Camping at Glammis Sand Dunes

Halloween!

I took the 'big' kids to a Halloween party to practice their trick or treating. They were adorable and we love being back with all of our friends in Tucson!!

We're So Glad When Daddy Comes Home!

It was a shocking phone call when James told the kids they would be seeing daddy soon. At this point, I yanked the phone away in confusion (how could you be telling them this? I thought. How rude!) and asked him to clarify. Sure enough, James explained he'd been accepted to Weapon School in Las Vegas and, though it doesn't start until January, would need to return back to Tucson to do some preliminary training. Well, Holy Crap! The 6 month deployment just turned into 3 months!

It's so nice to be able to talk to the kids about daddy freely now. The conversation was pretty limited trying to explaine that "daddy is far far away" and always "flying planes in Afghanistan." Now it's all about daddy coming home! If any 2 year olds can have a heart attack, I believe Claire and Clay will, upon seeing their dad! I think they are going to give great big hugs...and probably not let go :). Wife included :D

Package from daddy

Claire and Clay can often be found talking about their daddy who "flies airplanes far far away in 'Ganistan' " Though they have no idea what they are talking about and where the heck dad actually is, they were very excited to get a package from daddy the other day. Especially since it contained candy and cars....

September already?

I'm glad September has come quickly and yet it seems October isn't coming fast enough. I am really looking forward to Halloween this year. It might be that it is just the beginning of all the fall Holidays which is, of course, the best time of year. Could be that Oct-Dec. seem to be the fastest months of the year because of those holidays (time going by fast is welcomed so that we can get daddy home soon!). Or, could just be I'm excited that this year the kids will understand Halloween and absolutely flip when they realize all the candy they are going to get. I've had their costumes for weeks complete with trick or treat bag. Let's go!!
Living at my parents' house while James is deployed was definitely the right decision. The kids are LOVING their grandma, grandpa, and Uncle Drew (who lives with us in the basement). Not to mention all the cousins close by that they ask to go see almost everyday!They lOVE LOVE LOVE cousins!

Father's Day without daddy

Our first official deployment has begun and so I have packed up the kids and made a run for Utah- to live with Grandma and Grandpa while James serves his time in Afghanistan. We are certainly enjoying the cooler weather than Tucson had to offer and we love having cousing near by to play with.

It will be tough for the kids to be without dad for 6+ months, but I'm sure we'll all get through it just fine, thanks to loving family and great friends!

Easter Bunny meets Tooth Fairy

It's official- lily has a tooth!

Can't get enough huntin'

This year our family performed an Easter Egg Hunt marathon hitting three egg hunts in one morning. The weather was cold, rainy/overcast, and windy, but it did not dampen our excitement for the day (or the desire for more candy by Claire and Clay).

The last egg hunt we attended had some face painting and made my little ducklings into little bunnies!

Enjoying the fruits of their spoils...

The next day we had another Easter egg hunt at home including hunting for their own Easter baskets. Needless to say, this little Easter bunny was quite tuckered out after all the work.

I love this picture of little Luke holding his head up so strong and looking at his sister Lily.

Clay loves to go anywhere with his dad. He especially loves riding on his dirt bike and going to car races at the local track. I think James has found a soul mate. (By the way, it was Mustache March. Thankfully, that's over!)

Is this really the only picture I have of Luke's and Lily's blessing day? James gave them beautiful blessings January 25th, 2009. Thanks to the family and friends who joined us for that special day.

My little twinners :). What cute sisters! Both are such sweethearts.

Wish Luke could have made this family photo. He must have been sleeping. But cute nonetheless.