There's A Storm A Comin'...

We took off for Iowa on June 17th... late, late at night. The kids knocked out for the first part of the ride and the last couple hours were pretty "intense". We got to Scott County around 5pm on Friday. Then we headed up to my parent's new house in McCausland. We were just finishing up dinner when the tornado warning sirens went off... we went outside... I know wrong direction... and saw this HUGE mushroom cloud rolling in... SCARY! We all headed downstairs and hunkered in the basement until the all clear was given. David, however, stayed outside for a bit and snapped some pictures. Rewind 6 years ago when David first moved to Iowa... the very night we got into town... a tornado warning! Once again... David went outside instead of to the basement. He's fascinated with the crazy weather. Both times tornadoes never touched down near us. But now we joke that every time David comes to Iowa, he brings a tornado with him! About the collage: Mali took the ones of my parents downstairs :) That's the back of my parent's new house. That is also the man I love, looking like a crazy man!

Friends and Family Visits!

The few days before we left for block leave, we were blessed to be visited by friends and family. First, we were graced with the presence of the recently joined in holy matrimony Flacks! They rolled into town in time for a DELICIOUS carne asada dinner (compliments of my hot husband) and rolled out early the next morning. Even though our visit was short, it was fun to see their wedding pictures and catch up with them. What a cute couple!

The next day we were visited by the Brown Richardson family... also recently married... Love is in the air! Heather and I are "old" high school friends. Over the last few years, it has been fortunate that they have had educational conferences where we are living! While they were here, we enjoyed an afternoon at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo... one of our favorite places! We, of course, fed the giraffes, rode the train, and checked out "My Big Backyard". After we parted ways, the Mata Family enjoyed the Sky Ride up to the top of the mountain. Abram wasn't so impressed, but the view was spectacular!

We LOVED having visitors and would LOVE more!

The CIRCUS was in town...

In June, we went to the Barnum and Bailey Circus in Colorado Springs. We met up with the Jewell Family and enjoyed checking out the animals before the show actually started. We especially loved the elephants. The "elephant guy" was very informative and we learned lots! Also before the show started, we sat down on the floor and enjoyed some of the pre-show stunts. As you can see from Malia's face... we loved it! The show was FANTASTIC! We had great seats and of course, enjoyed some cotton candy... pretty sure that was Abram's favorite part. Lots of crazy stunts. We loved it and will for sure go again!

More Boating...

Some of our best times this summer were out on the boat with the Jewell Family. Well, that one time when the ski rope got caught in the engine and we had to be towed across the ENTIRE lake... that wasn't so fun. But even then the kids were well behaved! It truly amazes me how well four kids under the age of four did on the boat! And when they got tired, they just knocked out! A few weeks ago, the Jewells got a "Caribbean Island"... a huge 'raft' that had a little pool (with a mesh bottom), four chairs, two lounge seats, AND a slide. We would go into a little cove and just hang out for hours. Unfortunately, I forgot my camera these last few times. We went out for probably our last boating trip this past weekend. James is off for training for a few weeks and when he gets back they will be moving to Texas. We are SO sad to be losing our friends (and NOT just because of their boat!). We have had so much fun together this summer. But alas... the Army life... make good friends, and they move away :(

Muddy Buddies

One of David's big tasks when he got home was revamping our backyard. He dug up the whole thing, mostly weeds. Then he laid new seed. As you can see, he had plenty of help in the dirt department. My husband's hot. I love the one of Abram picking weeds between his legs. As a side note, I had JUST finished mopping the kitchen floor and cleaning the bathroom when he called me out to see this spectacular sight. But at least they all had a good time! I was very grateful that David had just buzzed Abram's hair off... The cleaning of Malia's hair... not so easy. But even if it meant more work for mom, it's all about the fun!

Fishing with Papa

One of Malia and David's favorite things to do is take off and go fishing. These pictures were taken early June at Quail Lake in Colorado Springs. Mali LOVES fishing and even baits her own hook! They didn't have much luck here. In fact, they NEVER have luck at Quail Lake. Mali has determined that "all the fish are sleeping". They've also thrown lines out a few times while we've been down at Pueblo Reservoir. Even if they don't have much luck, they love spending the time together.

Spray Ground

More fun with the Jewell family! This time we went off to the Spray Ground at Deerfield Hills Community Center. The guys joined us later because they were being "reintegrated". The kids had a blast.


I'll start with my FAVORITE picture... I sure do love my boys!

Kaela and Malia getting ready to have fun...

Abram was OBSESSED with the puddles. He wouldn't actually go in the water, but loved splashing in the puddles...

More puddle splashing...

A super serious Malia...

There we go... that's more like Mali... Grins galore!

The whole Spray Ground...

Baby Ethan and Mommy Monika... or Meeka-maka as Mali calls her...

The girls playing in the sand...

Once Papa came Abram had him check out the spraying with him...

Lots of fun in the sun and puddles! Hopefully, we will get up there again before the summer ends.

Memorial Day Weekend

Slowly, but surely, I WILL get caught up on blogging! Back to Memorial Day weekend. After we spent Saturday up at the Denver Temple, we spent the rest of our weekend the the Jewell family. Our barbecue on Sunday included the kids riding around in various Barbie vehicles...

Of course, Abram felt it easier just to push some of them...

The kids love playing with the Jewell's dogs... Brewser and Barley. And here Mali is with James. At this point she was loving him. Although, now I think she just loves to fight with him!

Monday we took their boat out to Pueblo Reservoir. The girls LOVE boating!

As does Abram! We have gone out on the boat quite a few times this summer and remark every time how fortunate we are the the kids are SO good on the boat. Pretty darn uncommon to have a 6 month, 16 month, 2 year, and 3 year old behave so well for hours out on the water!

Lest any of you wonder if David ever smiles... all you have to do is get him out on the water tubing and he's happy as a clam!

The girls watching "Papa" tubing. Adorably, Kaela calls David "Papa" also...

Malia sitting in the tube with Papa...

David at the helm. Someday we WILL have our own! In the meantime, he gets his kicks out of trying to throw James off the tube...

The girls hanging out in the tube...

Papa being naughty and sharing his DP with Abram...

This line up was back in one of the coves... I found it amusing...

On the way home Abram was so tired he was being a NUT! Silly boy...

Good times, good times! We love hanging out with the Jewell family. True to Army form, they will be moving soon. Guess I better get used to making friends, and then having them move! In the meantime, we will enjoy our time with them. The girls' birthdays are only a few days apart so we will be having a big combination party in a few weeks. Fun, fun!

I Love to See the Temple

On Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, our little family went with our ward for a Primary Activity at the Denver Temple. David had just gotten home three days earlier, so we were super excited to be able to go as a family!

For some reason, this is the only picture I got of the temple! This is the backside of temple...

Inside the visitor's center... Malia and some of the other Primary kids...

David and Abram out by the fountain in front of the temple...

After our tour of the grounds and the visitor's center, we went across the street to have a picnic with the ward. Here are my men... I think Abram is trying to look tough...

Malia enjoyed running around, spinning, and even rolling down the hill! Here she is mid-spin...

Afterwards we checked out Deseret Book. Later that night a friend of mine took the kids so that David and I could have a date! We had a nice, relaxing, QUIET dinner at Applebee's and then did some shopping at Walmart. I know, I know... exciting, huh? It's what we wanted to do! The point was that we were together!

Abram's 1st Haircut

Anyone who got to see Abram during the first year of his life can attest to him having quite the "mop" on his head! The plan was to give him his first haircut in January during David's R&R, but it never happened. I toyed with doing it while David was gone but it also never happened. So once David was home and Abram already 14 months, a first haircut was definitely in order! Don't get me wrong, I loved his hair. Although most days he reminded me of a teenage boy with his hair everywhere. While it was charming, it was just getting too long. I could even put it into a ponytail!

Abram's luscious locks...
Before shot...

Pile o' hair...

After shot...

It took us a bit to get used to. I kept looking over at him wondering where my little baby went. He grew into his new do in no time! Now I can't imagine him the other way. Not to mention I now don't have people telling me what a beautiful little girl I have! So much less maintenance as well. Especially since the other day Malia slathered his head in mud! Now he and papa have the same do!

Tea Party for Three

The morning after David returned home, I got to sleep in. Little Man Abram also slept in. Little did I know that Mali and her Papa were out and about! They walked over to the PX and Mali got her Papa to buy her this tea set. Of course when they got home, a tea party was in order!

Home Sweet Homecoming!

On Wednesday, May 26th David returned home to us. The Homecoming ceremony was at 10am and we could get there as early as 8 am. That morning waking up... It seriously felt like Christmas! I don't know if I have ever been so excited! It had been a LONG year, and at the same time it felt like he had just left. Strange, huh? When we got to the Special Events Center they had a bounce house set up for the kids. Since David got bumped from Main Body 4 to Main Body 5 he came home at the same time as my friend Monika's husband, James. It was nice to have her and her kids with us. Our friend Allie Wallace also came to assist with the much appreciated photography. Here comes a barrage of pics!

Waiting in the stands with our sign...

Malia clapping... They had just played "Proud to be an American"... Now just waiting for the soldiers to come in...

And here they are! I have no idea which one is David! All I know is that my heart was SO full and I was bawling like a baby. I was so incredibly proud of all our brave soldiers...

Malia cheering for her papa...

After a few moments of pandemonium... we found each other! Sweet Reunion! Malia gets first hug...

And there is me with the crying face... I couldn't help it! I just couldn't believe he was home...

Malia getting kisses from her papa... She was so excited! She had no problems whatsoever attaching to her papa...

Abram on the other hand was not so sure about this guy with the funny looking hat! Note the big fat tear on momma's cheek...

Our little family back together again! I love that Abram is still staring at David...

FAMILIES ARE FOREVER...

David and his babies... Such the proud papa!

The ceremony was relatively short and soon we were out the door with our hero. All he had to do was grab his bags. While he was doing so, I loaded the kids into the car and Abram was out before David even got back!

We stopped at home, gave David a tour of his new home, and went out for lunch to Red Robin. I can't even believe his home! Still two weeks later, I just catch myself staring at him in awe. I know I am so blessed to have him return safely. I am loving every minute having the man of the home back where he belongs. Malia is SO in love with her papa. If I had a dollar for every time she has said, "Papa I missed you SO much!", I'd be a rich lady! Abram took a couple hours to warm up but is now super attached. If David is hugging me, Abram pushes us apart and goes to David! I love my little family with all my heart and am eagerly awaiting our summer of FUN!