Rockin' in the Park

Tonight was Rockin' in the Park on base, and because Ben left the house at the BCOD to get the static displays and concessions set up for the Big Country AirFest tomorrow and wouldn't be home until late tonight, the kids and I met him up there to have some dinner and a little bit of time as a family. The kids were so tired {and so was Ben}, but they definitely enjoyed themselves.

There was so much to see that Ellie literally only slept for about 20 minutes while we were there... despite the fact that by the time we left, it was hours past her bedtime.

Noah kept us, the Major and his wife entertained with his amazing dancing skills... and his eventual lack of fear at running away.

Luckily, this Little One can't run away yet.

Chair-Stealer or Budget-Helper?

Little Sister went to bed a little early tonight and Noah got to stay up a little later than usual so that he could spend some time with Daddy. {I, along with Ben, will be SO happy when the Air Show and the 13 hour+ work days are over. Sheesh!} Staying up later than usual also meant that Mommy needed to get some work done while Noah was awake. I came back into the living room after checking on dinner to find this:

I'm not sure if he was stealing my chair so that he could listen to iTunes better or if he was making sure that I am putting enough money into his college fund. My guess is the former, but with him, you never know.

Look Who's a Big Girl Now

Sorry there's no photos for the past two days. I decided to give myself, my camera, and my computer a break since I took over 500 photos just last week during the A Week In The Life project... and only trimmed it down to just under 400! Whew!

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During my break from my camera {and labeling pictures}, I stripped out the carseats and mats {and everything else in the car} to vacuum the entire car and wash the carseat covers. While I was doing that, I decided to go ahead and move Ellie out of the infant "bucket" seat and into the OU Britax. It was a totally bittersweet moment. It means she's not a little baby anymore {and that I've now got to always put her in a highchair - eek!}. She genuinely seemed to enjoy it when we left this afternoon for her first ride in her big girl seat.

I think her favorite part was being able to see Noah completely. Noah wasn't nearly as excited as Ellie, whom I heard giggle a good portion of the ride, but he did tell me all about "Ay-eee's chair" and "Ay-eee's hand" {he was grabbing her hand - hence the giggles from Ellie} the whole ride to Walmart.


Hopefully there won't be too many fights over toys during road trips this summer.


{{sigh}}

It seems like just yesterday that he was riding in the OU seat.

OKC Memorial Marathon 2010

Fifteen years ago, on April 19, 1995, the worst domestic terrorist attack on American soil in history occurred right here in Oklahoma City. The Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was bombed at 9:02am killing 168 people {including 19 children in the day care}. My high school was less than five miles away. I remember sitting in my freshman-level Geometry class {hi Mr. McAdoo} and hearing what we thought at the time was a sonic boom - the sky was so blue that we knew it wasn't thunder. I remember a few of us even went to the window to see if we could find the airplane because it was so loud that we were certain it must have occurred right over our school. The bell rang to dismiss class and by the time we arrived in our next class, we heard the terrible news: the Murrah building downtown had been bombed. The rest of the day and next few weeks were a blur. But I do remember watching the news reports with my classmates and family as some of the first images of the building and survivors were being aired... and the emotions of it all. And I remember visiting the site before the rest of the building was brought down to start the clean-up process. Everyone was affected, one way or another. And everyone gave, in one form or another.

Three years ago {April 29, 2007}, Ben ran the full marathon in the Oklahoma City Memorial Marathon. He had been training so hard and was very much prepared to run the 26.2 miles. It was also the day that we found out we were pregnant with Noah. I had just had a miscarriage and was on my fourth round of Clomid, so while we were hoping that it would happen, we weren't exactly expecting to see a positive. It was a simply surreal day for both of us - we were accomplishing two things that from the beginning had been difficult. As a result of all these factors, the OKC Memorial Marathon is just a little near and dear to our hearts.

This year, Ben, Bridget, and Jessie all ran the half-marathon. {I had fully intended to participate and was even signed up, but we decided that since I wasn't completely prepared to run it... and also didn't have anyone who could stay with me the whole time [a necessity for safety for this Type One] and because we have a Little One who now won't take a bottle very well... that I would just be the official photographer again this time around.}

The first of the marathoners

Not the greatest of shots, but I love it.

Way to go Ben and BB!

Jessie and her friend Hillary starting the half-marathon.

Noah, Ellie, Nana, Papa, Morgan, and I stopped in at the Sonic downtown to keep warm and feed Ellie.

BB and Ben finishing up at an official time of 2:20:42!

Jessie and Hillary finishing up at an official time of 3:03:58!

BB is a soon-to-be-FULL marathoner - BB is going to go with Ben to run the San Diego Rock and Roll Marathon!

Good job Little Sisters!

It was much more crowded this year than it was in 2007.

Noah was very proud of his Daddy too.

"Tisses Dayee"

So proud of the three of you!

A Week in the Life: Saturday

Aunt Jessie had stayed the night with her BFF Lisa who is getting married tonight... so she needed extra kisses from Ellie. Ellie wasn't feeling it.

Noah is a good "helpert" wherever he is and helped Nana get the laundry going.

I love that meals are healthier around my parents' house these days.

I also love how Noah loves his Daddy. And how his Daddy loves him.

Noah needed a haircut... but didn't want one. Daddy, who went with us for the first time, kept him busy with Yogos.

Until they ran out... and he got to have his first sucker. Ever. Sticky-sucker hands + a haircut = a sticky-hairy mess.

Ellie had her first salon experience today too. But not to get her haircut.

Jessie's BFF, Lisa, had asked if I could come take some pictures for her while she was at the salon - what an honor! And, doesn't she look simply beautiful? Congrats, Lisa! We are so happy for you!

I truly never thought my parents would be "dog people"... but they always say that they are just "Pinny People". I believe it.

Before dinner and while the rest of the family was getting ready for Lisa's wedding, Ben, the kids, and I stopped over at Aunt KK's house for the family April Birthday Party.

Nothing makes me happier than a silly uncle.

Except maybe a sweet moment with the Great-Grandparents.

Giving Mommy some power while we're waiting for dinner at On the Border.

Quick bath time for the Littles tonight.

Bedtime stories with Mommy and Daddy while relaxing on Nana and Papa's bed.

I hope you've enjoyed the photos + words as much as I have this week - I simply cannot wait to see it all put into an album! I realized as I did this so many different things - like how few photos I am actually in with my kids and the different parts of our daily lives that I don't always document... even if it is only for us. And I'm already planning to do another week again!

A Week in the Life: Friday

We love a couple of good rounds of "Where's Noah?" and "Where's Mommy?" during breakfast.

Packing up for a weekend away.

I hate love it when I remember that I had ingredients in the fridge to make some salsa... and have to make it during the hectic-ness that is trying to get everything ready for leaving town. Good thing it freezes well.

Not at all ashamed to say that this is how I got the car loaded in time to leave as soon as Ben got home.

Chick-fil-a ice cream somehow makes the drive to OKC a little faster.

So does two sleeping children.

Hello Oklahoma - we have missed you, Friend.

This Little Dear One, however, decided 30 minutes away from Nana and Papa's house that she couldn't hold out for dinner any longer.

"Papa-Pemmy-Nana-BB-Dess House!" {direct quote from Noah}

Dinner = Chick-fil-a

We love to torture the Little Dear Ones.

Getting some good outside play time after dinner with Nana and the "bick".

First bath time at Nana and Papa's without the bath sling for Ellie.

Getting ready to read "I'll love you Forever" with Aunt BB, Nana, and Mommy. We will love you forever Buddy.