MERRY CHRISTMAS CARL

The kids decorating houses before leaving for Grandma's last week.

Nathan singing Christmas songs at his school party. Granny came with us and we had a great time. Thanks for coming Granny!

As soon as we pulled up in the drivway to Grandma's Santa came by on the firetruck!

Caitlin opening a book from Aunt Shelly, thanks!

It is Christmas Eve. We put the kids to bed early. Nate was sleeping by 11:00pm!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mom had to sleep in Caitlin's room because we had a full house. At 1:00 am Caitlin woke me up singing her sunday school songs! By 4:30 I was praying to make her stop, after yelling at her to stop singing she sang two more verses of the wheels on the bus and finally stopped. This was after I tried to sleep out in the living room but ...... its a long story. Lets just say Mom is a bit sleepy today! HAHAHAH

Ali holding her new pink fishing rod!

Catilin opening gifts!

Catilin in her new pink car!

Nathan opening a garbage truck!

THE FAMILY PICTURE!

NATHAN IN HIS NEW JOHN DEERE TRACTOR !!!! THANKS SANTA HE LOVES IT!!!!

I am cutting it close but I promised Carl pictures on Christmas, this 8 hour time difference makes it close but I think I did it! MERRY CHRISTMAS CARL! WISH YOU WERE HERE. WE MISS YOU!

We have had a great time at Grandmas wow where to begin.

Christmas/Birthday

It feels more like summer than Christmas. The kids and I go jogging with them in the stroller but we can only run to houses with lights, and we have to walk by them. Last weekend we spent Sunday at Granny and Grandads. We celebrated Carlie's birthday with a unicorn cake made by me. I must admit when Caren asked I was a sceptical. The kids had a great time with their cousins and the food was yummy!



LOOK AT THAT CAKE!

Granny and Nate look at decorations.

Nate plays iwth his mega city pack from Caren

The kids painting out in the garage.

Will I remember?

There so many cute things the kids say everyday. I always say I will remember but within days I usually forget. The past few days Nathan and Caitlin have said some good ones.

On Sunday evening I got off the phone with Granny and I said to Nate and Caitlin " Guess who is coming for dinner" Caitlin looked at me an threw her hands up in the air and said " DADDY HOME" Those were the last words I would have guessed coming out of her mouth. I almost cried! That is the last time I say guess who!

On Friday evening I tucked Nate into bed and said goodnight. As I reached down to kiss him he said
"Mommy I am going to dream about my John Deere Tractor"-- thats all he wants for Christmas.

Today we were at a birthday party for Nate's cousin Carlie. The kids were all gathered around the cake and Aunt Caren said Carlie make a wish. Nate says " I am going to wish I could visit my daddy on the ship" OH I wish I could make his dreams and wishes come true! Santa will not let us down and we know daddy will be here soon! We MISS YOU DADDY!

Christmas Pictures

Okay this one is just a memory for you Carl yep two years ago you took this picture. She is so big now! Wish you were here!

The kids with Santa. Everyone asks how do you get them to smile. I have no idea they do this at school. The school pictures turn out so good, what is the secret! I was there for this one and I had a bag of candy in my hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

They love each other so much will this last!

AHHHHHHhh ITS DECEMBER!!!

Opening presents with Susan

Three snowmen!

Going downtown to look at Christmas Lights!

Nate loves all the fun things at Susan's

Check out the look on Nate's face

Nathan and Caitlin at the Christmas parade with Claire and Blythe. I didn't get any good pictures of them all together. Without Carl my picture taking skills go downhill fast!

Nate with Nora they no longer remember each other ! How sad, oh well maybe they will still get married someday! Although Nate might have to grow a few feet AHAHHAAH

Christmas it just happens so fast. Can I have an extra day or an extra week please. I found myself running around the house today doing nothing because I have so much to do . ! I am sure it can't be that hard right!!!!! We had an awesome weekend in Sunny and Warm St. Petersburg. Wow was it nice. We stayed at Tony and Susan's and the kids had a blast! Can we come back the entire month of January!

Here are a few pictures of our weekend.

OVER 100!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well we hit the mark, yep Carl has been gone for over 100 days which means we can now mark the half way point. It is really hard to describe how excited I am to hit this point.
It has been been extremely hard but I have gotten so much support from everyone in so many ways. I can't thank you enough. Now only 100 more to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Turkey Day, Happy Birthdays

Wow what a weekend! We started on Wednesday with a birthday party for Ali and Amy. On Thursday the whole gang was here and we enjoyed a yummy turkey with all the fixings. Saturday we celebrated Caitlins birthday. Everyone was here and Caitlin had a great time. Happy second birthday Caitlin!

Nathan and Caitlin help put the candles on Amy and Alison's birthday cake.

The party

The Christmas flotilla in Swansboro.

Matching aprons from Aunt Caren, they are so cute we love them!

Getting ready for the birthday party. Caitlin with her singing Elmo balloon it is so loud!

Caitlin checks out the Elmo cake

Time to blow out the candles, with Nate's help.

Caitlin loved all her presents, she has played with them all she is having a blast!

Carl Update

This is a picture released from the ship. This is what Carl would like you to think he is doing.

Can you find Carl?

This is what Carl is actually doing, he can see this indoor ski slope from his hotel room! He spent a day skiing I am not sure if he went skiing before he saw the new James Bond flick or after!

Drinks before dinner, looks like he has been drinking since Lunch!

Funny I didn't know the Marines issued flip flops!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't tell a lie. I have been putting this off because it is hard for me to write. Don't get me wrong I am so happy Carl is not dodging bullets and worrying about roadside bombs. Well like they say pictures speak louder than words!

A nice quiet week!

Caitlin playing dolls while Nathan swims

The diva going to sleep, she now wears sunglasses and a passi to go to bed.!!!!

Nathan loves the water just like his mommy!

Where's Nate -- look under the water!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Not much going on here it was Veteran's Week as I have come to call it. The town shuts down for most of the week which is fine with me. Thanks for all the nice phone calls thanking Carl for his service and checking on me. Nathan did great at swim lessons this week. Not many new pics to post so I featured swim lessons this week. The kids have been helping me clean and organize their rooms and we got so much done. Tonight I am getting Christmas presents together to send Carl just a few small things so he will have a present to open. It is so weird wrapping Christmas presents in November!!!! I will do a Carl update tomorrow I promise!