Travel Buddy

I haven't spent anytime updating our blog since Addison and my trip to Beaumont to see Uncle Jake and Aunt Brandi. While there are so many things about our trip to talk about, I will first start by chatting about the drive to and from Beaumont. In short, she did AWESOME! Ten hours is a long trip for anyone and of course, she had a few moments here and there were I thought she was about to loose it, but she never really had ANY melt downs - either direction. I was amazed at how well she did! I had expected the worst but was not only surprised by her, but also so very proud of her. I simple made sure I had lots of snacks, lots of toys within arms reach and MOVIES, MOVIES, MOVIES! I think the movies were the key because she watched movies almost the whole way, both ways!

I don't really have time to go into the whole trip tonight, but I will chat more about it and get you all caught up over the next few days. I also will be posting pictures - but in the meantime, if you can't wait to see ALL the pictures from our adventure, I have posted them on my facebook page!

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Making out

I know a lot of people will be grossed out by this, but it was so funny! And yes, she did get a good scrub down when they were done "making out."

Shooting hoops

Addison got a little basketball hoop and ball from Uncle Jake and Aunt Brandi for Christmas. I took this video a while ago on my phone and everytime I watch it I get a big chuckle!

Where is the kite?

Someone at the beach today was flying a kite and Addison was intrigued by it. I didn't think anything of it because she stopped talking about it when she couldn't see it anymore. But tonight when Chuck got home she started talking about the kite and telling him about it. She went on and on and on and on about it. It was so cute that I got out my phone and took a video of her saying it - hence the quality of this video is poor, it was taken from my phone. In case you can't pick up what she is saying, it's "where's the kite?"

Beaumont, Texas

My brother and his wife live in Beaumont, Texas which is about nine hours from here. Since Chuck is going to Atlanta for a few days this week, Addie and I are going to venture on over to Beaumont. I am very excited to see Jake and Brandi, but nervous at the same time. Addie has never had to be in the car for this long - even when we moved down here our days were shorter. I sure hope this doesn't turn out to be a nightmare! I am stocking the car with her favorite movies - how did our parents travel without those portable dvd players? We will also have lots of her favorite snacks and lots of toys. I am hoping to be on the road by no later than 8 so with any luck I will be there by dinner time - depending on how well Addie does. So I won't be blogging for next week or so! Have a great week, all! And wish us luck... We may need it!

First beach trip of the spring

Addie and I met up with Kelly and Emily, Kris, Ian, and Callie, and our new friend Chrystal for a little beach outing this morning. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. It was warm, no humidity, and very little wind. I tried to keep Addison out of the water for as long as I could because the water isn't too warm yet - even though she didn't seem to care. She loved being knocked over by the waves or just sitting in the sand and having the waves crash around her. The kids played in the sand, chased seagulls and collected shells while us ladies were able to chat. It was such a perfect day - not much could have made it much better. Addie didn't even scream when we left - I think because she was tuckered out. How lucky are we to live on beautiful beaches that we get to enjoy so early in the year?

Water Table

I broke out the water table yesterday! Yesterday, the water was great - pretty warm, muggy almost. So after our walk, I was trying to come up with a way for Addie to play in some water to cool off without taking her to the beach. Since the pool isn't open yet - something that throws me off because it is so warm here so early - it occured to me to get out the water table. The water out of the hose was cold, but she didn't seem to care. She had a great time and only came in after an hour and a half because daddy came home and we made her come in - or else she would still be out there now. She had fun and I got a little sun time of my own.

Easter

This year for Easter we were invited over to some friends house. The Schantz' were people we have known since Langley so we have known them for a while. They had a whole crew over for some wine, appetizers, an Easter egg hunt and a dinner. The weather was awesome so we turned all the kids loose in the back yard to play - Addie was out there the whole time and we were there for a good three hours. It really was a perfect day! It is times like these I am so grateful we have such a great group of friends because holidays away from our family are tough. We really are lucky to have an "Air Force" family.

Just have to share this

Just want to share this picture.

Baby toes + flip flops = CUUUUTTTTTTEEEEEEE!

Goodbye 2nd Fighter Squadron!

The 2nd Fighter Squadron here at Tyndall closed last Friday - April 2nd. While we were here once before while Chuck learned to fly the F-15C, we were not in the 2nd FS while we were here before! But I think we feel a strong connection with the 2nd because we were in the F-15 before the F-22. In honor of the closing of the 2nd, they flew a huge mission - 20 jets flying at once. I didn't end up going over the the runway to watch the launch, but I was able to take some pictures of some of the jets coming back right over our house as they were getting ready to land for the last time here. It was a sad day overall, not only because it was the end of the F-15 era, but because we have a lot of friends in the 2nd who will now be leaving us. Oh such is the military life!

Bored with the Work out

Addie and I have been spending a lot of time walking and running as I am still fighting with being overweight! (The dieting is only going to work if I get the exercise as well.) One day last week while we were walking, she got really quiet and when I looked down at her, I noticed she was passed out asleep. Apparently, walking/running with me is really, pretty boring!

Squadron Easter Egg Hunt

The week before Easter, the squadron had their annual Easter egg hunt at the commander's house. Charlie had to work so since my mom was here was a visit, we decided to take Addison. I had gone earlier in the week and bought her a basket and eggs so we could practice at home. She figured it out without any problem and we really thought she would do great at the party! However, she didn't get a nap in that day so we showed up at the party with a CRABBY baby! The commander and his wife had rented a bouncy house - she wouldn't go in that. She begged to get onto the trampoline - than she screamed for me to get her out. She chased the cat under the fence and got mad at the cat for not wanting to play with her. She wanted to get in the pool so we put her in her suit and she got mad when the water was too cold and we wouldn't let her get in all the way. After a half hour of fighting with her and not being able to do ANYTHING to please her, my mom and I decided we would not be staying for the egg hunt. Of course that didn't go over well at all - but she fell asleep within five minutes of being in the car.

Toddler Bed, Cancelled

We have been fighting Addison for two weeks at bed time. She hasn't been going to sleep alone and she hasn't been staying asleep for more than 3 hours at most. And really, she hasn't even been sleeping in the toddler bed. She has been sleeping on either a twin air mattress OR with us in our bed. Last night in a fit of PURE EXHAUSTION, we decided we had had enough! A friend recommended we take out the platform the mattress sits on in the toddler bed, drop the mattess to the floor, and put the crib rail back on. (Addie's crib is a "lifetime" bed - goes from a crib, to a toddler bed, to a double bed.) So we did this tonight before we put her down. She went to sleep without us being in the room with her and it only took her a few minutes. Now, let's just hope she stays asleep for the remainder of the night. She had been doing so well at night - sleeping all the way through until we tried to put her in the toddler bed. Now that the mattress is all the way to the ground, the top of the rail is now at eye level for her, so it will - hopefully - be a while before she can climb out of the crib. Because as we have learned over the past few weeks, she is clearly not ready to be in a big girl bed!