Thanksgiving

A belated Thanksgiving post! We headed down to GA for Thanksgiving weekend!  We got in on Wednesday night which only took us almost an hour longer due to the lovely holiday traffic and wrecks along the way!  We got to spend Thanksgiving day with the grandparents, siblings and friends!  And of course had a wonderful meal prepared all by Mom.  Too bad Chris got her cooking genes!!

After we all got stuffed we took the boys to the pond and came back to hang out with the neighbors before we headed out the some shopping.  Yes, I did feel bad about shopping on Thanksgiving but in the end it was all worth it.  It was only Chris, Jen and myself that went.  We made a quick trip to the mall and then headed to Walmart.  And of all places and of all the Walmarts in town, I ran into one of our good friends from our dating days...Joel and Lisa!  I don't think we have seen them since our wedding.  So I was texting Jason and telling him.  Then long story short we met up Friday night for dinner and hanging out/shopping.  We did not get home until after midnight...that is a first since I can't remember! HA!! But it was so great to see and catch up with them and they only live 2 hours away, so I am sure we will be meeting up more often.  It seems so hard to come by good friends!

But we had a good time hanging out with the family and enjoying some down time!!
I hope to get a few pictures up of the baby shower soon....having a few computer issues with our pictures.

Here is Kerrick with the girls decorating our trees...we bought these almost 3 years ago to do and finally made them!

Nanny and Raelyn

Getting in on ALL the good grub!!

Nanny and LaDonnia

LaDonnia and Kim

Grandpa and Missy

Happy Birthday Caelum!!!

Caelum turned the BIG 4 this past Sunday!!  He almost had a week long celebration...he has been so excited for his birthday.  We started off the birthday celebration last Wednesday with cupcakes at school with his friends.  He was so excited to have us come to his school and sing with his friends and Kerrick!  And all he talked about was wanting a Paw Patrol Cake, so here are a few pictures of him at school celebrating.

Thursday after lunch we picked up the boys and headed west to the ol Great Wolf Lodge and started off his birthday weekend at the Lodge.  On Friday we got up and kept heading West to Bryson City, NC.  We met up with Teddy, Gramm's, Uncle Chris, Aunt Jen and Raelyn in the mountains.  Raelyn's birthday was on November 9 and so we had a joint long weekend of celebrating her and Caelum's birthday. Saturday they wanted to open their gifts after lunch.  After opening presents and a quick nap, we headed to the train station to ride the Polar Express.  And after the evening ride filled with lots of sugary hot chocolate and cookies, we headed back to the cabin for more sugar filled cupcakes.  I will post more pictures of our trip in another post, but wanted to post a belated Happy Birthday to our littlest dude!!  It has been quite a ride just these 4 fast years...so excited to see what the years ahead hold for you Caelum!!  We love you and so proud of such a Brave Boy you have been through all that has been thrown your way!  LOVE YA DUDE!!!

October Shenanigans - Homecomings, Halloween, Fall Decorating, Birthday Celebrations

Well, I am at it again...taking forever to update the blog!!  HA!!  We had a fun, busy October!!!

Here are a few pictures of Kerrick Kindergarten field trip to a local Pumpkin Patch.  Unfortunately, I was unable to go, but I believe he had a fun time!!!  Thanks to his teacher, Mrs. Young for sending me some pictures of him at the Pumpkin Patch.

Here are the boys decorating their penguin pumpkin for school!

 Posing by our friend!!! 

The last 60 days of Jason's deployment we made a paper chain countdown and had a calendar to mark off each day.  So the boys alternated who did what each morning before school.  And of course this was the morning of the day Jason was to come home.  Their faces are priceless....SO excited is an understatement!!

 Kerrick helping Caelum mark off the last day!!

And here are some pics of them at the airport....I am horrible as I did not get any of them with Jason or any of Jason at all once he came through the doors.  Once he came out we walked straight out of the airport as his luggage was coming via military!  I actually had to point out Jason as he came through the door and they kept looking at him but not running, so I don't think they recognized him...he had WAY more hair than when he left and when we skyped he usually had a hat on!  Too Funny!! Kerrick was very excited and talking non stop the whole time.  Caelum was quiet the whole time we waited and was a little quiet when Jason first came out!

 Our sign we made!!!  It is always the Best Day ever when he comes home!!  Nothing can compare to these days!!!

 This was Caelum the whole time, holding his sign, keeping quiet and just steadily watching the doors.  Jason came via International flight so they had to come through customs so only one person at  a time came through the doors!

 Still waiting.....

 And finally....another moment the boys have been waiting on....starting our first fire in our pit!!

 Argh....Pyromaniacs!!

 Wearing out the costumes....Scooby Doo and Rubble.

 Teddy and Gramm's came up on Halloween to welcome Jason home!!

 Teddy adn Gramm's passing out candy while we attempted to take boys Trick or Treating....I think we may have gone to 10 houses total.  They were not interested at all!

 Gramm's and Caelum watching our neighbors across the street...they had a nice little setup and were scaring the older kids.

 Teddy, Jason and Caelum watching the neighbors scare some more people!! Too Funny!!

 Only a week later....we got to celebrate Jason birthday!!

 Checking out the little loot of candy.

 Earning his keeps.....washing dishes!!!

 Thank you Aunt Freddy, Uncle Stefan and Jack for my awesome book!!  Caelum was SOOOO excited and kept saying I have a new book!!!