Just Keep Swimming

Both boys had swim lessons this month, and both did great!

Jackson had never done swim lessons before. I contemplated doing the Mommy & Me class, but Jackson tends to be a lot more whiney when I'm around so I decided to just enroll him in the preschool class and hope for the best. It went better than I could have ever imagined. We had to fight to get him out of the pool, and he never wanted swim lessons to end.

Ethan was the youngest in his class, and he made so many improvements. He's doing the front crawl, back crawl, and diving. He's definitely ready for some sort of swim team.

Enjoy the pics!

So happy in the water (his Buzz Lightyear obsession continues-won't even take off his Buzz shirt for swim lessons).

Swimming like a big boy and blowing bubbles!

Back float is no problem for this fish.

He's missed the diving board since leaving Okinawa.

We love swimming!

Dads Rock

I am blessed with one awesome Dad. I'm also lucky to have a loving Mofa and an amazing husband who is the perfect dad to our boys. All I can say is DADS ROCK! Especially the Dads in my life.

Happy Father's Day Dad, Mofa, and Andy!!

Always has been and always will be my "Daddy."

One of the most amazing men in my life and on the planet. Love you Mofa.

A dad who loves being a dad. I couldn't ask for more.

Fun with Momo & Papa!

My parents came for a quick, but super fun, visit, and we had a blast. The boys and Andy got to take some days off from daycare and work (I still had to work) to spend with them. They went to the zoo, the Incredible Pizza Company, and the local splash pads. Momo and Papa also REALLY helped us with some things around the house. We completely finished the landscaping for the front yard, installed blinds, and hung up lots of decor around the house. It was a great visit. They originally planned on coming back again for Christmas, but thanks to cheap airfare, there might be another summer visit in the very near future. So great being a 1 1/2 hour plane ride away after being in Japan for so long.

Splishin' and a-splashin'!

Frisbee fun!

Jackson and Papa reading books before bed.

Ethan and Momo reading together.

We love you, Momo and Papa!!

School's Out-Bring on Summer!

School's out for Summer! Andy and I were both able to attend Ethan's kindergarten assembly. He received a reading achievement award, and ended up reading 5th grade sight words at the end of the year. What a smart boy! Andy picked Ethan up on his last day, and Ethan said, "I wish it was August so school would start." This boy loves school.

We're looking forward to a fun summer though. Momo and Papa are coming to visit in 8 days. Aunt Britt is coming in July, and we are going to try and go on a cabin/fishing trip in August. We've already hit up the Broken Arrow splash pads, which are scattered around town in different city parks. Best part of the splash pads - they're free!

Ethan with his award and some of his classmates.

Time for some summertime splashing!

We brought our frisbees too!

Happy Summer!

Where Did My Baby Go?

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY JACKSON!!

It's hard to believe this 9 lb. 13 oz. bundle of joy is three years old today. What a blessing he has been. We just love watching him grow and change everyday.

At three years old, Jackson is very shy, very funny, loves all sports, and loves his mom, dad, and brother. He can't stand our cat.

When I take him in for his three year check up, I'll let you know his stats, but I'm confident we're still well over the 100th percentile for height and weight.

Jackson could have chosen Chuck E Cheese or The Incredible Pizza Co. for his birthday celebration, but when we asked him where he wanted to go for his birthday, he said, "Target!" Jackson LOVES Target. Like an unhealthy love for Target. We drank chocolate milk and ate cookies at the food court, and then Jackson bought Buzz Lightyear underwear with his birthday money. Hey-it's Jackson's birthday, and that's what he wanted to do!

We also splurged for Jackson's birthday and got a bounce house! Okay, so the Marine Corps has a bounce house that we can borrow anytime we want for free. Guess what we'll be doing every weekend this summer!?!?

This was the first year that Jackson could open all of his gifts with no assistance from his big brother. He made quite the haul this year.

It was a busy weekend. Besides the bounce house and Target trip, we also had a parade and a carnival. By the time we made it to the cake, Jackson was on birthday-overload. As soon as we started singing, he started crying. At least Ethan was there to blow out the candles!

Happy Birthday Mommy's Boy. We love you!!

No 7 Year Itch Here!

On Thursday, the 12th, Andy and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary. I know some couples go through a "seven year itch" and start to get bored with their spouse around seven years of marriage. Fortunately for us, we've never had a dull moment throughout our marriage so there is no itch to scratch for us! We've lived in Montana, Wyoming, Massachusetts, Maine, Japan, and Oklahoma. We've had seven homes (almost eight), two awesome boys, three cats, and one stinky deployment. I say that's much more eventful than most couples celebrating their seventh anniversary. I know the next 50+ years will be just as exciting!

I was hoping to post pictures of our new house because we were SUPPOSED to close on the 12th, but paperwork won, and now we'll be closing on the 18th. It will be worth it in the end, but buying/closing on a house sure is stressful and time-consuming!

May 12, 2004

Eloping in Gillette, WY

April 7, 2007

Renewing vows with family and friends in Belle Fourche, SD

November 2009

Marine Corps Ball

(Despite seven years together, we don't have a lot of pictures of just the two of us. That will be my goal for the next seven years!).

Love you Andy.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to my wonderful Mom! Also, to three other mother's in my life who are unbelievable women: my mother-in-law, my Grandma Haxton, and my Momo. You are four awesome women, and I am grateful for your advice and love, which allow me to succeed at my most important job: being a MOMMY!

Andy had drill this weekend (darn Marines!), but the boys and I still had a fun day. We made chocolate chip waffles, went to church, and visited the Safari Animal Sanctuary (be watching for pictures).

And now some Mother's Day poems verbatim from my oldest son:

"I like my mom becus she cucs me dinar." This is a step up because last year Ethan was thankful for his mom because I washed his clothes!

"I love my mom and I like to play with my mom." No typos! Go Ethan!

My mother-in-law, Vicki Clark, is a princess!

I love my Grandma!

My beautiful Momo and awesome Mofa.

My Mommy with her boys. :)

Mother's Day 2011....truly blessed.