Virginia, Fall 2010

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Photo Shoot!

While in VA, we had some professional pictures taken. It is always hit or miss with a 2 year old and a 9 month old, but not only were Jake and Cole ready to "cheese" it up - but I was really happy with how the pictures then turned out! :-) Jake was pretty much loving it from the beginning .... Cole had to warm up a little bit - but they both did really well. This is the first time we have had pictures made of the two of them, so I'm really excited about it!! It was a positive first experience (thanks to Mimi and Aunt Katy, too) - and I really can't believe how BIG the boys are getting!

Glimpse of Daddy....

These pictures were taken the weekend before we headed to VA. Our friend Ashleigh took them of the boys as they were watching Daddy change the oil in his truck in the driveway! When Chris is around, he has 2 little shadows that want to be hanging out with him constantly (and 3, if you count me) :-)

Heroes

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/10/01/virginia.military.burials/index.html

Take the time to read this article. These are two of Chris's buddies from the Academy - who are now being buried next to each other at Arlington Cemetery. The article brings tears to my eyes thinking about how their lives were cut short and how painful this has to be for their families - and at the same time, I am filled with so much gratitude that they were willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in order to help keep my family and me safe. In a society that cares so much about which celebrity is headed to jail and/or gaining and losing weight, we too often forget that the true HEROES are guys like this - who are fighting for the freedom we have to read about the celebrities heading to jail and/or gaining and losing weight. That act of selfLESSness should not be overlooked or go unrecognized.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star

One of my favorite things about Monday morning play group on base is the story and singing time. I love watching all of the kids sing the songs and do the motions - and it is by FAR Jake's favorite part. He comes home and wants to do ring around the rosie and sing all of the many songs we sing at play group. Here he is singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and doing the motions (you can see he's trying to make a diamond with his hands). In Jake fashion, he is a little premature with the clapping for himself at the end, but oh the joy it brings me to see and hear him sing all of these songs, so here's a small preview....

Cute Cole...

Cole is ALL about his mum-mums .... he LOVES them!

mr. patriot (don't worry mom.... i made sure he didn't poke himself in the eye with the flag while i was taking this picture).
Cole is unstoppable. This week alone, he has fallen out of his high chair (major scare, but he is fine....the tray was on and locked in place and everything - still locked in place after he fell), climbed up onto the couch to grab something he wanted, and he is constantly climbing into Jake's bed - which is fine .... but he hasn't quite figured out how to gracefully get OUT of the bed like he gets into it! Here he is going to play with his brother in his bed....

Newest News!

We found out this week that we will be heading to Fort Benning, GA in September (a year from now) for Chris to attend a 6-month school. From there, we will go back to the fleet (either back to 29 Palms, CA or to Camp Lejeune, NC). We should tentatively know where we will be going probably in the next 6 weeks or so. Stay tuned..... In the meantime, it's great to know we have another year here with all of the wonderful friends we have made. Even though we were hoping to be in Quantico for 10 months, we know that the Lord just has other plans for us .... and we look forward to seeing what those will be!