More Recent Happenings

M and J are playing T-Ball this year. M is on the Athletics team and it comes pretty natural to him. We have had a lot of rain this summer so they aren't getting as many games in as scheduled, but they are having fun none-the-less.











The little low crawling guy, pre-haircut and as always with a HUGE smile!











Look ma, no hands! I am a big sitting up boy! He has grown up so much in a weeks time. He sits by himself, low crawls, got a haircut, says da-da-da, and now has a bump were his first tooth is coming in.









Nothing is safe with this little guy either. He can low crawl all over the house and we will be putting up the baby gates up this weekend to keep him off those steps. I am teaching the boys to keep their toys upstairs and to remember to close all the doors on the lower level. I suppose I need to invest in some plug covers and cupboard locks pretty soon too. He is a devious guy and likes to be were the action happens.





J is such a clown and makes N laugh all the time. Take a look at Evidence A.

April Trip back to MN part 2

So the second part of the trip we went up to the Detloff farm and spent some time getting to know our new little niece Jillian and having fun with cousin Makarian as well. Jillian is 3 months older then N, but N out weighed her.










The boys got to ride around in the arena on a one eyed horse named Charlie.














M was much more comfortable up there this time compared to the other chances he had when he was younger.










M being silly climbing up on a huge rock.












The three amigos up on that rock. They had a great time riding around on the six wheeler, 3 wheeler, riding "pony", and flying the huge kite in the pasture.

April Trip back to MN part 1

So back in April we ended up going back to MN to see family and to have lil' N baptized. We were also able to celebrate a belated Birthday for M. Gma Ellen was creative and got M Spiderman cupcakes that were a big hit with the kiddos.












Blue frosting isn't a good idea though it kind of stains your skin and just doesn't wash off like it should.










The "Godfathers" my nephews Mike and Derek with lil' N. Too bad neither one of them have seen the "Godfather" movies...guess I know that they need for Christmas this year!














Pastor Meg with the special little man. N was too big to wear the baptismal gown that the other boys wore and I wore as a baby so we just went with a nice little Easter outfit I had picked up.

















Another shot of the "Godfathers" with N. They got lots of practice holding a baby that night and got more comfortable as the night went on. Good thing N is a good sport about it and isn't a fussy baby at all.

So yes we have moved....

We have moved to your new diggs....however, we will be moving in August once again. This time we won't be just moving across town, but to California...talk about a LOOOONG drive! We are unpacking and packing at the same time if that makes sense. With the news of moving we decided to purchase a trailer to move some of our own stuff across country. So we have been filling it up with unneccesary items that can be boxed up and stored in the trailer. It is amazing at how much stuff you accumulate through the years.

In other news...the older 2 boys are keeping busy and we hope they enjoy the T-ball they are signed up for. We have had a lot of rain lately so hopefully they will get to enjoy some more of the great outdoors. N is growing up fast and is such a good little boy! He sleeps good through the night and loving rice cereal. I think in a couple of weeks we may even have a crawling little boy.

Hate to post and run, but it seems like my time is up!

Update on Move...

Because of all the good weather apparently they are able to get the new houses done sooner then they thought. We will be signing our lease on the 9th of March...like a whole month sooner then what the first notice informed us. We plan on moving the bulk of our household goods ourselves and leave the backbreaking items for the professionals...good thing J is scheduled to be back on the 7th! So March is turning into a very busy month around here.

The older 2 boys spent the afternoon at J's "school" (the CDC) for "Give Parents a Break"...so I got to do a little shopping with only lil' N in tow. It is a great program and I wish I would have used it when J was on his other "trips". The best part is they like it and think it is a special treat for them...so the only complaint is when it is time to go home.

That is all for now and hopefully I can post some pictures of the boys next time.

Pending Move...

So we got notice that we will be soon moving into a brand new duplex...not so excited about downgrading to a duplex since we have a single family house right now, but we really have no choice in the matter since our house is being torn down. We knew it was coming and we were just waiting to be notified of when and where we would be placed. It is new...so I guess that is nice. I feel like I have to be productive so I am starting to pack up the things we don't use on a daily basis and throwing/donating things we no longer need. Since we have to be moved out before our trip back home in early April and won't get the keys till the end of March I feel like I need to get as much done as possible. Luckily J will be back from his trip for the actual move so I won't have to go it alone, hopefully he can manage his office job, his flying, writing papers for his masters class and moving all at the same time. I will send out our new address to everyone once we get all the details and sign the lease so watch your mailboxes at the end of March or so.
So once again we are a family on the move...we're just not moving that far this time.

Winter Olympics

On Friday M participated in his section of K5 Winter Olympics. He participated in Carpet Square Hockey, Bobsled Scooter Racing and the Faux Ice Dancing. He did well in all of the events, came close in the Hockey heat, and even got to the finals in the Boys Ice Dancing. He enjoyed the day cheering on his friends and classmates and I was glad to see some of the activities they have been working on. I think this week I will head into the Youth Center and sign him up for Tee ball for the spring and see if there are any other activities that the boys can participate in.

Are you ready for some Football!

So with J gone we are doing a low key Super Bowl Sunday, especially since we really don't have any stake in either team. The main reason for watching this year are the commercials, this may be the only time I use the DVR to rewind to rewatch the commercials and actually fast forward the main show. So the boys are enjoying their favorite type of day...Pajama Day. The boys are still in the Pjs and we are ordering pizza for super and staying in...it is still mighty chilly here and the older two boys seemed to have caught a good cough this past week.
We also do a lot of running around during the week with M leaving for school on the bus at 730 and returning at 245 everyday and J needing to be dropped off at his preschool no sooner then 9 and picked up no later then 12 on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. They complain they don't end up having much time at home together just to play...which some days is a good thing! I also spend much of my time out of the house with almost all Tuesdays having a MOPS function and almost every Thursday having a special Bible Study ("Loving Your Military Man"), so that leaves Wednesdays from 9-12 that I am down to only one kid to do any major household or grocery shopping without dragging screaming kids through the aisles. Hopefully N stays a good shopper and when the time comes that he is too big for the infant carrier he doesn't fuss too much about staying in the shopping cart.
I have also added to the routine going to the gym, which finally added a family workout area. One of the things I miss from our life back in Ohio was the wonderful family workout area that a good friend and her kids and my little tribe would meet up at. This one isn't as large or equipped as the other one, but it does have a TV/DVD player to pop a movie in for the older two and I haven't had to really wait for any of the equipment I wanted to use. Along with that and the Wii Fit I was able to snag at Target I hope to drop the last of the baby weight.
Super Bowl Sunday does remind me of when M was 9 months old and walked for the very first time, we were in a TLF in San Antonio and just moved out of Del Rio and starting our almost 3 months of being homeless and living in Hotels and a Condo. It was the year of the infamous "Wardrobe Malfunction" with Janet Jackson and Justin Timberlake's Half-time show, hard to believe that was 5 years ago.
I hope to have some more pictures here shortly, our life is always busy it seems.

Mini Photoshoot

So I decided I needed to take some pictures of the little guy again. He is a little ham already and is an easy baby to coax into a smile. He thought the camera was pretty neat and he cooperated quite well this afternoon.














I really can't believe how big he is...not quite 2 months and easily filling out the 3-6 month clothing already. I am also blessed at what an easy baby he has been so far, such a change compared to the older 2. J with his lactose stuff and M with pyloric stenosis...many sleepless night at this point with both of them. I really couldn't imagine going through M's situation again, especially with J gone right now.

































J insisted on getting his picture taken as well...what a ham.

First Bath...

So for N's first bath (which was several weeks ago, so don't think I don't bath my children) he slept through the whole thing. This was him just chilling and enjoying being asleep.














He did wake up when I was drying him off, but didn't make a sound and enjoyed the experience, which really surprised me. The other boys hated their first baths and really didn't like them until they were much older and were able to sit up and take baths in the big tub.














I love this one...so serious and deep in thought.

Flashback to Pre-Christmas

The Boys enjoyed going to the holiday party for Daddy's work and seeing Santa and the big airplanes. We are so lucky to have events like these for the boys to go to and have the chance to see what J does when he is gone on his trips.

I don't know what lil' J is demonstrating for Santa, but at least he isn't afraid of the Jolly guy.















M was asking for a F22 for Christmas...a real one at that. He ended up getting an F22 ornament instead and a pack of matchbox airplanes instead.














J as the co-pilot inside daddy's airplane. This is the first time J will remember being in daddy's plane.















M as the Aircraft Commander. You know he had to be the one in charge!














J chilling as a passenger.

Smiles and giggles...well sorta

We are bummed about the Vikings losing to the Eagles...but we enjoyed the season and the boys liked the quality time they got with daddy, whether it be at home or up at the O club. We still watched with daddy, just a little differently with him this last time and still had a blast eating popcorn and cheering on our Vikings.





























So little N is growing fast and stays awake a lot more, but in a good way. He is alert during the day and likes the interaction that lil' J & M give him during the day. Friday night I think I even made him laugh...that airy sort of laugh...but it also stunned him a little and he starred wide eyed wondering if that noise came out of his little body. He has also started making other noises out of his mouth that aren't crying or grunts and more like happy baby babble.














He is also a good sleeper at night and he sleeps around 6 hours a night in one big stretch...usually from 9-3am and that is very appreciated by me since I am virtually a single parent at the moment. Now if I can remember to go to bed when he does I would be even more rested.

Christmas Recap

A quick family photo...N is awake, but not looking.



















J came home from school looking like Rudolph.



















LongWood Gardens, this picture doesn't do it justice.



















CHEESE!!














So Christmas has came and gone so it is time to recap the great time we had as a family. J's mom flew in on the 20th and stayed til the 24th. During her time here J had a ton of stuff going on at work and had to prepare for his big trip...which I will touch on a little later in the recap. However, we did manage to go to LongWood Garden in PA. It was spectacular and if we are still here next year for the holidays we will definitely be returning with the boys. It is 600 acres with walking gardens, greenhouses, and fountains. For the holidays they also decorate with 500,000 lights and the fountains put on a special music/light show. After freezing our ears off, note to self remember hats not just for the boys next time, we warmed up eating at PF Changs...one of my favorite and boys favorite restaurant which J's mom hadn't been to before. The boys had school still while she was here so during the week it was pretty much the same routine with some Christmas shopping thrown in. We enjoyed her stay, hopefully she wasn't too bored during the week. We also opened gifts from that side of the family, which was good because Santa needed some space under the tree.

Speaking of Santa, we had a nice morning opening presents on Christmas. Thanks to everyone who contributed to the joy that the boys felt that morning...however lil' J thought there were TOO MANY toys to open and got mad. I think he might change his mind by next year though. The boys got more Star Wars Hero figures, GeoTrax station and airport, suitcases, giftcards, books, money, etc...too much to list. But we enjoyed our family time and J and I have sore little fingers from opening and untwisting all those toys from their packaging to prove it.

That afternoon we made our way over to our friends to share a meal and to play some RockBand 2. We put together a pretty good band with taking turns singing, playing the drum kit, and guitars. M really enjoyed playing the drums and was sweating from all the energy he was putting into it. This maybe on our short list of investments in the future, we shall see what kind of space we shall have in our next house.

J left on a trip on the 27th and will be back in March, so we went out and used some of the giftcards and ate at one of his favorite restaurants Carrabas on the 26th...yum yum! We came home and he finished packing, writing the Christmas letter, and said goodbye to the boys.

J got to his destination ok and we were able to webchat and watch the Vikings beat the Giants!! That was a great present for J who has been watching and listening all season and was worried that he was going to miss this important game.

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and we look forward to a new year with our expanded family and new adventures.

The New Little Man in the House

J as a Jedi!














J blowing out his four candles and making a wish.














Ready to come home from the Hospital.














The new big brother and the little guy.














Proud big brother M.

So it has been 2.5 weeks since lil' N has been born and I thought I better update with some pictures. We have definitely been busy around here, but we were lucky enough to have my mom and dad out for 2 weeks helping out with everything. N is good little baby and sleeps good at night and really isn't all that fussy. I was home in time from the hospital to celebrate Thanksgiving at home and also celebrate J turning 4. We had gone to Chuck E Cheese earlier so it was just a little party with family presents.

Christmas Wish List 2008

So Christmas is fast approaching and I thought I would take a little time to share what the boys were getting and wishing for this holiday...maybe it will give you ideas for your kids as well.

M will be getting a Razor Scooter from his brothers, both were along to help pick it out **wink**wink** at least J picked it out. M will also be getting some more leap pad book sets since everyone seems to be clearancing them out for the new tag system...new system seems pretty cool, but we already have the leap pad original stuff. He is also getting a Star Wars color wonder book...those magical markers that only work on special paper...the only way to go with these boys and markers. I also believe he is getting Lego Indiana Jones for the WII from Gma K and Gpa T. I think I have a good start but don't have THEE gift of the year for him yet...he has of course circled and has made a list of what he wants in some of the ads. However, we are at the point were we are very picky about what comes into the house due to space limitations, having a new baby in the house that will be trying to eat things in a couple of months, and the big move to the new house.

J seems to get shorted due to the fact he plays with everything that M has and with his bday so close. I think that Gma K and Gpa T are sending a 3 wheel scooter and the Color Wonder Magic Light Brush from Crayola...he LOVES his crafts. I have picked up the Wall-E game for the VSmile and considering getting the Backyardagains one as well. I did pick up a Hot Wheels WII game since he loves being a big boy and playing the WII and also plays a lot with his little cars. I suggested a ceiling solar system for him to my sister...the boys already have glowing stars and a moon that will glow with different waxing and waning stages and they seem to enjoy those at night. Again nothing really big is coming to mind to be the gift of the year...

As far as the new little man...well he won't know any better at this point...I did pick up a new baby cell phone and play keys for the babe...so the boys will have something to say they got their little bro. I see diapers and formula under the tree for the newbie.

And for the adults of the household...J got a new video camera a couple of months ago and has been playing with it ever since...it is way better then the one we got 6 years ago and I can actually watch the footage...I get motion sickness from the old one. He is also looking at putting money towards a new laptop he can take on deployments...which benefits me since he won't be taking my precious computer. As for me...a vacuum.....but not any old vacuum...the Animal Dyson DC17 . With moving in a couple of months we are going to need a better vacuum, the house we are being moved to has carpet everywhere and with as much traffic as we have with boys and 2 dogs we need it. Not very romantic, but something I am excited about.

Happy Early Birthday Lil' J!

So we celebrated J's 4th Birthday on Friday at good ol' Chuck E Cheese. I think the kids had a blast and heck I didn't really have to do much to prepare...that was the best part for me. The kids ate some pizza and cake, played games and climbed the tunnel tubes and got a chance to be one on one with Chuck E. I can't believe he is going to 4 later this month. There have been a lot of new adventures with J this year...school, finishing potty training, swimming lessons, and his overall independence...he is becoming a little man.

More Exciting News

I thought this deserved a post of its own...So.... the Doctor I have been seeing the last couple of visits has decided that I should be induced on the 24th of November. She really took pity on me apparently. So no more stress over when to buy my parents plane tickets or how much time before J leaves on his next big 60 day trip. I should be back home for Thanksgiving...cooked by mom of course, and back for Lil' J's Birthday as well.

October Review

So it appears I have skipped all of October. It was a fun filled month with a trip to the Pumpkin Patch...sorry no pics...a couple trips to Six Flags, which we bought the 2009 memberships to so many more trips to come when it opens again in April, A garage sale to get rid of some of the extra stuff we seem to be moving from house to house with and a little extra cash in the pocket, J got his ATP testing done, and of course all the Halloween Festivities. For those wondering what the kiddos went as J is Jango Fett the Bounty Hunter and M is the head Clone Trooper from Star Wars.

Lil' J started going to preschool 3 days a week this month, he seems to be doing well at school, but says he will miss me while at school. I don't know if it is that or that he miss not getting to play pbskids.org while at school....he enjoys being on the computer just as much as daddy does.