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