Tree Decorating

Brena wouldn't leave us alone about putting the Christmas tree up - that kid sure knows how to be a squeaky wheel!  She loves decorating for holidays.  We got Bristol a babysitter and then the rest of us went and saw Frozen.  I really liked it - especially the music.  It was really good.  A few cheesy parts - but mostly good.  Then we got home and decorated the tree.  I love Christmas, I love everything about it.  The decorating, the baking, the spirit of goodwill that is everywhere, and the cold (kind-of) because I like to bundle up in sweaters, boots and scarves!

Trying to get all the Christmas stuff out!

 They love each other so much ;)

 She loves to decorate!

 Bristol was sleeping, so it was just the 4 of us for this picture.

Friday Flashback

As I was going through pictures, I saw two that kind of looked a little bit a like...
This first one was taken when we decorated our tree December 4, 2006, while still living in San Diego.

 

Here we are today!  I think the only person that looks the same is T.J.!

Thanksgiving

For Thanksgiving, Tj went and played flag football with other guys from the ward.  The kids and I stayed home and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.  Bristol fell asleep...

 I did not want to cook for just us this year.  This was the very first year we had no family here or friends to eat with.  It was kind of depressing...  I told Tj I didn't want to cook and we were going out.  We went to The Farmhouse in Christiansburg.  It was a buffet and they had turkey, ham, roast beef, stuffing, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, fruits, salads, cheeses, and all kinds of desserts, and more too, I just can't remember it all.  I do remember how stuffed I was though - holy cow - I haven't ever been that miserable in my life!

 Bristol made a mess of herself!

 Brena taking pictures...

 She's such a photographer!

 This one is really good - ha!

I am so thankful for everything in my life!  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful family, healthy kids and I'm so incredibly grateful to my Heavenly Father for my many blessings!

Brena-isms

On the way home from gymnastics last night, Brena started telling me what she was looking for in a husband.  This came out of nowhere and made me laugh.  She wants someone who is at LEAST 2 feet taller than her, he has to be romantic, he has to love children, he can't smoke, drink or drink soda!  She also said she wonders what he's doing right now.  I remember sometimes thinking about my future husband when I was little, I guess it's normal. 

At gymnastics last night she got to ring the bell for pulling up on the bar.  She hasn't been able to do this, so it was very exciting.  You get to ring the bell if you do something above your level.  There is a little bell in the middle of the gym, when you go ring it everyone in the gym stops what they are doing and watches you.  Then they clap.  It's exciting and she loves ringing the bell.  I think this is just the 3rd time she's ever done it. 

9 Months!

Good grief!  This kid is out of control!  She is into EVERYTHING and she is going EVERYWHERE!  She pulls up on everything, but she can't figure out how to sit back down after she stands.  So, she screams until someone helps her down.  This happens a lot during her afternoon nap times - she goes to bed, then she stands up and gets stuck, screams her head off, then I have to go in and lay her back down.  Then she goes to sleep.  She loves to eat!  I've been making a lot of baby food and she scarfs it all down.  She started having a bottle every once in a while too.  She still nurses 3x/day, but if she acts hungry I give her a bottle now.  She crawls all over the place and loves to grab any cord she can find.  She is a stinker, but we love her like crazy.  She still gives the best kisses to all of us, she especially loves for Tyler to get her in the mornings, she gives him a big kiss when she sees him.  She is also starting to bite, so we are trying to teach her that is not ok!

I hope her eyes stay blue!

 Look at those teeth :)

9 month stats on 12/2/13:
17lbs 9oz (26%)
28" (65%)
Perfect!

Virginia Tech NAVY ROTC Thanksgiving Feast

It's tradition to celebrate Thanksgiving at the ROTC unit at Virginia Tech.  Last year it was a joint service dinner - meaning the Air Force, ARMY and us were together - it was pretty big.  I guess this year the other services wanted to do their own thing, so it was just the NAVY this year.  The kids Brenalee was dying to go, so I went and picked them up from school.  We had a nice chat with everyone and good food.

The food table!

 Brena loves ham!

 It's nice to have a babysitter :)

 A gun below Tom & Jerry - yep, we're in the military section now!

 My silly baby girl!  Love her craziness!

So thankful for this crazy military life we have!

Pulling Up

This girl won't stop growing!  She's now pulling herself up on everything!  She loves to stand and scream at the top of her lungs, like she's done something and everyone should watch her do it.  Funny, funny girl!

Veteran's Day Assembly

The kids' school had a Veteran's Day Assembly today.  Tyler & Brenalee were invited to give a little talk about their dad and his career in the NAVY.  They stood up on the stage and spoke to a gym full of their peers and adults.  There was a pretty good group of veterans there that were honored.  The VT Core of Cadets came and presented the flag.  We had a couple talks and a few of the kids then spoke about their guests.  It was very touching and I was brought to tears a couple times.  What a wonderful country we live in!

Waiting for the program to start!

 Daddy and Brenalee

 A star to remember those who gave their lives for our country.  A paper came home asking for names, and I sent it back with Landon's name.

 Thank you veterans - thank you!

Fall

We had a pretty cold week a couple weeks ago - it even snowed!  But, we have been blessed with some beautiful fall weather here lately.  I know it won't last long though!  It's supposed to snow again soon, boo!  Tyler loves going out and throwing the football with T.J.  Bristol likes being outside too.  So, they put her in her stroller so I can cook dinner without a crying baby.

 I missed all the beautiful fall leaves by a few days, but this tree has still got some color to it.

An outside baby is a happy baby!

Crawling!

Bristol's been doing this backwards scoot thing for awhile now, but today she finally crawled forward!  She's starting to go all over the place now.  Time to find some baby gates!

BodyPump Assessment

I sent my BodyPump video in on October 20.  The website kept saying I'd have my results by 11/4.  I couldn't resist checking every day though, just to see if it changed.  When I logged in on Friday, it changed to have my results by 11/14!  I was SO bummed!!  Then this morning, Tj was checking email and said "honey - guess what!"  My results were in - I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!  I am SO glad it's over!  It was so stressful, I'm glad to have that weight lifted off me!  I am so proud of myself for doing something like this and finishing it to the end - that's a big deal for me, I don't normally finish things!  Or maybe, I haven't ever really tried to start anything...hmmm.  I'll have to think about that one.

NAVY Ball 2013

We got a babysitter and headed out to the NAVY ball last night.  It was fun to get all primped and pretty for the ball.  I got my nails and hair done.  I decided to wear a dress I wore to an event 3 years ago - but it was WAY too big.  I took it to a tailor and got it sized.  They didn't do all that great of a job, the top was still way too big, but it worked, I guess.  I'll get a new dress for next year's ball.  We started out with the traditions of bringing in the flag, the special guests of honor, and the cake.  Then we listened to the guest speaker, who happened to be the father of one of the cadets in Tj's class.  Then it was time for dinner.  I had the chicken plate with sweet potatoes and green beans, it was good.  I gave my piece of cake to Tj, no sugar this month for me.

Me, Jessica & Tarah - some of the other wives.

 The table set for one to always remember those who are missing or who have lost their lives for our Country.

 Adam & Jessica Jones & Dennis & Tarah Crump.

 Tj cuttin' a rug :)

 The cake - Happy Birthday NAVY!

Can't wait for next year!