Congratulations Daddy!

Today was Brad's pinning ceremony for being meritoriously advanced. The Top 6 in the Command were honored today and it was such a proud moment for us! Brad has worked so darn hard the past 4 years and it was so wonderful to see him rewarded for his dedication, commitment and integrity.

It was so special that both Corben and Brad's mentor were able to pin on his new crows. Corben just adores "Cheep" (like I've said before - "Chief" in Corben-ese)

Corben was so very well behaved and truly "performed well" as his MeeMaw says.

Just before the bribery appeared...

Other Christmas Festivities

We were able to get together with my cousin and her wonderful family on our last night in town. They treated us to a wonderful mexican meal and then had us over to their home to continue our visit where the kids could play and so we could all catch up. And I swear, my Nevie doesn't always have dirty clothes she just gobbled up that guacamole! Ahhhh, she is like her mommy and just loves mexican food!

This really great toy was an after-Christmas present from Meemaw. The kids both love it! Now if only I could get them to share...
In the town I grew up in there's a place known as The Sledding Hill. It's this huge hill that has is the cities underground water tank (I know this because I did a science project on it). Thank goodness we have 4-wheel-drive because this enabled us to get out during the snow and catch the hill before it turned to a mudpit.




I love that my husband is a big ol' kid at heart!

He and Corben had a blast!!!

This would be Pawpaw's idea. I knew what would happen...in the end I'm sure my mom's potatoes were pretty bruised.

Nevie enjoyed her ride in the dump truck.

Nevie is such a girl. Not only does she love to look at herself but she uses everything as a telephone. Here she is showing Meemaw how the remote works does the job. As long as it's not a boy she pretends to talk to then we're ok.

Along with trains Corben really loves cars. He and Pawpaw played with the semi-service station.

Taking her new wheels for a spin.

Peace-Out

We spent one day down at my grandparents' house. We had a perfect visit with them. We are so very very lucky to be able to spend time with them every time we're home. God bless them for being so patient as my Grandma has the most beautifully decorated home especially at Christmas. Corben loved it. A little too much. All those trees (she has 3) all those pretty breakable ornaments (she has a zillion or 2) and all the fancy glasses. He didn't break anything but boy did he try! She was so very very patient and kind. She really is an amazing Great-Grandma!

My Great-Grandpa is awesome! It was really cool to hear his WWII stories that he shared with Brad.

My mom only put out the ornaments that she thought Corben would love (i.e. ones that made sound, moved, talked, etc). Hallmark ornaments are a big tradition in my family so there are some pretty cool ones! Corben & Mamaw spent a lot of time by the tree playing with each ornament. He'd bring her one and want her to show him. By the time our trip ended there was a whole lot of ornaments on the counter that had a date with some super glue. Sorry Mom!

Nevie and Pawpaw have such a special bond. It's pretty cool to see him with her because he is such a perfect Grandpa to both Corben and Nevien and knows exactly how to play with each of them in their own way.

Christmas Fun!

This was our best Christmas EVER! There's something about seeing kids light up when they see Christmas lights or Santa or pretty wrapped gifts. Everything seems sparklier, more beautiful and more special. Cub & Ty-Ty (my brother and Tyler) couldn't make it home from Chicago this year so we were sad not to be together. Corben knew exactly what to do with his presents. He tore into those puppies with such stealth and Nevie watched in awe and wanted to play right along with him.

Corben helped Brad put together Nevie's little car.I always joke that Girlfriend likes to look at herself. Meemaw and PawPaw got her a big mirror so she gaze at her beautiful self as long as she'd like. By the way, Corben calls my mom Meemaw now instead of Mamaw. Go figure.

If only we had known that this truck would be his favorite toy EVER. We coulda saved a lot of money and a lot of trees by not getting him all of his other presents. He just adores this truck. He and Nevie have taken many rides in it so far.

Good Buddies.

Preparing for Christmas

Since I was a kid we always celebrated our family's Christmas on Christmas Eve. Now that Brad and I have had kids we can't bear to change that tradition but how does Santa come on Christmas Eve? This is the first year we gave any thought to it so Santa came during nap time. We made cookies to leave for Santa- we cheated a little but we were running late and we had a sleepy little elf on our hands. My parents live right by some train tracks (on the right side of course!) so we decided Santa would come through on a train because Corben just LOOOOVES the trains.

They really do love each other.

Corben was such a good little baker!

Santa just loves egg nog so we made sure to leave him a few cookies and an ice cold glass.

Pre-Arranged Marriage?

Too bad our society doesn't take too kindly on pre-arranged marriages because at least I know I'd like my daughters mother-in-law! Asher and Corben are best buddies but Asher also loves Nevie. He's always loving on her and yesterday during storytime he held her hand. Hey, if they get married they'll never sleep because both of those kid require very little sleep. They're a perfect match!

The Glory of Randomness

Nevie got in on Paw-Paw's piggy back rides this time. She loved it! Corben has competition now!

Before Nevie could officially crawl she could scoot herself around using her legs and bottom. She backed up a little too far and ended up under the tree. I am so glad my phone takes quick pictures because I just couldn't resist! This year for Thanksgiving we did a really untraditional feast of BBQ. Corben got to taste test the beans first - they were a hit!

Corben and Mommy

Corben was more than happy to give up his "naughty corner" to the tree.

Fresh Start

Honestly? It took me entirely too long the other day to try and fix the posts about our trips. So read the captions and use your imaginations as to what the pictures looked like. We had a blast and enjoyed every second we got to spend together. Ok if that doesn't leave you with a warm fuzzy feeling...

So let's move on...a fresh start and clear conscience with no more blog guilt.

Last Saturday was the city's Festival of Lights Parade. We do this every year (except last year) and we were really looking forward to taking the kids. We started off at our favorite Irish pub for some yummy food and as a way to snag a great spot on the street. Mission Accomplished. We finished up just a couple of minutes before the parade started. Too bad it was frigid out! We bundled the kids up but it was Brad and I who gave up first! Oh well, we had a great time doing a fun family outting! Here let me show you!

Keystone!

For our final leg of our trip we went to Keystone, Colorado. Every year about this time we go somewhere for the Navy's Awards Banquet. It's been pretty dull event the past few years but this year, this year was awesome!!!!! We had such a great time!!!! I met lots of new people, enjoyed some nice wine, and got to get all dressed up. Plus the free babysitting wasn't too shabby either (oh wait, except that we all ended up with some nasty mutant germs that lingered for far too long).A first Daddy-Daughter dance.

This is Brad's good friend/mentor/boss. It's people like this that make military life seem "normal". It will be really sad when both Brad and Cheep (as Corben calls him - Chief in Corben-ese) depart their time together at this command.

We had a blast during our 3 week vacation but it sure is nice to be home! We're all sick with a round of The Yuck - welcome home.

Disney, KC & Keystone

When Brad received word that the command wanted to send him to Pensacola for a special training we both started brainstorming how we could turn it into some sort of family vacation. Pensacola holds a special place in our hearts (that's where it all began....kinda). One plan led to another and the dreams started getting bigger (and more expensive....) until we finally decided on Disney. Hey it's in the same state and all. So with only a couple of weeks to prepare we made reservations and booked airfare and begged and pleaded with my parents to let the kids and I stay for an extra week. Ok the last part didn't need much pleading to be honest.

It was going to be a quick trip of only 4 nights but it turned out to be the perfect amount of time. I mean if you factor in having a 2 1/2 year old, an 8 month old, and only a certain amount of tollerance for heat and humidity 4 nights was just fine.


I felt like a giddy little girl when I saw Cinderella's castle. It was beautiful! We were so lucky to be able to catch the fireworks and parade because during the winter months they only do them on select nights. We stayed so late the last night they had to chase us out.


We were also very lucky to catch Magic Kingdom all decorated for Christmas!!!! Magical!


Right when we walked in they were starting a parade!!!! If that doesn't make you feel like a kid again I don't know what will!


He actually cried when we had to leave Daisy! We weren't sure how he was goign to react to the characters especially after last year's adventure to see Santa didn't go so well. But he loved them. Each and every one of them.


We had lunch (and a dinner) with Pooh and the gang. SO FUN!!!! The food was delicious here. I swear I ate more salmon than what the meal would have costs it was so yummy!



We had to go see the Princesses! I wanted to do it more for Nevie but she cried when Cinderella sat with her. Oh well! Turns out my little guy has a thing for Princesses. Who could blame him?! Cinderella was more beautiful and more charming in person! And nice! They were all so very nice. Corben got to sit and chat with Cinderella, Belle, and I think Sleeping Beauty. I need to catch up on my Disney Princesses.


It was really funny because he puckered up to give her a kiss but he was aiming for her lips. She had to say "how about I give YOU a kiss on your CHEEK"


This is Sleeping Beauty right?

Also very charming but I felt a little weird not knowing for sure who she was. I was prepared to see Snow White.


Oh Mickey. Mickey is way way way shorter in person.


Hence all the pictures where he is kneeling.


Chip N Dale LOVED Corben! They spent so much time with him! It was really fun to watch.


But these guys were really tuckered out. This was about the only nap they got to fit in on our trip but I think they'd both say it was worth it!


As for Nevie....she wouldn't nap so we spent a lot of time on the balcony and by the pool.


Next up: Keystone!

Kansas City!

Bet you thought I had given up the blog huh? Elaina this one's for you. :p I'll do a post in the order of our big ol' trip we took in October/November.

First up: Kansas City!

ok so Lee's Summit but if I said Lee's Summit some of you would say huh?

Saying Kansas City at least give you a reference point - that is if you like geography.

Each year at about the last week of October you will most likely find me at my parents' house. It's become a tradition and one that unfortunately Brad hasn't been able to participate in because there's that thing called a job.

I don't know where he learned how to do this but we can be driving down the road and Corben will shout out JEEP! I look around and sure enough he has found a Jeep! It can be in a parking lot, beside us or going the opposite direction but that kid knows what a Jeep is! I think it's because 2 of his favorite people drive a Jeep...that must be it.

It was my birthday the day before we went "home" and so my parents had a delicious cake waiting for me. Corben just couldn't wait to dig in!

Mamaw was in heaven having her little grandbabies to cuddle with for 2 weeks!

Here's Nevie at 8 months.

Corben at 2 1/2

These guys had so much fun together!!

My sweet little Nevie-puss.

Don't ask about Caleb's nasty-stach as I call it. I couldn't hardly look him and begged him to shave it over every single day. It was quite a treat to have Cub (<--that's what Corben calls him) and Ty-Ty visiting the same time as us!

Gi-yup (giddy-up in Corben-ese)

Having a little girl is SOOOOO much fun!!!!

This little girl is giving Corben a run for his money with Grandpa's attention!

Corben with some rare alone time with Mamaw & Paw-Paw

My dad and 2 of his 3 girls.

Gi-yup!

My parents took us to this really cool farmstead place that has all sorts of animals and really great stuff! Corben got to feed a bottle to baby goats!

Who is the bigger kid...

CHEERS!

I think these kids wore Paw-Paw out!!!!!!!! He sure did do a lot of playing and entertaining!!!!

Needs no explanation. Gross.

On Halloween my dad took us to downtown Lee's Summit so the kids could go trick-or-treating. SO FUN!!!!! The kids had a great time and we saw lots of fun costumes!

I don't know why but the fireman ducked out of the picture but Corben still thought it was cool.

This is a great climbing tree. We used to climb this thing all the time!!!!

Grandpa's are the best for coming up with some fun games! This Paw-Paw takes the cake though. He has a knack for keeping these kids entertained for hours! Even Nevie during her most intense MOMMY-ONLY phase. Magic.

Corben L-O-V-E-S Paw-Paw's scooter. They took little rides around the block like this. I'm not sure who loved it more but they had so much fun!!!!

We had an amazing time home!!! Thanks to my parents for not minding that we extended our trip by a week...so we could go to Disney!