two wheels

I was in the kitchen making goodies to take to our New Year's Eve party when AJ pops his head in the door and yells that Jacob is riding his bike. I thought to myself, "That's great - he does that all of the time." Once I was done getting everything ready, I headed outside to round up the troops and heard a knock on the garage door to find my neighbor telling me that my baby was riding his bike. Seriously people, he has been riding the thing for a while now and his daddy is out there with him. And then she explains to me - no he is riding with NO training wheels.

Well why didn't ya'll say something in the first place. I grabbed the camera and ran outside to find the little man by himself on AJ's bigger bike riding as if he had been doing it for a long time. After a while he asked to switch to his bike so off came the training wheels and he proceeded on his merry little way.

I am still dumbfounded that he just turned three last month and is able to ride a bike with no training wheels already. What a big boy!

promotion

The kids and I headed over to the squadron this morning to be part of the Major promotion ceremony held for Mike and several other guys.

Orders were read and the kids were all able to replace his Captain bars for gold oak leaves, one on each shoulder and one on the cap. (Jacob did the one on the hat with a little help but I was unable to get a picture of that one.)

The oath was taken.

And food and games followed.

Congratulations Mike! Nine and a half years of hard work has gained you so many new and astounding accomplishments. We are so proud of you and were happy to be part of the ceremony.

Ice Skating

A rare opportunity in Florida for sure but we found an outdoor ice skating rink not too far from us so we headed out to let the kids get a taste of "cold weather" activities. The rink was inside a tent so I guess it really wasn't outdoors but beggars can't be choosers. Anyway, I figured it was going to have to be the two of us adults to man the three kids but AJ and Elizabeth got the hang of it right away and Mike was able to man Jacob. I stayed off the rink to document the event and plus it was a good excuse to not make a fool out of myself.


Jacob was most secure having both of his hands held by Daddy most of the time but Elizabeth helped out a little bit and was a great big sister.


He even tried a little on his own but hanging onto the wall is only so much fun for so long.


AJ did great for his first time ice skating. He followed the wall most of the time and would briefly let go here and there. By the time we got ready to leave, he was able to go quite a ways without falling or holding onto the wall.

Elizabeth seemed like an old pro the second she was out on the ice. She fell quite a bit but got right back up and was back at it right away.

They are all already requesting to go again and again. Too bad the rink is closing in a week! Good times and good memories....

Merry Christmas!

The kids woke up EARLY this morning to a bounty full of goodies from Santa and family. What generosity these kiddos get to experience. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas

And all through the house

Wine glasses were toasting

And there were children about.

Far from familes we all would stay

But good friends will take place on this great day.

With stories, play and good food around,

Wonderful memories were sure to be abound.

Now off to our houses to prepare

For the magic is about in the air.

Thank you to the Hines family for inviting us over for some good Christmas Eve fun! We are so blessed to have so many good friend in our lives and we wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

it's santa!

The Test Wing on base had a children's Christmas party for all of the kiddos on Friday night. They had good food and all sorts of activities ranging from crafts, to sports, to bouncy castles to cookie decorating and of course Santa visiting. Elizabeth spent most of her time at the craft table and I think we brought home a good 4 or 5 new ornaments for the tree.

Santa made his arrival on a fire truck (in Air Force fashion) with all of the kids cheering. Once inside, each child was called up to see Santa by family. Elizabeth ran right up there but the boys were no where to be seen. Once AJ heard that there was a present involved he very cautiously approached the ol' man but Jacob would have nothing to do with him.

All of the kids received books and I would have to say that AJ liked his for sure He has slept with his book every night since he received it.

What lucky kids we have to be able to participate in activities such as this. Merry Christmas!

snuggled and warm

If you know one thing about my kids, you know they are ALL blankie kids. To add to the repertoire we now have personalized "snuggie's" thanks to Gamma.

Thanks Gamma for keeping them so snuggly!

hide and seek

Get a look at this handsome kid! He looks so big this year....

My little dude had his preschool performance at school tonight. He was one of the Shepard's when they retold the story of Jesus' birth through a game of hide and seek. I am so proud of how well behaved all of the kids were during the 45 minute performance and how cute they all sounded. We were treated to a holiday meal afterwards were we enjoyed all sorts of good food.

(AJ is right in the middle of the screen.)

feet 2 faith 5K

So I learned yesterday that there are benefits and advantages to running races when it is raining and cold out. First, you learn who your really good friends are because they still come out and run with you even when it is pretty miserable outside. Thanks girls! And then you also, learn who your friends are when they are the only ones to come out and support you. And I mean the ONLY supporters out there on the entire course. Thank you Lynette and Lauren.

(Lauren catching rain.)

(Post race. I look like the biggest dork!)

And we all managed to make it home with awards in hand. When 75% of the registered runners/walkers don't show up because of the weather, your odds are pretty good. :) Thanks girls - I had a lot of fun!

soccer awards

We finished up Mini Me Soccer tonight with AJ and Jacob. With one last "practice" in the cold I would say it was a good ending. Elizabeth helped get Jacob in the swing of things in the beginning. The boys were then given medals and certificates of completion at the end. I didn't get a picture of AJ because he was over on another field. (Hard to be in two places at once.)

The boys are very proud of their medals and can't wait until Mini Me starts up again in February.

gingerbread house

Jacob's school invited the parents to join in the fun of assembling a Gingerbread House at school. They had it all set up with all of the pieces and decorations when we got there and of course the kids dove right in. I'm not sure how much was eaten versus used for the "construction" but we had fun.

Christmas party

I must say that I dreaded going to the squadron Christmas party this year but the company that we had made it so much fun. These girls (and their husbands of course) rock! We had so much fun. Thanks guys!

girls night

I was fortunate enough to get to take my little girl out on a date tonight. We went out to dinner at P.F. Chang's (or fancy China as she calls it) and then headed to see the Nutcracker ballet. I just loving being able to have time with the kids one on one but there is just something special between mothers and daughters. Thanks for the fun girlie!

christmas parade

Hey baby, it's cold outside!

Well at least it was this morning when we decided to haul the kiddos out to the Niceville Christmas parade. We thought we were being clever in our parking decision but it turned out we are at the end of the route past the point of the parade ending.
So, instead of sitting in the car with the heat on, we braved the elements and headed out to see the parade. While waiting for festivities, the kiddos huddled up close to Daddy before they turned into little ice cubes. Let me tell you, Jacob was miserable cold.

Once they heard the parade coming, they quickly jumped up anxiously awaiting the sights and of course the mass quantities of candy that is thrown from each float.

When we couldn't stand the cold any longer we headed back to the car, cranked up the heater and warmed ourselves back up. Only AJ decided he wanted to brave the elements again and go see one of his friends that was in the parade. We gathered some more candy and quickly headed back to the car once again to find three little ones up on the roof watching the sites from there.

All in all I think the kiddos had a good time and I am sure we have enough candy to last us until next Halloween for sure! As for me, I am still thawing out!