162 Days

Today, Jon drove out to Raleigh to get new tires put on the truck while Arianna and I went with Stephanie to visit her horses. We've been wanting to go back to the barn for a while, but it's always so cold and rainy and we're never able to spend much time with them. Luckily, today was a beautiful day! The sun was out and it wasn't too cold. Pasha and Whiskey were both really happy to see Steph.

She's been trying to find somebody to buy both of them and wanted to get pictures of her with them before they go. She loves these babies so much as you can tell from the pictures, she just isn't able to get out to see them as much as she would like.

161 Days

I think we've got the housing situation figured out! Jon and I talked about the houses that we looked at and we both agreed that we want to take base housing. We were both pleasantly surprised at how nice it was and it just seems like it will be more cost effective for us to be on base (not only as far as bills, but the money that we spend on gas). The only problem is, it's a 4-6 month wait so we've got to find somewhere to stay in the meantime.

We looked at a townhouse in Stafford that was so-so, but we weren't totally set on it. It was really dirty (mostly dusty, like it needed a twice over with a Dyson) and there were just little things here and there that we weren't thrilled with.

The outside front

Living room area


Kitchen


Hallway that leads to bedrooms and one of the bathrooms

After discussing it, Jon called the Realtor and told her what we would like to see. We had already asked for the rent to be cut down from $1300 to $1200 and the owners had agreed. We also asked that the whole house be professionally cleaned and asked for a six month lease (they originally wanted a year). I really didn't think they would agree to any of it, but surprisingly, they did! I guess they really just need to get it rented and six months is better than nothing.

So it looks like that's the route we're going to go. Luckily, it's not too far from the base and it's in a nice area. I feel like it's somewhere I can be happy until we're able to get on base. I'm really just excited to move back to a big city!

155 Days

Good morning!

We are in Virginia! We arrived yesterday after, what seemed like, a very short six hour drive. Today we are going house hunting so PLEASE send lots of prayers, good thoughts, and luck our way. I'm in a good mood and I feel good about today so let's hope that's a good sign. I'm just so happy to be in a big city. Jon and I went to Tyson Corner Mall last night and it was so fun! Being from Arizona (the land of 1,000 malls) I never in a million years thought I would be excited about going to the mall, but that's what living in New Bern, NC will do to a person.

Here are the pictures that I have been promising for the past two weeks! I am still getting used to editing photos on my Macbook Pro, but so I far I LOVE it. It far surpasses my old HP as far as graphics go and I love the way my pictures are coming out.

Daddy and Ari




Our girl being silly

Finally got her a helmet for the scooter!

She loves her daddy so much......




More of our snow!
















The snowman was taller than Jon!

150 Days

I just wanted to apologize to everyone for the lack of pictures. I promise I will start posting more frequent updates again soon. Jon and I ordered my new Macbook Pro on Saturday and it should be here sometime this week! I'm really excited. Macs are great for everything photo/graphics related and I ordered mine with editing software pre-installed so I can get started on the pictures that I've been taking as soon as it arrives.

149 Days

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!!!!

I'm sorry I didn't get to talk to you today, I'm going to give you a call tomorrow. Arianna would like to talk also and tell you Happy Birthday. She was wondering if you got a pie with candles. She remembered your pie from last year :)

148 Days

I'm sorry I'm so behind on pictures! My computer finally bit the dust for good and so I haven't really been able to upload or edit anything. I'm ordering a new computer today so I'll start posting again more frequently, plus I have a lot of cute pictures from the past few days that I'll put up.

These just couldn't wait though! We got snow here last night and Arianna was excited to get out and play in it first thing this morning.

Her first experience with snow!

141 Days

Today was Arianna's 3rd birthday party! Her party was a total success. We were a little bit worried about the weather, but it was "perfect". By "perfect" I mean freezing cold, but not a drop of rain! All of the neighborhood kids starting coming over around noon and by 2pm we had a houseful of kids. There were about 10 total and they rotated between jumping outside in the Princes jumper, playing Wii, and decorating cupcakes. It was a really great day and we are all three exhausted.

The cupcakes and frosting that I made last night for everyone to decorate. Arianna's birthday theme this year was "Cupcakes"


I bought this cake yesterday (I added the number 3 today) and we never even took it out of the fridge. Between Arianna's little cake (which is picture below) and the cupcakes everyone pretty much had their fill of sweets. We'll probably cut this one tomorrow on her actual birthday.




The Princess space jumper. The kids had a BLAST in this thing and it was only $70 to rent for the entire day!




My jumping bean






Jon getting ready to fire up the grill. We have so much leftover food!


Playing Mario Kart on Wii


Garrett, Nathan, and Arianna




She didn't want her picture taken


The kids start decorating cupcakes










Remy got his first cupcake today!








Arianna's little cake






Blowing out the candles






So funny. Last year she just dove in with her hands. This year she used a fork and hardly made a mess at all.




Time for presents!












Getting frustrated


Ari's friend Caleb




Playing with new toys. She got three new princess dolls!


New kicks!


My not-so-little baby......