Visits from family!

We've been busy this past week and a half with family! Josh's mom was here, and then went to Indiana to help Jenna
move into her house. (Josh's sister) While she was gone my parents came into town and my mom and I shopped at the mall and went to the scrapbooking stores. It was a lot of fun. We celebrated Josh's birthday twice early (today is Josh's 30th Birthday!), with my parents going to Cheesecake Factory, and then last night we went to IHOP (easy place to take the kids!) with Josh's mom. My parents left Saturday, and Josh's mom arrived Sunday, and left today. Yesterday we spent the day in Yorktown, and then Williamsburg. We had a lot of fun. The kids did great with all the walking we did. Here are some pictures from our day! Enjoy!

News,Bubbles, Hide & Seek, self timer on camera

Good News! Josh is not leaving, at least not this week! No news on when, but there were difficulties on the ship (don't know what, but I really shouldn't say!) So he isn't leaving this week, and it's unknown when he will. So for now we're enjoying him being home. (and I'm very happy about this trust me!)
We started out blowing some bubbles that Grandma Nori brought from a wedding she attended up in DC (reason for her being so close and coming to visit). From there I tried to get the kids to sit still so we could play around with the timer on our camera, and from there we played Hide and Seek. Really it was the kids running around the back of the house, and me going to find them, but they would run out in front of me and I would chase them to the front of the house. We had some good laughs! I'm sure they'll get the hide and seek concept in a few years, but for now they think its good fun to "hide" and let mom chase them. Enjoy the pictures!

Disney Princesses on Ice

This afternoon Maddie and I went with Grandma Nori, and my friend Jenn and her three girls, Shelby, Savannah and Emily to see the Disney Princesses on Ice. We had a good time. Maddie said her favorite was Snow White, but I really think she liked the Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella a lot too! Not only did she get a new Tiara that lights up, she got a Princess purse! What more could a little three year old girl ask for! Here are some pictures from the show and after!

Sad, but true...

The time for Josh to leave is quickly approaching. I went to the store to pick up some milk today, and realized that the milk will expire after he leaves.
I literally stood there for a few seconds, and thought get yourself together girl, it's just milk, don't cry here in the grocery store!
I think I'll hold up okay. I know the time is going to go really fast at times and seem like it will take forever at others. Tonight is the last night flight he'll have, so I will have him home every evening the rest of the week, unlike last week where he was home all day and gone all night! UGH! I told him I was about to call the schedule writer at the squadron to complain it was interrupting our love life! lol!

Happy Birthday Mom!

My mom, the youngest looking 60 year old woman I know! Happy Birthday! I love you!

First Steps...

It's official, Eliza took 3 steps yesterday, and today, she took a ton more! I'm so excited, but I was so into watching her take these steps that I didn't get my camera out! (yeah, I know, I will get it on digital okay!)
So I just thought I would share the news! I'm so excited that she's walking before Josh leaves, it's what I'd hoped that she'd do!

Tuesday...

I feel sorry for the day Tuesday, because it's no ones favorite day. It's the day after Monday, so still at the beginning of the week. Still several more days till the weekend. It's just Tuesday.
I don't really like Tuesdays either. Not that today was bad, in fact it went pretty well. Went to the Dentist, and got my crown on. Not fun, but this time I was numb for 3 hours after I returned home. I was trying to think of some positive things about the day Tuesday, and I decided on this:
I like Tuesdays because it's one of the days that it's just me and my two girls, while Jonas is away at Preschool. It's one more day closer to the weekend, my house is much more picked up since I did that on Monday.
I'm grateful for these things today:
My new pair of crocs Love them, so comfy! Everyone should wear them... I got the beach style, and in the brown, I want to get a pair of Mary Janes in Army green, they are so stinkin cute! I would like more colors too... they're addictive shoes! lol!
Sonic- Cherry Coke... yummy! (and their slushies rock too!)
Technology-Talked on my cell phone several times while I was running around today, in the car, at the dentist. And grateful for the cool technology at the dentists office, that saved me time. They took a digital picture of my tooth, used the computer to show how the crown should look and then it digitally cut the crown to fit on my tooth, it was way cool and you can't even tell I got a crown it looks like my tooth!
My hubby, Josh- He was home with the girls today while I went to my dentist appointment. He made them lunch, did all the fun dad stuff, he's a hottie... Need I say more? (I added that last part for Marie, he's hot, but I don't usually add that stuff... but I thought I would just for her as she always talks about her hubby like that and I tease her that she sounds like she's 16 again! lol!)
Bargains: I went to the thrift store and goodwill searching for a new desk, (something smaller than my current desk) and found a large black picture frame from Target, brand new, it was $5, can't beat that! I'm going to get a family picture of us and put it in there! YEAH!
Naps- Maddie and Eliza are both sound asleep!
Hope everyone has a Happy TUESDAY!

So, I was vaccuming the couch...

Ever seen that commerical (it's a few years old now) where the couple invites their friends over and has them sit on their couch, and they stand behind them and push down on their shoulders and say, "we're so glad you could come over", while trying to shake all the change out of their pockets, remember that? Well that's how I felt today after finding 85 cents in change in my couch and chair! I also found some foreign currency in there too! Not only did I find money in my couch I found a screw driver,buttter knife, several buttons, a paint brush, 2 hot wheels cars, two airplanes, one scooby doo v-smile game (I know that wasn't in there long!), several stray buttons, lots of crumbs, and nasty things I won't mention! So now the couch is all vaccumed out again, and when you sit down you won't crunch on anything, lol, just kidding! Before I started the whole vaccuming the kids were pretty intent on watching cartoons, but after I finished, Jonas was fascinated by his "new" toys that were found in the couch! I guess I should do that more often! One thing I know for sure, I need to get the kids to stop eating food on the couch! Hope everyone has a good Friday! Tonight I'm having scrapbook night with some friends, which means I will be up REALLY late, and probably won't finish anything I want to finish, and probably consuming more chocolate and caffeine than necessary! I can't wait! =)

So, I was vaccuming the couch...

Ever seen that commerical (it's a few years old now) where the couple invites their friends over and has them sit on their couch, and they stand behind them and push down on their shoulders and say, "we're so glad you could come over", while trying to shake all the change out of their pockets, remember that? Well that's how I felt today after finding 85 cents in change in my couch and chair! I also found some foreign currency in there too! Not only did I find money in my couch I found a screw driver,buttter knife, several buttons, a paint brush, 2 hot wheels cars, two airplanes, one scooby doo v-smile game (I know that wasn't in there long!), several stray buttons, lots of crumbs, and nasty things I won't mention! So now the couch is all vaccumed out again, and when you sit down you won't crunch on anything, lol, just kidding! Before I started the whole vaccuming the kids were pretty intent on watching cartoons, but after I finished, Jonas was fascinated by his "new" toys that were found in the couch! I guess I should do that more often! One thing I know for sure, I need to get the kids to stop eating food on the couch! Hope everyone has a good Friday! Tonight I'm having scrapbook night with some friends, which means I will be up REALLY late, and probably won't finish anything I want to finish, and probably consuming more chocolate and caffeine than necessary! I can't wait! =)

time is of the essence...

I know I already posted once, but I realized I need to post twice, because we are getting closer and closer to the date that Josh will be leaving us for a few months. We have a meeting tonight to talk about this deployment, and what to expect.
I really thought that I was feeling, oh this isn't a big deal, he's been gone before. No biggie. Then last night he comes home and tells me, by the way tomorrow night we have a meeting to talk about the deployment. I then felt it. It finally hit me. He's leaving soon! I don't know how to explain how it feels if you've never been through it. It's pressure, and it's a little fear. I'll be alone, with three kids. It's knowing that if I'm sick, I don't have Josh here to take the kids and entertain them while I recover, knowing that I'm the one that has to take out the trash (which is his job), put out the garbage can every Thursday and put it back, pay the bills, fill up the car with gas, get the kids dressed in the morning and give them a bath, and put them to bed at night, its praying that wherever Josh is that he's safe, and will come home to us, praying that we'll be safe. Its praying that I will be able to deal with whatever happens while he's gone. (like Jonas locking the bahtroom door when Josh was gone for a few days, luckily no one was in there but had to take the doorknob off!)
I've been thinking of all the things I want him to do before we leave, the things I want to do as a family before he goes, and realize we don't have time. Almost every weekend is booked until the end of this month. We are busy, and to top it off he has to get ready to go so he is busy at work. It seems like before he leaves its always so crazy, and those are some difficult times. I'm not looking forward to this meeting.

10 months old today...

I can't believe Eliza is 10 months old today! As the kids were eating breakfast at the table, and Eliza was in her high chair eating, I was at the computer (it's in the dining room also) and I realized that today she's 10 months old!
She's growing so fast! She's got a lot of personality in that tiny little body of hers! She's easy going, but will let you know when she doesn't like something that's going on! A friend today called her "a little spit fire!" which I think is the perfect definition of her. She wants to be with the big kids, and do what they do, whether they like it or not. Only two more months and she'll be a year old! Only two more months of nursing, and soon here I know she'll be walking! Happy 10 months to my little Eliza Rae!

Remembering where I was on 9/11/01

I was living in Milton, FL. About 3 months pregnant with Jonas. Usually I slept in until 10a.m. (remember those child free days!) For some odd reason though, I got up at 8a.m. Josh was at Officer Candidate School for the Navy. I was sharing an apartment with another friend Lysa, who's hubby was in OCS with Josh. Normally the t.v. wasn't on a local channel, but for some reason it was, and when I turned on the t.v. a little after 8a.m. the image I saw still hasn't left me. I thought it must be a movie, but it wasn't. It was real, it was live. I remember calling my sister Marilyn a little later, Lysa and I were still glued to the t.v. watching everything, and asking her if she was watching the t.v. and then while watching the second plane hit the world trade center. I thought it had to be re-playing the first plane, and was in total shock when I realized it wasn't a re-play it was another plane.
I think I called my sister because she lives in Maryland, near D.C. and I knew the other plane had hit the Pentagon, and didn't remember where Greg (my brother-in-law) worked.
I will never forget that day. Remembering feeling as if I were crazy to bring a life into this crazy, scary world. Wondering why I ever thought Josh joining the Navy was a good idea. I remember before this thinking how safe we were in our country, and taking that for granted. 9/11 has forever changed the way I think. I realize now no one is safe from Evil. We are all vulnerable. Even after that terrible day, good things did come from it. I think it was a day meant for us to look to Heavenly Father, God, or whatever else you may call him, (To me Heavenly Father) and realize why we are here on this earth. After that people seemed to want to be kinder to each other, and help each other. People were turning to their families, and doing things they had not done in a long time like go to church. I think for me it was a day I realized that we can't take for granted what we have in this country, we are truly a blessed people but I see our society becoming more evil, and I think that was our wake up call. Its now 5 years later, and I see things have gone back to the way they were, and I think its sad. Yes we take a day to remember, but then we put it out of our minds it seems. I'm sure the victims families, and those that got out of the World Trade Center don't forget, but others of us that just witnessed through television have. That was a terrible day, and those that died, it truly was sad. I feel for those families, but know that they are in a better place.
I know this has gotten long. I know I will never forget 9/11, and hope that no one else will either.

First Day of School Photos

After three long summer months, (okay, maybe not too long!) the official Pre-school year has begun! Jonas's first day was yesterday, and Maddie's was today. So far, they both seem to like school. We'll see how Jonas likes going every day. I didn't really get to enjoy my time with just Eliza today since I had a planning meeting to attend, as I was asked to help with an Enrichment activity scheduled for November.
Jonas was being a real stinker about getting pictures taken, but I did manage to get one!

a single mom, for a few days....

Yep, Josh is out again for a few days. But Lucky for me, Jonas starts preschool tomorrow (YEAH!) and then Maddie's first day is Friday! (WAHOO!!!). I have to say I might be more excited than they are. My friend Jenn pointed out to me though that you get so excited for school to start you forget you have to deal with the meltdowns that occur after they get home. She's right I know, but I'm really looking forward to getting on a schedule! Bring on the meltdowns!
We went and met with their teachers today, and got to see where they will hang up their coats and where their cubbies are, so much fun! Maddie was a little quiet and acted shy. Hopefully she won't be that way once she goes on Friday. I will post first day of school photos of Jonas tomorrow, and of course I'll get some of Maddie on Friday.

a picture of the rain

For those of you who are high a dry today... here's a picture of what it looks like from out my front door!

10 Things I'm grateful for...

I have been tagged by my friend Marie to write 10 things I'm grateful for. Since I have time, as we're sitting here at home not doing a thing since it's raining like crazy I thought I might as well reply.
1.I'm grateful for fruit snacks as my kids keep asking for a snack!
2. I'm grateful for electricity, as we have ours and my friend Jenn said she doesn't. Therefore we have Tivo! (all those prerecorded Doras and SpongeBob's!) Yeah!
3. I'm grateful for the internet, it keeps me entertained on rainy days.
4. I'm grateful for the rain, they cancelled all activity at Josh's work (obviously they can't fly in the rain like this) so he's home!
5. I'm grateful that I can go and scrapbook upstairs anytime I want.
6. I'm grateful I have food in my fridge so I don't have to go out in the rain to get some.
7. I'm grateful for mountain dew. (need I say more?)
8. I'm grateful for my sweet little 9 month old who loves me, and doesn't throw temper tantrums!
9. I'm grateful for my 4 year old, he will come and cuddle sometimes, the morning is my favorite when he comes and climbs into bed with us and cuddles. It doesn't last long!
10. I'm grateful for our home that keeps us dry!
I think I could go on, as the song goes, "Count your many blessing, name them one by one, Count your many blessings see God has done."
Have a wonderful day! Hope everyone that's getting the rain today will stay dry! I'm off to entertain!

Hurricane season is among us...

And we're actually feeling it. It rained yesterday, it rained today, and it's supposed to rain the next 3 days! So you might ask, what do you do for days when it's raining out and you have 3 children? Besides have those moments where you feel you're going to go crazy, there are also those moments to kick back and watch our favorite cartoons. Sponge Bob! Oh yes Sponge Bob is a favorite of ours. I used to think that Sponge Bob was bad, but really if you ever watch Sponge Bob, he's a very innocent character. Really just watch sometime, and you'll see it's a funny show. (please note I'm not getting paid a thing to endorse the show... it's just funny, so go watch it!)
Anyway, it's pretty cool out today it's only in the high 70's. I am actually wearing a comfy pair of jeans, and realized I missed wearing them. By the time spring comes, I'm so ready to put on a pair of shorts, but now I'm getting ready for jeans again. I got a phone call today to help out with our enrichment super saturday on Nov.11th. She wants to do some craft projects, something you can actually use... anyone out there with some ideas please feel free to shoot me some comments! I think we're going with something you could make for someone for Christmas. And speaking of comments, if you read my blog, and never comment, please comment and tell me who you are so I can know who's writing me! I love comments, I had a friend e-mail me and tell me that he read my blog, but I never knew because he never commented. So please feel free to comment away! By all means go comment crazy! Did I mention Eliza's new thing is standing up on her own in the middle of the room? Here's some proof. She won't move her feet yet, but I know she's thinking about it! Oh and my dentist update, I got a root canal, and have to return for a crown! No fun! I don't think I'm too fond of the dentist either, I'll probably have to change to someone else.

The Dentist.... ugh!

Well after much procrastination on my part, partly because of having a newborn baby and making it me a mom of three kids, I am FINALLy going to the dentist. I'm going to admit it here on-line that I have had a filling that broke off partially right before Eliza was born, the exact week before she came I think. And so I thought I'll get it done after she's born. So, of course we finally signed up for Dental insurance (yes I know we didn't do it before! Josh gets his done through the Navy, it's just his dependants that he had to take of!) and we got it and did I make any calls? You guessed it, no! So fast forward to last week, I'm sitting at the computer reading blogs, eating breakfast and I realize that my tooth feels sharp, and I realize that it's not food stuck in my tooth. I go and look, and sure enough part of my tooth chipped off where the filling was. So I finally called and got a dentist. So I am going in about an hour. I'm not afraid of the dentist, but having kids and moving around so much really had me put my dental work on hold. I really am just not looking forward to the after my appointment where my mouth will have that horrible after the dentist visit taste. You know what I mean right? Well I need to finish my lunch... and enjoy it while I can!

more pictures of our fun week with Meg and Jon...

So much fun...

Yes we've been having a lot of fun these past few days. With our friends Jon and Megan who are visiting us from Indiana. Wednesday we went to Busch Gardens and were there all day. Because we have season passes our kids are used to going there and walking around, not to say that they weren't tired too, but we definately wore out Isaac and Gabe! Then we went to the beach Thursday and yesterday, then last night was a talent show at church that I participated in. Its been busy here! I of course forgot my camera the first day at the beach, but I remembered it yesterday! So here are some pictures from the past few days!
p.s. Happy Be-lated Birthday Gina!

Norfolk Zoo

Here's a few from the zoo today. Jonas and Isaac are having so much fun playing with their light sabers! (must be a little boy thing!) Isaac was cute, he was calling the light sabers his Jedi. Jonas corrected him and told him, No it's a light saber, but I think Isaac prefers to call it his Jedi still! LOL!

Camping Pictures

So... Josh and our two older children went camping for a few days, while Eliza and I just sat around. (YEAH RIGHT! you know me!) Actually I cleaned the entire house (mostly during naps and at night!), and managed to hang out with friends, and scrapbook. Boy it's easier with just one kid! Anyway, I made Josh return for the camera which he'd forgotten, and I'm so glad he did, because he came back with some wonderful pictures that I can't wait to scrapbook! So here are a few, they took a ton! He let the kids take pictures too, which turned out really good actually!

you never know what will happen....

My title is there for a reason. I'm starting a new Stampin Up (www.stampinup.com) hostess club. How it works is I have 10 people, and every month they place an order, (minimum is $15)each month one person is the "hostess" and gets the hostess benefits, and a hostess set. So last week, I only knew I had 5 people interested in the club, and wondered will I be able to find 5 more people that are interested? And sure enough I have, well I have 9, but I have one more person I'm still waiting to hear from, and I'm so excited to start my new group next month! Actually this morning my friend Marie called up to see if I still had a spot open (she made it 9!), so thanks Marie! I'm looking forward to making this a great club since it will be my last one that I'll be doing here. Our future residence is still unclear, but I do know we will be moving, to where I have no idea!
On another church related note, (* anyone who reads this from Norfolk keep this quiet!) I've been in the Primary serving as a first counselor in the presidency for a year and a half, and will be released on Sunday. It was a surprise in a way, but then again it wasn't. I'm looking forward to whatever my next calling at church will be, which I haven't been given one yet. I have a feeling of where I'll go next but I'll keep that to myself for now.
My best friend from High School, Megan and her husband Jon and their two sons Isaac (age 3) and Gabriel (age2) are visiting us from Indiana. So far, they have all gotten along really well. Its been fun having them here, and they'll be here till next week. We're planning a trip up to Busch Gardens tomorrow. We took them to the zoo this morning, and currently all the kids are still sleeping, and its been 2 hours! Its been WONDERFUL! (well Eliza is still awake!)
Last week I got 9 pages scrapbooked, it was wonderful! I doubt I'll scrapbook this week, but I need to toot my horn on this because I felt like I was in such a rut with my scrapbooking, but now I feel like I'm on a roll! I'm going to have to take some pictures and post some of my pages. Well that's all for now folks! I'll post some pictures soon.

just the two of us....

As of yesterday afternoon, it's just me and Eliza. Josh took the older two kids camping in the Shanendoah (sp?) mountains, at the National park. They left yesterday afternoon, so its just been me and Eliza. I have a meeting on Saturday I have to be at, and we didn't think Eliza was quite ready for camping. Its funny how when you have your first child it seems very difficult to manage, and then when you have more you get used to it. Now with just Eliza and I, having one child is a piece of cake!
Its been fun to go shopping, and actually get to look at stuff! We spent some time at Barnes and Noble, and were there for about an hour! (that wouldn't happen with three kids for sure!)
I've noticed as we've been alone, she seems to be more talkative and loud! I think she must miss the noise of her siblings! I don't think she knows how to act when she can actually play with anything she wants to her hearts content and not have someone come by and pick it up! Hopefully she won't get too bored with me.
I do miss Jonas and Maddie, don't misunderstand that, but I'm definately enjoying my time with just Eliza, just the two of us. (you can start singing the song now....)

Before the kids took pictures

I took this picture of the three of them! Sorry about the red eyes!

This is what you get when your kids get the camera!

I tried to post these the other day and it wouldn't let me! I originally pulled out my camera to take a picture of Eliza. I get onto the kids about taking her sippy cups. So I caught Eliza with Jonas's drink, but I never got the picture as Maddie immediately picked her up and she lost interest in the drink! But we ended up having fun taking pictures!

growing a little more each day!

Eliza is 9 months old! I can't believe how fast the time has gone by! Today I took her to the doctor for her 9 month appointment. She is 16lbs. 6oz. and is 26 inches long. She's gained 3lbs. since her last appointment, and has only grown one inch in her length. She's still small, but still on the growth chart, just on the lower end! lol1 She got one shot, and got her finger pricked (poor thing!) to check her iron levels, and all is well. She's currently taking a nap, and seems to be sleeping well, as its been about 2 hours now! Hooray for naptimes! I'll post some pictures later.

Why??

I've had these thoughts lately, and I thought I'd throw them out there... I really don't need answers..but it's nice to vent!

Why is it that my kids will devour a frozen pizza, yet not eat the wonderful baked chicken breast that soaked in italian dressing all night?
Why is it that the little ants always come to visit me every summer in my kitchen?
Why is it that I can never remember everything I need at the store?
Why do I have 3 bottles of Olive Oil?
Why is it that my kids enjoy taking the toys out, but not putting them away?
Why is bath time not as fun as it used to be?
Why do people feel the need to tell me I have my hands full when I have all three of my kids with me?
Why is it I always get stuck behind the SLOWEST people while trying to get somewhere in a hurry?
Why is it that Wal-Mart always has really long lines when I don't feel like waiting in them, but no lines when it doesn't matter?
Why do people go to Wal-Mart, when everyone tells me that they hate Wal-Mart?
Why is it so easy form me to talk on the phone while fixing dinner, changing diapers, getting sippy cups filled, yet my (wonderful! yet handicapped) husband can't do two things at once on the phone?
Why do 4 year olds seem to think they know everything?
Why do 3 year olds have to be so stubborn?
Why do we eat ketchup with hot dogs, hamburgers, and french fries?

Eliza's new tricks

Eliza is growing so fast! I need to say something about her here otherwise I will forget! Right before we left on our trip her first tooth started poking out! So she has one tooth on the bottom, and it looks like the other bottom one is coming up to join its friend. While on our trip, she learned how to clap her hands. Its so cute to tell her to clap her hands, and then she does it too. What a cutie! Her new favorite thing to do (which is one I really don't like!) is she climbs all the stairs up to our attic, and then sits at the top and cries until I come and get her. This is a new thing she started doing since we returned home. I could put a gate up, but I really want her to be used to the stairs, and master them. If I block her off, then she'll never get good at them. (just how I feel) Luckily they are carpeted!

pictures from the trip

We made it home! And we are now just trying to take it easy! The weather here is extremely hot! It's 100 degrees, but the heat index says it feels like 112! YIKES! So we're just trying to stay cool, which means staying inside. Here are some of my favorite pictures from the trip!

Back Home again, in INDIANA........

Yes you read the title right. I'm in Indiana, visiting my parents and grandma. It has been a fun trip, and a tiring trip. We arrived last Friday. My niece Molly and I left VERY EARLY (3:45a.m.) yes you read that time right. My kids for some reason weren't sleeping and at 2:30a.m. they got up and I thought, what's the point of sleeping two more hours, will it really help me at all, will I actually feel rested. Obviously the answer to my own questions were no. So I got up fed the kids cereal, since they were hungry. Then I took a shower. I woke up my niece as we were loading the car. So we got to my parents house about 11 hours later. We stopped a few times. The kids were all ready to get out of the car and so was I! My sister Christine and her two kids arrived Saturday. Then my sister Marilyn with her husband Greg arrived with their kids Saturday too. We spent the next few days with the kids getting along, and then arguing over things, time outs and other things that kids do. We did go to the Ft.Wayne Childrens Zoo which is excellent! The kids had a lot of fun. (I will post those pictures when I return home). My sisters and I on Tuesday went to the salon and all got our hair done and pedicures. It was fun. Then we went shopping. Wednesday we went to Science Central. Every evening was spent playing our family card game Mormon Bridge. Thursday Marilyn's family went home, and Christine, Nick, Cami, and my dad went to Cedar Point. I traveled to Muncie to visit my mother-in-law Nori, and my newest sister-in-law Jenny. My brother-in-law bought a 1975 Corvette, it's nice. It's yellow, not my type of car, but I'm sure he and Jenny will love it. The next week for me is very flexible. I love vacation! I am looking forward to seeing old friends.

It's summertime, summertime, sum sum... (Okay I'll stop singing now!)

I know you're thinking, well duh, of course I know it's summertime. But for me summertime means VACATION! And finally my vacation is about to begin. Unfortunately it will just be me and the kids on this trip. Josh has to work. So to help me on my journey to the heartland, we purchased a duel screen portable dvd player. Can you believe we didn't have one before, and that we didn't get one when we purchased our new vehicle last year? I can't either. So I made the decision, and convinced Josh, that for my sanity of those long 10 HOURS in the car with me and three kids (and with my niece Molly who is THANKFULLY riding there with me, but won't be there on the ride home) I will need something to keep them occupied. It came with a remote control with 30 video games, hopefully that will keep Jonas entertained, and Maddie can watch any movie she wants while he plays. I've already started packing, well we leave on Thursday, so I need to! The kids keep asking if today is the day we leave to go to Indiana, and I have to answer no not today. I'll be glad when I can say okay it's time to go!
We now have passes to go to Busch Gardens which also gets us into watercountry USA and we went two times last week!
Eliza is now cutting some teeth, finally! She'll be 8 months old on Thursday. She's just amazing to watch how much she is doing. She has started climbing the stairs, and she loves feeding herself, and that usually means lots of clean-up afterwards, but it's fun. Here's a picture from the zoo a few weeks ago, I will try to add more later, I'm having problems putting pictures up! This is Jonas, Maddie, and Eliza with my friend Jenn's kids Shelby, Savannah, and Emily; they're in their bathing suits because they were running through the fountains. You can click on it to make it bigger! (just an fyi for anyone out there!)

Happy 4th of July

Just a quick post. Yesterday was insanely busy for us! We went to Watercountry USA for the first time! We had a lot of fun, but are glad we bought a pass so we can return anytime we want. It was SOOO BUSY! Can you believe I forgot to take my camera in! Oh well! Maddie especially loved the waterslide in Cowabunga, Jonas thought it was okay. I think he got a little scared. He did really enjoy playing in the water an on the boat in Cowabunga. Then that evening we drove up an exit (really it's only an exit away!) to Busch Gardens and the kids did some rides, and then we saw the fireworks... they were AMAZING! They had them timed to music, which to me is very cool. As I watch the fireworks as they lit up the sky it reminded me how blessed we are as a country that we get to enjoy the freedoms we do, what our ancestors went through for us so we could watch fireworks, and eat grilled hot dogs. I'm forever grateful, and of course having a husband in the military helps this. Here is one of my favorite pictures of him receiving his first salute as an officer. Maybe not a big deal to some, but to me, it was neat. And a picture from the WW II memorial in DC that we went to last month! Happy 4th of July!