Daddy's Off...

Well, Andrew left for his deployment 2 weeks ago and we were able to go with him for the big send-off!  We miss him so much already but we are so proud of him and what he is doing. 

Michael and Mary Ellen knew Daddy was leaving but thankfully still don't really understand the circumstances or the concept of time and how long he'll actually be gone.  So, the send off was less tearful (on my part) than ones in the past.  They just think he's going "to work" and I have to be strong for them.

The last good-byes stuck in my throat and were sad but I was still trying to be strong for M&M.  Seeing the pictures afterward though was truly bittersweet.  Watching Andrew have to say good-bye and knowing how much he's going to miss them.  Hearing him say "Mind your Mama", was the most difficult.  They both just smiled and said "yes, sir".  Anything for their Daddy!

 I guess many have forgotten that a war is still going on.  We rarely hear about it on the news anymore.  But I guarantee you that the loved ones of those serving know and our soldiers and airmen are STILL sacrificing to defend and protect us all.  Say a prayer for Andrew and all those who are currently in the Middle East doing the difficult jobs.  We owe them so much!

See you soon Daddy...fly safe!

Swimming N Sliding

This is only the second time we've gotten to swim this year so far.  All the work on our yard prevented us from spending too much time in the yard.  And shockingly the $10 blow-up pool from last year still stays inflated for several hours...long enough for M&M's allotted daily outdoor fun.  Gotta love that Wal-mart!  I think filling the pool with water was most of the fun for them.  Until....

...Mama got the idea to combine their two FAVORITE outdoor activities, the pool AND the slide!

They were in heaven!!

We All Scream for....

Yep, ICE CREAM!!!  Now M&M have had ice cream before...but never an ice cream cone.  It was quite an event and funny to watch.  They loved every minute!  Do they ever have to know that they are actually eating frozen yogurt and NOT chocolate ice cream?  I can get away with it for now, I guess.

I guess Mary Ellen's reaction after she finished says it all!!

Easter Sunday

We had such a fun Easter Sunday.  It was way hotter than we were expecting it to be, but just beautiful!  Michael & Mary Ellen have a great Sunday school class wtih lots of friends and wonderful teachers.  Most of the time they don't want to leave when we go to pick them up and never cry when we drop them off.  Not great for a Mama and Daddy's ego but we feel so blessed to have such an amazing Church family.  I snapped a few pictures of Andrew and M&M when we went to pick them up after Church.

We got a few pictures when we got home before M&M changed into their egg hunting clothes.  Like I said it was so hot, poor Michael's cheeks were flushed.  Not a great day for a sweater vest!

They could have hunted eggs all day.  Until they found out there were actually treats inside!  They found all the eggs and used the cute Lightening and Minnie Mouse baskets that Dee gave them.

Happy Easter...He is Risen!

Cookies, Eggs, and Baskets...oh my!

This age is so great! At 2 1/2 Michael and Mary Ellen are able to do so many fun crafts and activities for the first time...and really participate. We decorated Easter egg cookies the day before Easter. They loved it and really got into decorating. I would pipe out the frosting for them but they chose the colors they wanted and added all the decorations themselves. They enjoyed eating them so much more because they really felt like THEY made them. You can see by their faces they were VERY serious about their task!

We also dyed Easter eggs a few days before Easter. Now M&M were really looking forward to this. They have several books that talk about dying eggs for Easter, their favorite being "Happy Easter Critter" by Mercer Mayer who did the fabulous series of Critter books. The amazement in their eyes when they would see that egg come up from the dye in a brilliant color was just priceless! As you can see, their faces got more animated as we went.

Dee sent them Easter baskets this year.  She found the cutest Minnie Mouse and Lightening McQueen baskets (both their FAVORITE by the way)!  They loved all the goodies inside too.  Princesses and bunnies for Mary Ellen.  Match Box cars and chicks for Michael.  They were also the perfect baskets to use for egg hunting!

Dee's Visit

Andrew has been gone quite a bit lately for work.  He recently had back-to-back trips to the Middle East and my Mother, M&M call her Dee, came to stay and help out.  What a luxury to have family so close.  Michael and Mary Ellen love Dee and always have fun when she visits.  These first pictures are from one of the walks they would take in the afternoon.  M&M love to walk the path and find treasures like flowers, rocks, leaves and really anything that looks interesting.

M&M are showing off the empty shot gun shells they found.  Mary Ellen used hers as a little vase to hold her flowers.

These fireplace shots were usually either before church or before we went out shopping in Columbia.  Those days that we actually got dressed cute and went to town!

Now the favorite new toys are these big wheels that Dee bought for them.  Michael started calling them "motorcycles" from the very beginning. We had the motorcycles inside for several weeks and this was the first day they officially became "outside" toys. They can't quite reach the pedals yet, but love to scoot around in them or have us push them. Mary Ellen immediately claimed the purple and red one. They love them!


Thanks for all your help Mom...we love and miss you!

Valentine's Day & Chick-Fil-A

The beginning of February, Andrew had to go to Atlanta for a work conference and I was able to go with him. It was at the Westin by the airport and even though he was in meetings during the day it was a nice break for me. I was able to meet up with one of my oldest and dearest friends, sleep late in those wonderful Westin beds, and generally just lounge around. What a luxury! We were also able to go to the site of the first ever Chick-fil-A.  Those of you that know Andrew know his LOVE of Chick-fil-A. So it was a definite must see! The original restaurant was called the "Dwarf House". You can see in the pictures that it has been added on to substantially. It really is just another Chick-fil-A now but a busy one. It is somewhat of a tourist attraction and has a city policeman that sits out front most of the day to direct traffic in and out of it. What a fun couple of days to spend with my sweet husband. We LOVE our kids, but boy do we still enjoy being together just the two of us!

Andrew actually left for the Middle East on Feb 14th but the Saturday before we were able to go out to dinner.  We've had so much help from our parents since Andrew has been gone so much with work.  It was nice to have a little break before he left again for another work trip.  Michael and Mary Ellen enjoyed making cards for Daddy and loved the hearts we hung on the fireplace.  It was a happy weekend!  M&M were so happy to see Papa and then Dee, they barely had time to be sad that Daddy was gone again.  Thanks so much for all the help Papa, Mama Jo, and Dee!