DC and Cuba

It was nice going from -22 degrees to 85 degrees though being with my family is much better. While on the trip we decided we would look like a bunch of tools and go on a segway tour. Laugh if you want but it was fun. Then we went to Cuba and were able to go snorkeling. The water and reefs were amazing. We saw octopus, parot fish, and many other tropical fish. But all in all the best part was coming home to my wife and baby girl, that should get me some cool points with the wife at least. ;)

Grape Nuts and a Frowny Face

So, my adorable little daughter has taken up a new habit of sneaking into the pantry and getting a snack or two. Normally she comes out carrying a box of "Triscuits" or maybe some "Ritz", but a few days ago I heard the unmistakable noise of tiny little pieces falling all over the kitchen floor. I came into the kitchen to find her like this... She couldn't move from her spot because the Grape Nuts were all over the ground and hurt her tiny little feet when she tried to move. It was so sad! I just had to get a picture of her. I love her little lip!

What Makes a Home?!

Lately I've been busy trying to make our house feel like "our home". This house is the first place that I feel like we are actually home. We loved our house in Monterey! But after Nick had to leave for training and Jake and I were by ourselves, any "homey" feeling left when he did. So, I have really enjoyed working on some projects to make it just that. I started with the downstairs bathroom, since that's the one everyone uses and sees. I just painted two of the walls, but it totally made the difference. I wanted a beach theme, to remind us of home. I still have a few pictures that I wanna put up, but for the most part I like the feel of it. Unfortunately the picture does not give it justice. But here it is anyway...


(you have to see it to know what it REALLY is like.)

My biggest project was Ambers room. I painted two of her walls and put flower and butterfly decals on the walls. I know it doesn't look like much, but holy cow...did it take FOREVER!!! She has little butterfly and flower drawer pulls, butterfly bedding, laundry basket, trashcan, light and outlet covers. I am VERY PROUD to say that I got all the little accessories on clearance. Everything cost me just under $22. :D Here's a few pictures of her room. Once again...picture doesn't give it justice.







And then I did Ambers bathroom with a duck theme. Ever since Amber was a tiny little baby, she has LOVED ducks. So I thought it was only fitting to have her bathroom decorated with ducks. Here's a few picutres...





And just for fun... here's a picture of our house. For all of our family who hasn't seen it...yet! :)

Heat Wave

So, we have had a "heat wave" these past few days. It's been in the 20's almost everyday. Isn't that sad?! We took the dogs to the dog park the other day and I only wore my thermal shirt. Course the wind was rough, but hey... We have only been here in North Dakota a year, but have come to appreciate a warm streak, when the usual is -20*. We sure miss the CA weather, but are grateful for our new house and the blessing it has been for us. I saw this on my friends blog and I just had to post this. Crazy North Dakotan's...

Cold Weather behavior:
60 above zero: Floridians turn on the heat. North Dakotans plant gardens.
50 above zero: Californians shiver uncontrollably. People are sunbathing in Fargo.
40 above zero: Import cars won't start. North Dakotans drive with the sunroof open.
32 above zero: Distilled water freezes. The water in Devils Lake gets thicker.
20 above zero: New Mexicans don long johns, parkas and wool hats & mittens. North Dakotans throw on a flannel shirt.
15 above zero: New York landlords finally turn on the heat. People in North Dakota have one last cookout before it gets cold.
Zero: People in Miami all die. North Dakotans close the windows.
10 below zero: Californians fly away to Mexico. North Dakotans dig their winter coats out of storage.
25 below zero: Hollywood disintegrates. Girl Scouts in North Dakota still selling cookies door to door.
40 below zero: Washington, D.C. finally runs out of hot air. People in North Dakota let their dogs sleep indoors.
100 below zero: Santa Claus abandons the North Pole. North Dakotans get upset because the Mini-Van won't start.
460 below zero: ALL atomic motion stops (absolute zero on the Kelvin scale). People in North Dakota can be heard to say, "Cold 'nuff fer ya?"
500 below zero: Hell freezes over. North Dakota public schools open 2 hours late.

Warm fuzzy's

I love this picture! Makes me smile and get all warm fuzzy-ish!

"Why am I awake" look...

So I always tell people about the blank stare we get from Amber if we wake her up before "she" is ready. Well, we got it on camera. We went to see Santa the day before Christmas. She fell asleep on the way to the mall. She was not a happy girl when she woke up. She was our "grumpy gills", as Nick and I call her when she gives us the look. Poor Santa...I'm sure he's used to the kids that cry, and the kids that attack him, but not so sure he's used to the ones that don't even notice him. Or care that he's there. The picture was so dang cute. Makes me laugh every time I see it. Hehe

Crys

She sure loves her boys...

I know I have complained on occasion about our dogs. I LOVE them to death! I really do. But when we were in our tiny little duplex, they were honestly gonna be the death of me. But as of lately, they have been so great! Kodah is FINALLY starting to grow up. He was such a puppy for so long and yet SOOO big, that the poor guy had no chance. Let's just say he isn't the brightest sometimes. There are just times I look at him and think..."Ok, seriously... how could you think that is ok?" It drives me crazy sometimes! With that being said...he is the sweetest dog you will probably EVER meet. He will give you loves and be by your side, no matter how grumpy you are or how much you've yelled at him that day. That's one of the greatest things about dogs/animals. Unconditional love. I am so glad that he is starting to grow up!

I really think being here in our new house has helped him, as well as Jake be much better dogs. Of course we had our little adventure when we first moved on base, and I mean the day after we slept here for the first time. The one with them jumping up and opening the garage door and getting lose while I was in town. Just to come and find it open and no sign of them anywhere. Luckily we got them back, only after finding out that they ran THROUGH, and I mean INSIDE the commisary, through the BX, and the shopette, just to end up in the exact air plane hanger Nick came home in. (About 2 miles away) That was an adventure that unfortunatley I had to "report" to Nicks commander. Luckily major Norwood is an awesome guy who just laughed and said that was an awesome story that he shared with about EVERYONE in our squadron. Since that day they have not gotten lose here on base. I think my death threats to them finally sunk in that day! :)

No matter how much a stress they were on me, something that I have NEVER worried about with them is how they are with Amber. They LOVE her. And her them. We had Jake when she was born and from the very first time that he met her, he has loved and protected her. When she was a brand new baby, he would sleep under her swing while she was taking a nap in it. The moment she would start to cry about anything, Jake would come running in to me where ever I was and whine until I came into get her. When she was learning to crawl, she would crawl all over them. When she learned to sit up she would lay up against them. They never moved or made any noises. They loved being by her and making sure she was safe. We have a few picutres of them like that that make me laugh now...


They have been so great with her! It was such an answer to my prayers. We call them "our boys". She has started to call them by name now. We have "Gake" and "Oda". :) Today she was giving them loves and we were lucky enough to catch it on video which was a miracle in itself. I love our boys and am so grateful for them and their unconditional love for all of us. Here's the cute video...

Funny little girl

So, I have said this a million times, but Amber is one of the funniest kids you will ever meet. She does everything she can to make you laugh and pay attention to her. Sometimes I just sit there and watch her watch herself in the mirror. She'll practice making funny faces. When she find one she likes, she turns around and says, "Mommy!" and starts with all these crazy faces. You can't help but just laugh. Her latest thing is she'll pick something up, just to throw it down and say, "Oh..." It is hysterical. I wish I could say that we've been able to catch her on video doing it, but every time we get the camera out, she stops. But we were lucky enough to catch her giving "the baby in the mirror" kisses. It was so dang cute. Sooo worthy of a post...

Pictures finally

So here are a few pictures that we've had taken recently. We FINALLY took family pictures, for the first time since we've been married. They turned out pretty good. I was very pleasantly surprised. Anyway, here they are...


My baby girl is getting so big!


Gotta love the fingers...


LOVE that smile!


She was DONE by the time we took this picture.
Next time we HAVE to get one with Daddy!


Kisses...








They look so AMAZING in this picture! It's my favorite!

Catch up...6 months worth

Okay, so...now that it has been 6 months since I last updated this blog, I think I should now. :) We are together as a family again, after Nick went through 2 deployments. He was gone about 2 1/2 months each time, and was "home" about 1 1/2 months. While he was "home" he went on about 10 different trips for his TTY's. He visited Japan, Guam, Hawaii, California, Washington DC, Washington and Oklahoma...just to name a few. :) During Nicks first deployment we were able to visit our families in California for a few weeks. It was SOOO wonderful to see everyone. We truly miss being around our families, while we are here in North Dakota. Luckily we have made some great friends here and are blessed to have them in our lives.
Nick left for his second deployment on October 14. We had a little party for Ambers first birthday the day before he left. It was so nice to be together for such a momentious occasion. Our liitle girl turned 1!!! I am still in denial. Amber is such an AMAZING little girl. She amazes me everyday! She LOVES to make people laugh and enjoys staring at herself in the mirror. She does funny facial expressions and finds one that she likes. Then she turns around to show us and see if we laugh or not. What a character! She loves to read her little books and enjoys watching movies and hanging out with Daddy and Mommy! Sometimes I just lay in bed and laugh at her talking to herself, while she is reading to her doll "Tia", that she got from her "Auntie Tiffany". She is the best thing that has ever happened to me! I love being a mother.
While Nick was gone for the second deployment, we had Halloween, one of Nick and my favorite holidays. We also had Amebers birthday, and Thanksgiving. We were lucky to have Nick come home 3 days before Christmas! It was such an AMAZING Christmas!!! I loved just spending time with our little family. On Christmas morning Amber was so cute! She came running over to see what Santa had brought her. She was so happy and will not let her little Dora bike outta her sight. I will definately post some pictures, so you can see her with her Dora bike. :) So cute!
As of now, Nick is not suppose to deploy until the summer. We are crossing our fingers that will be the case. We enjoy having him around and really hope this time he won't be gone so much. Still knda like that guy! :) Of course along the way, everyone has struggles and disappointments. I am just grateful to the Lord for the love he has unconditionally given me and our family. We were blessed enough to move be able to move on base while Nick was gone last time. OUr housr is literally 6 times bigger than our previous house. Nick came home to a beautiful new house that was decorated for Christmas. It's been wonderful to be here on base and close to where Nick will be at work, when he's home. We're grateful to be together and look forward to spending our life together!