Laraway Family

How did I ever think that when children started school that days were easier somehow? I was crazy - inspired by Gnarls Barkley, I guess. Anyway, I've got a few pictures here of Chas and Starks modeling their Halloween costumes for us! Anthony is going to be a pirate, and his costume looks cool, too!


This is a picture of the boys taking Starks for a ride in the gator. :) They absolutely LOVE him and include him in all they do. Our new home just fits us perfectly. Russ and I moved in our 6 tons of stuff by ourselves, and it was moved, unpacked and organized in just 5 days out of sheer necessesity. We began the move in on Aug. 22nd, that night we started sleeping here, Anthony began Kindergarten the next day, and by the weekend, we were settled in. The boys have been awesome, and we found that not having a yard isn't THAT much of a downer. We can still have Pizza Night every Friday on the patio, and we live at the end of the alley (no traffic) where they can ride bikes and play. Though, the last two weeks we've had lots of excavators, dump trucks and pavers to entertain us! :)

After the first week of Kindergarten, we started the push to have Anthony moved to 1st grade. He was tested and placed into 1st grade within two weeks. He LOVES doing his homework now and doesn't ask me for more! :) I love the part where he has to read every night. It's nice to be read to by him.
We also had them start Chinese school, and for the most part, they love it. Anthony definitely does, and it's taking Chas a little time to get used to the schedule and having to do work. It's only two hours on Saturday, but it's a lot to get used to when on occassion you were allowed to stay in pj's all day. Now, every morning- including weekends, we have to get dressed, fed and out the door early! Poor guy. He just turned 4, and I'm glad we could keep him living the life for this long! He's also had a difficult time adjusting to not having Anthony to play with all day. We've been playing at parks and with friends, but he really misses Anthony and asks several times each afternoon when we'll pick him up!

Starks is just crazy. He's a daredevil. He's brave. He's headstrong. He's going to do ANYTHING to get your attention! :) While I'm making dinner, he's spending that time relocating things all around the house. He's a tornado.

Well, Uncle Frank came to San Jose for business last week, and we were lucky enough to get him for dinner two nights! The boys were VERY excited to see him, as were we, and they kept him equally entertained. He totally spoiled them! Great stuff.

Life is great here in San Jose, and we're looking forward to seeing Sierra tomorrow, family soon, and Disney World!!! That place is just awesome.
Russ is still loving Google and his position. His travel has cut down a bit from this time last year, and when he does travel, he tries to do two trips in one. I'm going in his luggage when he flies to Australia! Anyone up for watching the boys? :)

I am settling into a groove here at home. I, too, have to adjust to having a schedule. No doing whatever I want, whenever I want, and changing my mind last minute! I actually HAVE to be places! What the? We've started Bible Study every week, too, and Chas loves it. I think besides what I get out of it (we're studying Revelation), I love so much that Chas gets excited about it. Plus, he gets to see his friends

OH! Anthony's teacher was telling me that she asked them to finish the sentence "I can." She saw Anthony's face light up, and when it got to him, he said, "I can love God!" How cool is that? "Little evangelists" my friend said. They haven't come to the point of being ashamed or reserved about faith. I'll treasure it while it lasts.

Well, I will try my best to keep this blog up better than I have. Drop us a line if you get the chance!