The Jimenez Posse

Cold in Kansas

katillathehoneybun — Sat, 09 Jan 2010 17:32:18 +0000

This morning, Nico woke us up in the living room (on our air mattress) by saying “Paulie so punny (funny)! Paulie say woooaah! And Paulie push Nico and Nico push Paulie!!!” He is talking so much now, we can’t believe it!!!

So we have arrived in Kansas. After a few weeks of visiting family and hotel stays, we are finally in our new, empty house. The plane ride back to the states was SO long. For a while we were getting nervous about the trip back to Italy, then we remembered we weren’t going back. That was a sad moment.

We had a great time with family in Michigan and Ohio. Nico and Paul LOVED playing with cousins, Nico still talks about it. And Nico had a blast playing in his bedroom at Gee’s house. It was filled with teddy bears! He brought them all downstairs, one at a time, to watch movies and eat at the table. Paul was more interested in the cuckoo clock and other musical devices Gee and Pop have around their house. He LOVES to dance!

Christmas 09

The two day drive down to Kansas wasn’t too bad with the help of Aunt Jessica. She is staying with us and helping us get settled here. Then, she is off to join the Army, we are so excited for her!

We love our new house! It’s on post, which is a HUGE relief to Kate, because now she won’t have home repairs to take care of when John is not around. We also have neighbors with small children, so we are hoping Nico and Paul will have some playmates. They are having a tough time transitioning and leaving their friends from Italy. Nico always says “I want my priends!” Now the struggle we are having, is trying to live without furniture for one more week!
Here are some pics of the house and those crazy boys!

Kansas house

Boppin’ over to Belgium.

katillathehoneybun — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:38:16 +0000

On Halloween day the Jimenez clan took a Ryan Air (Ryan Scare) flight to Belgium to visit Aunt Summer and Uncle Mike. The first day there we checked out the Trunk-or-Treating that was going on at the post nearby. Instead of getting candy from houses, you go from car to car. People decorate their trunks, and some of them were actually pretty spooky. Paul was dressed as Elmo and had quite a few little followers. Nico was our little football player. While we waited in line to Trunk-or-Treat, Nico zoomed around the grassy area to our left. He made instant friends with a couple characters (like Buzz Lightyear with REALLY tight white pants…). Nico was so excited to ask for candy. He kept saying “More treat, more treat!” We got a little rained on during the process, but we had a great time as well!

On Sunday, we got on the bullet train to Paris, France at 8:15. We raced around the whole city, most of the time in the rain. Even in the rain though, Paris was beautiful! We battled other tourists at the Louvre, strolled along the Chance Elysee, got a photo in front of the Arc de Triomphe, almost got blown away in front of the Eiffel Tower, froze in front of the Sacred Heart church, and ran back to the train so fast that Katy almost threw up. The boys did so well considering how much we ran around. John’s favorite part of Paris was seeing the Mona Lisa (it was even bigger than he had expected). Katy smirked at the Mona Lisa. She was much more interested in croissants with chocolate, who wouldn’t be? We probably looked like a bunch of pros going through that metro. We had to lift that big jogging stroller over the booth (thank you Body Pump!) while scanning all the tickets and keeping track of the rugrats! It was EXHAUSTING!!!
On Monday, Mike had to go to work. The weather and our trip to Paris made us think twice about going outside again. We decided to check out an aquarium and let the boys have a day to play. We drove up to Antwerp, a little more than an hour away, and checked out a little place there. Paul is just at that age that he was so amazed by the fish. Nico, as always, thought anything bigger than a goldfish was a shark. Both of the boys got to touch snakes and lizards, they were pretty excited about that.
On Tuesday, we hung out at the house except for a little trip outside to feed the sheep. Paul was taking a nap, so Nico and Mommy ran out with some apples. Summer and Mike live in a BEAUTIFUL area. Their house is part of a large chateau with a lot of land surrounding it. There are trails all over that Summer and Mike get to run on and explore. The sheep are visible from the living room, so Nico had been spying on them for quite some time. Mommy didn’t really think ahead to cut the apples in half or quarters so they lasted longer. There were about 6 apples and they were gone in about 2 seconds. It was a quick trip.
On Wednesday, we met Mike for lunch at this fabulous Doner place on post. Then he took us to the GB, a store on Shape that is like a PX with all European items. It was awesome! We got our favorite waffles and checked out some beer. Then we had to scramble home and throw our stuff together so we wouldn’t miss our flight.
Now that we are back in Italy, we are getting ready to head back to the States. In one week we move into the hotel on post and prepare to ship our household goods. We are so excited and bummed about leaving. Hopefully we’ll be back for more Italy later on!
So if you are in the U.S., I guess we will be seeing you soon!

Pics for the fam

FUNNY BOYS!!!

katillathehoneybun — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 19:52:10 +0000

Wow, Nico is cracking us up! He plays in his little kitchen all the time and loves to serve us different plastic cuisine!
Today he brought me a pile of spaghetti and put it on my hand. I told him it was hot and he said “blow on it!” Then he let me know that it was not hot, just warm (mommy says that all the time!) I asked him for a fork and he ran to his kitchen and searched through his bin. After receiving the fork, I asked him for a glass of water. So, he found a cup, and pretended to fill it with water at his sink. On the way back to me I said “Nico, be careful, don’t spill!” Only to see him tip it over and say “Oh man!” Then he had to run back and get some more pretend water!
Paul said “hello” today. He holds the phone up to his head, and mumbles what I believe is “hello”. Sometimes he slams the phone against our heads so we can talk on it. He needs to work on being a little more gentle with that weapon of his!

Birthday Boys!!!

katillathehoneybun — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 22:24:27 +0000

Okay, so it’s been a while since we have updated. Kate’s computer is being difficult, to say the least, and John has been attending the Kofi Annan conference in Ghana. What a lucky duck he was!!! John had a great time meeting new people, and he also learned so much while he was there. Kate on the other hand, got sick the day John left, and spent the ENTIRE time he was gone trying to get well again.
So the boys both had birthdays! Nico turned 3 on October 1 and Paul had his first birthday on Sept 7. Nico is talking like CRAZY now! He is such a big boy! He loves to sing, and usually ends up creating his own words to Twinkle Twinkle! Normally his songs have something to do with trucks and/or dogs. He is too funny!! We also had a HUGE struggle with potty training Nico. We started when he was two months shy of his third birthday and it was so difficult that we decided to wait a bit (Thanks to Connie for the suggestion!!!). About a two weeks ago we decided to try again and he was just ready! In four days he was in big boy undies!!! I guess he just wasn’t ready when we were, but it was worth the wait! Nico loves to color, play outside and he would watch movies all day if we let him!
Paul has 6 big teeth in his sweet little mouth. He is so funny when he smiles. He scrunches up his whole face and shows off his chompers! Paulie is a little eater, he will eat ANYTHING! He is trying to feed himself with a spoon now which makes for some messy meals! Paul started walking at 11 months, so now he is a PRO! He says “daddy” and hums along to the ABCs, but REFUSES to say mommy!!! Little toot! Paul wants to do everything his big brother is doing, poor Nico can’t get a break! He just started giving kisses and hugs that just melt our hearts! The kisses are open-mouth kisses, so not a lot of fun right now, but we are working on that. He gives high 5 and waves and LOVES to flirt with the ladies! He went to the gym with mommy last week and the Italian ladies in the class all wanted to hold him. Paul was working it!!!
We took our last trip to Germany a couple weeks ago. We love going to Edelweiss in Garmisch. It is such a kid-friendly place to go! It was sad to say goodbye to Edelweiss, but we had a great time!
So, here are some pics of their birthdays and a few other random ones too…BEWARE, there are a TON!!!
Take care everyone!
Love, the Jimenez fam

Birthday Boys

This is a test … it is only a test

katillathehoneybun — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 11:20:10 +0000

Remember this?
Just experimenting with adding a youtube video. Or should I say youTUB?! Ha!

Our trip to Belgium

katillathehoneybun — Sun, 31 May 2009 21:41:11 +0000

Well, not JUST our trip to Belgium…
We have some pics of Paul with food on his face, Paul playing with jello at the Dining Facility (LeeAnn gave us the idea…THANKS LeeAnn), and Kate with the MOMs Club at La Rotunda (that is one of the famous Palladio villas). It was tough for Kate to juggle two boys at La Rotunda because Nico wanted to a) play with rocks the whole time or b) dart into roped off areas that were off-limits and make mommy (and security) chase him. But, it was fun seeing all the mommies and watching the kiddos play with each other.
Paul is learning a lot everyday. He is trying to feed himself, crawl and stand up. He makes really cute noises, is working on blowing bubbles with his slobber and he’s ALWAYS happy. Nico is working on using the big boy potty. He does a great job at home, but when we go out he forgets everything he’s learned…
He also talks more and more everyday!!!
On the 22nd of May, John, Kate, and the boys flew up to Belgium on Ryan Air to visit with family and go to Mike’s change of command. In Belgium, on Saturday, we went to Parc Paradiso. It was a beautiful park with a zoo, aquarium, and the biggest playground I have ever seen. We had a lot of fun seeing the animals and watching Nico get excited. We got to take the train to Brussels on Sunday to see the beautiful main square and the mannequin piss. We wandered around the city a little more past all the seafood and turkish food restaurants. The next day Summer and Michael had to work, so the grandparents and the Jimenez fam went to Brugge. It was just like Venice in Belgium. We had the LONGEST lunch ever! And soon after, we had the chance to take a long walk around and check out the neat shops. After our walk, we took a boat ride which Nico LOVED! He found a rope hanging off the boat and dipped it in the water and then drew on the seats in the boat. I’m sure everyone loved having him around. On Tuesday we went to the change of command ceremony and it was beautifully done. Mike’s plane was parked outside and there was a wonderful spread of food next to us. Nico sat quietly the whole time eating his gummy bears and Paul fell asleep shortly after we arrived. They are such good boys!!!
More soon to come! We love you!

Trip to Belgium

Uncle Mikey’s visit

katillathehoneybun — Sun, 10 May 2009 21:01:54 +0000

So today is Mother’s Day. Happy Mother’s Day to all you mommies!!! Today we went to Venice with the boys. We walked around, went to Murano where they make all the glass, and went on a gondola ride (for the first time!). It was beautiful today! The boys were so good. Nico wanted to walk a lot, but we were scared he would fall in the water, so he had to wear his monkey backpack (a.k.a. leash). That leash gets a lot of looks from all the Italians, they all comment on what a good idea it is!
A week ago (last Monday), Uncle Mikey came to visit for the day. So the little ones and I went down to Venice to see him. We just walked around a bit, fed the millions of pigeons at San Marco square and had lunch (an expensive lunch, thanks Uncle Mikey!). It was really nice to hang out with Mike for the day.
Nico got a pair of rain boots that he wears ALL the time. He just puts his boots on and walks out the door!! He is also talking so much! And, he LOVES to sing.
Paul is getting big. He is trying to crawl, but wants to stand up all the time. He is so happy watching Nico, he could do that all day!
John and Kate had a great date night on Friday. We went to a restaurant called Aeolia. It is said that Galileo did some business at this neat little villa, it is pretty cool there.

Logan-UncleMike

Easter Sunday

katillathehoneybun — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 19:54:14 +0000

Bonjourno everyone! We have had a pretty crazy week (hence the late Easter pics). Kate has been subbing and exhausted. She is also back to teaching Body Pump, one of her favorite classes! John is back at work and happy. The boys have been at “school full time” and learning lots of cool things! Paul is REALLY close to crawling. His teacher Aneta said two more weeks and he’ll be all over the place. Miss Aneta is so good with Paul. She says he is so easy to put to sleep…that boy is a sleeper!!
Nico’s teacher Ramona sings all the time. Kate was spying on Nico yesterday while he was in school, and he was singing his ABCs! He also loves the “wainbow” song. He is too funny! His latest phrase is “it doesn’t work!” He says that ALL the time! Nico also loves his teacher Giovanna. She gives him a lot of lovin’!
Ciao ciao!!!

Easter Sunday

Easter Saturday

katillathehoneybun — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:51:13 +0000

We’ve had a quiet Saturday. We drove to Marostica (again) because they have a really good coffee shop there that has some goodies that we like. So, we let Nico run around after we had a treat. He immediately ran towards the pigeons, which he called chickens and ducks. Those pigeons definitely underestimated our Nico. He runs like a little cheetah. He just leads with that big belly and his cheeks go flying! Then we drove back to Vicenza and decided to go to the EGGstravaganza. Nico didn’t get the idea of collecting candy and eggs in his little truck basket. He just sat down and rolled an egg around for a little bit. After a while he got the whole point and took off for the candy. And then he also sampled some!
Paul has been sitting up for a while, but now he likes to sit on his knees. He gets on all fours and rocks back and forth too, it’s pretty cute! In the tub tonight he was splashing and cracking himself up! What a funny boy!
Daddy is back at work and doing well. He likes his job a lot.
Mommy is getting back into Body Pump (slowly) and hoping to get this baby weight off (like yesterday).
We miss you!

Easter Saturday

Back to the grind!

katillathehoneybun — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:23:52 +0000

Hi friends and fambly. We are getting back to normal life over here. John started back at work today, which meant that Katy could no longer sleep in. But, it also meant she could watch Oprah and not have to thumb wrestle John for remote rights. He is happy to get back to his normal life and has almost totally recovered from his gallbladder surgery.
Kate is back to the same old stuff. Trying to keep these boys busy and keep her head above water. She did however find some time (as you will see in the pictures) to go hiking with her little man Paulie and eat some of the best darn pastries EVER in a sweet little walled city called Marostica. Friends Mary and Donatella joined and even helped carry that little chunky Paul up the steep path.
Nico is talking like a champ. His latest phrase is “what are you doing here?” Obviously something mommy and daddy have said to him about a million times. There are some cute pictures of Nico with his new easel and of him wearing his favorite towel and being silly. Today we had our first little Easter party. Unfortunately mommy wasn’t prepared with a camera, but we will have more Easter pics. Nico went on an egg hunt, but he didn’t quite get it and put all of his eggs in others’ baskets…Then he found out that there was candy in the eggs and went CRAZY. He was stealing from little girls, shoving chocolate in his pockets, and rubbing it all over his face! Nico is so funny when he runs because his big cheeks flap up and down. What a funny boy! He counts all the time. Today we were at a coffee shop and about ten buses drove by so he had so run outside and look at them. When he came inside he said “two buses!” We never said he could count well.
Paulie is like Nico’s personal fan club. Whatever Nico does is pretty cool to him! Paul’s latest tricks consist of funny faces and tummy time. He is starting to move a lot more. He mostly just spins around on his tummy. He sits up so well now. And loves reaching for Nico’s toys to slobber on. He gives open mouth kisses on your cheek, that’s always nice. Paul has also started making some funny faces that keep us cracking up! We will try to get some pics of those soon! Love to you all!
We are making a trip home in June and John will join us in July. If anyone wants to make a trip to Michigan or Ohio to see us, we would love to see you!

My sweeties