BFF's at the Park

Madison and Levi just keep growing in their love for each other and have come to really enjoy their play dates! Last night Diana and Levi came over for the evening and we went to the park (while there was still some light out) before we came back and had a BBQ. We love having these two over and can't wait until those two are a three (Ben comes home in a few weeks)!!!!!

Here are some pictures of the kiddos playing away!!!!

Madison on the big kid swing


Levi making his way to the slide


Levi going down the big kid slide


Madison and Daddy


Levi on the swing


Madison in the car


Levi in the car


Madison and Levi in the car


Last picture of the night before we went inside for our BBQ

Marine Corps Ball

Every year in the Marine Corps there is the time honored tradition of the Birthday Ball. The Marine Corps' actual birthday is the 10th of November, so the ball usually falls on or around this date each year. This year our ball was on the 14th and it was held in Primm, Nevada. I had never been to Primm before. It is more in the middle of nowhere than we are out here in Twentynine Palms. Alex and I had a lot of fun this year. Last year's ball was fun, but we knew a lot more people this year, so that always makes it better!

We stayed in the Primm Valley Casino Hotel, not bad for $27 a night. Can't beat that! This is also where the actual ball was held. They had a huge convention center that held all 2,000 of us. I have come to love the traditions at the Marine Corps Ball. This year felt especially special, maybe because I have so many dear friends overseas right now, but something was just different about this ball.

One of the most sentimental parts of the ceremony is when they take a moment of silence to remember all of those fallen Marines who couldn't be with us because they have made the ultimate sacrifice. I was able to get a picture of the table set in honor of these Marines before it got too crowded.


There is also the traditional birthday cake. During the formal ceremony the oldest Marine at each ball cuts the first piece and takes a bite and then passes it the youngest Marine among the group and he/she takes a bite!





Here are some pictures from the night:

Me and Erin


Me, Erin, and Stacy


John and Alex


Me and Alex


Me and Stacy


Stacy and John


Me and Rhonda


SJA Office


Lt. Col Ashbacher and Capt. Parch (per alex's request)

Orange County Fires

UPDATE: our dear friends the Thayer's lost their house to the fires...please keep them in your prayers, along with the many others who I've heard have lost their houses as well.

I am writing to ask you to pray for everyone dealing with the Orange County fires....

We have so many friends who have been evacuated from their homes and not sure of the status of their homes.
Alex's parents are just waiting with their cars packed for their evacuation notice.....

Alex's parents live on a big hill and his mom said that it is such a scary sight from their back yard....she said it's like Armageddon, everything is on fire and the night time just emphasizes the red and orange flames.

So again, please keep everyone in your prayers and pray that the winds stop and that the firemen and women will be able to get all of these fires under control!

A Trip to Thousand Oaks....

This past weekend we drove out to my parents house for the long weekend. We had a blast! We hung out with my parents, saw some friends, went to the book store, hung out with Great Grandpa Bill and had a lot of yummy food!!!! Madison had fun showing off how much she's talking now and just being a ham for the camera. She has quite the personality these days and loves entertaining, especially people she doesn't get to see every day.

Just hanging out at home with mom


Visiting Dana (Jaclyn's mom) at work



At Borders, showing grandpa all of the cool books


Giving baby Ellie a hug (this is my friend Alyssa's 9 week old little girl)



Walking in mommy's flip flops


Being silly with daddy


Hamming it up


Sitting with Great Grandpa Bill


Sharing the massage chair with grandpa



Hugging Pennie


We were being silly one night and gave Madison her bath in the sink....she thought we were crazy


Showing off my hat to grandma

Family Fun Fest

Alex, Madison and I went to Orange County on Halloween to attend the annual Family Fun Fest at our church. I had never been before and Alex hadn't been in about 6 or 7 years. We were blown away by how big it was. It was like going to a special carnival just for kiddos. There were rides, games, food booths, ponies, balloons, live music, cotton candy, etc.... Here are some pictures to document the night.

This is what we saw as we walked on campus


This is Madison and her friend Ruthie admiring the water fountain


Madison playing her first game...she had to get the hoop around the cone


Madison collecting her prize


Game #2


Sharing Cotton Candy with Mommy


Eating Cotton Candy with Daddy


Family Shot


Oma and Madison just after getting a balloon animal


Sitting on a horse for the first time


Petting the horse


Walking with Daddy


Taking a break from walking


Walking back to the car

Our little teeny bopper