The weekend.

On Saturday there was a "mini fair" of sorts at the Community Center on base. It was to celebrate military kids and Blain and I decided to take the girls. We had no idea how big it was going to be!!! One driveway had two bouncy houses, a fire truck, police car and fire house where they teach kids how to stop, drop and roll to safety. There was a costumed fire dog that Madison would wave to but when it came close, she wanted nothing to do with it! Inside there were booths EVERYWHERE!

Inside the little fire house for kids! Everything was just her size and she loved it!

We were saying how great it was that the community would come out and support the military like this! Every booth had info and little prizes for the kids. One room was specifically reserved for the police department, they were doing fingerprints and taking polaroids to give us for a Child Safety Information Kit. We weren't sure how Madison would do getting her fingerprints done...but not one whine...she loved it! Outside there was one section devoted to food, and another for kids crafts. Madison made a mask at the Kinderjam table and painted a race car at another (although once we were home, we realized we forgot to go back and pick up the car after it had dried :( oops!)

She loved holding this bunny and it was so small...perfect for her!

Also outside on the other side of the building, there was another bounce house, an armored truck, a Coast Guard boat, a petting zoo, pony rides and another activity section with big bubbles and a few games. Madison loved petting the bunnies and Blain was even able to get her to hold one and take a picture for me!!! What a morning! The entire event was free (even the food) and it was so well put together! We had a great time.

"I Can Only Imagine"

If you ever have the pleasure of riding in the car with the girls and I, you will soon come to realize that we have the same song playing OVER and OVER again. When in the car, only one thing is allowed to be on the radio. "I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me. This is Madison's favorite song and she asks for it to be turned on even before I finish buckling her in. "Magine Mom, listen Magine!" She is just starting to learn the words to the chorus, well I should say she is learning a few words here and there as she can't quite say an entire line, and she wanted me to video tape her singing. So here she is, singing the chorus of "I Can Only Imagine"...Madison!

4 years!

Four years ago today, I married my best friend! Last night Blain and I were talking about what we were doing, how we were feeling and how we were getting ready for the BIG day!

Thank you to all who were not only there to witness our two lives becoming one, but for your continued support of our marriage.

During these past four years, we have moved 4 times, had two beautiful little girls, joined the Marine Corps and been separated for months at a time. And it seems that each Anniversary has been centered in some big moment in our life. Our first Anniversary was a month after we had Madison, so needless to say we didn't do anything! Blain was in boot camp for our second, so we didn't get to even see each other! I was pregnant with Emily on our third, however Blain did surprise me with a babysitter for Madison and he took me out to dinner! And our fourth? Well, although we will be able to spend the evening together...we are in the middle of Blain's finals and just a few weeks away from moving...so there are other things on our minds!

But inspite of it all, I am truly blessed to have a husband who cares for me so, who loves me despite my faults and who is helping me raise two amazing children! I love you Blain and look forward to what the next 4 years have in store for us!

Happy 4th Anniversary to Sara and Blain!!!

Why is it...

...that on the day I go to pick up my girl's; it's not only one of the hottest days this year, but everyone decides to be on the freeway when I'm on it? I was on my way to San Juan Bautista to meet my parents, and Monterey is a perfect 75 degrees. Then, right when I least expect it, traffic slows to 10 mph and as I creep through each mile, the temperature seems to creep up with it! What should have been a 25 minute drive, took me an hour! And when I arrived in San Juan it was 93 degrees. We took a short walk through some of the craft booths they had set up and when we went back to the cars, we found that the keys were locked in my parents car!

One hour later, when the doors were unlocked and the battery was jump started (because of course, getting the keys locked in isn't enough, the car had to die too!) the girls and I were ready to head back home. Or so I thought. As I'm about to pull out of the parking lot, Madison throws up! So after wiping it off her and getting her to drink some water (no easy task) we were finally on the road, but not before the temperature jumped from 93 degrees to 104! Needless to say I was glad to be back in Monterey with the perfect 75 degree weather and the subtle breeze that seemed to know exactly when it was needed!

I came home to 3 Marines in my backyard cooking up a delicious dinner! Shraeder and Bleeker brought steak, burgers and chicken over and we had a great meal on the front porch! After eating, Shraeder took Madison to the park (the rest of us following shortly) and we spent the next hour and a half enjoying the good weather, visiting with friends and playing with the girls. Thank you boys for not only making a great dinner, but for loving our girls like you do! You are a special part of our family!

Here are some pictures from the picnic on Thursday and of Shraeder and Madison last night:

Madison kicking her soccer ball and playing with Daddy!

Playing football with John Bleeker!

Out on a walk with Chris Shraeder!

This past week...

...on Thursday, we were lucky enough to go to school with Blain and have a picnic with his class. I got to finally put faces to the names I've heard so much about. I met all his teachers and classmates. Despite the ridiculously cold weather...we had a great time. The girls were of course the center of attention! Emily did well getting passed around and Madison got to play soccer with her three favorite Marines (Daddy, John Bleeker and Chris Shraeder), so needless to say, she was on cloud nine!

Friday, my mom came to take the girls for the weekend. And Blain and I got to spend our last weekend together, just the two of us, before he leaves. Very low key...picked up dinner and a couple movies for friday night. Saturday we went to the mall and watched a movie, and I took him to a great resturant near the theaters that was so delicious! (We didn't need dinner that night!) The weather was so unbelivable that we walked around for awhile, it just seemed like a waste to not enjoy it for a bit!

I can't wait to pick up the girls today! I miss them alot when they are gone, but do appreciate and love the time I get to spend with Blain alone! In just a few days we will be celebrating 4 years of marriage. We have, on many occasions, said that it feels alot longer than 4 years because of all that we've done in that time. But they have been truly wonderful and I am looking forward to the next 4!

Easter 2009

Here we are!
Our precious girls!

It was a wonderful Easter weekend! Blain Sr., Margie and Heather were able to come for the weekend (and not just for one night...they came for 3 nights!) and to our surprise, were able to get to Monterey before noon on Friday! So Friday and Saturday we just hung out and spent time with them. This will probably be the last time they see Blain before he leaves, so it worked out great that they were able to be here for 4 days!

Sunday morning we went to church here in Seaside. Calvary (the church we have been going to) combined their two services into one and held it at the Seaside High School football field. It was amazing! The music was incredible and the message was so good. The only thing we didn't anticipate? The weather! It was so warm! Sweaters were coming off and if I had known, I would have brought hats for the girls and lathered them up in sunblock! The rest of the day was just spent all together. After the girls took their naps; we colored eggs, did an egg hunt, opened Easter baskets, had a squirt gun fight and watched Kung Fu Panda!

Madison LOVED her new sunglasses!

Thank you to Blain Sr., Margie and Heather for coming and spending a great weekend with us!

Easter egg hunt

For the first time...we hid eggs in the backyard for Madison to find. She got to decorate them herself and when they were dry, Blain and I hid them. We did this twice and to our surprise...she did rather well! She really enjoyed running around and putting the eggs in her basket! Next year should be fun, as Emily will get to join in!
Blain of course had to hid some where she couldn't reach, but that didn't bother her...she liked being picked up like "a big girl."

"Egg Momma!"

"I found it!"

She was very proud of herself for mixing the eggs in the color all by herself!

Teeth.

Emily's fourth tooth snuck in last night! She has her two bottom, middle teeth and her top, middle, left tooth...I've been so focused on the top, middle, RIGHT tooth that is making it's way in that I didn't even notice the tooth next to her top left one! And it came in! Now, if only that top middle one would just break through, I know she would be a much happier baby!

This is a video showing what nights are like at our house! Every night...Madison gets Emily to laugh hysterically. She is the only one who can get Emily to laugh like this and I love that aspect of their relationship! Hope you enjoy this precious little girls' laugh...we sure do!

A Day Outdoors!

On Saturday, we were planning on taking Madison to get a speech evaluation done...but due to scheduling conflicts, she was unable to be seen. So after rescheduling, we decided to go the the pond and feed the birds. I like feeding ducks, but I hate it when the seagulls and geese swarm the place! So while Blain and Madison enjoyed some time together, Emily and I stayed as far away from the feeding frenzy as possible! (I'm such a wimp!)

After we ran out of bread, we took a walk down to one of the wharfs. Madison loves watching the ocean and it was a beyond beautiful day so the walk was perfect.
Madison loved watching all the people play in the sand. She would scream "Ocean Momma! Look Daddy, Ocean!"

My hubby!

Emily and I enjoying the view and staying as far away from the wild birds as possible!

Madison is alot braver than I am when it comes to birds! She had a great time learning how to break off little pieces and throw them.