Fall the best Season of All

October has been a great month for our family!

Tyson had to go to Hill AFB for a TDY but we were all able to go with him and make a vacation out of it. Our room on-base was perfect to stay in for two week because it had two bedrooms a kitchen and separate living space. On our way down to SLC we went through Preston and visited with our families for a few days over conference weekend. Once we were down at Hill and all settled in we were able to spend lunch and evenings together. We had decided to trade in the Kia for a minivan.....yes you heard right a minivan. In packing for this trip we had to leave behind our stroller among other things because we didn't have room for it. So, despite saying we would never drive a minivan we decided that this would be the most efficient for us. Salt Lake was a good place to look for vans because we had a lot of options. To make a long story short we ended up with a Toyota Sienna which we absolutely love! The next weekend was a long weekend because of Columbus day so we went to Preston again and spent more time with our families. When we went back to Hill we left Aurora with her Grandmas to visit for four days until we were heading home. She had a great time with them and didn't want to leave. Mommy and Daddy got to spend some quality one on one time with Harper and she absolutely loved all the attention. Once we got back to Mountain Home and got settled in again we were able to start enjoying the season. We went to the local corn maze and got to party it up with our ward for Halloween. The girls were cute little bumble bees and mommy and daddy just wore their normal everyday getup, hehehehe:) Anyway, hope you all enjoy!

From Preston to Destin (and back)

After the fun-filled week in Preston it was time for me to leave the kids for a week and fly to Mississippi to go to Tyson's graduation and drive back with him. I was nervous about flying by myself and about leaving my girls but both went smoothly.

I flew in on a Monday and even though Tyson had four days of school left he was able to get off early and drive the hour and a half to New Orleans to meet me at the airport. Going from the dry heat to almost 100% humidity was uncomfortable to say the least but well worth it to see my Ty.

After traveling a good portion of the day I was exhausted so we drove back to Biloxi and went out to eat, then headed to the base to get some rest.

The next day since Ty had to leave for school at 5:30 in the morning I was able to sleep in and spend some much needed time by myself relaxing in a bubble bath and napping til he got off school. After that we went to a movie and out to eat.

That Wednesday Ty got off early again and we went out to eat, shopping and got a massage together. Then after that we went to the beach with Tyson's classmates and enjoyed getting to know them while celebrating their last days of school.

Tyson graduated about 10:00 the next morning. It wasn't any big ceremony but I was able to go and it was great to know he was done with his class. That afternoon Ty and I drove to Louisiana and walked the streets of the French Quarter in New Orleans. What a difference the lifestyle is there compared to what we are used to. They are way more layed back and all about partying but there were a lot of homeless, dirty people too. Lets just say if you are white you are in the minority.

Friday we had made plans to drive to Destin, Florida which was about a 3 hour drive from Biloxi. What amazing beaches we got to spend the day on and the water was sooooo warm and invitimg. We loved every minute of it. But we wished we could have stayed longer but the next day we had to leave and drive the 33 hours to Preston to see our girls.

We took three days to do it so the first two days we drove 13 hours before stopping for the night and the second day was a 7 hour drive. We made it to Preston where our girls were and it was a happy reunion, then we headed back to Mt. Home the next day. It is sure nice to all be back together in our own space.

Family FUN!!!

Two weeks before Tyson was to come home from his training in Mississippi me, my two girls & Seneca went down to Preston for my little brother Marshall's wedding. We also had a lot of other fun activities planned with the family so we went a week early.

#1 fun activity- My dad, Myself, Matt, Sadie, Seneca and Dillon went rafting down the Bear river. It took us three hours to float down and other than Seneca being thrown out of the boat and nearly drowning, and Dillon splitting his lip open on his paddle it was an awesome time.

#2 activity- My mom, Sadie and me all went to dinner at Sadie's boyfriend's, went shopping and ended the night going to our soon-to-be sister-in-laws' wedding shower.

#3 fun in the sun- My parents, brother Marshall, sister Sadie, Seneca, Dillon, my girls and I all went to Bear Lake. Bear Lake is the only lake I've been to in all my years that is more like being at the ocean only without the sharks, jellyfish and salt water. The beaches are beautiful sandy and the water reflects the blue skies. We spent several hours playing in the sand, water and having a picnic. Such FUN!

#4 probably the most fun besides Marshall's wedding was going to the famous Preston Night Rodeo with almost everyone from my family. My mom was a good sport and stayed home with Aurora and Harper but all my siblings were there. We went to the parade before hand, then headed over to the rodeo. This rodeo is not your typical rodeo because it is at night after it gets dark and the clown performs a hilarious half time show. It was a great time!

The much awaited event, of course, Marshall's wedding. In the afternoon we all went to the Bluebird for a luncheon that got both our family and Andria's family together for a really good meal. Then after going to my brother Matt's apt. to get dressed for the wedding we all piled in vehicles and went to Andria's parents house for the wedding/reception. They did an outside wedding in her parents gorgeous yard. The wedding was so beautiful and the reception was soooo much fun. Their colors were a creamy purple and dark peach and for refreshments they served these cute little cheesecakes & eclairs and a fruity frappe. I wished that Tyson and my girls could have been there, but Tyson was 2200 miles away and the girls stayed with their other grandma because it would have been a really long day for them.

The week couldn't have went better and we enjoyed every minute of it!

Fun in the Sun

This summer we have been spending a lot of time in the sun, playing in the pool in the backyard and at the park. Tyson is in Mississippi this summer and my little sister Seneca is here to help me with the kids. We pretty much go play in the pool everyday and also go for a walk everyday. It helps pass the time and the girls love it (including Seneca). We have sure made the most of our summer without "daddy", I could even go so far as to say it has been a very fun and memorable summer for us all!

We also had a fun day on the 4th of July, we went to the festival in the park, we made 4th of July cupcakes, we lit off some fireworks of our own, and watched the Mt. Home firework show from the house.

This summer isn't anywhere near over either there is much we are looking forward to like my brother Marshall's wedding, rafting down the bear river, rodeo weekend in P-town, and after all of that I am going to fly to Mississippi for Ty's graduation and then drive the 30 hours home with him. That will be the next post!

Newest Happenings

So a lot has happened since I last blogged. The first and most exciting thing that has happened is Harper started walking about the middle to end of May. She started with just a step here and there to now almost running. She still falls down every now and again but overall she is doing awesome and we are so excited even though this means more work for us.

The next thing that we are so happy about is Tyson finally got to sew on his Tech stripes. Yep we waited for nearly a year after finding out he made it to finally reap the benefits. Of course this means more responsibility for him at work but this rank also earns more respect than any previous and it also means a better pay check of course! We are so proud and grateful for how hard he works!

The last but not least thing that we are so excited about is that Harper had her big 1st birthday and is now officially a toddler! On June 11th, 2010 she was born at 8:15 in the morning and was 7lbs 2oz. We heard that first most precious cry after about 7 hours of active labor and only 2 pushes. We can't believe its been a whole year already! Tyson's parents, my little sister, and the Rekow's were able to be here to celebrate the big day. We had a really fun party but were sad to see her grandparents leave the next day! Happy 1st Birthday Harper!

Aurora is starting to be a lot more independent which is a good/bad thing. She wants to pick out her own clothes (which usually consists of her "princess" outfit), dress herself, and even brush her own teeth, among other things. Both of my girls are very smart for their ages, I'm so glad they got their brains from their dad.