Christgiving celebration

This year because Jake is leaving soon we have decided to combine the two upcoming holidays to simplify things. We like to call it Christgiving. This time of year makes me so happy. We have a snow white view here in Minot already and last night we had hot chocolate, sang along to Christmas music and decorated the tree. Well Sophie had hot chocolate, Jake and I had Baileys and coffee:) Sophie is at such a great age for Christmas this year. She is super excited Lilly(her Elf On The Shelf) has made her arrival. You should have see her face when she saw Lilly appeared last night! She asked so many questions about her elf friend... "Is she real, does she talk, how did she get here?" It's crazy that my three old is already questioning the seen and unseen and how things can be "magical". We did our best at explaining and I am hoping we have a believer for many years to come. I end this blog by saying, have a blessed Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas. We wish you a Merry Christgiving:)

It's that time again...

I have been really wanting to get back into writing again, so I thought what better time than now. It has been almost a year since my last post and I can't help but find it ironic that my last post was celebrating Jake returning from Guam. Currently we are busy preparing for our next 4-6 month deployment. Although I can't share the exact dates, it is unfortunately just around the corner.

Last time was tough, but spending time at home with family definitely helped pass the time. This time around with Sophie being three and a total Daddy's girl, I am anticipating the worst. My sweet baby girl is a creature of habit and anything rocking our family dynamics is sure to cause some melt downs.

Sophie waits anxiously at the top of the stairs every night when she hears the garage door. When Jake walks in she jumps excitedly into Jake's arms and showers him with hugs and kisses. Papa plays many roles in her life, her favorite being her best rough housing partner! Most nights after dinner they go downstairs and she fills the house with laughter and squeals playing with her Papa. Dinnertime is family time in our house and she does not like it when Jake works late and we can't "eat as a family." We will have one sad little girl on our hands when this day comes, but we are trying to make the best of the time we have before D-day.

One thing we enjoyed when Jake was deployed last time was putting together care packages. We have already started putting a package together for him and with Sophie's love of coloring, he should be covered when in comes to home decor! We are also putting together a photo album with some fun memories of all of us that will put a smile on his face during the lonely times apart. We are going to try and skype most days which Sophie is sure to love. She isn't shy about putting on a show for Nana and Gampy and Auntie Bre, Uncle Eric and Breckin, so I am guessing she we will be no stranger to the camera when we skype with Papa.

We are going to head home Polar Express style for Christmas. I have already told Sophie we will have hot chocolate and wear pj's just like they do in the movie! Although we aren't heading to the North Pole, we are just as excited to be surrounded by some of our favorite people!

With our new little addition, it will be great for everyone to get to know her blossoming personality.

Just days away...

It's hard to believe that these pictures were taken 6mths ago! We had gotten back from Jamaica just 2 weeks before where we had a beautiful wedding and great memories with family and friends.

Well I can now happily say he will be here in a few days. I am not supposed to publish exact dates so just know that it is soon and we are super excited! Awaiting his arrival, Soph and I made him a welcome home sign and we just received one of his gifts in the mail. I thought a beer basket for Jake seemed appropriate:)

People often ask me if the time went by quickly and I have to say it's been a bit of both. When I actually think about what we have done in the last 6mths it feels like its been forever. To name a few there was Father's Day, Sophie's recital, a trip to the Ozarks, Sophs 2nd Birthday, Jake's 30th Birthday, Halloween, trip home for Bre's baby shower and I am sure a few others. The nice thing is that through all the events this past 6mths, Jake was still apart of all that we experienced. We love you babe, see you soon!

Elf On The Shelf

One of our favorite gifts for Christmas last year was an Elf on the Shelf. Our cousin Robin sent this to Sophie and we were so excited to use it this year! It is an awesome idea for little ones. It comes with a book that explains who this little elf is and how he is Santa's helper. It has helped so much when Sophie is having a meltdown I just glance over at the elf and she kind of smirks knowing that Lilly(you name the elf) will be reporting back to Santa on how well behaved she was. You can pick one up at Barnes & Nobles, great gift idea for those with little ones!

Home Stretch

I haven't blogged since our wedding, mostly because we were home for the summer and when we got back to Minot in Sept. there was lots of catching up to do. So now that things are pretty well under control and we are counting down the days until Jake returns, I thought it was time to crack the knuckles and start at it again. I miss writing and my blog is so great for family and friends to see what we are up to here in Minot. Jake is due to return around the 19th and Sophie and I are so anxiously awaiting. I really do think she understands. I have a Countdown Til Papa Returns Jar of M&M's and Sophie knows that she gets one everyday. When the jar is empty that is the day Papa comes home! This has really been fun and worked out well. It's actually helped me put in perspective the time he has been gone and now we are on the home stretch with only a few weeks to go!

Sophie and I have been Pumpkin Patching, Dancing our hearts out and making lots of pretty pictures for Papa. Her and I really have had a great time together, but we are ready for our missing piece to return.

I will post pics soon of all our fun fall excursions!

Homemade Ground Turkey Meatballs

Very yummy and easy to throw together...

1 lb. ground turkey
1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
1 egg
1/2 tsp. dried basil leaves
1/2 c. bread crumbs (fine)
1/4 c. fresh or 1 tbsp. dry parsley
1/2 tsp. dried oregano

Mix and shape into 1 1/2-inch meatballs. Saute in large skillet until browned and no longer pink.

1 week from today...destination Jamaica!

It still hasn't hit me that in 1 week from today we will be Jamaica bound! I am so excited to step off the plane into warm weather, white sands and the relaxing feeling that comes along with vacation.

But before I get ahead of myself, there is a lot more to a vacation now that we travel with our sweet baby girl. Gone are the days of picking out magazines at the airport and sipping on a festive drink! Now there is definitely more prep involved. Here are a few things we usually do to make the trip go as smoothly as possible:

*New toys(great at target in the $1 section)
*Snacks galore(even if they aren't the healthiest)!
*Portable DVD Player(she doesn't like the head phones much, but we are def. bringing it)
*Her baby and nana(we almost never leave home without them)
*Paper and crayons

One thing I like to do is bring out one thing at a time and drag each toy, snack, etc. out as long as possible!

This traveling experience will be the longest we have had via car, plane and bus! We are driving 8 hours to MN on Weds. and staying over night and heading to the airport at 4am to make our 6:30am flight!!! An early morning for all, but I am hoping she is sleepy and naps on the plane. Next we have a lay over in Miami. I think that will be ok, by then a little stretch will be good for her. We land in Jamaica in 2:40pm and let the festivities begin! Oh wait, we do have to catch a bus that takes us to the resort, but by then we will be pros at the whole traveling business and just be happy to be there! In Jamaica everything is "NO PROBLEM" oh if we could all live by that motto!

Sophie loved trying on shoes for the big day! Those will be perfect with her dress, which arrived on Monday with a week or so to spare...whew! She thought she would try on my shorts to see if they looked ok on her and this morning I painted her toes for the first time!
She looks like a beach beauty to me!