Seussical Jr.

The week before Thanksgiving, Dilon was in the play Seussical Jr.  I didn't do a good job getting pictures, but the one I have is of him as Vlad Vladikoff, didn't get his Hunter costume.  The director's were so awesome to let us come late into the play...they had already been praciticing for about 4 weeks when we moved here.  He did a great job!

Dilon looks forward to other productions.

The same night as Dilon's production was one of Matt's USMC Balls (yes he had two this year).  Here he is after just getting home.  He is tired and I was too lazy to stand up, but we got it!

Jodie's Gymnastics

Egg Drop

As part of school, a little fun, and some physics the kids did an egg drop one afternoon.  I laid out a bunch of different materials and they went to work...

When we were done we headed upstairs to our neighbors to drop their eggs.  Logan's and Dilon's did not break.  Jodie's did, but I think only because it hit the a/c unit first, oops.

Thanksgiving in Utah

One of the blessings of moving to California was that it put us closer to family that before we had been far away from...driving distance.  So for Thanksgiving this year we drove on up to Farmington, Utah, 12 hours of driving time, a thankfulness for movies in the car and family on the other side we made it.

We had such a great time, though missing all those not with us!  The kids thoroughly enjoyed playing with each other and though we didn't get any snow, we had fun all the same.

Video Games

Spa days were started by the girls and no one was safe, lol!

Thanksgiving

One day after Thanksgiving, we went out searching for wonderstone.  Matt had found something about it on the internet and we all became determined to find it.  We were on our own treasure hunt and guess what we found it!!  But, first, before we reached our final destination we came upon a box car and thought it would make some cool pictures...it did.

Here are some pics from that day...

 These are some shots from down at the river...

Christmas Gifts

Last year we started a new way of giving each other gifts, by drawing names and then being creative in some way and thoughtful in the gift that was given.  My initial reason for doing it this way was to cut down on costs.  It really adds up when everyone in a family is giving gifts to everyone else...  What I know see is the creativity used, the thoughtfulness for the other person, and for some gifts the skills that are being learned.

This year's gifts turned out great, as did last year, and I just had to show them off:)

Dilon made Logan a box of T.V. and Chore coupons.  Completely is own idea and Logan loves it.

Jodie's favorite song is "This little light of mine."  So I found a mirror at the Goodwill and at the top wrote, "Let your little light shine" and the bottom says, "true beauty comes form within."  (Thanks Dana for the tip on the paint pens).

Matt out did himself and turned some of the wonderstone we found while in Utah into a necklace for me.  Beautiful!

Jodie found this cookie jar at the Goodwill, and made reindeer poop and got some See's candy to fill it for Dilon to have all on is own.

This is the gift that Logan made for his Daddy.  He cut the the square, put on the starts, cut the red stripes, and came up with his own message.  It is meant for Matt to hang up at work.  Notice the 7 under Logan's name...he wanted everyone to know that a 7 year old made this awesome flag ( I added awesome, because that is what it is).

I am so thankful for the time, love, and thoughtfulness put into these gifts.  We definitely have a tradition going and anyone who knows me, knows I love traditions.  Plus, the frugal part of my heart and the initial reason I started this still rings true...all these gifts together are less than $10 each. 

 

 

We had a great Christmas and hope that all our Family and Friends did as well!

Proud to be an American

Tonight during Dilon's soccer game ( on base) it became time for colors...games stopped (all of them), Marines in uniform saluted, Marines not in uniform stood at attention, kids, spouses, coaches, and refs all stood facing the flag as it was lowered for the evening!!

I love it! I am proud to be in America and to be an American! It was beautiful to see a large group of people stop what they were doing and honor our flag. I have seen it happen other times on base, anytime it is colors things stop, I've even seen cars stop on the road if evening colors is heard, but it hit me tonight. Thankful my children have this beautiful exposure in their lives.

Essay Contest

Matt saw an opportunity, through Military Times (a magazine) , for Dilon to write an essay how his Daddy's military service has changed his life, given him opportunities, made him feel more patriotic, or changed his outlook on life.

This is what Dilon, completely on his own wrote:

My Daddy being in the Marine Corps has helped me see stuff that I

 would have never seen.  I have made friends that I would have not made.  It also makes me feel more a part of my country.  I got to go to the ball when I was eight.   My favorite thing was the cake, and when the youngest and the oldest ate the cake. What I think is important is that it took men and women to die for the flag.

 

 

It warms my heart because it is not always easy to have Daddy gone, to move and leave friends, or to be so far from family.  I am so glad that he wanted to do the essay, that he is seeing the good side of things, and that he is proud of what his Daddy does and the contribution that he has as well!!

Logan and Jodie's Birthday!

Since we knew that August was going to be such a crazy month we combined our birthdays...three of them...into one party!  We did a movie party at the base theater and the kids loved it (and Matt, lol)!   They had a soda, popcorn,  Madagascar 3 as their movie, and all their good friends from N.C., and Grandmama!

Before their party and while they were still in p.j.'s they opened some of their gifts at home.

Then it was on to the movie theater!

Here are the kiddos in front of the marquee with their names on it!  They loved have their names flashing out front of the theater!

 

Funny story with the cakes...I felt like I had done so good remembering everything we needed for the party, kids are singing Happy Birthday and I even said blow our your candles, before I remembered I had forgotten the CANDLES!  Oh, well!  We will never forget this birthday.  They were sung to twice and the second time they were able to blow out candles...at home!

We had a great time!  Thank you to all that were able to come!  Thanks to all our family and friends, not nere u,s that wished the kiddos a happy birthday.  We love you all and miss you!