nap time decorating

So, trying to put up Christmas decorations with the help of three wee ones seems to be an impossible feat. Today, I decided I was going to get the tree up no matter what so while the boys were sleeping, I let Elizabeth skip her rest time and help me with the tree. It turned out to be a very peaceful and enjoyable experience. I hope she will remember decorating the tree and I can only hope in the years to come as the kids get older that we can all do it together.

on my soapbox again

For months we have been trying to get housing to admit that we have a drainage problem, with no avail. Today, we have had a minimal amount of rain and our backyard has turned into a wading pool, but I'm sure it has nothing to do with a drainage problem. Uuugghhh!

New Blog Button

I have created a blog button for any of you that want to add it to your site. Thank you Shelley for all of your HTML help!

little one

Yesterday I got to shoot photos of a Mr. Benjamin barely 4 days. How precious and fragile life is. Babies are truly a gift and I enjoyed being able to capture his first days. I am so happy for Adam and Tricia. These are three of my favorites from the shoot.

Herding Cats

I think I had a lapse in judgment today when I thought I could take all three kids out and try to get the perfect picture for our Christmas card. It felt a lot like herding cats - once I would get one in one place, another would run off or have a melt down. I guess it just wasn't meant to be today - try, try again! I did get several decent shots though.

AJ has decided that actually looking at the camera is not something he is going to do so I keep ending up with the oh so serious shots.

I did manage to get all three of them in the same frame for this one - that says something.

a boy and his digger

The story goes - my kids are addicted to construction equipment! I should have known what I was in for when Elizabeth was a little over two and corrected me when I called an excavator a tractor (how dare I not know the difference). And then there was AJ and his love of diggers. For a long time, we didn't go anywhere without "Scoop" in tow. (Actually, the Scoop in the pictures has been "borrowed" from AJ.) So now Jacob has expressed his interest in all things with wheels. From cars to trucks to diggers - if it moves, it must be fun! His most recent love is running, yes, I said running, around the house pushing "Scoop" and banging into everything and everyone that might cross his path. The boy has not yet accomplished walking independently yet but boy he can move with that thing. (Sorry the pictures are a little blurry - trying to get pictures while he is on the move is near to impossible!)

Thank You!

Dear Tricia,

I wanted to let you know what a precious gift you have given me by letting me be part of Benjamin's arrival. We have been so close for so long and have been through so much but I feel that moments like this are cherished and only shared with those that we truly love. I am so glad that you chose me.

I must say I am a little sad about loosing my friend that I have known for so long but I am elated to welcome a friend that will not only grow as a person but be able to feel a new appreciation for life and love now that you have a little one of your own. The induction into motherhood is such a bittersweet thing as you will now move to a new chapter in you life and have to leave behind your past as you knew it. But, what is to come is infinitely better than you could ever imagine.

When you look into Benjamin's eyes, when yours will hardly open, everything around you will fade and your love for him will be the most overpowering thing you will ever feel. I can't wait to see him grow and change as you and Adam shower him with your love, knowledge and appreciation of life.

You and Adam have tried for this little miracle for so long. It breaks my heart to know all of the pain that you went through in trying to accomplish what you now have but I know that God saved Benjamin for you. Benjamin certainly could not ask for more loving and devoted parents and I am so happy for the two of you.

I know that the Air Force has taken us in different directions over the years but we have always managed to be together for the important events of each others lives. For that reason, I know that even if we are apart in the future, we will always be together in heart and will get to see both of our families grow as one. Thank you so much for allowing me witness your most recent miracle!

Love,

Carrie

Benjamin Archer Quick

November 24, 2007
6lb 10oz
20 inches

In control

Today we went over to a park on base for a little lunch time picnic and some playtime. The kids found a rock that they seemed to be in charge of. They look so tough!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Today was Jacob's 1st birthday and I put together this slide show of the last year. If you have about 6 minutes - you can see the changes through the year. I am truly amazed at what a wonderful little boy he is turning into.

Brought Me To Tears

I don't have much time to actually listen to the words of songs but tonight as I was playing with the kids, I heard this song and it brought me to tears. What a beautiful song and makes me be proud to me a military wife. I thought I would share it with you.

Why do sonic booms happen during nap time?

So, I have decided that sonic booms are a cruel joke against mother's of sleeping children. If you aren't familiar with sonic booms, check out this site. For those of you that don't live at Edwards AFB - let me tell you that having no noise restrictions can be hell on nap times. Today was one of those days that I swear the pilots were feeling spiteful. Just as I got AJ settled down for a nap today (which seems to be a feat in of itself lately), there was a boom that shook the windows so hard, I almost jumped out of my skin. Needless to say, this sent him into a tizzy. We tried again and then sure enough - BOOM!!!!! Well - there went nap time for AJ! So in all of my infinite wisdom, I decided to put Elizabeth and AJ in the playroom with a movie so that I could at least get Jacob down for a nap. That was successful - at least for a little while. The next BOOM didn't wake Jacob up per say but the sound of Elizabeth crying because it scared her sure did. After all of this, I decided that I had been defeated so off to the park we went. And wouldn't you know it - there weren't any more sonic booms the rest of the day. Aaarrrgghhh!

Happy Pre-Birthday

Since family was in town we decided to celebrate Jacob's birthday a little early. (It is hard to believe the little guy is almost one - where does the time go?) Anyway, we started with a few presents from Gamma and Pappy before they had to leave to go home. Jacob loves his little shopping cart and is cruising all over the house with it. After dinner we let Jacob experience his birthday cake since Nana and Papa were still here. It was an adorable little frog but I must say that Jacob was very hesitant about it when I first gave it to him. Once he got a taste of the icing, he decided he liked it. He is such a nice little brother that he shared most of it with Elizabeth and AJ. I think he had a good pre-birthday! :)

5 more days

Yesterday morning I was able to sneak away from the house for a little bit to take pictures of a very beautifully pregnant friend of mine. She is only five days away from her due date and looks absolutely wonderful. These were some of my favorite photos. Congratulations guys!

Family Fun

Our family was privileged enough to be able to have both my parents and Mike's parents here this weekend. My parents made the trek up from Orange County to see Tricia for her baby shower and of course get in a little grandkid time. John and Mary flew in from Colorado on Thursday. We haven't seen them since May so it has been so nice to be able to spend time with them and I know the kids have had a blast. We will be sad to see them leave tomorrow but know that we will see them soon.

Saturday afternoon the grandparents spent some time outside with Elizabeth and AJ on the trampoline. Let me tell you it is a great site to see them try to jump on that apparatus. I just loved this picture of my Dad - what talent he has.

When I say that I am trying to get Jacob off of bottles, I didn't think I would have to wean him off of beer bottles as well but, while the big kids were outside, Jacob discovered his first beer (the bottle was empty by the way). Apparently those last few drops were really good because trying to get him to relinquish the bottle was quite a feat. I figure every kid needs that incriminating picture at some point.

Sunday morning the guys went golfing and us girls were at home with the kids. I am thinking that we should get a trampoline for our parents for Christmas because we just could keep them off of it. I found both of the grandma's on the trampoline with all of the kids. It was such a cute sight.
And then of course we couldn't end the weekend with some snuggle time with Nana. Jacob is getting some more teeth and has been a little fussy lately - nothing Nana can't cure though.

Baby Shower

Yesterday was Tricia's baby shower. We had it at my house and I think she made out like a bandit. Her nursery is bumblebee themed so I decided to build off of that. (See her blog for pictures.) I ordered a beehive cake, which turned out so adorable and had several different bees throughout the house. We had a good time with a few games and creating onesies for Mr. Benjamin. Most of all, it was nice to be able to celebrate Tricia having a baby after all of the hard work that Adam and she have gone through over these past years to create this little miracle. Congratulations guys! I can't wait to meet the little man!

What A Grown Up

I snapped this picture of AJ at the park today and when I came home to look at them, I realized what a little man he looks like. I can't believe he is growing up so fast!

Fires from above

As I am sure most of you know, the last few weeks Southern California has been riddled with expansive fires. We were lucky enough to be too far north for them to reach but my parents and brother were impacted by them and we had a friend of ours loose their house to the fires. All of the devastation seemed very surreal to me. Mike kept saying that when he would fly, you wouldn't be able to see the ground from all of the smoke. Anyway, he brought home this picture that he took. Normally you can see the ground and all of it's details very clearly but this is what the area looked like as it was smoke covered.

50 Day's

On Saturday, Mike and I got to dress up in our best 50's costume and we headed over to the O'Club to help our senior class celebrate 50 days until graduation (it was actually something like 35 days but who is counting, right?). Anyway, it was a fun night of friends, dancing, karaoke, good food and of course a few drinks. We had a great time and are excited for our seniors to be so close to graduation (a little jealous too)!

07B Ladies

07B Gents