In Phoenix

We have been in Phoenix for a little more than a week, and are having a blast. My 3 have been playing with their cousins, Abby and Rich, who are temporarily residing with my parents. The kids get along well, most of the time. We had fun, even though it was wicked hot outside.

On Thursday, we visited with Carolyn, Juliana, Malia, and Grant. Literally, we got to the park and Alex ran out of the car to see Malia. They played for 2 hours at the park - on an unusually cool, overcast day in the Valley of the Sun. It was awesome. :)

Today, we had a lovely time at church. Then after a wonderful nap & yummy dinner, my friend Heidi came over to play. She trekked across the valley with her husband and 3 kids just to see little old me. Our children are getting taller and taller. We've got a fabulous week ahead of us, starting with a day at IKEA! Yeah! Swedish meatballs and inexpensive furniture! Hooray!

One year

On June 6th, 2008, my dear husband became a doctor. Later that evening, his mother and I pinned on his Captain's bars, and we entered military life. A few days later, we moved to El Paso.

A whirlwind of a year later, here we are. Saturday was intern/chief graduation. (Interns are the first year residents, and the chiefs are the fifth years.) We got him the fancy uniform, and actually had everyone up, dressed, fed, and on post (a half-hour drive) by 8:30 am. There was a nice ceremony, and even though he has 2 1/2 weeks of Emergency Medicine left - he is a second year resident. This is Paul, Kevin, Dimitri, and Aaron.

Here are the Chiefs and the interns.

And here are my girls - it's me, Kristine, Emily, and Kate.

In the morning was the official ceremony, and in the evening was the fun stuff. Dinner and dancing at a golf course clubhouse. I don't have pics of this - I was dancing most of the evening. :) If you're my friend, there are some random, although slightly embarrassing, pics on FB. My dear husband kept me spinning on the dance floor, and we barely got our babysitter home by midnight.

Officially, Audrey has now turned 18 months old, and HALLELUJAH! She gets to go to nursery! She was a champ, and didn't cry at all. Yeah!

Aaron started working nights this week - 5 pm to 4 am. I don't sleep well when he's not here. When he came in this morning about 4:30, I had only been asleep (lightly) for about 2 hours. Do you know how terrifying it is to have someone sneak into your bedroom in the dark?!

This is how I got him back for scaring me. Audrey has enough hair for two ponies. Isn't she darling? :)

Great things

We were busy today -

accomplishing GREAT things.

Ben floated all by himself at swim lessons. Go Ben!

Alex got to go with all the boys - Dad, Ben, Kevin, and Luke - to a El Paso Diablos Minor League Baseball Game. And she didn't cry once.

Audrey didn't put a floater in the tub tonight! She said, "Poopoo mommy", we rinsed her off, and I put her on the potty - and she went! After my previous post, this is a great accomplishment.

Today was great!

p.s. we are headed to Phoenix soon - the 19th of June through the 4th of July! Super excited!!!

Corelle bowls shatter when dropped from high chair height onto ceramic tile floors.

Lesson learned.

Four is a big deal

Alex woke up today and said, "Mom, am I four today?"

"Yes, Al," I replied. "Today is your birthday!"

"But Mom, I'm not any taller!"

Alex has been impatient about life from the beginning. She has these deep, soulful blue eyes that tell you exactly what she’s thinking. She has a mind of her own and is not afraid to use it. She loves to help her dad in the kitchen. Al loves to help anyone, or rather, tell anyone what to do. She has so much energy and is a super fast runner.

Al, Gator, Princess, Sweet Pea, Allie - is four today.

We're so grateful for our beautiful daughter!