Birthday Boy

If there's a tender soul in the house, it's Casey. He's has such a love and compassion for everyone in our family, especially towards me. I love when he plays rough with the kids, they laugh till they cry, he also is the best hug giver in the home. He can scrub a bathroom so clean it would pass a toothbrush test (I love when he takes over the bathroom duty). Dishes duty after dinner has always come, unsolicited. Casey also has a strong sense of loyalty, something he learned growing up but was sharpened in the Marines, in the end we are the happy recipients of this gift. I think I can go on and on, but I'll end there....Happy Birthday to my Sweetie!

Boy Scout Court of Honor

Tonight one of Casey's Scouts, Andrew, was awarded his Eagle Scout. Casey was the Master (in something) in charge? Which means he lead the evening. He did a good job. We got a babysitter so he could lead the evening and I had my hands free to be the photographer for Andrew's big evening.
Leader Extraordinaire: He's gone on every camp out, taught nearly every Sunday and Activity night on Wednesday's, he's doing a great job with the boys. It makes me happy to see his enthusiasm, he'll be a pro at this by the time William joins Boy Scouts and becomes an Eagle Scout.

Andrew, our newest Eagle Scout!

Our Sandy Thanksgiving 2010

We spent the morning on the beach, when I went to take everyone's picture a wave came up from behind and splashed Nana and Papa pretty good.

A Very Happy Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. It was unusually warm (hence the summer clothes) and we spent a wonderful week with Peter's family along with Nana and Papa.

New Family Photos

The day before Thanksgiving while Papa and Nana were in town we made it down to the beach to update our family photo. I really like how they turned out, thanks Papa and Nana!

Peter's Family

I've been meaning to take Peter's family photos for some time now! We finally got it set up, so this is one of my favorites. You can see more of them on my photography blog.

Road Block

Time is running out and we have a boat load of things on our lists, things to pack before the movers come next Tuesday and papers to go through, selling the house and so forth. I'm not sure what Ella's intentions were, but she climbed up onto Casey....maybe we all needed a bit of a break!

Dipping

We've been jamming to the Muppet's Christmas Carol Soundtrack. The girls love dancing all silly to the fast ones and waltz to the slow. Here's a few pictures (Suz recruited Nana to dance along), a few dips here and there and a lot of smiles.

Personal Seamstress

I don't think I can count how many projects Nana has helped me out with, each and every visit. This visit she found this lace to put on the end of a dress that was a wee bit short, it was fun to spend time with her. I feel as though I have my own seamstress.

No Training Wheels Part 2

After Suzanna's second attempt to ride without training wheels. They had to do it in the morning, it is very hot and humid outside, sunny too. Papa gave it a go for a good amount of time. When Suz came inside (this time she wasn't sobbing out of control) she immediately drew this picture of her experience. Can you figure out the phonetic transcription?
At least she drew herself smiling, right?

The Moon

This is what our moon looked like last night. The hot, humid air and fogginess reminded me of some scary movie.

Papa's Little Buddy

So Lucky

Tonight during family prayers Suzanna said "Dear Jesus, how did we get so lucky to have such a sweet baby boy?" Afterwards she gave William a squeeze and said "Jesus gave us a good baby".

A Sneak Peak of This

Suzanna has been requesting we take off her training wheels for months now. Today was the day. We thought we'd do it in a two part, this is part one and tomorrow (with Papa) will be part two.
She was very excited, but soon realized just how much balance and speed it took. I'm afraid this smile was only for the first 5 minutes.

It ended in tears and the realization that maybe her bike was too big, she could barely put her feet to the ground. So Casey took off Ella's training wheels and spent another 15 minutes outside with her on the little bike. Hopefully tomorrow will be better!

A Little Bit of Holiday Smells

Thankfully this Thanksgiving break we will NOT be packing ourselves into a storage unit (yes, transportation was able to meet our request of packing us up before we close on the house next week). There are so many things to be thankful for; Our soon-to-be move to England, selling the house (in 6.5 weeks), getting the packers to come in the nick of time, our good health and family in town to share this holiday of thanks!
The home smelled like baking ginger bread cookies this morning, one of my favorite holiday smells is cinnamon and ginger! Here's Nana heading it all up.

Buddy wanted more unbaked pieces and Ella (caught in the act) was about to sneak another bite. We broke down and turned on the AC, yes, the AC! My house was set at 79 degrees and everyone was getting pretty hot. It's crazy to think we've got the AC going and the Burt's have snow and low digit weather in Washington!

Turkey Trot

Suzanna's school had a Turkey Trot today. The P.E. coach was promoting health and they did this little mile run around. I hadn't planned on attending but one of my friends (who in addition to her kindergartner and first grader has three little ones at home) inspired me to come along. I figured if she was going to go with two little ones in a stroller and baby in the front sling, we could come too. Ella got really shy with all the kids around, but Suzanna had welcoming arms for her.
This was right before the race began.

School Pictures

We never really thought we'd ever purchase school pictures, epseically since I am always snapping the camera but it wasn't until we saw Suzanna's kindergarten picture that we were sold. She looks just so pretty, I wanted to keep this all for ourselves and share it with you too!

Falling into Place

Things are falling into place (Hallelujah). Early this week we got our orders, Casey was able to squeeze into the last transportation briefing (a weekly class that won't take place for the next 2 weeks) and set up dates for the packers to pick up our things. It is all falling other in the nick of time! We can now enjoy Thanksgiving break, cancel the storage unit and moving truck we set aside for "if things don't turn out".
Packers 30 Nov.-1 Dec., Movers 2 Dec., furnished rental 1 Dec....CHECK!
Next steps are official passports and apply for visa's, drop off van and then get tickets. **Phew**

Double Take

When William was first born, I was told time and time again just how much he looked like Suzanna. Now that he's growing into himself, I hear people say just how much he looks like Casey. I guess it wasn't until today that I did double take. There he looked, so grown up and wearing a black top and khaki pants....he looked like a mini-Casey to me!
Have I ever mentioned before just how much he loves that Alaskan Welcome Bear?

A Mild Fall Afternoon

I think we've hit my absolute favorite time of Florida's year. Now. Chilly and crisp mornings (the kind where you wear long pants and fuzzy pull-overs), warm afternoons (the ones when you open all the windows to allow the sunny warm air to heat up the house) and back to chilly nights. Peter and Joni came over the other night for a camp-out type BBQ and roasting of smores. Yumm. There are so many things I am thankful for, I love November, it's a time to contemplate, be grateful and be sharing.
I'm not sure how it is at your house, but for home is my favorite place to be. Usually around the time when Casey gets home, even though it's chaotic, the supper cooking, kids pinging off him with excitement, it's when I'm blessed that my husband wants to be home and with us and we adore him in return.

When we went to get our passports (the second time), yes everyone in the family needs to have official and travel passports, along with a visa. Gone are the days when you can travel Europe or anywhere off US soil with just your ID card. I was told by the USPS employee "You need to get that girl into some modeling". Well Mr., she is, she is one of the top three 'models' used by the professional photographer of Moments by Murray.

May I end with my amazement of this five year old above? Not only does she now sing (loudly might I add) during sacrament meeting (with her new found excitement of reading), but she is the youngest member of our church choir. Additionally, after watching the big girls walk on their hands into a summer salt, she came home and taught herself how to do it. (Proud Mama here!)

Suzanna's New Gymnastics Move

My Baby

He's nearly two. He still wears the best snuggle jammies in the house, you know the ones with the foodies attached. The first to apologize and comfort when someone is crying, he's such a good Buddy. His sisters adore him, constantly kissing on his chubby little cheeks, giving him nick names like "Dunker" and "Hunk-a-Buddy". It seems as though he's still the family pet, loved on and all find solace in. He's got that baby smell (behind the ears on the neck) and now and then will surprise you with an intensive vocabulary. Even though he's growing up (fast might I add), he'll always be my baby. My sweet, baby Will.