Annapolis, Bowie, and Andrews AFB | Maryland

Ben had to go to Andrews AFB today to take his PT test {he passed, of course!} and never being one to pass up a chance to see some of our friends, the kids and I went with him. After he finished his test, we headed to Annapolis - not to do any real sightseeing, but to go to the Lego store at Westfield Mall! It did not disappoint. Until we learned that we were exactly one week early to be able to get any of the new Avengers Lego sets.

No biggie. We can be patient.

In the mean time, we enjoyed some Auntie Anne's pretzels.

And later on, On the Border with one of our favorite little ones {and her parents!}, Kylie!

A Buddy Adventure | {It's Not a Date.}

One thing that we've been extremely grateful for, upon moving here to Maryland, is how small the Air Force community really is. While we were living in California, we had a great group of military friends. One of the couples, Matt and Kristin, moved to Maryland after we left for Texas, and lucky for all of us, they only live about an hour away!

It's so good to move to a new place and have familiar and friendly people to spend time with - it's the small things that are big blessings, to be sure.

So Kristin, Matt, and Baby Kylie came over for lunch and while the guys went to the movies, and my kids napped, Kristin and I watched a movie and {after they woke up} played with the kids. My two are just enamoured with Baby Kylie. After they left, Ellie asked me several times, "Where my Baby Ki-eee go?"

It's not hard to see why - she is just so stinkn' cute!

Ben and Noah took off for the evening for a "Buddy Adventure" {it's not a date people.}. They started the adventure at Target, where Daddy let Noah use some of his own money from his birthday and chores to pick out something for himself. He's had his eye on this Captain America hard mask for months now. Ben said that as soon as Noah put it on in Target, he didn't take it off except to pay for it. Even when he laid down on a bench, complaining that they had been there too long and his feet hurt, he kept the mask on his face.

He even left it on almost the entire time they were eating dinner.

And when they got back home, the first thing he had to do was show me how well it matched his Captain America costume. I'd dare say he loved his date Buddy Adventure with Daddy tonight.

California Friends

Surprisingly, I really miss California. But I think I'm starting to realize that while there are some aspects of California living that I really miss {and wish we still had, like the weather!}, the reality is, it is the relationships, the friendships, that I truly miss. But luckily, we're in Texas. And, since several of our friends who are PCSing {Permanent Change of Station} this year have to come right through Texas {or close enough} to make it to their new homes, we get to see them! Such is the case with Matt and Kristin, two of our most dear friends from Los Angeles AFB.

They arrived yesterday evening and Noah went right to Kristin - yay for remembering our friends Noah! He didn't want her out of his sight the entire evening... it was just adorable. Matt, you better watch out Buddy! We had a great visit and while we wish that it could have been longer, we're so glad that they chose to stop and stay the night with us on their big move to Maryland. Kristin, Matt, we can't wait to see you again soon!!

Snuggling with Kristin

Playing catch on the rocket with Daddy and Kristin

I think Matt was a little jealous that Noah just adored Kristin so much! ;)

Noah's gift from Matt and Kristin - a recorder! Noah made everyone play it for him.

Going Away

Tonight, Katy and Landon hosted a Going Away Party for Ben, Noah and I at their home {thanks again guys!}. It was so great to spend a little more time with our other military friends, before we leave tomorrow morning. It's a little surreal to think that we won't see most of them for at least several months, if not longer. Though, I did make several of them promise to stop by in Texas during their upcoming moves.

My little Grant-y. I'm going to miss that boy!

Matt presenting Ben with an official going away gift: Coke reward points {Ben's favorite}.

Greg and Noah - what a great picture!

{Usually I get a funny face from one of them.}

Katy, Grant, and Landon - we'll miss you guys!

Matt, Kristin, and Noah - doesn't Noah look like he is scared of Matt? {hehe}

The Boys. Both of the boys decided that they needed to hold a part of Noah - they are so crazy.

Angie, Noah, and Me.

I'm already ready for October {or November}.

The Monkey Baby

Because Ben loves monkeys so much, I find myself drawn to them whenever I am in a children's clothing store. So when I saw this onesie and matching plaid shorts at the Children's Place, I quickly snatched them up. He's just now able to fit into them and I'm so glad I bought them - they look so cute on him!

Mommy and the Monkey Baby.

***

Tonight after some packing and then dinner with Kristin and Matt, we came back to relax and enjoy some Wii. We thought that Noah would be asleep, but evidently he wanted to play too. He enjoyed his new favorite activity: chewing on the elephant on his exersaucer!

Looks like he is really starting to cut some teeth now!

Angie's Shower

We had Angie's baby shower today and I think it turned out just perfectly. We held the shower at Katy's house (mine is in shambles and we knew it would be) and I'm so glad we did - she's so good at decorating for things like this! We went with a Chicka Chicka Boom Boom theme, since it's the theme of Angie's nursery. Here's a few pictures from the shower:

A "Coconut Tree" diaper cake.
The beautiful Momma-to-be and the star of the show: Angie!
"The Girls": (l-r) Katy, Me, Angie, Kristin, and Amanda
Me, Angie and Katy :)
She loved her quilt - yay!

One of the highlights of the day was being able to meet Amanda, Damien, and Deacon - I've spoken (via email, blogs, etc.) several times with Amanda, but I've never met her in person until today. Amanda, I'm so glad to finally be able to meet you in real life!! :)

And of course, Noah enjoyed the fact that there was another person his size to play with... though I think Deacon was a little worried about his toys and even told his mom to make sure that Noah didn't eat his pizza when he left the table to go to the bathroom!

What a good day.

Wine, Gas, and Scrapbooking: All in a Friday, Sort of.

We actually had some of this last night, but I had already posted for the day and Ben really wanted me to put it on here since it says "Liquid Love". :)

I don't want to hear anyone else complain about gas prices... LOOK! And, the funniest part... literally right across the street at the Arco, the price was $3.75! I tried to get a picture with both signs, but didn't want to hold up traffic (I was at a stop light) and the guys in the car next to me were already laughing at me.

Most of the day was spent at Strictly Scrapbooking, at the Friday crop with Kristin, Katy and Angie.... and the little boys too. Noah was so interested in all the colors in the store and was easily entertained with a scrapbooking magazine in between walking around the store and taking a nap.

The best part was that we each had a table to ourselves for the first time since we've been going to crops there. It was so great to spend time with my girlfriends, get a few pages done and eat ice cream!

ETA: Ben said that you can't really see how much the gas is in the picture (which I agree, but I'm still working on figuring out PhotoShop) so, for those of you who can't see it like him.... it was $3.99 per gallon!!!

This is the Best Game Ever!

While we did quite a few things today, the only picture that I took was while we were at the Cheesecake Factory with Matt and Kristin....

but doesn't Noah look happy sitting with Kristin? :)

This afternoon Noah and I spent some time with Kim and Mia. Kim was in our first small group that we joined when we moved here to California and she now has a six week old little girl, Mia. Somehow (I've NO idea how!) I managed to let them get away without a picture of her and her sweet little baby.... next time Kim! Beware! I will be the paparazzi!

We also met up with Matt and Kristin for dinner and then we played a few games with them at our house on the Wii. I also can't believe that I didn't get a video of us playing "the best game ever"! We were all in hysterics while we were playing a game on Sonic and the Golden Rings... good thing Noah was asleep in his crib or we would have woken him up!

Meeting the Kaffman's

Even though they were able to visit us in the hospital, Matt and Kristin had not yet been able to really touch or hold Noah (he was still in the incubator bed when they last saw him in person). So we were excited when our friends were able to go eat dinner with us and come back to our place to spend some time with Noah and with us.

Kristin and Noah - watch out for the baby fever!! :)

Matt and Noah - he looks like a natural!

It's never a dull day

One thing we can say about living in Sunny Southern California is that there is ALWAYS something to do. After Christian was picked up this morning, Ben and I went down to Ft. Mac (the base housing in San Pedro) for the Fall Festival. We had **free food** (always a favorite with us!), cotton candy, and fun! We ran into the "other" Smith's (plus a couple of their friend's little ones) while they were riding on the train, and Angie was the brave one who petted the huge rabbit in the petting area.



After we left Ft. Mac, Ben and I ran a few errands and then went back down to Ft. Mac to watch the Ohio State -Penn State game with the Freys and the Kauffmans. Ben and I remained neutral since Greg and Angie were rooting for Ohio State and Matt and Kristin were rooting for their alma mater Penn State... I mean, who wants to cause trouble with their friends? The funniest part of the evening was when Matt and Kristin strategically placed several Penn State paraphernalia around the living room and Greg and Angie took forever to notice it all! It was all in good fun and, even though the game ended badly for Penn State, I think everyone had a wonderful time!