Happy Birthday America!

This is by far my most favorite Holiday of the year. I've always loved the peace you enjoy while watching fireworks light up the night sky. I love that familes and friends spend time together. I love that the weather is warm, and you see patriotism on the street. I love that people hang their flags (of course I don't understand why we can't all hang them every day of the year). I love that today someone thanked me, a military wife for the sacrifice and service I render. That touched my heart. I love this holiday because I am very lucky to live in a land where I get to enjoy the freedoms I have. Living on this soil is so special. I love this quote from Little House On the Prairie:

"Her whole mind seemed to be lighted up by that thought. This is what it means to be free. It means you have to be good. 'Our father's God, author of liberty- 'The laws of Nature and of Nature's God endow you with a right to life and liberty. Then you have to keep the laws of God, for God's law is the only thing that gives you a right to be free."

We spent the weekend relaxing as a family, BBQing with friends, enjoying fireworks & a parade & my favorite--homemade ice cream. It's a family tradition every year. I think the girls need to be in a parade soon, they definitely have that wave thing down.

Easter Chicks

Easter was a good fun time this year. The girls had been "practicing" finding plastic eggs for a couple days. So when we got to the base Easter Egg hunt- we were golden. It wasn't really a hunt- more of a stash and dash. Peyton scurried her little legs onto the baseball field about 15 seconds before everyone else - so she definitely had the upper hand. The loot was great- as you can tell by the girls' full mouths. Easter candy at 9 AM? Sure it's a holiday after all.

Rain, Rain...

Rain drops. Check. Rain jackets. Check. Adroable smily girls. Check.

Air Show 2011

We are spending a little time in the sunshine state, while Andrew completes training to fly the F-22. A few weeks ago we went to the air show at Tyndall. Now, the first picture is of me two years ago- and then me and the girls present day. It is fun to be back in Florida, where the girls were born and where we have so many great memories.

Two years ago (above- yeah i was huge- but having TWO babies remember) Two years later (below)

Daddy's girls & daddy's jet

Just love this girl and her smile!

Hanging out on the flight line--literally

Her nick name is "ham"- can you see why?

Yeah, the jets were a little loud.

February 2011

The weather has been warming up. Since the girls love to be outside we host "bike day" at our house every Tuesday. Friends come with bikes, scooters, shovels, pails and we play as long as the weather will allow. The girls are getting better about playing with each other in the backyard and playroom. Favorite words are: juice, dad, momma, bye-bye, milk, dog. Signing Time has been a huge help at this house - especially with the "Twin Language" thing going on. We are working on animals sounds- but love, the cow, horse, pig, sheep and duck.

December-January 2011

We had some snow in New Mexico. It shut down the town. It made us really think about & take an inventory of our food storage & emergency supplies. But the girls liked making snowballs with dad and Grandma & Grandpa Gray came for a visit. The girls are talking more and more everyday- and they are always on the move.

November 2010

The highlight was having my brothers & their families and my mom & dad here for the big turkey day. We cooked, we ate, we laughed, we played games, we laughed again, we watched the little girls play together, we went to the park, we saw the airplanes and laughed some more. It was wonderful.