A busy fall

It seems like we just moved yesterday, but we've lived in Jacksonville for 6 weeks now. The house is looking like HOME...everything is put away and has a home of some sort. Brian and I launched into projects to make the garage his "man cave." We finished organizing it and did some painting. More work to be done but it looks MUCH better and I'm not ashamed to open our garage door anymore. I was excited to park my car in there and then realized it doesn't fit. There is literally inches to spare on either side. So I guess it really will just be a man cave, and storage too.

Now we've been on a lazy hiatus from projects after all the initial hard work. But I did purchase some wallpaper removal supplies. Those fluorescent fish in the upstairs bathroom will soon meet their doom. Muhahahahaha.

Brian started work 2 weeks ago. He has already instated morning PT for his fellow SigInt Marines, and there's NOTHING Brian loves more than thrashing young Marines. He met the guys that will be on a team with him when he deploys and he is looking forward to the challenge.

Caden undoubtedly enjoys living here. He plays with his friend Connor down the street quite often. Connor is one year older than Caden and I would consider him his "Landen replacement." He asks to play with him constantly. Caden still prefers playing in the front yard but has recently showed more interest in the backyard now that he's learned how to catch the sneaky lizards that run around. I cringe when I hear him say, "Hey Mommy....look!" This generally results in him showing me his prize. Thanks, Cade. Bugs, spiders, lizards...why is everything bigger here? And why does Brian insist on showing me every National Geographic specimen he finds?!

His first catch


His favorite question..."Can I have a popsicle?"


Our trees drop A LOT of leaves


Caden didn't think Dad was doing a sufficient job


He likes to paint...that makes his Mom VERY happy


Caden and I attend an hour-long "Mommy and Me" class once a week on base. It's interactive and he enjoys it. I was hoping to meet some other Moms but we're so busy playing with our kids that I haven't been able to mingle with them. I do enjoy hanging out with Connor's Mom, Tamera, so that's the extent of my adult interaction thus far. Unless you count Brian.

Cole is a big boy now. At 16 weeks, he fits 6-9-month clothes perfectly, wears size 3 diapers, and looks HUGE. I checked Cade's calendar recently and he didn't wear size 3 diapers until he was 22 weeks old! Cole might be the smiliest baby I've ever met. He eats up attention and would prefer to be held 24 hours a day. He is sleeping through the night again, much to our relief. He started sleeping through the night in early October so we moved him to his crib. Then he decided he preferred his nightly bottle after all, much to our dismay. That lasted a couple weeks and now he's sleeping again...YAY! Unfortunately, he's also fussy off and on because he's teething. He has rolled over a couple times but I've never witnessed it, so let's pretend it hasn't happened yet.

He never rolls when I am watching


Digging the crib


Just got back from a run with Mom...those are some blue eyes


3-month photo


3-month photo...how can you not just love that face?!


Bed time


Halloween was chill this year. My little Van Gogh painted a wooden pumpkin and dug out pumpkins to carve jack-o-lanterns. However, he was anti Halloween otherwise. It didn't matter how much bribing we tried, he refused to touch his costume. After about 45 minutes of handing out candy to other kids, all of the sudden he decided he would go. Talk about a 360. This kid is all or nothing. He still refused his real costume so we quickly threw on his replacement costume: a John Deere hat and sweatshirt. This was my original costume idea, mostly because it was free and it matched my idea for Cole, an ear of corn. Yep...I dressed my infant as an Iowa vegetable. He makes cute produce.

The pumpkin patch at Mike's Farm


Feeding the goats his beloved Goldfish crackers


Hay ride to the pumpkins (and Brian couldn't believe I dressed them in matching shirts)


He's not very scary, but he is chubby


My attempt at holiday decorating


Open up, Dad


I love my Caden


Hello corn baby


Farm boys


The costume Cade was SUPPOSED to wear


You can see the sugar rush in his eyes


My mummy loves me


Two days after Halloween, I flew to Iowa with the boys to attend my college room mate's wedding. I have decided I will write a book entitled "What NOT To Do When Flying Across the Country With Two Little Kids." First on the list, don't take a 5:30 a.m. flight. With an hour drive to the airport, we were on the road by 3:40 a.m., kids in pajamas. We made our flight with minutes to spare and I have never felt so sheepish boarding a full plane. All eyes followed us as I dragged my numerous bags and 2 kids to the very last row. At that point, I was wondering how in the world I ever thought this was a good idea.

After a 3-hour layover and TWO more flights, I was spent. Luckily, the kids were fantastic, but none-the-less, it's still stressful and I had one massive headache. From our doorstep to my parents, it was about 12 hours of travel time. Other favorite chapter topics in the book will be "Don't Do It Solo" and "Pack Drugs." Thank goodness I had the sense to take the double stroller. Yes, it has it's own zip code, but I'm fairly positive I would not have survived Chicago O'Hare without it.

The trip was worth it though to see the look on Cade's face when he arrived at the farm and saw the tractors and combine outside waiting. He spent the next couple days living out his farm boy dreams, riding for hours with my Dad, my Mom, and Uncle Jeff. He never complained and never wanted to come into the house either.

Papa, can I drive


On top of the world


Or a hay bale


A little relaxation time with Grandma


I'm glad Caden got his fill of fun on the farm because I knew the wedding weekend would not be his cup of tea. My amazing Mom agreed to be my date and I am beyond thankful. Because she saved the day and kept the boys happy (especially Cade), I managed to relax and have a great time. I haven't road tripped with my Mom in years and we had a blast. The hotel was of questionable quality (the Quality Inn was not so quality) but we didn't care...we laughed so much throughout the weekend. Brenda was one of the most fun and entertaining brides ever. Caden did agree to walk down the aisle and dragged the poor flower girl around like a puppy all weekend. He was not quite so agreeable with photos though.

Caden threw a HUGE tantrum when we put his wedding apparel on, but SpongeBob did the trick


His date Kendra (Brenda's sister's daughter)


He dragged her everywhere


My KU room mates were Erin (2nd from left) and the bride Brenda


Mr. & Mrs. Pozek


Caden would not take a photo with me...this is the best we got


I love my B-ski


One of our favorite poses, deer in the headlights


We ended the weekend with a quick trip to Lawrence to see my KU family, the Belcher's. Collin towers over me and Hailey is a young woman. How did this happen?! I started babysitting those kids when Hailey was Caden's age.

Lorrie wanted told hold Cole all night


Hailey could babysit my kids now!


Pretending to be a dog


Last but not least, I got some more use out of the bridesmaid dress at the Marine Corps Ball this past week. We felt very privileged to have the Commandant of the Marine Corps, General James Conway, as the guest of honor. He was a dynamic speaker and we got to take a photo with him. It was a plated meal and quite delicious, but we wanted seconds (I had the nerve to ask but was shot down). We didn't stick around for the dance because we had to get home to pick up the boys from our friends. The Schertz's are trusted friends that we met in Quantico. We couldn't have went to the ball without their help (THANKS JESSE AND MARIA!).

Posing with the USMC Commandant


I melted a hole in this dress hours before the ball...true story. I was trying to get rid of the little hanging strings. Pretty much the worst idea ever.


We're staying in North Carolina for the holidays (as long as we don't get flooded out!), so have a happy and blessed Thanksgiving! Looks like I'll have to buy a turkey this year because Brian hasn't signed up for a Turkey Trot. Aren't they expensive? I'd better sign him up for a race...