Kids

Here are just a few of my favorites...

Matt's Birthday/ Thanksgiving Day

Matt's birthday fell on Thanksgiving Day this year. We had a lovely day/ Matt's parents came to visit and we started the morning off with Apple puff pancake (Matt's favorite) then relaxed watching football, playing outside, sitting by the fire, opening the kid's Christmas presents from Grammy and Grandpa and finishing off the day with Thanksgiving Dinner! What a great day!

Katie's Christmas Performance

Katie's school celebrated the Christmas season with a special performance by the K4/K5 classes. I made little mini movies of the singing and took a few pictures. We were so proud of our little girl who looks so grown up while up on the stage! Afterwards, we took Katie and Marcus to Chick-fil-a for ice cream and a little play time!

Santa and Downtown Charleston

After church yesterday we took the kids downtown to eat at our favorite restaurant Joseph's. Matt loves the Sweet Potato Pancakes with Pecan butter! When we finished lunch we took the kids to the market and to see Santa. Katie went right up to speak with them, but Marcus wouldn't even let me set him down. Katie didn't care much for Santa at his age either! We had a wonderful day together... here are some pictures of the kids running around playing!

SubFest July 2009

We took the kids to SubFest on the base over the 4th of July for a little fun. There is plenty to do at Subfest- fair food, rides, face painting...Marcus thought the whole thing was pretty amazing. There was plenty for him to look at and scream in delight about. Katie had a blast with her little friends riding the rides, getting her face painted, and eating some french fries! Matt and Marcus enjoyed sharing a rootbeer float at the end of the hot afternoon. We had a great time together!

Cows and Cones

Cows and Cones is a little farm complete with an ice cream stand. The kids love going there to look at the cows, sheep, pigs, and chickens. Then, we get ice cream and sit on a blanket in the middle of a field and de eat our homemaice cream!

It is such a great time and Marcus loves going there. Here are a few pictures and a little movie clip of him running around in the field. I think we might have a little farmer or cowboy on our hands.

Sweethearts

My little sweethearts are growing up so quickly! We went to our neighbors for a BBQ and the kids had a blast playing outside in the yard. Here are a few pictures of Marcus and Katie sitting in a chair together... they are so cute. I can't believe how fast time is going by... goodness! Slow down!

Katie Turns 4

Katie turned 4 in June also... so it was a busy month for us! Here is a clip from her birthday party and a few pictures. She looks so serious as we sang Happy Birthday to her! We were in Ohio and after the cake the kids played in the sprinkler. There is a picture of Marcus eating ice cream cake which he loved. I can hardly believe I have a 4 year old and a 1 year old- time goes by so quickly!

Marcus Turns 1

Well, I am long overdo in the department of blogging.... but then again it is hard to find time to slow down to blog! I wanted to post about Marcus' 1st birthday... the little guy is growing so fast it is hard to believe he is already a year old. For his birthday, we celebrated with a wonderful BBQ! Here's a few pictures from the day...

Marcus

Marcus has figured out how to make silly noises with his tongue and I had to make a little movie of it! This is his new favorite thing to do!

Pictures of us together

Just a few snapshots of us in the yard!

HOMECOMING!!

The day finally arrived for Matt to return home. I have been so busy since returning to Florida and being on my own with the kids that I haven't had time to blog about anything! Life has been going along smoothly, and I will later post pictures from a few things leading up to deployment's end. Here are some photos of the boat as it is pulling in, Matt in line with the officers shaking hands, and then a few of us together as a family. The kids and I are so happy to have the family back together again. Katie can't leave Matt's side- they are building forts in the family room and having a dog show as I type this... Marcus is loving having a man around- he has actually fussed a few times for daddy to hold him! Although work is still close at hand (Matt was home less then 24 hours and called back to the boat for some work!) we are grateful for whatever time we have together.

Katie's Easter Play

Here are the clips from Katie's Easter play at school. K3 sang 3 songs and did the sign language to go with each song. I think they did a wonderful job (especially considering the play was scheduled during what is normally K3's nap time! Very sweet. I am so proud of Katie and thankful that she is learning what Easter is really about!

A Beautiful Sunset

I have enjoyed my time here in Florida so much. I have really missed Matt and would have given anything to have him home. However, given the circumstances being near my family and in the sunshine has been such a blessing to me. The kids have done really well here. Katelyn has had a wonderful experience at her school and the church here. Last Sunday, she jumped up out of bed and informed me, "I absolutely can not miss second service!" She has learned so much about God along with her regular studies. Plus, she has done excellent in her Spanish class and regularly switches out English words for Spanish which I am very pleased about! Although we have all missed Connecticut, it has been wonderful here. I have spent so much quality time with my sister and I am going to miss her dearly. I am so thankful for the support of family and friends during the time Matt has been away. This beautiful sunset reminds me of my wonderful time here... however, as our time begins to end here in Florida we get one day closer to daddy coming home!!!

Lunch at Jim N Nicks

This BBQ place is one of our favorites... here are a few pictures from our lunch there eating on the porch. Yummy!

a cool ride

Katie was having a blast pushing Marcus in his walker the other night... here's a clip...

My little student of the month

Katie received a very special award during school announcement's this morning: She was the March Student of the Month. The principal gave her the award, and told her what that she was a judicious learner who worked hard to persevere. (Mrs. Michey's favorite word is Judicious!) Katie was playing with her dolls the other day and said, "thank you, that is being a judicious learner!) I had to cut the movie clip short but the kids were just getting ready to answer... Katie is a judicious leaner!

Jan's Visit

My friend Jan came to visit me here in Florida... we had a wonderful time relaxing on the beach, eating out, and window shopping! I hadn't seen Jan for 2 years so it was so good to catch up in person. We both enjoyed our time together and hope we get to do it again soon. Watch the movie clip to see a dolphin jump out of the bay... we saw it during sunset at dinner on the harbor.

(Picture below: my sister, Jan, Marcus and me at McGuire's Irish pub... there is over $800,000. on the walls there!)

Shamu Dance

Here is Katie at Sea World. She is so focused as she does the Shamu motions... watch her facial expressions!

Katie and Marc

Just a few moments I captured the other morning before Katie left for school.