Sprinkler Fun!

Ashley got her first chance to really play in the sprinkler. She loved it. The water was really cold but felt nice considering it was 94 degrees outside. She hasn't donned a swim suit yet this season but we are hoping to head to the pool this weekend to go swimming.

Our New Puppy, Macy!

Well, here are the pictures of the new puppy Mike brought home the other day. (Before we found out we were expecting). I wasn't very happy about getting a puppy but I am dealing with it. It is 1/2 husky and 1/2 lab. She is very cute and is really having a good time with Boca and Ashley. She feels just like a cotton ball, super fuzzy!

Pink OR Blue????

We're expecting. I just took a test this morning and yup it is positive (Mike doesn't even know yet cause he took his truck for a drive to test out the tachometer). Oh my oh my!!!!!
No, we weren't trying but look what happened anyway! (Mom, call me!!!)

another climbing first...

Today Ashley has discovered her rocking chair. No, not the small childs size version but the big momma! She climbed right on up there and was rocking away, not sitting of course but standing up. (Cyndy, I really feel for all you have been dealing with, I am just now getting my dose!)

New Territory!

Ashley has discovered new territory. The Couch! She can now climb right on up there and finds it amusing to run back and forth throwing herself down on the cushions while I am having a heart attack thinking that I am going to have to rush her to the ER. I have to just turn around and let her do it because I can't stop her. When I take her downit takes her 2 seconds and she's right back up there. Oh the joys of motherhood.

Toys, Toys, and more damn TOYS!!!!

How in the heck does a 1 year old accumulate so many toys?

Today I ventured into Ashley's toy box to see if there were some toys we could part with due to the fact that her toy box was overflowing. Not to mention that I had a rubbermaid of toys from before the move that I haven't even touched....Oh boy was this an overwhelming task. Oh well it has to be done. I have decided I need some sort of shelving unit in her room to help with the daunting task. I did mangage to get rid of a garbage bag of stuffed animals and other toys and stored a big bag of "baby" toys for the next one.....Now I just have to face the fact that 30 seconds after leaving her room I heard her dump out her entire box of legos. Ugh, not again....

Easter...

Well the pictures are a little late. But what the heck. Ashley had a great Easter and of course was spoiled. Her Great Grandma Pappas sent her a package with some candy (which mom confiscated) and a new stuffed bunny. The Easter bunny brought her a basket filled with a stuffed dog and a bunny, plastic eggs, 2 peeps, and a big box of legos. The eggs and legos were her favorite. Umm, well after the Easter basket itself. She carries that darn thing around the house constantly filling it with anything she can fit in it.

Trip to Grafton...

So Mike and I were craving Mexican food and have tried all the local restaurants but 1 (we've heard shaky reviews) so we decided to venture out to Grafton, ND to try Azteca. We had Azteca's back home so were expecting something similar. After a 45 minute drive to get there we walked in to find a burrito bar that looked terrible. We turned around and drove back to Grand Forks. Oh well, it was an adventure. We ended up getting food at the Mexican village, and it turned out alright. But the wierdest thing is that they put regular brown gravy on their stuff. It actually didn't taste bad! Ashley got a grilled cheese sandwich and hammed it up on the way home. She thought the binky thing was super funny!
The freeway had water over in a couple spots it was pretty crazy to be driving on a stretch of freeway with water on the side and in the median.

A walk to the park

Today was a beautiful 61 degrees so Mike, Ashley, Boca and I took a walk to the park. This was Ashley's first trip to an outside park and she had a blast. Her favorite was the covered slide, some of the pictures came out blurry but there are a few really good winners.

Ashley's newest favorite food is string cheese. She loves it and will devour a stick so quickly. Every time I open the fridge when she is around she starts whining for one. Oh well at least it is healthy.

Long overdue

Alright so here are some pictures of Ashley with her new wagon that daddy put together for her. I demanded seatbelts and he was handy enough to put them in. Bolted to the frame, none the less. So now I am happy. Ashley loves it. We have taken lots of walks and she loves the change of view from her stroller.

Mike is using his leave to build us a new entertainment center. It is going to be beautiful when he is done. It is made out of solid oak and is 6 feet long. It is going to be huge but that is good so when we can finally afford to get the big screen TV that we want it will work. I am super excited to get to put it to use. We are so in need of a new entertainment center. Our 5 year old walmart version is just not cutting it anymore.

We are moving at the end of this month into a different house on base. I am super excited because it is a one level and the basement is at least twice as big as the one we have now. Plus it has an attached garage so that will be just wonderful. We have some planned improvements on the near horizon so we are looking forward to lots of changes. We have been shopping around for carpet, paint, and new couches for our new place. It should pan out pretty well for us.

I'm president...

I just got the news that I was voted president of Mike's squadron's spouses group. Go me! Now I have to get busy and do a good job. Yikes :) Ahh, it shouldn't be that bad. I am doing lots of the stuff already.

Mike, poor guy, came down with my nasty cold. He has been coughing all night and is so congested. I feel so bad because he is miserable. Hopefully he will get better soon! We have had a blast since he has been home. We done lots of shopping and spent way too much money. But we're having fun so that is all that matters.

Mike is home!

Finally, after a delay caused by a broken plane Mike got home yesterday afternoon. We are having fun adjusting to spending time together again. It has been a long four months and we have lots of time to make up for. Ashley is adjusting well to having him home. He is putting her to sleep as I write this. We got her a new wagon today, which he put together and then we took a walk. She had a smile on her face the whole time. We decided we are going to return the wagon (a plastic style) and upgrade to the ATV model (metal/wood/air filled tires). Mike called that one before we purchased but I was convinced on the plastic model. He was right. I sucked it up and we are taking it back tomorrow to get the other one. Alright off to spend time with Mikey!

Goodbye Ellen

We are so sad to be losing our best friend at GFAFB. Ellen is leaving on Friday morning to visit family and will then be heading to her new base in San Antonio Texas. Ashely and I are going to miss her and JJ's company so dearly! Have fun Ellen!

Here are some pictures of one of our going away parties for Ellen. I will post the picture from the one last night as soon as Tanya sends it over to me.

Ashley has had a nasty flu that caused her to throw up 8 times in one night and then twice the next night. Last night was the first vomitless night since. I got sick this morning and have felt yucky all day long. I am just hoping that when I wake up in the morning I will be feeling better.

Mike should be home on Thursday sometime in the afternoon. I can't wait to get the phone call to go and pick him up. It has been 4 long months and I am ready to see my hubby again.

Playtime At the Mall

Ashley and I went into town with Ellen and JJ today. We went out to lunch and then went to the mall where the kids got to play. We had such a fun time. Ashley loved going down the slide and just about gave me a hard attack when she tried to crawl right down and almost tumbled to the floor. Thankfully I caught her before she fell. JJ liked the turtle and was content standing there banging his hands on the shell.

More bath time

Bath time!

Ashley was cranky tonight at bath time but I managed to sneak a few good shots anyway.

Today I kept busy going through all our stuff in the basement trying to get ready for our move in June. I have been trying to get rid of stuff like crazy. I don't want to have to move something and then decide I don't need it.

I sprained/broke my big toe two nights ago trying to get to the phone when Mike was calling. Geez you would think I would have learned my lesson from the last time. Oh well, it will heal.

I love shopping!

Ashley and I ventured into town today to do some shopping. I finally found a diaper bag that isn't totally ugly, huge, and uncomfortable to carry around. I settled on a black backpack style bag with some nifty hidden thermal pouches to keep things cold, and a separate section all together for the ~stinkies~! I know only moms can understand the excitement I found today!

I found out yesterday the my sister in law Jenni is pregnant. She just found out yesterday so we are assuming the due date will be in December. Congratulations Jenni and Chris! If we are right with our assumption of the due date December will be a busy month with Chris and I sharing a birthday on the 15th and Jenni on the 17th and a new little arrival. We better pad the wallet for the upcoming holiday season.

The BIGGEST LOSER...

Tonight was bunco and I was lucky enough to win..."Biggest loser" I got $15 in creative memories gift cards. So I get to go buy something fun to support my addiction to scrapbooking. Ashley got to go play with Chloe, and JJ. She refused to go to sleep until I got home at 9:20 pm. I couldn't get her jammies on fast enough. I laid her down and she was out.
Well I've got to hit the sheets.

Only in ND...

Mike laughed at this picture cause he could finally see her top 2 teeth. They have been hiding in all the other pictures I have taken. He was shocked to see how big they are getting.

Only in ND would you look at the thermometer and think "Wow, 36 degrees, It's a beautiful day, lets go take a walk!" That is what we did today. It is finally starting to warm up a little so Boca, Ashley and I all went for a walk outside. It was wonderful to get some fresh air and not get frostbite.

Whoohoo, Mike only has 19 days left overseas! I can't wait!

My first post!

I decided to finally try out this blog thing. It's a big step for me so I will do my best to keep it current.

Well, Mike is deployed overseas and has been since December 12th, we are expecting him home sometime after the 22nd. A week earlier than expected. It has seemed like a long deployment this time and I am so anxious to get him back. Little miss Ashley started walking on Thursday night while we were visiting at Ellen's house. I couldn't believe my eyes when she toddled off to Ellen. She came down with a fever tonight so I gave her some tylenol and off to bed she went. I just hope she is feeling better in the morning. Here are some pictures we took in February when my sister Kerri came to visit.