Friends {from Cali}

This afternoon, a friend of mine {introduced to me through one of my best friends, Angie} came over for a little visit. Amanda's sister lives here in Abilene, so she and her oldest boy, Deacon, stopped by! I was a little bummed to not get to meet Zac {her newest little one}, but since the poor little guy was sick, she left him with Daddy. At least she got to meet Ellie!

And Amanda, don't hate me for using this photo - it literally made me laugh out loud because you're smiling and trying to get Deacon to smile all at the same time.... while Ellie is just passed out. But what makes it even funnier is knowing that Noah is being a crab just outside of the frame.

Thank you for coming all the way to Texas just to see us! ;)

Tired.

We're pretty tired around here. We got back late last night and have been running non-stop today. Ben just left for a {3 week} training and our suitcases are barely unpacked. So, no pictures today!

Family and Friends

We had such an amazing week in Oklahoma and all four of us were sad to have to leave. And I'm pretty sure there were a few people who were sad to see us leave too.

Don't worry - we'll be back soon.

And thanks, for everything! :)

***

We took the "longer" way home tonight so that we could stop in Weatherford. Dennis, one of Ben's college roommates and friend/family, was visiting his family for Thanksgiving, so we stopped in so that we could see him and meet his soon-to-be fiance, Mia.

On our way there, Ben and I were talking about how excited we were to meet her. Ben said, "I've never met a Dennis-Girlfriend. It's like meeting a unicorn!" Mia you are just as beautiful {inside and out} as a unicorn and all joking aside, if I could have hand-picked someone for Dennis, it would have been you.

Welcome to the "family"!!

Nick, Lendy, and Mac also met up with us in Weatherford, giving the boys lots of quality time with each other and with the kiddos.

Clearly, Noah likes Mia too.

Black Friday

It's no secret that we are Black Friday shoppers.

We. Love. Black. Friday.

In our nearly six years of marriage, we've only not gone shopping on Black Friday once. {And that was NOT the year that I was big and pregnant with Noah!} Crazy? Maybe. But we love a good deal.

This year, we made matching shirts. And we all got call names.

It. Was. Awesome.

The entire Squadron from left to right:

Iceman {BB}, Hollywood {me}, Charlie {Ellie}, Goose {Jess}, Maverick {Ben}, Jester {Noah}, Viper {Daddy-Man}, and Cougar {Mom}.

Who knew shopping at Walmart at 5AM could be so fun {and that my sisters could look so beautiful so early in the morning?!}?

The Fem Flight {minus Mom and the kids who stayed at home} went to Walmart {above} and then to Target and Toys R' Us before meeting up with the Male Flight {they attacked Sears, a different Walmart, and Best Buy} and the rest of the squadron for breakfast and to share battle stories.

Fem Flight's spoils of war... before the sun had even come up.

The backs of our shirts had our call signs written on them.

Charlie was tuckered out after a trip to the mall with the Fem Flight and was signing to us to "freeze".

All in all, it was another successful Black Friday.

{And seriously. I can't wait to make next year's shirts... Easy Company anyone?}

Thanksgiving

Today, I am grateful for....

... a non-deploying hubby and a new baby ...

... new friends and darling aunts ...

... family from near and far ...

... cheesy smiles ...

... little ones who are quickly becoming not so little ...

... sweet sisters ...

... generations of love ...

... health and happiness ...

... simple moments ...

... first-time meetings ...

... welcoming embraces ...

... and lots of warm memories.

Wordless Wednesday {in Oklahoma}

Visiting {Nana and Aunt BB's} School

This morning, we went up to Mom and Bridget's school {technically, it's my school as well since I went to kinder through 4th grade there} so that BB could show off the kids to her kids {she talks to them about us!} and so that Mom could show off the kids to her friends.

BB's third graders thought Noah was a riot:

and Demetri is already planning Ellie's wedding to her grandson, Maddox:

Babies, Babies, and T-shirts

I've been wanting to meet this little on for a while now:

Little Miss River Mount, my sister's best friend/since-birth-family-friend. She's just darling and is exactly a month younger than Ellie. Marissa and her family lived right across the street from us, and since they were born, Jess and 'Riss have been nearly inseparable. I've no doubt that Ellie and River will be good friends too.

Noah, on the other hand, will likely not want to impose in their friendship... or their pictures.

The besties with the little ones.

Thanks for bringing River over to meet us 'Riss!!

And, preparations are underway for Black Friday.

I. Cannot. Wait.

{And neither can my bargain-hunting Husband and family.}

Playdate and Family Time

I love it when we are able to stay for longer periods of time here in Oklahoma. It makes it easier to see more people and do more things. Like today, for example. We rarely get to spend any extra time with friends while we're visiting, but today, the kids and I were able to go have a playdate with one of my college friends {and Sunday School friend ;) }, Sonja, and her two darling kiddos, while Ben spent some time getting to know Jess' boyfriend {read: interrogated him}. {Faith, hopefully next time I'm in town we can do this again - I'm so sorry Miles was sick!} It was so awesome to be able to catch up {in person!} and let the kids play {well, the boys played... the girls mostly slept}.

Mr. Jackson, who is a man after Noah's own heart - with his Cars collection and hysterical comments and facial expressions, I swore I was looking two years into my future!

And Miss Katie, whom I just wanted to eat up because she is just so darn cute!

Ellie got lots of extra hugs and cuddles from Sonja!

The boys were in no mood to pose together for a photo - too many other things to play with and be interested in than a Mommy with a camera.

The girls, on the other hand, were not able to move away as fast, making it much easier to get a photo of the two of them.

This was the only photo I was able to snap of all four of them... and the only one who is aware that I am taking this photo is Jackson - he said that "when you take pictures you need lots of light"... so he's helping me by shining the light on the subjects. Such a good helper, Buddy.

Sonja, we had a BLAST! Thanks for lunch and for opening up your lovely home to us!

***

After the playdate, and naps, we had some quality family time at home.

Aunt BB snuggling up with Ellie while she naps.

Noah pointing to Nana's eyes while he eats his yogurt {just watch the glasses Mom!}.

And, when I told Jess that I hadn't taken a single picture of her since we had been here, she said, "Take one to show how I've graciously given up my room for you and Ben."

You're welcome.

{and thanks.}

Haircut {Continued}

Since I forgot to take any pictures yesterday of the finished product of his first professional haircut, here's a couple from today:

He just looks so much more grown-up now. And I'm totally amazed that he'll be two in just a couple of weeks.

We can't go too many days without a photo of this little cuteness.