Bowling

We had a squadron function Friday at the bowling alley. I took Abby up there for her first bowling experience. She insisted on the eight pound ball because it was pink. She pretty much dropped the balls about one foot from the lane and it took five minutes for it to get down to the pins. Each time she knocked down some pins she jumped up and down with joy! After her ball got stuck on the lane twice, the lady who had to retrieve it got mad at me because the ball was too heavy for Abby. Needless to say, she and I had a wonderful time bowling with our co-workers and their kids.

We took Abby and Jacob swimming again last night. It was cool out with temps in the high 90s. Abby really had a great time, but Jacob decided he was tired, so we just sat in a lounge chair relaxing.

Things here are going well. Abby and I are heading up to New England for a few days. She is nervous and excited to fly on an airplane. Steve is looking forward to having some one on one time with Jacob. They plan on going out to eat, swimming and doing some guy stuff. We hope all is well with everyone and we will write after our trip.

Beating the Heat

We have had some very high temperatures over the last few weeks. On Sunday, all of us were tired of sitting at home in the air conditioning, but it was too hot to do anything outside (about 110 degrees at noon). So, we took Abby and Jacob to their first movie, "Cars." We went to an early show and had the theater all to ourselves. Jacob enjoyed the stadium seating and we made about ten trips up and down the stairs. They both liked the popcorn, too. Jacob was thrilled with the big screen and could not stop pointing at everything with lots of "oohs" and "look at that, Mommy." Abby, on the otherhand, was nervous and held her ears from the loud noise. They were very well behaved and lasted an hour (Abby was apprehensive about the whole ordeal). After the first hour Jacob asked to go bye-bye so we left.

Later that afternoon it was still hot (102 at 6pm) so we decided to meet the Parker's at one of the base pools. Abby and Jacob strapped on their life jackets and we hit the water. With their fair skin we really don't get out in the sun (or pool) to often. They both did a very good job. Each of them went down the slide. Jacob really liked the slide and couldn't get enough of it. We are looking into some swimming lessons later this summer, but we were very proud of them. I think we will try to go to the pool again this weekend.

Blake and Dylan are doing very well. Dylan had his middle school orientation today. He seems very excited to be a 6th grader and is looking forward to his Mythology class. Blake and his mom are heading to NYC next week for a school trip. We are very excited for him and know he will have a blast on his first trip to the Big Apple.

We hope everyone is doing well and I'll post some pictures soon.

Learning to read

Our Abby is becoming such a big girl. I was wearing an Old Navy t-shirt the other day and she saw the "a" and the "y" and said "That says Abby." So, I showed her each letter and what it said. By the end of the day, she was identifying the magnet letters on the fridge and on magazines. She makes a few mistakes, but it is amazing. She thinks an "S" is a "5" and tells me I am wrong when I correct her. So smart!!!!

Jacob is our wild and crazy little man. We put Blake's mattress in the playroom because Jacob's been having problems sleeping through the night, so he's been sleeping out there with Dad. Now he does flips on the mattress everyday. Sometimes he forgets he isn't on the mattress and does the flips on the floor, cracking his head in the process. We also moved him into Dylan's room, so now he and Abby have their own rooms. He was so excited about his new room that he brought every toy he owns (and some of Sissy's) into his new room. He nearly cleared out the playroom. He has been spending lots of time exploring his new digs.

Happy 4th of July

We have had a nice weekend. Steve and I both had to work four hours, but other than that we were able to spend lots of time with the kiddos. Abby went to a birthday party Sunday where she built a bear (Suzy). We also went to Chuck E. Cheese over the weekend where Abby and Jacob were able to run their little legs off. Today, the Parker's came over and we grilled chicken and mushrooms (hot dogs for the kiddos)and had a yummy (low-fat) pineapple angel food cake! We enjoyed spending time with our "military" family. We really will be lost next year when we move somewhere else and don't have the Parker's with us. I have been stationed with Travis most of my career.

Abby and Jacob got guitars over the weekend. Jacob really loves his and last night he woke up fussy. As I was getting him calmed down, he looked up at me and said "I want my guitar." It was hilarious... it had to be about two in the morning. Abby is still acting up a bit. Today she told me she did not like my attitude. Not so funny at the time, but cute now that she's in bed.

We want to wish everyone a happy 4th of July. Please remember those who are celebrating our independence in Iraq and overseas.