Happy birthday Poppop

We miss you and hope you are having a wonderful day. Happy birthday.

My birthday

For my birthday we decided to go to a local farm in Bellbrook where they do a corn maze each year. My kids love to walk through them and my parents have never been to one. It was a huge maze that had four different mazes ranging for one mile to seven miles. The kids got to pick the mazes that we did and Judd led the way. The first maze we did we wouldn't have found our way out without the map. The second maze we let the kids lead since it was smaller. Then we went on the cow ride where they load you up in these barrels and you get pulled around the farm by a tractor. It was lots of fun. By the end of the day we were all tired and ready to leave. We will definitly go back again.

Halloween

This is our first Halloween in Ohio and it has been pretty. The leave are amazing. The kids love to go outside every day and jump in the piles. Our neighborhood had a Halloween party where we all went over to one of there houses and had soups and let the kids play in the back yard. They had a great time. Unfortunately Judd couldn't be there he was busy trying to get water up to my new fridge, the kit we bought didn't work and he had to go back to home depot twice to get all the right parts. It ended up taking 7 hours but at least it is done and he finished in time to take the kids trick or treating. Here in Bellbrook they designate 6 to 8 pm for trick or treating. I was told that our neighborhood was the place to be so I loaded up on candy and took my place on the front porch. I met a lot of the neighbors but we barely had any kids now I don't know what to do with all the candy. The kids went out for an hour but got tried so Judd brought them back where they sat on the couch and listened to Halloween music and didn't move the rest of the night. Chase on the other hand decided that handing out candy wasn't enough fun, so while I was passing out candy he made his escape up the street. Lucky he didn't make it far when a group of trick or treaters stopped him. All in all it was a successful night. At the end of the evening a fire truck pulled up and all of the kids ran over and got candy from the driver. It is great to live in a small town.

The swing set

Judd did it. He started it when his dad was here and then he worked on it whenever he had any time. I think the kids were a big motivation. Everyday the kids would ask dad when he was going to finish the swing set. Judd finished it Thursday at 8:00 pm in the rain. He made the kids get out of bed and go down the slide in their Pajamas. I guess since he put so much work into it he wanted to be there the first time the kids played on it. Dax was so excited when he saw it the next day while he was eating breakfast. When he got home from School he and his friend went straight to the play set and stayed there till dinner. They love their new swing set.

While we were staying at the Hotel we tried to see the site that we were never able to make time for. We went to the wild animal park and had a great time. It is very different then the zoo here the people are in the cages and the animals roam free. A lot of the animala walk right up to your car and will eat out of your hands. Dax and Annabelle loved feeding all of the animals. Chase hated it. He screamed when the zebra stuck his head in our car looking for food. We drove through the park twice and went to the petting zoo. It was a great day.

Dax's Birthday

Dax's birthday this year was the Sunday after we had moved out of the house. It was a sad day to be leaving our first home where we made so many memories. It was a strange site to see it so empty. It didn't seem to faze the kids they were having fun running around the big empty rooms. Then it was off to say goodbye to our ward family. That night we took Dax to his favorite restaurant Texas Roadhouse where he had his favorite dinner and an ice cream ball as big as his head. After we celebrated at the nearest park that had a workout circuit and an old fashion merry-go-round. I can't believe that we lived here five years and I didn't find this park until we are leaving. We didn't have any presents to open or candles to blow out but that all came later at Grandma's house.

Judd's Graduation

This summer has been a busy one for the Robins' family, and it all started with the event that has been in the works for the last 9 years, Judd's Graduation. It fills so good to know that all of those years of sacrifice have finally led us here. Judd has been a changed man he is around a lot more. He has even relaxed enough to have some fun. We spent some time in Utah while Judd was preparing for the boards. Then Started our trip cross country to Dayton Ohio. Judd was even relaxed enough to take in some of the sites along the way. We stopped at the Grand Ole Opry and at the Louisville slugger museum. It was a good trip. We are now settled into our new house and trying to get in a routine. Dax started soccer and 1 st grade. Annabelle is in Preschool. I now teach group fitness at LA fitness and at Urban Active. Judd just got his Boards back and he passed. I had no questions in my mind but I know he feels better knowing. So Life is good here in Ohio. I can't wait to see what is next.

Happy Birthday Judy

We hope you are having a wonderful Birthday. We love and miss you so much. We can't wait for your trip to Ohio.

Let him eat Cake

I can't believe my little baby is 1. He is growing up to fast. He had a hard night last night maybe it was the Rudys or maybe he wanted to be awake for the lasts hour of his babyhood. He has now reached that dreaded stage at church. He won't be quiet or sit still. I end up sitting with him in an empty room during the classes.

He was a little timid to open his presents but once he knew what to do he loved it. The older kids kept taking away his toys because they wanted to play with them. At least we know that they are fun toys. We let the kids play with the toys and Judd set up the tent in the backyard so they could have a camp out.

After dinner we did the cake. Chase had his own little race car. He didn't want to sit in his chair until I gave him a taste of frosting, and then he would cry because he wanted more. He ate the cake the way he drinks his milk, sucking the frosting off. He was covered with red frosting. I don't think the bib will ever be the same. Remind me never to make a red cake for a one year old. When he was done he tried to throw it on the floor and clear his plate. What a day.

Body flow

I have been very lucky to work at Gold's Gym while we have lived in Texas. These are some of my student at Bandera Trails. I have loved teaching them and I will miss them. They have become good friends.

Rudy's

Judd has decided that with us moving so soon we have to eat at Rudy's every week. For those of you who have not had the pleasure of visiting us and eating at Rudy's. It is the "worst BBQ in Texas" or so the sign says. It is our favorite place to eat. It is located in a gas station. They serve food by the pound. You eat it off of butcher paper. They make the best brisket, turkey, chicken and creamed corn that we have ever tried. Judd decided that Chase needed to try it, and he LOVED it. We have converted another person.

Annabelle's last day at school

Annabelle's finished her school year. I don't think she really knows it was her last day. They had a little program at the church. She sung amen, days of the week, and monkeys jumping on the bed. I think she was a little shy. Normally she is bouncing off the walls when she sing monkeys jumping on the bed this time she spent her time looking around the room at all the people.

They had a water party on the last day. Annabelle was to cold to play in the water. Ms. Cathy ended up holding her to try to warm her up. Thats what you get when you have no fat on your body. It is sad to see our life wind down here in Texas. I can't wait to see what awaits us in Ohio.

The following image has been included because it represents all that I have been doing the last 2 months. It's starting to take its toll on Jeannie and the kids, as I get home most evenings after the kids are in bed and asleep. Jeannie's done a great job getting the house ready and almost sold. Sorry I haven't called much recently. We're now looking forward to finding a place in Dayton, Ohio, and waiting on the Air Force to get us orders so we can arrange our move. 15 May was my last night assigned to cover call at Wilford Hall; it's quite surreal to me, but a welcome relief to Jeannie and the kids for sure...next call should be in Ohio! --RJR

Our Day

This was the first weekend Judd has been home in over a month, and he got home at 1 :00pm on Saturday. I think the kids have seen him for a total of 2 hours this whole week and one of those hour we brought dinner into him at the hospital. We got an offer on our house this week and the inspector is coming on Tuesday. The Realtor had a whole list of things we had to get done to have our house pass, One of which included Judd getting on the roof to clean out the gutters. It was a very tiring day for everyone. Annabelle couldn't even make it up to her room before she fell asleep. I found her on the bottom stair totally out. We decided that it was such a nice night in Texas we would BBQ some shrimp and turkey burgers. For dessert we had fresh berries. As you can tell Chase loved them. I don't think we need a birthday cake we will just give him berries. All of them wanted to wear there new outfits from Grandma Judy. Thanks!

Fiesta

Dax's school celebrated Fiesta with a shoebox parade. For those of you who don't know what fiesta is, it is a ten day party to celebrate the battle of the Alamo. Dax decided he wanted to do a Alamo float. We bought some plastic cowboys and he glued them on. The funny things is that he had a whole story about what happened. It included one guy shooting another guy.One of the cowboys had his hand cut off and one of them was dead. Lets hope this isn't a sign of his inner thoughts.

At the parade the teacher told him not to stop so he wouldn't even look up at the crowd most of the time. It was very overwhelming for most of the kids. But I was so proud of him.

Dax's Program

Dax had his Kindergarten Program this week. He was even asked by his teacher to do a speaking part. He practiced it till he had it memorized but I think he got a case of stage fright. Take a look. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP8AnFF7h-0

Chase walking

Chase has been walking for about 2 weeks but it is really hard to get it on video when you are the only one home. Because by the time you get him set up and the camera going he has already walked the whole distance.

Finding the basket

Annabelle found the egg with the clue for the baskets. It is really cute to watch, Judd would read a clue and Dax would have to think about each clue and Annabelle would just yell out the answer. The baskets ended up being in the dryer.

The Hunt

Dax wrote a note to the Easter bunny asking him if he could hide the eggs on Saturday so his dad could be around. And when they woke up on Saturday The yard was covered with eggs. The kids had a really hard time waiting for Judd to get home from work so we let them open their presents from Grandma Judy and poppops. Dax got a really cute movie that I let them watch till Judd got home. Then they were off. Each year there seems to be more and more eggs. This year the bunny didn't even do any candy. It was all toys. They found jewelry, animals, baths beads, bubbles, tops, and a puzzle eggs.

Coloring Easter Eggs

Dax was really into coloring eggs this year. We had a lot of fun. He tried really hard to make an Earth egg for his friend Talia it just ended up a blueish green. He also made an ABC egg that ended up cracking. He did a really good half and half egg and a striped egg. Annabelle on the other hand always ended up with a pink egg no matter what color her eggs started out to be.

Annabelle's school Easter party

Annabelle Celebrated Easter at her school. They made Easter baskets out of eggs cartons which I thought was a great idea then the kids could only get 12 eggs and I didn't have to count them a hundred times. Annabelle made quick work of finding all her eggs then we went to see the Easter bunny. She gave him her orange sparkly egg and he gave it to another kid and tried to give Annabelle a pink one. But she wouldn't have it. She started to cry and wouldn't take any other egg. I had to trade eggs with another girls. Then she wouldn't go near the Easter bunny again. She just wanted to go home.

Music Easter Party

Annabelle's music class had an Easter party. They sang songs. Then had an Easter egg hunt, did a pinata and got treats. Annabelle normally hates music class but she loved the party. She found so many eggs I kept having to take some out and re hide them. During the pinata she hit it so hard that the pinata fell off the rope. No candy came out though. Dax was really jealous of her Easter eggs but she was nice and shared her candy with him.

Annabelle's Stitches

Annabelle can never get enough dancing. I was upstairs with Chase,she and Dax were downstairs dancing to music when I heard this loud crash and then Annabelle crying. I thought that if it was bad they would come and get me. Annabelle came upstairs and said she hit her head and it hurt. I held her for awhile. Then took her downstairs to get Dax ready for gymnastics. When I carried her into the kitchen Dax said look mom Annabelle is bleeding. I turned her around and there was so much blood. It was all over her hair. I started freaking out and calling all of Judd's numbers but he was not answering. When my friend came to pick up Dax she tried to help me find the cut but there was to much blood. She said not to worry because heads bleed a lot. But she told me which doctors were home at the moment. Then Judd finally called and told me it would be okay and to wait till he got home. So for 1 1/2 hours Annabelle laid on my lap with an ice pack on her head while chase cried because he had a fever and was teething. It was not a good day. Judd got home and stitched her up in the kitchen while Dax cried because he was worried that Annabelle would cry. He did 4 stitches. While it happened Annabelle was so good she held still the whole time and didn't even cry. The next day when I asked her if her head hurt she said" No Mom, Daddy fixed it."

Annabelle's Dance Recital

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0snFR_5VrI (The link to the video)

We had Annabelle's Dance recital last Wednesday in our backyard. It was a lot of fun. I have been teaching dance to Annabelle's friends this year in our house. I had a class of 7 girls. This year we did a piece to Singing in the Rain. I was so proud of Annabelle.

What cute kids

2nd place

Dax had a big week this week. He wanted to do a science fair project, so we helped him put one together. He tested bananas to see what the best way to store them is. We tried the refrigerator, the counter and in the dark pantry. We also tried in a green bag a ziplock bag and in the open air. He guessed that the fridge in a bag would make them last the longest, and he was right. At school he won 2nd place. When we went to see the fair. He decided he was hungry and he ate one of his display bananas, good thing he was already judged. Then another girl from our ward decided she wanted one two. Then everyone wanted one it was really funny. We were so proud of Dax because he decided he wanted to do something and then stuck with it.

21 Mar 09: Dax and I were wrestling before bed time when he yelled out, "Dad, I think one of my loose tooths just flew out..." On further inspection, his other was hanging by a small ligamentous attachment, and we pulled it free--Dax was very excited for the tooth fairy, and I was very excited I was actually present for one of his life changing events...

Climbing to new heights

Chase just decided that he wanted to follow his brother and sister one day and climbed the whole staircase. He is really good at getting up but has not succeeded on coming down. The kids like to work with him on this by dragging him down the staircase feet first. It is a good thing that babies are tough.

Market Square

On Saturday we went to Market Square. They had all kinds of live preformers. Dax was chosen by one of the dancers to come up on stage. As you can see he is not shy. He picks up the moves quickly and even adds his own style to it. After awhile Annabelle even got up and danced.

After we went across the street to a little park and let the kids play. It was beautiful weather.

We had a great time when Grandma Bird and Grandma Ward came to visit. When the two older kids were at school we went to the San Antonio Missions. It was really interesting. I have lived here for 5 years and I have never been to see them. The three that we went to visit still had congregations and regular Sunday Services. We learned a lot about the history of San Antonio.

My Boys

Dax and Chase looked so cute at church today I just had to take a picture.