Christmas 2008

We can't believe that Christmas has come and gone already! We had such a wonderful Christmas season being able to spend it with our family & friends! We headed to MT and were able to see most of you! We would like to thank all of you for the fabulous presents, warm hugs, and friendly conversations! We know how much work it is to get ready and we really appreciate what all of you do for us! We were very spoiled this Christmas (we like to call it blessed)! Olivia was such a trooper once again. She adapted quite well to the new surroundings, people, and present opening. She really got into it by the end and loved all of her gifts! She would even comment on what she got with her adorable puckered lips of oooos and ahhhhs! Here are a few pics of our "Christmas's" over the last week. Take care and see you in the New Year!

Ready for Christmas

We are ready for Christmas! We are heading to MT tomorrow and our house in UT is ready to go. We have had Christmas up since October 28 and the final touches are done! We did it so when we got home it would feel like Christmas and we wouldn't have to rush to do it all in 4 days. The plan worked and after a wonderful holiday with our Family and Friends in MT we will come home and celebrate with just the three of us!

The Trip Home

Even though we were done on Friday we didn't get to leave until Saturday morning. We had a really long day of flying and a lot of luggage! We actually made the plane be delayed out of Alabama to Atlanta due to having too much luggage! We only had 6 checked suitcases, carseat, stroller, diaper bag, backpack, 2 carry on suitcases, a fat pregnant lady, 15 month old squirm worm and well a man! I am telling you 7 weeks is a long time and you may need everything including a kitchen sink! But during the 16 hrs it took to fly home we were thoroughly entertained! Here are some quick pics of our trip through the airports!

All done with ALABAMA!

We are very glad to let you all know that we have left Alabama! David graduated last Friday morning! He even graduated as a Distinguished Graduate. This is a huge achievements for us! I say us because I was worried that Olivia and I being there might jeopardize how well he did but obviously we were great company! Even though we truly hated the living conditions we met some really fantastic people and had some great family time! This experience really helped us to step back and realize how truly blessed we are! Thank you for all the emails, phone calls, prayers, love and support these last 7 weeks! We truly could of never made it through with out God and you!

Thanksgiving 2008

This year wasn't our traditional Thanksgiving weekend. We are still down south and decided to use it to our advantage. After class on Wednesday, we jumped in the car and drove 8 hours to Orlando. We thought it would be a GREAT vacation from our current living conditions and fun to do something out of the ordinary since we would not be with our families. After hearing our plans, David's parents decided it would be fun to spend some time with us and met us in Orlando. Olivia had not been feeling well on Wednesday and had a high temperature of 101-103. We decided that the long drive would allow her to sleep and feel better. Once there, we were greeted with a bigger room than our current one and bigger beds! We slept pretty well when we did sleep but Olivia still wasn't feeling well. On Thanksgiving morning, the fever was still there so we found a clinic and took Olivia in. We spent most of Thanksgiving Day at the clinic waiting to be seen. Finally, after 5 hrs. we found out that Olivia had acute bronchitis. They gave us some prescriptions and sent us on our way. The next hurdle was to find a Pharmacy that was open. We did eventually find one and got her the proper meds! Considering the circumstances, Olivia was such a sport! We finally met up with David's parents and had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner back at the hotel. We then were treated with a stroll around Disney Downtown. It was full of the magic of Disney through its food, gift shops and decorations! We had a good time even though we missed our family & friends that couldn’t be with us!

We have been trying to stay busy over the last few weeks. It seems that is the only way to make the time pass by quickly. We have been playing on the playground, visiting the fire station, celebrating my birthday and just hanging out in the room. We tag along with David to Flickerball practice and any other outdoor activity that he is doing. My mom taught Olivia to "write" so anytime she sees a crayon or pen she must write as long as you are spelling her name in her ear! It is fine as long as she stays on the paper! Let's just say that our sheets are now full of red squiggles! We met our awesome friend Allison one weekend in Hoover, AL. It was slightly over an hour away and we had a wonderful time shopping and catching up! We miss her so much! I want to thank everyone for the Birthday Wishes! It made my day a little bit more special! Hope you enjoy the pics and I will try to keep you posted on what Miss Olivia is busy doing!

Alabama

Just thought I would let you all know that we are alive and kicking! We made it to AL a week ago and are still settling in. David is busy going to school, writing papers, studying, physical training, and hanging out with classmates. Olivia and I find ourselves busy playing and trying not to be to BIG of a GERMAPHOBE! We live in a dirty, gross, dorm room. We have a bathroom, bed, desk, couch and luckily don't have to share our kitchenette. Oh wait we do with Olivia cause that is where she sleeps. We have yet to use the kitchen because well there is a play pin in there which is the exact size of the kitchen. If we did want to use the cupboards or stove we would have to undo all the duck tape! It has been a big challenge trying to keep her out of trouble. We are lucky enough to have a playground right out the door. We are also lucky to have 10 other little playmates. She absolutely loves playing on the playground with all the other kids. Here is a few pics of our trip so far!

Happy Halloween!

Here is a review of our Halloween Season! Olivia had many different Halloween outfits to wear through out the month and I got a few on camera. Plus we had to pick between a few Halloween costumes. We decided on the spider because it was super cute and it just so happens that David's Squadron is the Black Widows! Unfortunately David had to work Halloween Night. But our neighbors were so awesome and invited us to tag along! Olivia had a lot of fun following the other kids and caring her pumpkin bucket. Lucky for me Aunt Tory & Uncle B were willing to help carry Olivia along! It was a great night for Trick or Treating and once our buckets were filled we called it a night! Hope you all had a wonderful night full of fun!

Monday, October 27, 2008

Neighborhood Pumpkin Party

This was our second annual pumpkin carving party that we hosted for our neighbors and AF friends. Everyone comes over to our garage and fills their bellies with chili and lots of good Halloween treats. Then when everyone is done eating they get their pumpkins they brought and start carving. David & I try to help all the neighborhood kids carve their pumpkins. It is a messy job but the kids love it! They draw their own faces on the pumpkins and we do the carving! At the end we line them all up and turn out the lights! Happy Halloween!

Grandpa Steve & Grandma Sue Come Visit

This past weekend we had a special treat of having my Dad & Mom come visit! It was so nice to have them as guests at our house for a change. Maybe just someday they will come and just sit but for now they were busy helping and playing! Olivia had a wonderful time leading Grandpa around on her new "leash", reading books, playing with her toys and "taking pictures"! I say taking pictures because Olivia pretended to take pics all afternoon. We had the tripod out trying to get a family photo of all of us and she must have really been watching. She found a remote that when pushed displayed a red light, she put it on the tripod and then would say "CHEESE"! We all had a lot of fun together! Just wish the weekend wouldn't go by so fast! We thank you for a fantastic, fun weekend and we miss you lots!