Just Three Words...

...AND SHE'S OFF!

Indiana, Here We Come!!

Last Monday, Emmy and I drove up to Indiana to look after Andy and Claire while Kris enjoyed a hard earned vacation in Jamaica with the Sacksteder ladies, Ann, Maggie and Katie (and J.P. while was at work!)  Mom flew in to help me for a couple of days!  As well behaved as all the kiddos were, I was so thankful for an extra pair of hands (and eyes!)  Not to mention, I can never get enough of being loved on by my mom. :)

Nick and Kris both arrived late Thursday night/early Friday morning, and our much-anticipated visit commenced!  On our way home, Nick, Emmy and I paid a visit to his Aunt Cindy and her husband, Joe's, farm in Centerpoint, Indiana.  We had SUCH a fantastic time!!

Stories will come when I have finished unpacking and have a chance to think in full sentences, but I wanted to share the pics ASAP!!

Graham crackers and applesauce for snack...Clairey is disgusted by Emmy's meal time etiquette:

 Walking to the park...We started off with Andy on his bike and Clairey & Emmy were in the wagon.

 Andy decided to ride in the stroller after I asked him to put on his helmet.

 At the end of the driveway: Clairey was seriously distrurbed by the dirt on her shirt after I accidentally ran the wagon into an overgrown bush. 

Clairey no longer wants to ride in the wagon, opting for the stroller instead.

 Finally made it to the park.

 The ride home.

 Baking chocolate chip cookies.  (Emmy stole Clairey's "pincess" sippy cup, which is a big, BIG no-no in Clairey's book.)

Emmy thought it was hilarious to turn the mixer up to full speed.  She was only egged on by Andy's giggles.  She's already showing signs that she will probably be that girl at the party that accepts all the dares.

 Playing beauty shop with Auntie Kristi.

 Don't forget the shades!

 Rock on, Twinkle Toes.

Pig tail day!

 Clairey in time-out for picking on Emmy.

 "NO NO, Emmy!!"

"You've done enough already!"

 Penny Belle, Aunt Cindy and Little Joe's pup after Molly showed her who's boss.

 Emmy meets her second cousin, Andrea!

Emmy, Andy and Claire play with cousin Joe!

 Dusty, Penny Belle, Molly, Darla and Peej hangin' together.

 Date Night!

A few of the 20 alpacas on Aunt Cindy's farm!

 Who's that hot guy leading the horses??

 Emmy gets some cuddles with Aunt Cindy and Uncle Joe.

 Emmy clings to Uncle Joe while Daddy...

 ...mounts the horse!

 My Nick and Raven

 Emmy's first reaction when she sat on Shadow...

 Aunt Cindy holds on tight!

 Still a little unsure...but no tears!

  How's the weather up there?

 For now, Emmy prefers the stationary saddle.  I do believe this is the first time she has smiled at the camera unprompted. :-P

 We are wrestling with giving Molly and Darla a four-legged brother, Fort.  He is SUCH a sweet boy.

 Uncle Joe, Aunt Cindy, Emmy and my Nick!  Can't wait for next time!

Catching Up

It's been pretty crazy around our house since I last posted...Nick completed his seven days of reintegration (physical and dental exams, tax forms, briefings about coping with the transition, etc).  The day after Nick finished reintegration, he came down with a nasty stomach bug that kept him in bed for the duration of his first four day weekend.  I got to dust off my nurse hat as not even Emmy could alleviate his maladies.  The following week flew by between numerous doctors appointments, multiple meetings with the chain of command, the Nashville Hilton, and my party vendors, a giant FRG fundraiser blitz, and a boatload of other preparations for our Welcome Home Party extravaganza.

We were overjoyed to have 75 soldiers and spouses/fiances/girlfriends in attendance.  Each and every one of them walked into the hotel with a giant smile on their face; which was all I could have hoped for.  Our Lancers dined on heavy hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, mingled, and watched a slideshow of deployment photos in the candlelit hotel lobby.  After Nick gave a brief but heartfelt toast to our soldiers and families, we moved the party upstairs.  The fun became exponentially greater with the dancing, "prom" pictures (embellished with outrageous costumes and props), and dessert and candy bar.

All of the ladies agreed that it was amazing to be able to have adult conversations, uninterrupted by our children (we made a pact that we couldn't speak of them for the night.)  I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard. :) The mood among the soldiers was just as lighthearted and fun.  Although I was unable to partake, I hear the party atmosphere spilled out onto Broadway as our Lancers set out to paint the town red and black...To our great relief, everyone was on their very best behavior as they blew off some steam. :)

Everything far exceeded all of my greatest expectations...Except for our obnoxious DJ who called me out each and every time I left the dance floor; and that the small wine glasses I made fun of, were apparently still too big for me.  Three of those suckers landed me kneeling before the porcelain god...Thank goodness my hubby was there to hold my hair back.

Day 1 of reintegration.

Cleaning up Cheerios courtesy of Emmy.

We found her sipping on my drink watching soap operas...

Emmy's new favorite hiding place.

Lunch disaster.

Dinner disaster.

New fascination: dumping the contents of her high chair tray in her lap.

All of our girls...

...sitting for cheese.

Welcome table at the party!

The carving station.

I love the mod decor. :)

Posing with a few of the ladies...Kicking myself that I didn't get one with my Nick.  Thank goodness for the professional pics!

Can't forget the shoes!