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.

Clay loves to try on mommy's shoes (and occasionally dad's) and walking around the house. I thought these pictures were funny because he looks like he's been caught doing something bad :).

February in Utah

The month of February literally drove my little family to Utah to spend with Grandma, Grandpa, and lots of Aunts, Uncles, and cousins while James got some good training in Florida and Louisiana. Here's just a review of a few things that were in experienced and enjoyed during the month.

figuring out that duet.

Taking nonsnowy-day walks around the temple with mom

Realizing a new funny face.

Loving our fun cousins!!

Helping grandma make pancakes for breakfast.

Luke finds his thumb- finally (after lots of searching and drooling)!! And he hasn't let it go since.

Some good wrestling matches (and no one got hurt!)

lots of tubbie time with Grandpa

Luke learning the games of basketball with Grandpa

Clay's and Claire's introduction to sledding

Our First Tucson Christmas

Christmas morning at their new table from Santa eating their stocking goodies.

Lily and Luke in their Christmas jammies a little more happier.

This was our first year to spend Christmas with just our family and here in Tucson. While at first I was a bit disappointed, the more I thought about it, the more excited I got about starting our own traditions (one of those traditions we both agreed to start with our family is Christmas jammies). Christmas morning really was exciting. Even though we tried to do a minimal Christmas, we realized we really could have stopped at the stockings and balloons we had blown up. Clay loved the metal Hot Wheels he had in his stocking so much he refused to open anything else for a while. Claire was completely satisfied with the balloons :)

Clay has a certifiable obsession with cars. He spends the majority of his time carrying them from room to room (arms full and at times, his mouth is carrying one) after which he lines them up very carefully over and over again. This day was a particular favorite of mine as he took his edamame snacks and made them the drivers. Each of his several cars had an edamame driving on top.

Anyone relating to this one? Grapenuts in the lap top. This has taught us that when we leave the room, either close the lap top or close the cereal. Both available in the open is a sure fire disaster.

Making it Six

It was family photo day on base with James' squadron so that families could have poses by the A-10's for Christmas cards or just family pictures. This was our first family venture altogether since Luke and Lily were born. I knew this was going to be my one and only chance for a family picture to get our as Christmas cards. The day was super windy and children complained of crackers taken away for time of pictures, but atleast the picture was taken and cards were send

They just keep me laughing

We have so many more pictures of these guys (like their birthday in April!) but we've switched over to a laptop which doesn't have all our pics- and I don't know where James puts all that hardware where the old pics are stored :).

July

January