Another Happy Haunting!!!!

Saturday, October 31, 2009

My girlfriend Shelly & I decided it would be fun to put on a Halloween party this year and invite some of our other friends. The Gerlings, Jones joined in on the fun with us & the Calls, and we all put together a frightful menu of Chicken Chili, Spinach Lasagna, Garlic Soup, Shrimp Wontons, Green Salad, Witches' Brew Drink, Ghost Cake, Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bars with Cinnamon Ice Cream, and Pumpkin & Ghost cookies. It was all SO yummy!!

Above is one of the wooden signs Shelly made... SO cute! =)

Before we ate, the kids played a few games. The first game was a 'Frankenstein Walk,' where they walked around the swing set between orange cones. They were put into two teams to race each other... they both did so well though, they actually tied! =) Here's Kaden's best friend, Braydon (a SWAT team member in the black) and Kaden (Megatron in the gray) neck and neck... they LOVED it!!

Here's Kaleb's Frankenstein Walk. He did great! If you look closely, you can see his nose poking through, haha!!

Shelly put together a really cute ghost scavenger hunt, which sent the kids all over her house searching for dum-dums made into little ghosts.

They all had such a great time taking turns reading the clues that sent them into the laundry room, to the fireplace, to the kitchen... and here they are "where the ghosts bathe."

After we ate, we had a toilet paper costume contest. Kaden laughed just about the entire time while I was wrapping him. Here he is... ninja Kaden!

Here are all the creative costumes everyone came up with... from left to right, Lydia was a nun, Kaden was a ninja, Braydon was a bride (hahaha... look at that pout, Shelly! =), Ethan was Pippy Longstocking, and Elin was a Ninja Turtle. SO fun!!!!!

This photo is just too funny of Bumblebee & Mikaela... Bumblebee's eyes look as though they are about to pop right out of his head! =)

After the games, I gave all the kids glowsticks and we turned out the lights. The Calls turned on a strobe light, which was awesome, and I told them a few scary stories... well, they were kind of scary. =) The kids loved it!

After our bellies were full, we were tuckered out from all the fun games & scared out of our minds =) ... we went trick-or-treating. The weather has been SO sporadic down here over the last several weeks... it was in the 80's one week and dropped into the 50's that weekend, rained the entire next two weeks (which is unusual since it rains year 'round), and went back up into the upper 70's and low 80's these last two weeks with a cooler weekend. So Shelly and I wished aloud that we wanted it to be cool again on Halloween. What were we thinking?? It was even colder then last year... with an addition to chilly wind and drizzle! So we made our way walking around the neighborhood and 'parented up!' Haha... just a little inside joke!! =)

While we were trick-or-treating, we came to a house that decorated their garage into a haunted house and the kids received their candy after they walked through. There were a few people inside that jumped out so it was pretty scary for little ones. Afterwards, poor Kaleb was crying and said, "They just want to scare the Autobots, Optimus Prime just isn't up for that!" We all couldn't help but laugh... he's SUCH a little cutie pie!!!!

The kids really did have the BEST Halloween ever, thanks to everyone's efforts, so thank you girls for all of your time into making it a great night! I know us adults had a really good time too!!!

We hope you all had a VERY HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Trunk or Treat... Smell My Feet, Give Me Something Good To Eat!!!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

For Halloween this year, the younger two boys decided they wanted to be Transformers. So we thought it'd be fun to get the whole family involved. Here we are... Bumblebee, Optimus Prime, Mikaela, Megatron & Sam from the Transformers movies.

Kaden & Kaleb had such a fun time with all their friends!

Before we went outside, there were games for the kids. We also had a 'best trunk' contest... I'm not sure how they could choose just one, everyone did such a great job!

It's SO hard to get Sky to smile for pictures... so sometimes we have to force him, haha!!

We had SUCH a great time at our ward's truck or treat!

Happy Trunk-or-Treat!!!

A Romantic Weekend... & Football??

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Since Donnie was overseas during our wedding anniversary and both of our birthdays, we decided to spend our first weekend away without the boys since our honeymoon. We were just a BIT overdue! So we checked into the Ritz Carlton in Atlanta and had a very romantic afternoon. We met my sister and brother-in-law, Ursula & Keith, for a 5-star white-tableclothed dinner at Blue Ridge Bar & Grill. We felted a bit spoiled dressing up and valet parking. The food was quite yummy... mussels, lobster bisque, grilled red snapper, grilled asparagus, corn souffle, and a warm apple tart with cinnamon ice cream. Mmmm!!

Our room was so beautiful and comfy with its down-feather bed and pillows. When we snuggled in, we wanted to stay there for the rest of the week! We were fortunate to get a corner room with windows all the way around... so we opened up the curtains and slept overlooking the city lights and stars, it was so magical!

Sunday, October 18, 2009

It felt SO good to sleep in and to wake to complete quiet. Of course, for us, sleeping in means we were up by 8:30. =) After a late breakfast, shopping, lunch with Urs & Keith, and some more shopping, we met up with a few other friends to tailgate in the premiere parking lot outside the Georgia Dome a few hours before the game. It was really warm and in the 80's all last week... so we were a bit surprised it had dropped down into the 50's this weekend. Although, I suppose it was PERFECT football weather.

It was SO cold, so we bundled up and snuggled while we ate and talked.

Ursula & Keith were routing for the Falcons while Donnie & I were routing for the Bears... so we had a bit of fun rivalry, the game was SUCH a good one!! Donnie and I were so happy to see almost half the arena was filled with Bears fans... and to think we were afraid the Atlanta fans would throw us out, haha!!!

Sporting a NFL Find A Cure Ryan Urlacher jersey

The Bears coming out. We had 25th row seats... we were SO close, it was great!!!

When we walked down to our section towards our seats, I found myself getting REALLY excited! I really don't follow football at all... every time I attempt to watch a game at home with Donnie, I usually give up and find something to go do. But by the end of the game, I was calling the plays before the refs did. Donnie was SO proud!! =)

This weekend was just amazing... it truly couldn't have been any more fun and relaxing, we enjoyed every moment of it.

As much fun as we had, it was nice to go home... we were really looking forward to seeing the boys after they got home from school on Monday. However, we're not quite sure the boys were as anxious to see us! Sky 'accidentally' got off the bus at Kyle's house, Kaden told my girlfriend Shelly that Sunday with them was 'the best day of his life,' and Kaleb told my girlfriend Koreen he was 'going to stay with her until it snows'... which it just DOESN'T do down here!! Hahaha!!!!! And we were under the assumption they would be happy to see us... ghee, what were WE thinking?! =)

BAPTISM DAY!!

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Kaden had his special day today... he was SO excited!! When he woke this morning, the first thing he said was, "I'm getting baptized today!" and gave me the biggest hug. =)

Sky looks thrilled getting his picture taken, doesn't he? Teenagers, I tell you!! =)

He was so nervous but he did perfectly!

Here's Donnie & Kaden singing the opening hymn together. Thanks for the photo, Jason!

During my talk on the Holy Ghost, I gave Kaden a gift he got to open. Inside was a compass... to help him remember to always let the Holy Ghost be his moral compass and guide the way. This compass was Donnie's through Ranger School, so it was very special for us to pass on to Kaden.

It was SO hot today... the first thing the boys do every Sunday when we get in the car is take their ties off, so here's Kaden tieless in the car. One Sunday Kaden asked me why boys have to get so dressed up in suits for church, but girls get to wear normal clothes. He didn't think that was very fair, haha!!

A very special thank you to all of our friends who helped to make today such a special day! Shelly... your talk was perfect, thank you SO much!!

Kaden, we are SO proud of you... we know you're going to be a wonderful missionary someday!!! Just keep up all your hard work and dedication... and embrace that loving spirit of yours that always wants to do the right thing!! We love you!!!!!!!

2 Nephi 9:23

"And he commandeth all men that they repent, and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith

in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God."

Updates...

After a long absence... I have FINALLY gotten on here to update our blog. I wasn't able to post everything we did all summer, but I did post some of our bigger events from the last several months. Due to my severe case of OCD, they are in order from when they happened... so you'll have to scroll down past some posts you may have already read to see them all.

We have some great news to share... Donnie received a small deferment for Officer Candidate School so he'll report on November 2nd now instead of on October 11th. This is FANTASTIC news because it means we'll be able to stick to our plans of baptizing Kaden on October 11th and having our romantic weekend on the 17th... I can't wait for either one! Just goes to show you, the Lord does answer even the smallest prayers! =)

We hope you all had a GREAT weekend!!

Running, It's A Family Affair

Saturday, October 3, 2009

Running is most DEFINITELY a family affair. Donnie and I both ran through high school and met on the cross country team in college. We continued competing even after Sky was born and took him to all our races... in fact, I ran Nationals pregnant with him. So he was DESTINED to be a runner as well! =) My younger brother, Greg, competed on our cross country and track team throughout high school after I graduated. Donnie's younger sister, Jenn, started running and competing when she was young, years before Donnie did. Jenn still runs and takes our niece, Kaitlynn, to runs and track meets. Donnie and Jenn were able to run on the cross country and track teams together in high school and had a full page article published in their local newspaper titled, "A Family Affair." We all LOVE that we are able to keep that legacy going...

There was a Historic District Run in town today... so we woke up early to watch Donnie run the 10k and Sky the 5k. Kaden slept over at his best friend, Braydon's, house... we knew he had a great time over there, so we didn't feel too bad he missed out. (By the way, Sky is wearing Donnie's Army PT -Physical Training- shirt... crazy that it actually fits!!)

Kaleb & I had fun watching them run. It's hard for all five of us to be able to race on the same day, since one of us needs to run the mile with Kaleb when he runs... and Donnie, Sky and I can't all run the longer races on the same day and leave the younger boys. So we have an agreement to alternate days we all run. I would have loved to race today, but it was just as fun to watch and cheer Donnie & Sky on!!

It is finally beginning to feel like fall here... at least in the mornings. I was SO excited to wake up and put a jacket on!

It's been a while since Donnie has been able to do a race, so he was VERY pleased he did much better than the goal he had set for himself today. =)

Today was Sky's first 5k race, wahoo!!! Usually when we do road races, he prefers to run the mile... we think he was just unsure about how he would do in a longer race. He does 3-4 mile runs every week for cross country practice and JROTC, but it's a bit different to race that distance. It was SO fun to watch him run!! He wasn't very tired when he was finished with the race, so he knows he'll be able to do even better next time!

Our downtown historic district is so pretty with it's old brick buildings, historic statues & plaques, and fountains. Kaleb especially liked this fountain. =)

Donnie and Sky now have the same running shoes, which Sky thinks is SO cool. However, it looks like they'll be wearing the same sizes soon too! (Donnie's foot is in back, Sky's in front) Sky is in an 8 now, which is catching up to Donnie's 10 1/2. Just a matter of time now, Dad!!

We were SO proud to cheer Sky on as he went up for his trophy... he placed 1st in his 15-19 age group, which is QUITE an accomplishment! Go Sky!!!

Kaleb was SO happy to be able to go up to get Donnie's trophy. Donnie won his age group as well, so it was a GREAT race day!!

We decided we're going to put a family trophy display together with all of our trophies and medals from the runs we do together. I thought it'd be cute to display framed photos of us all running too... and a plaque that says something like, "A Family That Races Together, Goes Places Together." Hahaha.... we have NO idea why our friends call us cheesy!! The REALLY sad truth is... we LIKE to be!! =)

We Just Want to Ride, Ride, Ride!!

Saturday, September 19, 2009

We spent the weekend outside of Atlanta with my sister & brother-in-law. It was so much fun to camp out in their mansion of a camper and RIDE! It rained on and off the entire weekend, so the boys got their new riding gear REALLY muddy... but they LOVED it!!!

Photo above... here they are all sparkly & clean before they headed out. =)

Sky would live in his gear if he could!!

It was SO funny... we took this beautiful ride back through the woods. We had to ride slow down the path with all of its turns and little hills. Keith was leading the way with Kaleb, Donnie was riding with Kaden, then Sky, me and Ursula. We're riding along laughing and having a great 'ole time... and suddenly I see Sky laying on the ground and his bike is NO WHERE to be seen. Ursula and I ride up to him and see that he rode his bike right into a little ravine right off the path!!! It was a very shallow one, maybe three feet deep or so. We couldn't believe it... we were laughing so hard!! Sky wasn't hurt or anything so he was laughing too. We were just bummed we didn't have the camera with us... so we teased Sky the rest of the weekend, asking him if he would go do it again so we could get it on video. =)

I LOVE this photo of Donnie & Kaleb on the minibike. =)

We stayed at 'Mr Daytona' Scott Russell's house (a good friend of Ursula & Keith)... he has about 100 acres of all woodland, it was so pretty. His track was crazy, with quite a few jumps and hills. I was so scared my first time around... and managed to kill the bike going up this crazy hill. Thank goodness Ursula and Donnie came and saved me!! Haha... even so, Ursula said I did really well in all that mud, it was definitely tricky.

Kaden riding the minibike. He's getting so much better working the gears!!

Sky, our little speed demon. He was on the bike the whole weekend, except when it was time to eat. =)

Keith took Kaleb around for quite a while. He taught him how to control the speed and said Kaleb did GREAT!!!

We always have the BEST time when we get together with the Wilsons!! Can't wait until our next adventure together!!!!

A Memorial to Remember

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Ryan's mom, Sherrie, and the rest of his family came in for the Battalion Memorial... in honor of Ryan and Benjamin Kopp, two soldiers we lost this last deployment. Donnie was an escort to Sherrie and her family while they were in town. The night before the memorial, we all went out to dinner at Carrabba's. It was really great talking with Sherrie and getting to know her. Donnie and I definitely plan to keep in touch!

The memorials are always very difficult, especially when they do role call... and the lost soldier obviously doesn't answer. It has me in tears every time.

The Ranger Memorial

It was very difficult to see Ryan's name added. It's definitely a hard hit to the entire unit... these men are all so close and loyal. It takes my breath away to see them travel from all over the country and world to attend these ceremonies.

RLTW!!!!!

(Rangers Lead The Way)

Our Trip to Washington DC

Friday, September 11, 2009

Arlington Cemetery

Donnie and I have been wanting to take the boys to Washington DC and thought there was no better time to go than this weekend. Today was a 9/11 we will never forget... not only did we pray for those who lost their lives that day, we also recognized those who gave their lives while bringing justice.

Donnie's entire platoon came to DC this weekend for Ryan McGhee's Jersey Retirement Ceremony & Dedication at his high school in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Ryan was buried in Arlington, so we all went to visit his grave this morning. Ryan was a dear friend and will never be forgotten.

Ryan was one of Donnie & Kirk Foster's men... they were there with Ryan the night he died, it was the same night they both were pretty badly injured. Donnie took Ryan's death very hard, it was really painful to see him cry that day.

Saying a family prayer for Ryan and his family.

JFK & Jacqueline Kennedy's graves and the Eternal Flame.

While we were there, we walked around to all of the famous graves, including the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Throughout the cemetery, there are signs posted to remind us to be reverent and respectful. Donnie and I were SO proud of how well our boys behaved the three hours we spent walking around.

Here is Donnie with several of his friends, standing next to the plaque they dedicated to Ryan's high school's football field.

This evening was Ryan McGhee's Jersey Retirement Ceremony & Dedication at his high school. It was an AMAZING ceremony that had everyone in tears. A plaque was dedicated in his honor by Donnie's unit. It was so amazing to see everyone wearing Ryan's jersey number 33... whether it was on the ribbons in their hair, their hats & t-shirts, or painted on their cheeks & chests. It took my breath away when the crowd gave Donnie's unit a standing ovation when the football coach asked to give thanks. It was TRULY a night I'll never forget.

It was a bit chilly that night, we all bundled up. There was a section roped off just for us at the front center of the bleachers, which was so thoughtful of Ryan's coaches. The boys had SO much fun at the game... stomping their feet and clapping their hands to the music played over the speakers. Kaleb's favorite was 'We Will Rock You,' he sung it afterwards in the car the whole way back to the hotel.

Massoponax High School won the game... which was a PERFECT way to honor Ryan. The team they played against was very good, but every play just seemed to come together for MHS. After the game, several of Ryan's old teammates said he was definitely there that night... they could feel him.

We were so glad our good friends Kirk & Leah were there with us that weekend. It was quite an emotional one... but so necessary. We love you two!!!

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Today we spent the day with a dear family friend, JJ Smith, who has been at Walter Reed since June 1st. His humvee was hit with an IED in Afghanistan... we are definitely counting our blessings he is miraculously physically recovering well. His legs are in really bad shape, but he was able to walk around with us... with a few rests. The news of him being hurt came to me just a few days after returning home from Ryan's memorial and funeral. It had a been an emotional week to say the least. Donnie and I feel this weekend, visiting both of them, helped our spirits a great deal.

The first place we went was down Pennsylvania Avenue to see the White House. When we got there, a bit of commotion was going on... it was a miracle we were able to get a photo, much less one that turned out well. The Tea Party protesters were there handing out information flyers and picketing everywhere. We actually saw President Obama's Marine One fly overhead. It is one HUGE helicopter!

The Washington Monument

While we were walking around, someone gave Kaleb a little American flag and he carried it for the rest of the day.

I LOVE my soldier!!! =)

If you look to the far left, between the trees, you'll see the Capitol Building.

The World War II Memorial

This memorial was just amazing! If you've never been there, it's set up as a giant circle with monuments representing each state. The monuments were engraved with quotes that we really enjoyed walking around and reading. In the center, was a beautiful fountain. If you looked to one side you could see the Washington Monument, if you looked to the other you could see The Reflecting Pool and the Lincoln Memorial. This quote was my favorite and was very well suited for our weekend.

Here is another cool quote, referring to the roles the women played in supporting our nation during WWII.

This photo is just AMAZING! If you read the quote on the wall, then see Kaleb holding up and looking at his little flag... and then see Donnie sitting to the other side of Kaleb, who's in a unit of our nation's TOP soldiers. So cool, I SWEAR I didn't set them up this way! =)

Donnie & I thought it would be fun for us to get photos in front of the monuments for the states we were born in.

Standing in front of the fountain in the middle of the WWII Memorial with the Washington Monument in the back.

Our boys LOVE JJ! =)

The Lincoln Memorial

We had SUCH a great time with JJ!! He took us all out to a really nice restaurant afterward, where I ate the BEST grilled salmon I've ever had... the food was SO yummy. It was really hard to say goodbye to him, but he promised to come visit us soon... we love you, JJ!!!!!! xoxo