10.23.2008

A beautiful day...

...for some photos!  
Much to Tyler's chagrin, we headed to greenlake to take some fall pictures.  It was such a beautiful day I couldn't pass up the opportunity.
  


10.22.2008

I love my in-laws!

I know, how many people really can say that they love their in-laws.  But, it's the truth.  I couldn't have asked for better grandparents for my children.  I love them especially for how they are with Tyler.  Tyler talks about Grandma Jill and Grandpa Jan constantly.  He talks about his horse, the chickens, helping Grandpa feed all the animals, playing games and reading books with grandma.  The greatest thing is that even though we only get to see them a few times a year, everytime we do he starts right where he left off.  There is no shyness or anxiety, just fun!
Grandma Jill came from California to spend the weekend in Seattle with Tyler while I worked.  What a blessing.  Tyler couldn't even get through all the fun stuff that they did this weekend.  I am still hearing about little activities that he and grandma did.  From coloring, to puzzles, to park outings, they did it all.  He was so upset when it was time to say goodbye.  But we got through it and started a count down to our trip to California in November.   Thank you so much Jill, I appreciate it more than you know!

10.16.2008

Another day at the Pumpkin Patch

What a beautiful day for the pumpkin patch!  Tracy, Mark, Migel, Nana, Tyler and I headed north to the pumpkin patch in hopes of finding the "perfect pumpkin".  Tyler and Migel had so much fun playing in the hay, finding their way through maze and rolling around in the corn pit.  Okay, so maybe Tracy and I joined in the fun too!  Who could resist diving into a pit of raw corn kernels?
Then we packed on a tractor ride out to the pumpkin patch.  I have to say we were a little disappointed with the selection this year.  Tyler was very upset that there were no BIG pumpkins.  Despite the frustration he was able to find one that would suffice.  All in all it was a successful trip to the pumpkin patch.
So, for the last 2 days I have been battling with 2 different government agencies.  Yes, I will admit that there is great benefits to be had with the military, but getting them is another story altogether.  After 3 phone calls and 2 hours on the phone and internet yesterday I finally got my health care figured out.  Today was another battle with the childcare agency/fund that we are going through.  Tyler school administration has actually taken on most of this burden, thank the lord!  I had to meet with them today to figure out how we were going to make this work and in true government fashion, we couldn't get any one to answer our phone calls or e-mails.  Boy, do these people like paperwork!!!
We are eagerly awaiting Grandma's arrival tomorrow.  Tyler has been talking about it for weeks now.  Apparently he is getting a little bored of me.  So while Tyler and Grandma are having fun, I will be hard at work all weekend.  Hope you enjoy the pictures of the patch outing.  

"This is a nice one!"

Portrait in the Corn

The 2 peas in a pod, and their mom's

We miss our daddy!

Showing Nana how to drive a tractor

Our perfect pumpkins

10.12.2008

Pumpkins already!!!

Tyler has already had his first trip to the pumpkin patch, thanks to Lauren and Jeff.  While mommy worked a long day, Tyler was off for some fun at the patch.  I don't know what we would do without friends like Lauren and Jeff.  They have helped us out so much, both with their friendship and with Tyler, and we truly appreciate everything they do for us.  Tyler gets so excited whenever I tell him that he gets to spend the night with Lolo and Jeff.  I am not quite sure what goes on over there, but I am not sure I want to either.  The bottom line is that he loves spending time with them and he is always in one piece when we get him back.  And they buy him the biggest pumpkin in the patch!
Thank you Lauren and Jeff.  We couldn't get through this without you!!




10.06.2008

Home, but not so sweet!

I can't say that home is the same after coming home from this trip.  It's just not the same without Dan here.  I think Tyler is feeling the same as he is always asking if we can go to Nana and Boppa's house.  Yesterday was extremely emotional for Tyler and I both.  After fine dining at The Country Kitchen (yuk!) we headed back to base where we dropped Dan off.  I couldn't help but think of the first time that he left and the hours that i spent crying afterwards.  However, this time I had someone else that I had to be strong for.  Much to Dan's chagrin Tyler and I couldn't hold it together and it was a pretty emotional goodbye.  We had to literally peal Tyler off of Dan.  Something I never want to do again.  
As if that wasn't enough on our plane ride home this morning was about 15 soldiers who were just heading home for their leave.  Tyler kept saying "look mommy, a soldier like my daddy."  The flight attendant kept thanking them for their service over the loud system and every time she did I started crying.   Then while we were waiting for our luggage we had to sit and watch all these soldiers reunite with their families.  Tyler said to me "I want my daddy to come home."  That's when I really started crying and by the time my dad got their to pick us up I was a total mess.
I can't say that I feel like the visit was the best idea, as Dan and I had feared.  It was a starting over with all of the pain and emotion and longing for our family for both Tyler and I.  Nonetheless we had a fabulous time and if nothing else we are that much closer to Dan being home... for good!

10.04.2008

Daddy Time!

Well, it has been an awesome trip!  But, it has gone way too fast.  We have thoroughly enjoyed every minute that we have gotten to spend with Dan.  Thursday we hung around Tomah where we are staying.  Tried out the bowling alley and hit up Quizno's for some lunch.  The waterslides in the hotel were the hit of the day.  Friday we headed into the nearest "big" town of La Crosse.  We got to see the Mississippi river and check out the town.  Today we headed back to La Crosse and went to the Oktoberfest fair.  Can't say it comes anywhere close to the Puyallup or the Sonoma Co. fairs.  Tyler had a blast though and that was all we wanted.  He is loving every second of having his daddy around.
I am not looking forward to the goodbyes that are to come tomorrow.  Today was a bit of a solemn day because we knew we were ending our time with daddy.

Our first night here.  Tyler was so happy to see daddy.

At the Mississippi riverfront.

Trying out the water slides at the hotel.

Somehow Tyler got daddy to go on this ride.  He didn't feel so well when he got off.

Dessert!!!