Nutcracker, 2012

Clara with "Clara" , "Franz", and a Snow Fairy

My little girl and I made our second annual trip to the Nutcracker yesterday. I love live theater and I am thoroughly enjoying fostering this love in Clara. The community theater in Elizabethtown is the perfect place to start. The Nutcracker performed by local dance groups and "Clara's Tea Party" just before the show are a highlight of our holiday season.

Clara just loves the tea party. She can meet and talk to the dancers and take pictures with them. There was such a difference  in her personality from last year. Last year she wouldn't approach any of the dancers on her own, but desperately wanted to take pictures with them like the other girls were. This year, she could have cared less about eating; she only wanted to go talk to all the dancers and take picture, after picture, after picture, with them all! She confidently approached them, introduced herself, asked questions, and posed beautifully. I was so proud of her.

Me and my girl

As I expected, she was enthralled with the performance. I loved watching her sitting on the edge of her seat with an ear to ear smile on her face. I absolutely love taking her to shows. Now that she's getting bigger and understanding that she needs to be quiet and sit still, we'll start finding more shows to go to together. It will be fun to explore the local theaters in North Carolina when we move there.

Christmas Cookies with Cousins

The yummy, over-decorated delicious
cookies of childhood

One of my favorite family traditions since we've been in Kentucky has been Christmas cookie baking with the Sandersons. Knowing that this is our last year doing it makes me pretty sad. It has been wonderful having family so close. The memories and time spent together these past three years have been great. Whether we were having sleepovers, watching each other's sick kids, babysitting for a date night, having dinner together, hanging out, or baking cookies, I have loved every minute of it. Michelle was there to help me adjust to baby number two and cope with deployment number two. She was always there and I knew I could count on her, no matter what. I'm gonna miss her so much. Well, back to the baking...

Nick, Colton, Scott, Clara, & Hailey cutting out cookies

Colton, Hailey, Michelle, Clara & Nick hard a work decorating

Colton, Daddy, & Clara icing the cookies

Four Generations

I am so incredibly lucky. I have so many fond memories of my great grandparents growing up. I remember visiting my Great  Grandma and Grandpa Schmidt's house. Great Grandma Schmidt would always give us a dollar or two when we said good bye and Great Grandpa Schmidt would squeeze our cheeks and kiss us on the forehead. I remember thinking their refrigerator was so fancy - the freezer was on the bottom! I had never seen such a thing growing up; now, I love mine! They had these butterfly and bug magnets that popped out on springs; I loved flicking them and making them move. And, I remember hours spent in Great Grandma's Stefanski's yard; smelling flowers, picking fruit from her trees, watching her garden. I wish I had some of the marbles from the large jar of them that held open her bathroom door. We'd spend hours playing with them on the floor while we listened to the tick-tock of her cuckoo clock. I was so fortunate to grow up knowing three of my great grandparents. Clara and Colton are lucky enough to also have great grandparents. My Grandma and Grandpa Sally are so special and important to me; I want so badly for Clara and Colton to know them and love them like I do. That's hard to do when we only get to visit them a handful of times each year. 

Four Fabulous Ladies

Imagine my joy when my mom suggested she bring Grandma and Grandpa Sally down for a visit before we moved to North Carolina. They made the trip down and we had such a nice time. We did normal things like go to the Commissary and out to dinner, but, mostly we just hung out and enjoyed the time together. Having four generations under one roof was something special. We learned some pretty important things about each other. My grandma, my mom, Clara and I cannot wink with our right eye. Strange, but, apparently hereditary.  It's funny, that all these years I thought I was just weird, I was not alone with this peculiar non-ability. However, I am alone in the fact that I'm the only one of the four females together this weekend who cannot curl my tongue. 

Kiss from Great Grandpa

Colton became instantly attached to Grandpa Sally. If I tried to put his shoes on, I would hear, "No, I want Grandpa to do it." He wanted Grandpa Sally to do everything. Sweet Grandpa Sally was so patient. The same cannot be said for Colton; he didn't quite understand that Grandpa moves a little slower than mommy does. Grandpa even got Colton in and out of his car seat, which was not easy considering ours are a little tricky compared to the non-existent car seats Grandpa buckled his kids into when they were toddlers. 

Snuggles with Great Grandma

Snuggles with Great Grandpa

It was such a wonderful visit. The memories of the laughing, smiling, cuddling and talking with four generations together will be in my heart forever. 

Kiss for Great Grandma

Trick-or-Treat!

Phew! That was a lot of work! But, it was well worth it. One toddler, one pre-schooler, one wagon, some wind, a cooler than preferred temperature, and this mom is pooped! The kids have definitely caught on quickly to the idea of "more candy" and begged to go to "just one more house, mommy!" many times. We were out a little longer and went a little further than I anticipated, but the kids were having so much fun. We finished off the evening Skyping with daddy so the kids could "share" their loot with him. They kept holding gooey candy up to the computer screen so he could take bites. It was so cute! Now, my little Peter Pan and Princess Tiana are sound asleep in bed and mommy will be sneaking just a couple treats from their bags to enjoy before bedtime - just a couple!

Peter Pan and Princess Tiana all ready to Trick-or-Treat

 

Our friendly, resident Jack O'Lanterns



Snuggles with Mommy

My babies have been in snuggly moods lately. They have both been sick, off and on, for a couple weeks and have been more inclined to sit back and relax. When I'm in the kitchen and Colton comes up to me and says "come with me, mommy. come snuggle me", how in the world could I possibly resist?

I'm trying to remember that these days of them wanting to snuggle and spend time with me are limited. I probably still have a few years left, but I know they will go by fast. The dirty dishes will still be there later; gotta snag the opportunities to love on sis and little man while they still want me around.

Boo! @ the Zoo!

The "Army" has decided that Aaron won't be home for Halloween this year, again. So, Trick-or-Treating at the Louisville Zoo was the perfect way for us to get the kids all costumed-up and go collect some candy with our cutie-pies.

 

Princess Tiana and Peter Pan all ready to head up to the zoo.

 

Me and my girl enjoying a ride on the carousel!

 

Colton was apparently in a very chilverous mood and insisted he, alone, pull Clara in the wagon. He actually did pretty good for several feet, but Daddy had to pitch in a bit to help speed up the process a bit.

 

We were fortunate enough to make our little expedition on a Thursday evening. The crowd was small and we were able to stroll through the exhibit, take pictures with the characters, munch on some candy alone the way and enjoy the perfect weather. 

 

 

 

 Princess Tiana and Daddy with our friends from Oz!

 

Peter Pan was on a serious mission to get more candy!
And, then, he got pooped!

My Favorite Little Man

I was lucky enough the other day get a beautiful day to spend with my little guy. Just Colton and Mommy! A quick visit to the salon (mommy needed her eyebrows waxed), trip to get Mr. Man's hair cut, a run through the drive-through at Chick-Fil-A, and lunch at the playground, made it perfect! It was a perfect Fall day and we enjoyed it.

Here comes Colton!

 

My goofy guy!

 

Yep, I'm one of those moms that let their kids climb up the slide.

 

I'm dubbing this day, "the day of the tongue"!

That thing was hanging out all the time!

 

I'm so lucky that my work schedule has allowed me to spend special days like this with each of my babies. I know they won't remember these specials days alone with mommy; but I will, and they mean the world to me. These early years are so fun and so important and I want to drink in as much as I can!



Loving the Preschool Days!

We love Clara's preschool! Sunny Hill Preschool here in Rineyville/Vine Grove, Kentucky has opened up our little girl's world to learning more than she ever dreamed! Her interest in writing, reading, and numbers has exploded since starting there in August. I love seeing her excitement as she decides what her "show-n-tell" item will be for the letter theme of the week. She is just loving every day of preschool and keeps asking when she can go to Kindergarten! I can only hope that Clara's thirst for learning continues.

 

Although it was two months ago, here's the picture of

Clara on her first day at Sunny Hill

 

One of our favorite days of preschool has definitely been today - CRAZY HAIR DAY! When I read the October calendar and told Clara the fun things planned she immediately zoned in on this day. We Googled "crazy hair" images and she quickly had a vision in mind. We got the supplies, had a trial run, got up early this morning and went to work! The result was quite crazy indeed!

 Five rainbow ponytails accented with charms, bells and glitter!

 AHHHH! CRAZY HAIR!

 

 You would never know it was 6:30 in the morning; she was

way too excited to show her teachers and friends her crazy hair!

A Fun and Fabulous Fall

We love fall! The cool temperatures, the football, the pumpkin patches, the colors on the trees, the crunch of the leaves, the fires in the backyard, you name it, we love it. Thinking back to last autumn I recall how busy I kept myself and the kids. We spent nearly every weekend at the pumpkin patch, spent hours at playgrounds and picnicked in the yard every chance we could get. I was desperate to make the time fly and do anything but sit home and miss Aaron. This year we've been keeping up the same pace of fun activities, with one major exception - there are four of us enjoying the fun!

Having Aaron home this Fall has reminded me of how wonderful life is when our whole family is together. My heart truly is complete. The last few months, I'll admit, I have felt a bit complacent with our family life. It's so easy to take for granted what I once longed for and missed do dearly.  With the busyness of everyday life and Aaron's unit resuming ridiculous training schedules that keep him at work late or for even days at a time, it's easy to forget that just 10 months ago I would have given my right arm to guarantee my husband's safe return. I try hard not to let too many opportunities pass to let him know I'm happy, lucky, blessed, and in love I am. Going through wo deployments together, having two children together, and five years of marriage have definitely taught me to be grateful and appreciative for every day have with one another. All those "days" may not be blissful or perfect, but they are ours and I cherish them. My family means everything to me and it's just not the same without my love here to share in all that makes this life ours. So, despite the truth that I'll again become complacent and take for granted that we're together and not separated by war, I will strive to find those moments to remember how lucky and blessed we are to have what we have.

Moving on....! As I was saying, we are completely enjoying the wonderful Kentucky Fall. We have made our first trip to Crawford Pumpkin Farm this season and have the pictures to prove it!

There's just something about seeing my two guys together!

 

Seeing the simple joys of life come alive on Clara's face never gets old!

 

Colton and sharing the stagecoach

 

He looks so big and brave climbing up those big hay bales. 

 



"Daddy, you can't get me!" "Colton, oh yes I can!" 

 

The day after our pumpkin patch Aaron and Clara had a mission of their own. Last year Clara was highly disappointed in our lack of Halloween decorations. I promised her that the next year, when daddy was home, she and he would be in charge of making our house the spookiest on the street. After a long shopping spree and a lunch date a Chic-Fil-A the pair arrived home ready to make our home worthy of a truly spooky Halloween.

 

The spookiest house on the block! 





 Our giant spider and cobweb, spider and bug infested porch occupied by a cackling witch!



Cider Mill Exploring

On our recent trip up north to Michigan for Aiden's First Birthday, we couldn't pass up an invitation to go to a cider mill. Cider Mills are everywhere in Michigan, all you have to do is pick from one of the dozens and make the short drive. My aunt lives within walking distance of one and the weather was perfect.

A picture perfect view

 

Me and my babies 

 

Grandma and Clara/Colton and Papa - all enjoying some quality time

 

 



Miss Clara and Mr. Colton exploring on the rocks

 

Great memories with cousins. From Left:

McKinley, Raina, Clara, Colton, Kim, Crystal,  Emma, Aunt Sharon

 

We had a great day. It's not often you get to spend a fun day with cousins from Kentucky, Texas, and Michigan. I feel so lucky that we are so close with our extended family and so blessed to enjoy opportunities like this.





Cousins

Ooops. Guess I've been slacking a bit with the blog. Things have been so busy and we've been having fun with life. We have been visiting with family, enjoying the fall and getting ready for Halloween.

Whenever Clara, Colton and Aiden are together Grandma is desperate for a picture of the three of them. One problem...it's very difficult to get three young children to cooperate and capture the perfect photo Grandma so desires!

 Colton was anything but cooperative and refused to pose

on the bounce house slide.

 

Looking over the back of the couch...

least they are all facing the same direction!

 

Having fun in the tub!

 

Some special snuggle time with Auntie Keri.

 

Grandma will have to be happy with the memories and the more "candid" pictures we snapped.