Even Years aka update

It seems that I only like to blog on even years hah. I always say I will try to blog more...but I think we all know how that turns out. Anymore than a few posts every other year for me is like a bonus, so if I keep it up it will be a surprise.

So recap what has happen in the last year and half since my last entry...a lot!!! Shocking huh. Since September 2012 we have moved twice, were blessed with the birth of a baby, and a vacation or two

In October of 2012 we moved from my in-laws house to our own townhouse in Beavercreek, Ohio! It was a really cute townhouse, it even had a fireplace. I enjoyed decorating it for Christmas time. We had some really great neighbors and some well not so great, but the great ones made all the difference. However, something just didn't feel right. I realized that I really like flip flops, and that flip flops and snow don't really work well together. So while trying to make our cute townhouse a  home we discovered that we were homesick...for Florida. The major problem of course no job existed in Florida and we had signed a years lease. So we shelved that desire for warm sunshine, sand between our toes, and flip flops. Instead we (ok Ryan and the boys) embraced snow and all things winter. I must say they are amazing beings, I on the other hand had a complaint every corner we turned (Ryan is pretty amazing to listen to all of my complaints).

In January of 2013, Theo turned 3, we celebrated with the grandparents and I am pretty sure he had a blast. We have always wanted a big family, in February of 2013 we were blessed with the news that in October of 2013 a cute pumpkin would join our family! We all (boys included) were very excited for the newest Hill!

 In March, Ryan celebrated another year, we went on a cruise (it was so nice even if I do get sea sick), and Landon turned 5.

 Do you remember that strong desire of feeling homesick? Well it seems it just kept growing and growing. In early May we made the decision after speaking with advisers at UCF that we would move back to Florida by mid-August 2013. Oh by the way, at that point I was going to be 30 weeks pregnant. Which felt like deja vu, we moved to Florida the first time when I was 30 weeks pregnant with Theo! At the end of May Landon had his last day of pre-school, in a school years time he grew 4.5 sizes...I thought I was going to go crazy keeping up with pants shopping.  In June, we found out that the newest Hill was a girl!!! Which was good because honestly the only name we could really settle on early on was a girl name.

Summer flew by, we upgraded my car to a mini-van, and before I knew it, it was time to load up the truck. This time we let ABF do the driving (seriously, I am not sure why we never did that before) This time the drive down was really as we were driving our cars instead of a truck! We made it a mini-vacation with a stop in Atlanta for a few days. We visited the Georgia Aquarium, I highly recommend this, they have Whale Sharks!!! On August 13, 2013 around 9:30pm we arrived home after a year vacation! It was an amazing feeling, I loved our time in Ohio but it was nice to finally feel like yes this is where we are suppose to be. We moved into our Townhouse in Avalon Park (a cute suburb of Orlando), and got busy unpacking and getting a little girl's room together! Landon started Kindergarten (which made me ball on the first day, but he loves it) and Theo and I hung out with friends at the pool.

August and September flew by and before we knew it October was here. On October 22, 2013 at 10:12 pm Matilda Jeanette Hill blessed us with her presents! She was 8lbs 4 oz. and 21.5inches long (just like her brothers) oh and she is also a redhead! Poor Ryan, he is the only one without a head full of red hair in our family! She has been such a big blessing to our family. We are all enjoying her, and she has the best big brothers!

In December we took a two week vacation to Ohio to spend the holidays with family. While there we were given the wonderful present of snow. The boys loved it, and I am really glad that they had the opportunity to play in it. It was wonderful to see everyone.

In January of 2014 Theo turned 4! February flew by, we were lucky to have a visit from Grandma, Grandpa, Chinook and Uncle Greg! Now March is upon us, Ryan just celebrated another year we went to the Alton Brown live show and enjoyed an evening in Tampa in celebration. We are looking forward to all that is to come.


So there you have it a very quick update on the last year and half...maybe I will update more often...maybe!

Pizza

Our family has come to love homemade pizza. We were turned on to this awesome dish by our good family friends the Krauses. Now it is a regular menu item in the Hill house!

Ryan and the boys are the chefs on pizza night! They roll out/toss the dough around and add all the yummy toppings. Our favorite toppings include fresh tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, pepperoni, and red bell peppers. I am not sure who has more fun Ryan or the boys or me because I don't have to cook! The pies look and smell amazing when fresh out of the oven. I would say that since this discovery our pizza delivery orders have dropped significantly! You can see how much Landon and Theo enjoy the pizza! 

What are some of your family's favorite foods?

First Day of Pre-School

Our summer trek has officially come to a close! Today Landon started pre-school! This is actually kind of his second year of pre-school as last year we were in a great co-op program with some wonderful friends! This is however the first time for a pre-school in more of the school sense! He said he had a great time. His favorite part was the toys (shocking)! His teacher said we described him well when we said he was inquisitive. I may have shed a tear or two while driving to pre-school thinking about how big he has gotten. Overall though it was a delightful experience. He had a great first day and is looking forward to more :)

Summer Time

For many of us Summer is coming to a close. In our family it will officially close on September 4 when Landon heads to preschool!  Our summer was filled to the brim with change. It started in sunny Florida and ended in Ohio. Our boys grew some, experience a life lesson or two, we climbed some mountains both physical and mental. We know that change is constant; this summer has been one to remember!

This Summer We:

Met some celebrities

Did this for 1000 miles up and down hills and mountains all while climbing the big mountain of life

went to the park a lot; Theo learned more climbing skills (he is proving to be our expert climber)

had big splashes of fun (it was hot after all)

gained some freedom and learned to pedal :) 

(Landon has learned to fully pedal; next up balance)

What were the highlights of your summer?

Firefighters & Ice Cream

As a family we are always looking for cheap fun activities to do! This past weekend offered the prefect opportunity. The local fire department held their 64th annual Ice Cream Social, free and open to the public. They do this to give back to the community, although honestly the community should be throwing them the ice cream social for all the dedication the firefighters have. Most of our local department is made up of volunteers. It was a lot of fun and my boys were in seventh heaven :)

There were rescue and equipment presentations, fire trucks to climb on, a life-flight helicopter from the local hospital and other fire/rescue vehicles on display.

We saw a car fire being put out by quick responding firefighters, this may have been Landon's favorite part as he has talked about this for a few days.

Landon and Theo were both able to sit in the life-flight helicopter. Personally I hope this is the only time they ever are in this type of helicopter (unless of course its for another fun event like this one).

There were many other activities a bounce house, Sparky the fire dalmatian, a fire hose game and a huge soapy foam pit!  

We also enjoyed some yummy ice cream, music and dancing!

What kinds of things does your family do for fun? 

We Have a Reason

We recently moved from Florida to Ohio for Ryan's job (we are originally from Ohio so this move isn't so shocking to our system). The move was as you can guess long! We in the Hill family rarely understand the meaning of hurry and do something...we often take the long way, but that ok because we learn so much along the way!

While we knew this adventure was going to be long and stressful at times we were not prepared for the loss of Landon's beloved fish Swimmy while traveling. While it was a very heart-wrenching time, we were given the opportunity to share Heavenly Fathers plan for us with Landon, which not only helped him but in turn helped us too! We also explained to him that in a few weeks once we were settled in Ohio we would get him another fish! Landon was very good about caring for Swimmy so we knew he could handle the resposiblity and that he enjoyed having a fish!

Last Thursday we decided it was time to get Landon his new fish!  His favorite color is red so it is only fitting that his new fish is red! He has named him Reason :)

I am not exactly sure how he came up with the name but it has stuck...and its amusing for instance when saving his picture to the computer my computer read saving reason! Landon goes around telling people that he has a Reason to which he then follows up with he is a fish! We are very happy to have Reason as a part of our family :) 

Who are we?

(We need a new family picture this was December 2010)

So who are we? We are Ryan, India, Landon, Theodore, Dora and Sydney (who have 4 legs instead of 2) we make up the Hills! We live in the sleepy mid-west. Ryan is currently a banker who loves helping people and being India's Prince Charming. He is also considered to be the best person to climb on according to Theo and Landon proclaimed this very evening that he named him Dad! India is currently a stay at home mom (who rarely stays at home), she is Ryan's princess and everything from teacher to super hero to Landon and Theo. Landon is a lively four year old, a great big brother and a big fan of playing super heros (his favorite being Ironman and the Hulk). Theodore (who is often called Theo) is a cuddly two year old who not only enjoys being two but often proudly refers to himself as the little brother! He enjoys playing with Landon and cuddling with anyone who is willing! Dora is our puggle (affectionately called potato dog) she is seven and enjoys food and sleeping! Sydney is our aussie mix (known as Syd) she is six years old, she is super fast, loves being chased and belly rubs!  We enjoy life and all it has to bring!



I hope you enjoy!