet friend and the boys LOVE her! We loved having her around and were so sad to say goodbye! (Hey Rosie, When are you coming back for a visit????)

Last first day of Preschool: In September Oliver started is last first day of preschool! I am going to be sad when preschool is over. He has loved every minute at Shining Stars Academy! Miss Sam is such a sweet teacher! Oliver looked forward to the first day of school all summer! I hope he's that way about school and learning his whole life! I know I sure wasn't, but I hope he is!

Specs: In October of 2012 Oliver got his first pair of glasses!

Aunt Lianna is getting hitched: In October of 2012 my sister Lianna got engaged to Hamlet Escano Abreu! They came to visit us for a weekend in October before they were engaged and we were the first in the family to meet Hamlet! He is such a great guy and fit right in with us! The boys took to him easily and he is so sweet with Lianna! We are so excited to have a new uncle/brother in the family!

Isaac Turns 2: On October 21 2012 Isaac turned 2! He weighed in at 30 pounds and was 34.9 inches tall! He was in the 94th percentile for height and the 68th for weight! Isaac is a chatterbox! He has probably double the vocabulary that Oliver had at this age! He wants to keep up with his big brother at all costs! He is a fun little guy and we are so grateful to have him as a member of our family!

Six long years: Just kidding! Berto and I celebrated our 6th anniversary on October 21, 2012. I love that man more and more each day! I'm such a lucky girl to have my sweet husband by my side each and every day! Love you Berto! Can't wait to celebrate 10, 20, 50 and more years with you! xoxo Grammy V. 2012 My mom came for a visit at the very end of October. She was here for Halloween and we were able to celebrate Oliver's birthday together! We had a whirlwind visit that included a crazy trip up to Rexburg so that mom could meet her future son in law and see Lianna's wedding dress! While in Rexburg we went to a fun pizza place for dinner and that was the day we celebrated Oliver's 5th birthday with presents and cake! He loved having our little family plus my mom, uncle Donnie, Aunt Lianna and Uncle Hamlet there all to celebrate his special day! We had such a crazy fast visit with mom between trick or treating and driving to Rexburg but we were sure glad she came! Halloween: This year was a simple Halloween. With my mom coming and knowing we'd be driving up the next day to Rexburg we kept it easy. Oliver wanted to be a fireman for the second year in a row and Isaac was a marathoner! We went to our old ward's (Millcreek 2nd) trunk or treat! It was a fun night and the kids enjoyed themselves! So far my boys haven't shown interest in knocking on doors for trick or treating and that is fine with me!

Oliver Turns 5: My sweet Oliver turned 5 on November 4, 2012. I can hardly believe that the boy that made me a mom is 5. Oliver is a sweet, fun, tender, wild, loveable, funny, goofy and all around terrific boy! I love him so much! He is such a fun boy. He is a good big brother and loves everyone he meets! Happy Birthday Oliver!! At his 5 year check up Oliver weighed in at 57 pounds and was 47.64 inches tall! I can't believe my 5 year old is almost 4 feet tall! He was in the 97th percentile for height and weight! ... So he is staying true to himself! Such a gentle giant my Oliver is!

Thanksgiving: We were thankful to have Lianna and Hamlet stay with us for Thanksgiving dinner this year! I did my first Thanksgiving dinner. I simplified things as much as possible because Berto was working and that is a lot of cooking for my small kitchen! But we had a nice meal and a great weekend with Lianna and Hamlet around!... And I won't be sad if I don't have to make Thanksgiving dinner for a few more years! ;)

Oliver and Hope: There is this adorable girl in Oliver's preschool class named Hope! Hope is in LOVE with Oliver! It is adorable! He adores her too... but maybe not quite in the same way she adores him! He is a boy after all! The funniest thing happened that I want to remember forever! It was a Monday morning in December and I was signing Oliver into preschool with my back turned. When I turned around I saw Oliver flat on his back on the floor with a goofy grin. As I turned around Hope looked me in the eye and said "I missed him, so I had to kiss him!" It was so funny and cute! I'm sure her dad is already, ready to lock her in a room! I loved Oliver's reaction to a kiss... just to fall flat on his back in shock! Such a funny moment!

Preschool Christmas Performance: Oliver's school did a little performance at a senior living place. Oliver of course just stood still and didn't sing... but at least he was up there! It was a cute performance!

Christmas 2012: This Christmas was a bit quieter than last Christmas. With Lianna and Hamlet's wedding fast approaching it was just the four of us and Donnie! We had a nice day opening presents, went on a snowy walk and ended it with a movie at the movies! It was a fun, quiet day! It was actually just what we needed! And of course the grandparents spoiled the boys rotten!

Happy New Year... Berto turns 36: We didn't do much this year (or any year really) for New Years! We did have our neighbors Jesse and James McCalvy and their little guy Lincoln over for Cheesecake New Year's Eve evening to celebrate Berto's birthday. It was a nice evening at home and we were fast asleep far before the ball dropped! Lianna and Hamlet get hitched.... And our Cali Vacation: So this year our vacation was in January so that we could pair it up with the wedding trip! Most of our trip was spent in preparation for the wedding, and the wedding festivities! We did spend a lovely day with Berto's Ceci and Moi and their kids, and Berto's Tia Socoro. We also got to see our friends Greg and Carol Ann and their fun boys and went to Disneyland (of course, Thank you Jeff, Dad and Anna for a fun day!) And we got to celebrate my moms birthday actually WITH her on January 13th which was nice! Lianna and Hamlet were sealed for time and all eternity on January 12, 2013 in the Redlands, CA temple. It was a lovely ceremony! We went to Cafe Rio for lunch after pictures at the temple and then vegged at my moms house until the reception! It was a lovely day and they had a lovely reception. Anna and Lianna's friend Mimi watched the boys so Berto and I could be in the temple with Lianna and Hamlet. For weeks after the ceremony every time Isaac saw a picture of (or we drove past) a temple Isaac would say "The temple, Mama be right back, Daddy be right back!' I guess Anna must have had to tell him that a time or two! He was not thrilled that he couldn't go inside with us! We had a great whirlwind (as usual) trip and were so happy that we could spend time with so many loved ones and of course be there for Lianna and Hamlet's big day! Welcome to the family Hamlet!

Super Star Chair, A teaching moment: During March Oliver started saying he hated preschool. I could not figure out what was going on. He lived for preschool up until then. One day Miss Sam called me to tell me she thinks she figured it out. A couple weeks before Oliver had broken a rule and was chasing Hope around the classroom. Hope tripped and fell and landed on the special super star chair. It broke. So each day Oliver was reminded of the broken rule by the super star that week having to sit on a regular chair with a star taped to it. Sure enough that was exactly what the problem was. I had a rare "aha" moment and thought maybe Oliver and I could work together to make the super star chair special again. So with Miss Sam's permission we got vinyl stars and lettering that said super star, and got them all stuck on the chair. Miss Sam made sure to make a big deal about how special OLIVER had made the chair in front of all of the kids in his class, and the problem was solved! It was a great opportunity and it spoke volumes to Oliver's character. He couldn't face that he had ruined something for everyone. I just love this tender boy!

DDDDDentist: Isaac had his first dentist appointment in March of 2013! He did fantastic and didn't have any cavities! Woot!

New Car: In March 2013 we got a new car! It's a 2012 Mazda 5! Seats 6 and we LOVE it! It's so nice having a newer car and not a 15 year old one! The simple things! :)

Happy Birthday to ME and Spring Soccer: Oliver started spring soccer in April! He's a natural! He loves it! During the season he was very good at blocking goals! If he focused a little more he could have a lot of potential! For my 33rd birthday my mama came for a visit! She even smuggled a homemade birthday cake all the way on the airplane! We went to dinner with the 4 of us, my mom, Donnie and long time family friend Ann McLaughlin on the night of my birthday! It was fun! My mom did a lot of the cooking and cleaning over the weekend which was a welcome help! It was a great visit. The boys always miss her when she leaves! We were so glad she came!

Preschool Graduation: Preschool graduation was on May 21, 2013. I was so proud of the leaps and bounds that Oliver grew this year. This year he sang and signed to EVERY SINGLE SONG and he even had a SOLO!! Oliver sang the days of the week (on fast forward:) ) in spanish! It was adorable. We were so proud! Uncle Donnie was able to get off of work to be there with us, and it was such a sweet program! I was so proud of myself for NOT bawling through the entire thing! I love this boy and can't believe he is going to be a big kindergartner this year! That is just insane!!!

That just about sums up our year! Phew! I can't believe I actually did this! It feels so good! I am going to keep this up! We need to be able to look back on our family memories!