Waltz of the Flowers

Emma continued with dance and performed in the Christmas production the Nutcracker. They all danced to the March and her class also danced to Waltz of the Flowers.

Posing before the performance.

Emma and her friend Alana.

The March.

Waltz of the Flowers.

You did a great job girls!!

Just sneaking this photo in to show what a wonderful job Jesse did decorating our house for the holidays.

Oooo Big Presents

My parents sent presents for the kids that they could surely enjoy and use before Christmas. What did they get you ask?

Big comfy comforters! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Hand! They sure will keep them warm at night.

Christopher......The BIG 5!

November 29, 2003
1:54 PM
8lbs 2oz, 21in

Christopher turned 5 this year, so hard to believe. We had a great party for him on his birthday and he loved every minute of it. He got lots of great gifts, including clothes, speed racers (one of his current favorites) and Cars items.

We served hot dogs and subs and of course cake.

And yes this year I actually made the cake.

We also rented a jumper for the kids to play in. All the kids loved it!

Happy 5th Birthday Christopher!!

Mommy and Daddy love you!!

Thanksgiving 2008

I'll just make this a really quick post. This year, like all years we have a lot to be thankful for. But this year, we are most thankful for the safe return of Jesse, our own hero. It was so great spending this holiday with him again.


We had a combined Thanksgiving with a bunch of friends, our military family. There was so much good food. The kids all enjoyed being together as well.


All the kids, minus Nate (who pretty much clung to his mom).


I know I have a bunch of posts to put out, bear with me, I will get them done before we leave for Michigan. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!!

Halloween 2008

This is quite late but I wanted to get one up none the less. First off, I had planned on getting up a blog of Grandpa and Grandma's Jones visit but my camera disappeared. I waited hoping it would show up, but unfortunately, it has not yet (I'm still hoping and praying).

Thankfully a couple friends of mine that we went out with had cameras and let me borrow them as well. So here are our kiddies all dressed up.

Emma, our southern bell.

Christopher, our pirate.

Matty, our skeleton, who did not like having his mask on.

And yes, even I dressed up this year.

Oops, I almost forgot the pumpkin.

Our Hero Has Arrived!!!

At about 2am ish November 14, we welcomed Jesse and his unit back home!

While the kids each had a sign to welcome him I decorated the house as well (and the truck windows which I do not have a picture of at this point).


Me signing the big welcome home sign for the unit. My friend Lauren came along with me and took pictures. Yup had my own personal photographer. Isn't she awesome?!


Amanda and I eagerly awaiting our husbands to land.


The kids ready to welcome daddy home (yup at 1am)!


The unit unloading from the plane.


The unit marching in off the plane.


We had to wait for about another hour or so while they checked in their weapons and such. When it was time for them to enter, the smoke rolled.


Once they were dismissed, we tracked him down and had big welcome home hugs and kisses for Jesse.


After, we went outside to get all his bags. This was taken before we went to get his duffel bag (yes one more to add). Once we got over to the duffel bags, there were guys there to help locate them. When they located Jesse's bag, Jesse went to grab it and wouldn't you know, they carried it, along with the ones he was already carrying out for us. So since Jesse no longer had bags to carry, he carried his boys instead:)


Welcome home Hero!!!!!