Dada's Truck!

Andy and McKenna have a special bond.  They are so cute.  This year, Andy bought a 1987 Toyota Landcruiser.  It is kind of a beater, but it's really cool.  McKenna has recently been into everything CARS.  She loves the Disney Pixar movie and all the characters.  She has also broadened her interests to include pretty much anything with an engine.  So of course, she loves Dada's Truck! 

When Andy goes out to work on the "Landbruiser" as he calls it, McKenna will sit there with him and watch.  She also likes to go for rides in it, or just get in and sit there.  Here are a few pics of her in Dada's Truck.

Christmas Cheer

Yes, I have already moved on to Christmas... at least Christmas decorating.  Yesterday I went to Michaels and stocked up on some Christmas craft supplies.  Last night I went a little nuts making the years's first batch of Christmas DIY projects.  I think my favorite one is the ornament McKenna made!

Monogram Door Hanging

Red "Disco" Christmas Globe

Gold Glitter Globe

Tiny Tree Ornament

McKenna's first DIY Christmas Ornament!

To my Andy's dismay, his elk antlers became my display rack, no pun intended.

R.I.P. Shea 2003 - 2012

We had to put one of our doggies down last night.  It was very sudden, and the whole thing happened really fast, but I'm glad she didn't have to suffer long.  Shea was my Boxer that I got when I was 19.  She was always a sweet dog, and always was faithful to me, following me wherever I would go.  Her favorite place to lay was in my lap.  All she ever wanted was to be loved.  She would lean on anyone who would let her, and loved to snuggle.  Shea is very special to our family, because my husband and I had our first date at the bark park.  I brought Shea and he brought his Boxer.  We thankfully still have Kasey, and she will miss her sister, but she will get to experience being an "only dog" again.

We will miss our Shea Girl.

Expecting #2

The second pregnancy has definitely not been as magical as the first.  It's funny how things change, and how much harder a pregnancy is when you already have a little one to watch after.  However, I feel so blessed to be a mommy, and to be carrying another little gift from God.  This time, we found out the gender, and to our excitement we are having another girl!  Her name is already picked out, and little Addison is due to arrive on December 23.  I'm kind of hoping for a Christmas baby, but we'll just have to see!  Of course, right now I'm in super nesting mode, but it isn't as easy as it was the first time when I could spend all my free time getting the nursery ready.  Now it's like, "What Free Time?"  Luckily, we already have most of the little stuff such as clothes and blankets and toys, etc.  It's just big stuff we need to figure out, like another crib and maybe a double stroller?  We'll also be buying tons of diapers again! Aah!  While there is some apprehension about adding another babe to our family, we are so excited to have another little girl, and for McKenna to have a sister!  God willing the rest of the pregnancy will be healthy, along with the birth and the newborn!

Me, Preggo with Addison

Our Gender Announcement from Facebook

McKenna, Addison, and I

September 2012

Coming to California

True to form, I had to get pregnant before we moved again.  This was the second time I was pregnant during a move across the country, but this time I was still in the first trimester and nauseas 24/7 - with a toddler in tow.  After moving out of our house in New Jersey in May, we spent a week at my parents' house before Andy left to drive to California.  Another week later, my mom accompanied McKenna and me on the plane on our way out to join him.  The next 30 days were pretty rough, since we could not get base housing and ended up in Temporary Lodging, which is basically a two-bedroom hotel room with a kitchen.  Not so bad, except when you're in a new state with a family and all-day morning sickness, it's pretty hard to live out of suitcases and feel good about it.  We did find a nice little rental home in a town over from the base, and got moved in.  Thankfully, the first trimester ended, and so did the nausea, and California has really blessed us with beautiful weather and plenty to do!

Moving out of our house in New Jersey

Temporary Lodging Facility

Travis Air Force Base, California

The Front Door of our Rental Home

Vacaville, California

First Born

After relocating to New Jersey in the fall of 2010, we moved into base housing, and set up our new home.  We welcomed our daughter, McKenna in January, 2011.  As you might have guessed, she has been a blessing to both of our lives.  Parenthood has brought many changes, challenges, and joys.  Having a little one has changed both of our lives forever!  She will be two this coming January, and she is a smart little "chatty-Kathy"with quite the personality.

Our Little Sweet Pea

1st Ultrasound

Pregnant, at Andy's Graduation from Commissioned Officer's Training

September, 2010

The Happy Parents!

January 29, 2011

Our Boxer, Shea Taking a Peek

First Outing to The Park!

Chubby Baby

July 4th Weekend, ADX

We call it: "The Simba".

Daddy & Baby at Bethany Beach

Christmas 2011

Talking on the Phone

1 Year Old

In the Airport, on the way to California!

Life Before Kids

Since Andy and I were married almost five years before McKenna was born, we had a lot of time to ourselves at first.  Our life in Montana was filled with freedom and travel.  We got really involved with our church, and spent most of our free time exploring Big Sky Country.  We also loved going on trips and taking mini vacations.  We took a road trip up the coast of California and into Oregon for our honeymoon.  We traveled to Las Vegas and Seattle, and took a weekend trip to San Diego for a Chargers game.  One of our most memorable trips was to Hawaii in 2009.  Living in Montana also provided plenty of opportunities for little trips here and there, like visiting Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, Big Sky and Whitefish for some skiing, and one of our favorite spots - Holter Lake.  From hiking and fishing, to landscape and wildlife sightseeing, Montana was a treasure trove of activities for two newlyweds who liked adventure.

Andy & I in San Diego, CA

Holter Lake, MT

Surfing in Waikiki Beach, Honolulu, HI

Skiing Big Sky, MT

Cross Country in Whitefish, MT