"those kids"

So today at church was the Christmas primary program. Nixon gets up with the rest of the primary kids and Noah was quite upset that he couldn't go. One of the primary teachers noticed this and said Noah could go up too. He gets up there and has no idea what is going on since he is still in nursery and has not been properly updated on the singing of the Christmas songs. Nixon, the good big brother/taddle-tale that he is noticed this... "DAD! DADDDDDYYYY!! NOAH ISN'T SINGING!!!" This is what we hear...we were in almost the back row! Nice right?! Noah then says "HI DADDY!!" and they continue to wave and cheese it up for the rest of the congregation. Needless to say, our ward thought it was pretty funny... we officially have "those" kids in the primary programs. sweet! :)

It's Christmastime Again!!

2009 has been some kind of year! In April, Kaylen came home from a 9 month deployment [yay!], we took the kids to Disney World in Orlando, FL., I finished my associates degree, we got a new dog, bought our first house, and got a new car. Not to mention all the day to day craziness! Overall it has been a great year and it went by way too quick!

Family trip to the "pun'kin patch"

So as far as I can recall, I have never been to a pumpkin patch...Mom, I may just not remember...so we decided to take the boys to a local place, Taylor Farm's because they have never been to one as well. They had a blast! We walked away with 12 pumpkins and an ear of Indian corn for my fall festive table arrangement! Yay. Since we are in the new house and have a real dining room I really want to go all out for fall and Christmastime this year... and from now on. So we'll see what I can come up with!



Noah had a blast with the pumpkins, he thought they were all balls that could be kicked and thrown around.





Nixon wanted to get the biggest pumpkin he could find...and carry. He managed to move about 1 foot at a time with one pumpkin, then drop it and start over until he got it over to me and I had to tell him no because it was too big! He was a little ticked at me for that!



All in all we had a great day. We were able to spend some time together as a family, get some great pictures and play with baby goats...what could be better! It was especially fun because Kaylen will not be with us again this Halloween...or next year either...yay for the Navy...SIKE!

So....

I know it has been forever since I got on this blog and updated....my bad! We have been running around for the last little while trying to get all of our stuff taken care of. On August 19th, Kaylen and I became first time homeowners! YAY!! We had been looking since April at houses and changed our criteria so many different times. We decided on a brand new house in May and 2 weeks before closing, Kaylen and I both felt the "urge" to back out of that house. It was a long drawn out ordeal but we were able get out from under it. We then found another house and the bank decided to give it to someone else. With all of that stress, we opted to stop looking at actual homes and to start looking at townhomes.

We were able to remain in Virginia Beach [about 20 minutes from our old place] but get closer to Kaylen's work and his brother Kyle's work as well [Kyle now lives with us]. So we are still close to our friends and close to the guys work...a win win situation! The house is 2137 sq ft, 4 bedroom, 3 bathroom, 1 car garage, formal diningroom, back yard w/storage. It was built in 1974 and needs some upgrading, but the overall is in excellent condition and we are excited to get the tax credit back so that I can get my new kitchen! I promise I will get some pix up soon, but I have been the only one for the most part unpacking and well...let's just say... we're not all done yet. So be patient with me and I will keep everyone updated on the remodel and all that good stuff!



Another new thing....NOAH IS POTTY TRAINED!!! For those of you that have met "little" Noah, you know that he is a VERY strong willed child and will not do anything if it does not benefit him or make him happy... so at almost 3 years old, he now says "I go pee my weenie...." and uses the restroom! YAY!! no more diapers!!! Happy day! He still does poo's in his underware though.... but we're getting there!

Haircut...

Although Noah got his hair trimmed while Aunt Sara was here... we decided that with the heat and the length of his hair...it was time to cut it off! Sad! I know! I couldn't even sit out there the entire time...it was too much! His hair had been growing [with a trim here and there] for almost a full year...and now...it's gone and I have a hard time telling Nixon from Noah.... oh well...he's still a cutie and is much happier to have the hair out of his face while he is out playing.

Family Vacation!

For the first time all of my mom's grandkids were together this last week! Anjie, Kassie, Nixon, Noah, Brennen and Lucas. Jim, Sara and Lucas flew into D.C. on last Monday and toured around up there for a few days while Alisa, Pete and the kids flew into Norfolk and hung out with us for a day until we all drove up to D.C. to get Jim and the fam.

Together we all went to the beach and to Jim and Sara's hotel's pool...super fun! We celebrated my 25th birthday, it was the first birthday in 5 years that I was able to be with anyone from my side of the family, which was really nice. Thanks Alisa for baking my cake...oh how I love funfetti!! We also spent Father's Day together and took the guys out to a buffett, needless to say, Pete won! All the kiddo's were able to run around with each other and cause a little havoc every where they went!

Over all I think we had a great time and that it was maybe too short! We will have to do it again sometime! Thanks for coming out guys!

Newness...

So lately I have been really slacking in the blogging department...sorry guys! In the last two months, Kaylen has come home from deployment, we took a two week [much needed]vacation to Orlando, FL., we bought a house, Kaylen spent some time in NYC for Navy Fleet Week, I finished my Criminal Justice degree, Noah started [kinda] potty training and Nixon learned to ride his bike without training wheels...

We also took new family pictures, they all turned out so good and we got such a good deal on them! Hope you all enjoy!

A few pix from the Disney trip

update

So....it has been 31 weeks [this tuesday] since Kaylen left on deployment. That's right...THIRTY-ONE!! He has about 5 weeks left....YAY!!! I seriously am sooooo [beyond] done with this single parent stuff [mom... I don't know how you did it!] The kids are excited that "daddy's home soon and we got to see Mickey Mouse!!" Personally, I think they are more excited to go see Mickey! lol.

Anyway...Kaylen just turned 24 on the 2.21...HAPPY BIRTHDAY BABE!! The best present was to have him back in Spain for his birthday!! He had been in Israel for a little over a month believe you me...I was ready to have him out of there. He is back in Spain now, on safe ground and I couldn't be happier!!

I have been busy trying to get my schoolwork done, I only have 13 more weeks and I AM DONE!!! I totally have "senioritious" and this last little stretch is KiLLin me!!! I've been sick on and off for the last...well... FOREVER it feels like...and I just can't seem to keep focus on anything lately. Oh well, I will get through it!

Well even though I haven't updated in a bit, I really don't have much....so uh...I'm out!!

Been a while...here's some new pix

Kaylen on the news

This is really short and they got his time in service wrong, but it's cool anyway! LOL

This is why the soldiers' fight...

This is from Kaylen [referred to as 'butters'] and his friend DeRoller. It is an amazing story and not to be taken lightly. It really touched these 'big bad soldiers' in an amazing way.



"Today a little boy, maybe 4 or so, made me feel like I didn't get what the United States Military means to others. Butters and I were in the Israeli BX here and ready to check out. A little boy was standing at the register with his little soda flavored sucker, talking to the man behind the counter in Hebrew. Butters and I just stood by waiting for him to finish up. The little boy looked over at us waiting for him and, just gave us a little smile. Butters smiled back and gave him the thumbs up and, I smiled and gave him a wave. He said something else to the cashier then turned back and held his hand up for a high five. Butters hooked him up and the boy gave us thumbs up. He turned back to the man and said something in Hebrew again and turned back to us with a big smile. The cashier said, "he said, 'the Americans are here to protect us' ", "they teach him that in school." I felt like, wow, this little guy looks up to us. Maybe I've been being selfish. This little boy thinks I'm here to help him and his family stay safe. I thought I was here for me and my family. Looking back, I guess I didn't get it before. I think I get it now! My family isn't the only one counting on me and, I do this for more than just them."

New puppy!

So I got our new puppy today! She is an 8 week old Rat Terrier...I named her sugar...Kaylen doesn't like it, but he didn't give any helpful advice and he's not here... so I WIN!! HaHa! Juliet, my 9 month old Rat Terrier is getting used to this "little thing" running at her heels. After her brother Romeo died a few months ago, she really needs a playmate, so I hope these 2 girls become good friends!

My new "horse"

Last night Noah decided my dog... [a small rat terrier] was a horse. He kept trying to pin her down to one stationary spot and sit on her back. Needless to say, Juliet did not like that! I kept telling him to get off of her, then I got smart and got the camera. It was actually pretty funny! He kept trying to ride her today also! Noah is a funny kid, he gets so mad when Juliet escapes his little grip and doesn't want to be mounted up!

My Babies