Family Vacation....... Part 1

To start off our long 4600 mile road trip we picked up a free puppy on the side of the road about an hour from home!  We had been talking about getting one and hadn't really decided for sure yet.. but this little guy was way too cute to pass up... needless to say the kids adore him!

This first picture was taken west of Denver, Colorado... we were on our way to stay the night in Craig, CO.

Ironically I had been to Craig before with  Josh Lyons doing a riding clinic! We tried to take roads to Yellowstone that we had never taken before....  we were very glad we did!

We took our time getting everywhere because our main purpose of this trip was to spend "TIME" together!  Sean had 2 weeks of block leave before deployment and this was our first trip together as a family of 5!

(Click Pictures to ENLARGE)

The picture below was taken after the hike, right before
the rain storm.  We made it back just in time!

Our first night camping by a river......near the Grand Teton Mountains!

We had to sleep in the van due to Grizzly bear attacks and 

my fear for Mountain Lions... which would be worse?  YIKES!

BTW... I had mastitis the whole time at the river AND we got a flat a tire!

The kids enjoyed helping Sean carry firewood and tossing rocks into the 

river... more like creek!

Carley is loving on Kenai!

Grand Teton Mountain Range

And here is our second night of Camping between the Tetons and 

Yellowstone National Park... (Where the camping is free)

They made their own Mountain :)

The rickety bridge we had to drive off of to get across....

Then we head to Yellowstone....

 Colton got to take a picture with Old Faithful on his fourth 

Birthday!  We also have a picture of him here in this very spot when 

he was only three weeks old!

Near Old Faithful... we had so many people stop to pet

the puppy and tell us that he was the cutest puppy they had 
ever seen... ah huh!Yeah right...... One lady even said... "this beats seeing all the scenery"  point is... we could hardly get to

where we wanted to go without having to stop a hundred times!!!! ughh......

Then... I have to say I have never seen this sign before....  Just had to take

a  picture ;p

and of course the famous Buffalo...

Independence Day!

Being the wife of a soldier... I truly want to thank all the other military families and other serviceman for fighting for our country and the sacrifices not only the soldiers make, but the sacrifices their children and spouses make as well!  We live in a great nation and I thank the Lord for having the privilege of growing up, living and be able to supporting this wonderful place! 

We took the kids to a carnival on post.  Got some free food and a free ride... (only one)  it was way to hot and crowded.

Sean and Carley went grocery shopping and while me and boys stayed home to greet our company.

After cooking out we moved to the front yard with the babies and then watched Sean and the neighbors light fireworks.. then at 9:30 we watched the show on post from our front yard.  It was a good show with out all the noise.. cause it was 2 miles away!

Here are some pics of the kids having some fun =)


as handsome as EVER..........  my little man will be 4 next month!

daddy's head was burned... he had to wear Colton's hat!

oh so serious......

Neighbor kids... Jonah (5)... Ali (9) and Colton....

Carley's new big sis.....  She LOVES her and has to have her sit next to her and help her with everything!  Ali gave Carley all her butterflies from her bedroom yesterday.. including a cute butterfly lamp that matches her room perfectly!  Thank you ALI! 

Colton and Jonah...........

sitting on Sean's truck... they had been waiting days... to watch the fireworks from up high!

Carley didn't cry but she kept her ears covered the WHOLE time!

ok...bad of me cute of Stets.....

my sewing projects

while Sean was gone I decided to spice up our room just a little.  Here's what I did..

you can imagine how plain it was before!!   I've also added a mirror to the dresser and put out my roses from our one year anniversary.  I also hung two rustic crosses, one on each side of the window.  I am not sure it's the color I was going for.. and the blue looks way more blue with light shining through it than it did just laying on the table... so I am sill getting use to it!

The two square pillows were ones that I had, I just made new covers for them.  The small one I made as well.. but had to buy the pillow to cover.  I have left over material if anyone has ideas of what else I could use it for... let me know! =)  Here is a new picture of us... yes Sean shaved his head down to skin!

homecoming.........and silly kids!

So, Sean surprised us and got home last night!  It was so GREAT to finally see him.  It had been a little over three weeks.  Seems like it's been a whole lot longer though.. Yikes.. multiply that by 12 and that's how long he'll be gone next time!  ughhh..

kids are happy he's home too.. .here's a song Colton was singing this morning!

I'm a good boy, I help my mommy........ my daddy and mommy love me so much and you can't be mean to me, sometimes Carley be's mean to me..... you can't be super mean to me, Carley always be's mean to me.....

Mommy interupts... "Carley, stop throwing stuff down the stairs"

colton "That's what this song is about" 

Back to song...

I always play with my flashlight, I don't shine it in people eyes......... my mom be's nice to me... but she spanks me when I'm in trouble!  You can't do stuff that's naughty... like being a bear, they have big claws and climb, climb climb... you can't be mean to people.....   stops singing "look mom, it's raining out side.. you better shut this window!!

back to song.....

God is always in my heart!   You can't be mean... people, learn to be nice.....    they can't do stuff naughty... not swing stuff around and hit stuff  (swinging flashlight around)  you can't hit people, you can't hit my baby brother....   hit people hit people hit people, you can not hit people!

mommy.... "so, how long is this song.. does it just go on forever"

colton, YES!  WELL, you can not be mean or do stuff that is naughtyyyyy-eeeeeeeee!  It's not fair to do.. it's not fair, fair fair fair.....  

I have to help Carley, doing something that is safe to do....   (helps Carley out of basket, battery falls out of flashlight) "Carley, hury up and pick the battery before Stetson gets it"

finally song is over...........

a day in the life of an Army Wife...

Sean has been gone three weeks now, I miss him so much!  But this last week has been much easier
than the first and the second.  This has been a litte... did I say little?!!  Test of how it's going to be when he's deployed.  It's not just taking care of bills and kids!  Today like several other days!  It was cleaning house, making meals, shopping for shoes.... taking the kids to the pool.... more shopping.... then home.  But as I parked the car and realized all three kids were zonked out (is that a word?)  I thought to myself (what could I do really fast before they wake up... and maybe I can let the car run for a few minutes with the air on while I do it.... well.. I carried Carley to the couch knowing that she'd stay sleeping.. they were sooooo tired from being out with me for hours and she'd only been sleeping 10 minutes.  On my way out to carry the others in... I realized the sky was getting dark with clouds and my front lawn hadn't been mowed in two weeks other than the half that my neighbor decided to do for me...I thought "here's my chance" ... plus with Colton and Stetson still sleeping in the van next to me.. I wasn't leaving their sight.  When I finished push-mowing I decided to clean out van.. which also hadn't been done in a couple weeks.  I took out some trash and pool items...clothes etc... and pulled out the vacuum cleaner.. YES.. they even slept through the vacuuming!!!  I got done and hauled the last two kids in the house.. put away the vacuum, got the mail and got in the house just in time for the rain!!!  My house was a bit messy.. since I had been gone all day.. but at least there weren't any dishes dirty since we had Burger King at the PX.  So, I decided to do what Sean would have done if he were home.  Take all the kids out on the patio to watch the rain and listen to the thunder!  It didn't last too long but they enjoyed it..    So, we all got new tennies today... Colton hadn't had a new pair in exactly a year.. he jumped two sizes and I think these will fit him next winter.. they are super cool looking Sketchers!  I had to get a new pair that actually fit me.  I have been using hand me downs.. so I can actually say this is the first pair that I have bought myself in the last 3 or 4 years!!! I had to get running shoes for my work outs.. and also I am hoping to run while Sean is home.   But anyway.. I decided to let the house go and spend some much needed time just hanging out with the kids.  Read one book and started the Movie "Black Beauty"  They had never seen it and Carley... LOVES horses.  Colton too, but she really gets excited!  So, with all the stuff going in I've managed to work on some house projects as well. I'm not going to say what though.. cause Sean reads my blog and I'm hoping it's a suprise.  But after Thursday I'll definitely be posting pictures!

I took all three kids to church on Sunday. We had fun and Carley actually went to Sunday school all by herself and was very proud about it too!  Here is a picture I got of them... don't ask for a picture of all three smiling.. that's impossible when it's just me trying to get their attention and take the picture at the same time!!!  I am going to have to resort to a professional family picture eventually!   But here are my three kiddos and then a picture of Stetson and his little friend Jay.

(click to enlarge)

Oh tonight Colton was excited to tell daddy on the phone about his new shoes... after trying to show him how high he could jump in them.. he proceeded to tell daddy that Sketchers are REALLY FAST and that he's going to like them!  Carley just tells daddy "I love you" and "Goodnight Daddy" many times along with kissy noises!  They are excited to see him in two days!  It'll be a fun reunion no doubt!  Unfortunately it will be late at night when we pick him up.  We are planing to spend Friday and Saturday in San Antonio at Sea World!  Military families get one free pass per year and it's only 2 1/2 hour away.  Plus my cousin Kay Michelle is there for a few months on business and we'll get to see her =)

I am tired and have to get up early for my work out!  Did I mention I lost 4 pounds with Insanity in one week.  I am on my second week and very curious to see what happens now!  It is getting a little easier but it is INSANE!  I just wish I had a work out buddy!  But at the same time I'm enjoying the time to myself in the mornings.   The best part about it.. is that I gain energy for the rest of the day.. as long as I don't stuff myself eating.  That can be easy to do especially after such a vigorous work out.. it makes me so hungry!!!!!!!!

Off to bed...

excersize and eating healthy!

I started a new work out program last week...  since I've started I've lost 4 pounds and gained flexibility!  I can't believe the progress already and can't wait until I'm done with my first two weeks to see how my next FIT TEST goes!  I have never pushed myself this hard in my life!  The hardest part is eating right and following the health plan.   But I want to share one really easy meal that is actually yummy.

OK.. this is a protein pancake!  A total of only 4 ingredients.

2 egg whites and One whole egg
1/2 cup oatmeal.. (instant works better)
2 tsp water or skim milk
1 scoop protein  powder  fried w/ olive oil or smart balance

This makes one large pancake.. perfect for just mommy!

I only had choc. protein powder but it was actually very tasty and filling!!! You can add a tbs. of peanut butter for another 100 calories if you need it.   I also had some fruit before my work out.  I wouldn't eat this pancake too often but it's nice and easy for those days you don't feel like cooking much else.   Yesterday it was turkey bacon and eggs fried in olive oil.   yeah... I said goodbye to regular bacon/butter/soda/ice cream/candy and if I eat bread it's ONLY 12 grain. I keep lots of fruits and vegetables on hand.  I didn't realize that Tuna had so much protein so I now add that to my salad and also I am getting plenty of calories~   I am actually eating more calories than I normally do but with this work out my body needs extra.  Even though I feel like I am eating all the time... it seems to be working!

Stetson 9 months old

I was cought off guard when I heard Stetson playing behind me tonight!  I turned around and to my surprise he was doing what Colton use to do at a year old... well.. I don't know the exact age... but I couldn't believe my nine month old was pushing cars around the floor like a big boy!  He only learned to push a tractor with wheels a few days ago.. now he's pushing two at one time!  Not only on his knees but on his feet..........it was sooo darn cute and I was fortunate to catch the proof on camera.........................

more pics coming soon.. I have a hundred new awesome pictures can't decide which ones to post.  But here's what I caught this evening!

answers to my prayers.....

Sean called this morning and told me that their groups got all switched around... He is officially part of HHC and not Charlie anymore.  This means his job is actually a whole different MOS, he'll be working strictly on Humvees... which he didn't even do at AIT.  He is with all new guys and will have to make new friends all over again.  BUT this could mean good for me..... he will be working on base in Iraq instead of with the route clearing crew.  With that said...  nothing is set in stone... us army wives know all to well that things can change at any given time.  If this doesn't change. it's definitely an answer to prayer for me!!! 

reality........

 Colton 3 1/2

 Carley 2

Stetson 8 1/2 months

 Enjoying a snooze together!!

I've been hoping to get some neat idea for a blog post this time...and since I haven't gotten anything I've been putting it off.

As much as I have to be thankful for the last few days I've really been down, at first I wasn't really sure why.  Things are going good...  Sean's about to get promoted, the kids are doing well... I have a couple of new friends... our neighbors are really nice...and my kids have new friends as well, everyone is healthy~  We started going to a pool.. that is perfect for little ones.  My sister Ashlee is coming to visit next week.  I am sooo excited for that.. except for the part of Sean being gone for three weeks. He leaves the same day she comes to do his last training before leaving for Iraq.

Well, yesterday I heard Sean talking to my brother-in-law on the phone and he was explaining to him a little about what it will be like in Iraq.. as far as his job.   He said something that really caught me off guard.  I know he had told me before, but it felt like I was hearing it for the first time.  He said that his unit that was suppose to be Charlie company got attached to HHC company.  It's a Combat Engineer unit. Which means they look for IEDs..... the explosive devices...............   because Sean is a mechanic for this group of guys.. there is a good possibility that he'll have to ride along with them at times in the rear of the care-van.   Not necessarily looking for them.. but he has to help fix whatever equipment of theirs breaks down.  Please, please pray that he can stay on the base and fix equipment... the more traveling and riding around the higher the chances of something happening.   He wont really know until he gets there how it will all work out and what his specific job will be.   I'm trying really hard not worry... and I'm realizing we don't have much time left together.  He leaves sometime in September and this summer is just going way too fast.   I can't help but think about it all too often.

on a brighter note....     we are having fun together.  Nothing too exciting as far as going out and doing stuff.  We like to just be home with the kids... playing together, watching movies, working in the yard.. etc...  mostly we enjoy watching our children learn new things.  Little Stetson has been crawling ALL over the place.. he is learning something new every day!  He can now pull himself up on flat surfaces such as the sliding glass doors to look outside.  He makes very silly faces and is figuring out that it makes us laugh.  He also gives kisses now.  Yesterday he stood up on his own for 5 seconds.  He acts as if he wants to take off walking but I highly doubt he's ready.  My sister Ashlee walked at 8 months old and I can't imagine any baby walking who is that tiny still... it'd be so weird! Colton walked 2 days before he turned 10 months.. so literally he was still 9 months. Carley was 10 almost 11 months when she walked.  So, it's always interesting to see when it will be for the next.  I'm comparing but not really... it really doesn't matter... they all do everything when they are good and ready.  Plus the sooner he walks the more work for me.. he's already getting into stuff.  but nothing bad yet.. just have to watch him for getting in another room and getting lost and/or putting stuff in his mouth!  I don't have any little pieces of toys but he'll find something.. lately it's the little white rubber piece at the end of the door stoppers.. yeah.. he takes them off the springy thing and eats them!!!

Click here  for video MAY 2010  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zWzldSIHfMU

I am looking forward to seeing "letters to Juliet" tonight with the girls.   Sean is going to watch all three kids... I can't wait to have some mommy time~~  I just wish one of these days it could be Sean and I doing something alone :)  Maybe soon....

White Buns... from Sheila's Kitchen!

These are Sean's favorite... because they are NOT healthy.. plain ol' white buns!! Oh well.. they make great lunch sandwiches for him.. and are great with soup!  I ate three at one time 'cause they were warm out of the oven.........ughh.. I better stop baking or learn some self control :) 

Stetson-8 months old!!!!

Well, It took me awhile to let go.... I finally made up my mind yesterday when Stetson was hot and looked like this.....................

I pulled out Sean's clippers and did this..........................................

Carley's NEW ROOM................

Had a productive day today.  I got up early and met a new friend of mine at the Gym on Post. I ran two miles and visited a bit... YES, if you're wondering... I left all three kids home with Sean.  I felt so free..... it was nice to just have some girl time.  Michelle and I are going to try to go every Saturday.  Maybe more...when I have help with the kids or we may just end up walking outside on the walking trails w/ the kids.  I love doing that too if it's not too hot.

Anyway.. I came home and finished my dress!  It fits great!  I just messed up on the zipper.  After I do a dress for Carley I'll do another one for me.. and hopefully  it will turn out better.  After working out I ran to Hobby Lobby and got material to start Carley's.  My project for next week!  It'll be so cute!  Oh, and after I got home Sean helped me hang the curtains in ..............Carley's ROOM!

Here are some pictures!!  I also have letters to put up but will post one more picture when I get that done.  I haven't decided what color to paint them yet.  I got her whole name.. any ideas on colors???? It could be the same green/white/pink or speckled... or some other design.  I bought the long curtains to match her bedspread and cut them off to make the valance on the small window.  We picked up the captians bed on craigslist for 200.00 it's solid Pine and runs like 800.00 new.  We figured she'd have this bed for a long time and my sisters or whoever can sleep in it when they come to visit. I love the fact that she doesn't need a dresser.  She has a walk in closet for all her toys and hang ups.. and then all her other clothes fit in the drawers beneath. I would like to find her a cute little rocking chair and a wood toy box or bench to match... or maybe one of her many papas can make her one.. or Sean too!

(click pic to enlarge)

 She loves her "buttaflies"

This last picture was from my cell phone.. not very clear! So, heres a new cute picture of Carley!

My new dress.............

So, OK... after like 14 years of not sewing.. I was inspired by a friend to start sewing again!  I've been wanting to get started since I got a new "Janome" machine but my plan was to get all the curtains done in my house before attempting a dress.  BUT  it slowly came back to me.. it took me two days, but here it is!  I just have to finish hemming it and add a zipper to the back. I think I'll change the bow to black!  What do you think?   These pictures are from my cell phone.. so not real clear!  BTW.. I LOVE my new machine... so far it's great!

Carley and Stetson

Here some cute pics I got of these two yesterday.. 

Carley is completely potty trained!  We are so excited!  It's been an ongoing process since she was about 20 months old.  She was so good back then.. hated being wet.. but it was very hit and miss... Now she is just a big girl !   She is learning to play and entertain her brother.  She use to be very rough with him... just trying to be lovable.  Still of course have to watch them close... but none the less.. she loves the little guy to death! 

Stetson is eating finger foods now.. bread, baby yogart pieces etc.  He also likes applesauce, but still nurses so much that the food that he does eat is probably mostly just helping him learn how and helping to keep him occupied.   He is getting very vocal.. I'll have to post a short video soon!  He cracks me up trying to talk!

Fun in the kitchen....

I've been trying to do a lot of baking... since I can't be outside riding horses and gardening  Actually I use to be in the kitchen quite a bit when I was younger.. but when I started working hard on the ranch.. I sort of moved out of the kitchen and someone else took my place.   These choc. chip almond cookies have to be the best I have ever made!!!  I sort of followed the recipe on the butter flavored Crisco can (I know it's not that healthy).  But anyway.. thought I post a picture since you all can't taste them, you can pretend!

My first pizza dough in the new house.....mmm it was good.. but for some reason I 

forgot to take an after picture! 

Yummy Choc. Chip and Almond cookies!

Pizza Recipe

I woke up this morning with two little ones in my bed....   I decided to get up early with Colton and leave the others sound asleep.  After spending some time with Colton doing some school, checking my email and drinking my coffee.  I went up to a smiling baby laying in a complete different position with Carley sitting below him trying to take off his diaper... as I walked in they both looked at me with big smiles.. and Carley says "He's Wet".... darn.. I didn't have my camera handy!!!!  It was just too cute!


  Here is an example of the conversations I have with my three year old! 

Colton:  Mommy!  Can you put some of these ear drops in my ear?

Me:  But you don't have an ear infection, that's for Stetson.

Colton: But when I was a baby and had a really big head, I did! 


oh how I love my kids!!!!  I can't believe he'll be four this fall... so excited to see what the next year of his life will bring.  I suppose he'll be learning to ride a bike soon.  Lately we have been going on walks and I put the two younger ones in my jogger stroller and he rides a little three wheel bike.  It's great cause it's excersize for him and me!!!  Carley even tries to scoot along on her little motercycle which she has to just use her feet to roll it... she goes most of the way actually and then it's little enough I put it on top of my stroller while she finishes the walk buckled in...   the other day I had to hurry and stick her in cause it started to rain.. I was freaked out it would start pouring on everyone (mostly worried about Stetson) but fortunatly it only sprinkled and we made it back in perfect time! 

Our yard is lush and green.... we finally got a little lawn mower and I've been meaning to get gas for it this week but then decided that Sean needs SOMETHING to do when he gets home.. I'm sure I'll be doing it plenty when he's gone! Although since he's been gone almost two weeks and we had only been in the house 4 days when he left... we still have LOTS to do... this week is going to be full. He'll be working during the day.  Basically we'll just have evening to do stuff together.  I bought a captians bed for Carley's room and a matching desk off craigslist that I'll use for my lap top.  We have to go pick that up from another military family. It's solid pine!  I can't wait!!!  We have to haul at least two more loads from storage.. go on post and get other military paper work taken care of... Tricare... etc...   not to mention all the unpacking and organizing in the garage left to do!  I swear I have done a lot!  But some of that Sean has to help me with!  Anyhow... I've really been enjoying our new home.. with three kids I have plenty to do during the day and even managed to meet two new ARMY WIVES!  We met once at the park and then had a scrapbooking night last night at my house! We plan to do it every week.  I made home made pizza which everyone LOVED.. they want the famous Hewitt recipe.  I changed it just a tad.. by using olive oil and some basil seasoning.

Here's the recipe if anyone is interested

3 cups warm water
2 TBS Yeast
salt
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup oil
little Italian and Basil & Garlic seasoning

Then slowly add 3 cups flour, pour onto floured counter top and kneed in approx.
2 more cups.. including whats on the counter.  Kneed for about 5 minutes and until it's not sticky.
Place in large greased glass bowl, place in oven on warm.  I usually just warm it to 250 and then turn it off and place the bowl on a hot pad.  I let it rise, punch it down and let it rise again.  Make sure you grease the cookie sheet  and your fingers before trying to spread out the dough.  I then use already flavored Hunts tomatoe sauce and you can add whatever topping you like!  I also add some garlic powder and  little oregano with the sauce.  Bake on 375.

This makes about three large pizzas.  I like to put one or two in the freezer for another meal.  Or bake all of them and eat it for breakfast!!!   

Let me know if you try it :)