And now we're a threesome...fore!

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Caleb's EIGHT months old!

It's been almost three years since I posted last-I guess life has been a bit busy and obviously, Facebook is a bit more convenient. It gets the message to so many people. I still love snail mail though! Who doesn't like getting a fun lettering the mail instead of advertising circulars?! Um, I do!! (Hint, hint.)
We are settled back in our amazing home state, and just concluded our first day trip to Boerne for Caleb's 8 month celebration. Caleb really enjoyed watching the ducks-he has the best expressions! The hubs & I are so blessed to have The Duke in our lives, life is SO much more fun!!! DH is almost finished with his training so that he can officially be an instructor. I am working through the final class of my MBA program and will graduate in May.
Now that we're so close to home (after 6 years living far, far away), we are really looking forward to spending more time with family and soaking up all that Texas has to offer.

Since we're so close, The Duke & I have accompanied my mom on her trips to Illinois to visit Gram. We have 5 generations on both sides of the family-it's important to capture those memories while we can. Gram enjoyed singing along to lullabies.
While in Illinois, The Duke experienced his first snow. He wasn't sure at first-had we had proper snow gear, I think we all might have enjoyed it a bit more. The Duke also visited with Tutu's best friend, Auntie Lori. He loved crawling around and watching her dogs. He is very active and loves playing with his toys.
We are looking forward to meeting the Easter bunny, and cannot believe the past 8 months have passed by so quickly.
Blessings!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Update!!

Oh my!!! It's been almost a year since I posted on here last-YIKES! Kalvin and I have been very busy-I went to New Orleans with work, Kalvin went TDY (aka vacation) to San Antonio. I painted the majority of the interior of our house last weekend and we had the landscaping completed on our backyard this past Wednesday! We're both looking forward to football season and going back to Texas for Christmas/our anniversary/New Years before he goes on his annual adventure early next year. Will post updates from decorating the house as they come.

Friday, October 30, 2009

Grand Canyon & Sedona 2009

With one last weekend off for Kalvin, we decided to take a weekend trip to the Sedona and spend a day at the Grand Canyon. It was the PERFECT time to go-we didn't realize we could get our "fall" fix and see the different colors of the leaves, feel cooler weather, and get lost in such a beautiful part of the country. Seeing the canyon was amazing-next time we go, we're definitely doing a helicopter tour! Standing on the side is no fun (think fishing from the shore instead of a boat). OH, and we stayed at a B&B...w e i r d. It was a good experience, BUT it was like staying at our great grandparent's house...creaky floors, funky smells, and a mother of an inn keeper. Breakfasts were amazing, but I think we'll go for a golf resort next time. And as spontaneous as the trip was, I think we'll research restaurants in more detail-unfortunately we followed some poor advice, and ate at an overpriced steak house (coming from Texas, we had high standards), but enjoyed some pretty juicy local gossip. (We laughed our way through dinner...)

In Sedona, the town hosts the Plein Air Festival during the month of October-artists are invited to set up shop on the side walks and paint/draw/sketch the magnificent views. Pretty interesting to see the talent. And capturing the way the sun hits the rocks-just gorgeous. Definitely would recommend anyone to go see it.

Now we're back to the daily grind-Kalvin's back on flight and I'm working like always. Hopefully we'll go back to Texas next month!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Kalvin's Home!!!

Finally after what seemed like an eternity-Kalvin arrived safe and sound from his annual adventure about midnight on September 30th. It was such a relief to see him walking down the corridor, with a shaved head none the less! He was anxious to see the house (even though it was pitch black outside), and I was at ease knowing he was home. This weekend, we painted the garage floor-I've been told my decorating suggestions are not needed for his room...my only request is both vehicles HAVE to fit IN the garage. All in all, everything is just about back in order-we're looking forward to our trip to Texas in November.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

Our new addition...Ruby!

With the cash for clunkers thing being broadcasted all over the place, I thought it would be best to trade in Kalvin's truck, "Old Blue" and get a more economical vehicle..."Ruby" made her way into our driveway on August 8th!! It was kind of bittersweet, but $4,500 for it-I was REALLY excited! Especially considering we were about to have to put tires on it, and I had to buy a battery in order to get it to the dealership. :)

"Ruby" is a 2009 Hyundai Elantra-she gets ~28mpg (compared to 14mpg in the red truck), filling up for $27 was SO nice!!! Kalvin has already made plans for the red truck (which barely fits in the garage as it is), it's been interesting to say the least. Let's just hope the mileage or gas prices improve.

We have about six more weeks left of this trip, maybe closer to eight...things keep changing. That gives me more time to get back in shape, and maybe we'll make it into October and get the entire month's pay tax free (that would be REALLY nice). Kalvin and I are both anxious for his return and cherish the time we get in the same timezone. Jessie and James are livin' it up at Kapuna and Tutu's (G'ma and G'pa's); they keep Dixie Belle on her paws and fight for sleeping spots on the bed (poor Tutu). Hopefully we'll get to come home (to Texas) after Kalvin returns to pick them up (and to see family of course ;) ).

Aside from that, there isn't much news. I am busy working full time on base and maintaining the spouse's group-disseminating information to the deployed spouses. And with the trip on the downward slope, I've got to get back into shape...

Saturday, June 6, 2009

Our New House!!

The past month has been a whirlwind, the walk through, closing, and actually moving into our new house last Saturday-I'm glad it's over and am looking forward to being settled for as long as the Air Force allows. Guys from Kalvin's squadron had me moved out of the storage unit and into the house in 2 hours; granted I didn't have that much furniture-mostly boxes, but still-2 hours!! That was fast!! My parents arrived that night, and proceeded to install blinds and ceiling fans on Sunday. It has been an exhausting week to say the least, I am extremely greatful they were able to come out. Jessie and James had fun investigating their new yard even though it was mostly dirt for a good part of the week. Me being patient for it all to come together has been a feat in itself. Mom and Dad transferred some paving stones from our old backyard into the new one to extend the pation and also planted grass for the dogs. We had to come up with a sprinkler system since grass is not exactly a great landscape material in Arizona. We are excited for Kalvin to come home and see the house.

Kalvin is doing well; almost to the halfway mark for his deployment. Some days drag while others just fly by. I've decided I won't be moving again if he is gone. He works 8 hour shifts 6 days a week enjoying his day off to sleep in, check email and work out. He's said the weather there is tolerable, not quite as hot compared to his previous location, but then again, this time he went in the winter. We are both anxious for him to come home and see/complete the "honey do" list-(probably me more than him). Next on the list is the backyard, a garage door opener, and paint. Oh how fun!!!

Sunday, May 10, 2009

May 2009

It's been October since I was on here last...a lot has happened since then! Kalvin and I enjoyed a trip to Texas for Thanksgiving and our first Christmas together (he was deployed for the real first holidays). We also are waiting for our first home to be completed-we close on May 22!! During the same week we put money down on the house, Kalvin found out he would be deployed. He escaped moving again (haha)!!! In April, my best friend Ashley Dahman and I took a road trip back to Ft. Worth for her baby shower. It was an interesting trip-two girls hauling a truck bed full of furniture through Border Patrol check points asking for help to double check our tie down technique; interesting to say the least. :) Our children, Jessie and James are temporarily staying with my parents in Ft. Worth until the house is finished. I miss them immensly, but soon enough, they'll be home. :)