Monday, March 23, 2009

We're Alive

We have finally reached a point in our lives where I feel like I can do things like updating our blog. I know it has been too long!!!!! So instead of writing about 3 or 4 pages of events that we have done in the past 3 months I thought I would post what we have been up to in pictures!!!! After Alec's birthday we had a lovely Thanksgiving with my mothers family. Chris did not get to be with us this year but he did get to spend some quality time with his sister Sarah and his niece and nephew. Since it was the holiday season I was busy taking a quilt class in order to finish 3 quilts that I finished for the kids for Christmas. Chris came to visit us after his training in Alabama was over. It was so nice to see him again. I got to go and pick him up at the Phoenix airport and we spent a couple of days together. It was heaven! The kids were very excited to get to see their Dad! On the 20Th we celebrated Alyssa's b-day.


Happy 9Th birthday Alyssa



Being at home always allows for the family to be there. It was a lot of fun!

Alyssa had expressed interest in playing the violin so Nana and Papa got her one for her birthday. She loved it and all the other gifts that she was given.


We always make gingerbread houses as a tradition in our family so we had fun decorating trees a house and gingerbread men.




Having Daddy home was a blast I am sure Papa was happy getting a break on the wrestling factor too.


Then came Christmas! We had gotten the kids matching Christmas Jammie's as always and they were so cute. Santa gave them money to spend at Disneyland which is where we went for Christmas!

Alec loved his Indiana Jones wear. He looked so cute!

Since we were going to be on the road for my birthday on the 26Th Chris asked my Mom if we could celebrate some of it on Christmas Day so that I could have a cake. Isn't that sweet.

We had bought 3 day hopper passes to Disneyland and Californa adventure. It was so much fun. My Mom,Dad, Paul and Kera were with us too.

When we were in line for Space mountain little Hayden just couldn't make it. What a place to snooze. After a while we all took turns carrying him for a while.

This was taken at California Adventure Park the 2nd day and we had just finished riding the raft ride and we were all soaked. The kids loved it and so did Aunt Kera so we rode it several times.


The 3rd day our family went back to Disneyland and the rest of the gang went to the beach.

We got to see the parade and we tryed staying every night to see the fireworks but they never did them due to wind. Overall, it was a wonderful experience and the kids along with the grown ups had a great time.

After we got home it was time for Hayden's birthday. He wanted to have cupcakes (or pupcakes as he calls them) for his cake. Needless to say I was not going to complain.

Once again everyone was able to come. Chris left a couple of days later for Minot again to out process. It was hard to let him go. He stayed and hung out with all of our friend there. Which I must say that we really do miss all of you. But I was very grateful not to be there when I heard what the weather was like. Thank you for being there to keep Chris company for a while.

After a while the kids had a three day weekend so the kids and I decided to go visit Grandma and Grandpa Castle. It was nice to see them. We had smores one night and we went to the water park . Along with playing with all of there toys and going to church. We had a great time!!!!!





On the way home the kids wanted to get out and see the view in the Salt River Canyon. It was a beautiful day and the kids could not believe how far up we were. Driving through there always brings back fun memories of when Chris and I were first married and we uses to go home a lot!

After our visit the Sierra Vista we went to Las Vegas to see my Grandmother Ottmann. The kids call her G.G. and They had not seen her since Alec was about 5 months old. So this was Hayden's first visit. Chris was on his way to his next 6 weeks of training in California so we got to see him for a couple of days. We stayed at Buffalo bills where my Aunt had gotten us 2 rooms for our family. The kids were so excited because they had a couple of roller coasters to ride. About a week later my Mom and I took Hayden and drove to Denver where we spent a couple of days looking for a home. I had seen so many online and the one I felt good about the most we were able to get within an hour. So here is our new home!!!! YEAH!!!!!!!

Well that is all I have time for today. But, Now that we have Internet again. I will be filling you in on the rest soon. Good Day!!!!!!