May 2012

Who says a girl can't be tough AND color-coordinated?

Beach time!

Piano recital

April 2012

Happy Easter!  We are heading out to look for some eggs...

A pretty dress won't stop her from climbing!

 

I think we might need some haircuts around here....

YMCA Kid's Triathlon

Mom, this is REALLY early in the morning.

March 2012

Pony Rides at the Clay County Fair

Happy 12th Birthday to my oldest!

Being angels....

...and little devils!

February 2012 - Part 3

North to Virginia ... we drove Donnie up to Norfolk and stayed 10 days to enjoy some time with him before the ship set sail. The Historic Triangle area (Jamestown-Yorktown-Williamsburg) has so many kid-friendly things to do. Here we are playing in wigwams (?) at the Jamestown Settlement.

These were filled with real animal furs that you could handle. The kids had a blast trying to figure out what the animals were (okay, this one was pretty easy!).

Indian boys all cozy in their fur lined bed!

Jamestown has several replica ships built to size that you can can climb around on. They take these out sailing a few times a year as well.

Little conquistadors. Okay, this wasn't a Spanish settlement, but still...

Playing mini golf at the hotel. As usual, someone is very grumpy.

Look, a Kennedy fire hydrant!

In the stocks at Williamsburg.

Our pre-deployment family photo.

February 2012 - Part 2

Hanging out at the zoo with Daddy during his pre-deployment leave.

February 2012 - Part 1

Since Daddy was set to deploy in March, we decided to celebrate Eli's birthday a month early. He was turning 3, he didn't know the difference! However, he was very serious about this birthday stuff. None of the usual cheesy grins.

The birthday pinata. Filled with clearance valentine candy that was so bad my kids finally begged me to throw it out. Yes, candy can be that bad.

Someone is a future (and present!) troublemaker!

January 2012

Donnie was deployed for most of January, but the Big E did get to come in for one night to resupply. Daddy gave us the VIP tour of the ship, complete with a ride in the teeny tiny elevator up to the bridge.

Sitting in Daddy's seat on the bridge.

...and piled into Daddy's bed. He has one of the primo state rooms with his own private bed AND private bathroom. We're talking luxurious accommodations!