Finishing out 2011, Hello 2012.

As most of you know Dave was Iraq for most of this last year and so the kids and I moved back to my parents place while he was gone. Long story short, he is back now and we will all be together again soon. He is back at Fort Bragg NC and we will be moving back there with him at the end of February. I am sad to move away from my job and both our families but nothing will feel as good as having my little family living all under one roof. I will keep everyone updated as things unfold.

Christmas 2009

This year we had our first Christmas as a family and it was awesome. We started some of our own traditions and had a wonderful time. Dave did not have to work very much and Lys was off of school so the last 2 weeks of the year were very relaxing and fun for all of us. Here are some pics from Christmas and the last 2 weeks of the year.

Dave got me speakers for my car.

This girl is spoiled, look at all her loot.

Lys and her stocking

Santa lined our stairs with bubble wrap because Lys loves popping it so much.

What kid would not love to come down and see this on Christmas morning?

Our stockings

Another family pic

Christmas Eve dinner

We made the world's worst gingerbread house, but it was fun doing it.

Lys was off for 2 weeks so one of the days we had a picnic in our back yard.

Some of the goodies Alyssa and I made for our friends.

Alyssa and Chauncey in their santa hats.

Family pic, minus Chauncey. 32 Weeks pregnant here.

Dave and his birthday cake I made for him

Fall of 09

It has been a long while since I have updated the blog so here is a very quick overview of the last few months. We are in our new house which has been such a blessing! Alyssa loves her school and I am there often helping out. We feel very at home here. This Thanksgiving we were blessed to have my sister and her family come spend a week with us. It was so nice, we loved having them here. It was the highlight of my year for sure. Alyssa started girl scouts last month so that has been fun for her, she goes once a week and some other activities. Last week we went to the North Carolina Ballet's performance of the Nutcracker and then out to dinner, it was fun. Lately we have just been getting ready for Christmas. This will be our first Christmas away from home so we are going to embrace it. It will also be our first Christmas together as a family. Also, we do not have much longer until we have our newest member of our family Nathan Stefan White. Can't wait to meet him!!! We will keep everybody posted on all new updates. We love you all and hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas.

Our beautiful Alyssa

Nutcracker cast

Alyssa at the Ballet

Alyssa and I before the ballet. I am 30 weeks pregnant here.

These are cakes they made at Dave's work that look like the berets they wear.

Highlight of the year, us with the Millers on Thanksgiving.

We spent one Sunday in Raleigh at the kids museum and the IMAX theatre.

Alyssa on Halloween

Alyssa in our back yard.

Lys and I at the Pumpkin Patch (Dave didn't go because his leg was broken at the time)

We Are Moving!!

So, we are moving....not far, just across post. We are moving into a 3 bedroom house so we can plan for the arrival of our newest addition due Feb 2010. We are all really excited because this house is quite a bit bigger and nicer than the house we are in now. Here is a picture of it.

Trip home to CA

So, Alyssa and I were lucky enough to plan a trip home to CA after only being gone for 3 months. We had a wonderful time with the family. After being away I realize how much I miss and love my family. I really only cared about being with them. We were there for a little over 2 weeks and then the family all went to Gin and Jason's for the weekend before we left. It was so fun to all be together. I am very grateful and lucky to have the family that I do. I wish Dave could have come with us but he had to work. I am looking forward to when we will all be able to visit.

Alyssa and Ollie, 2 very cute cousins. Ollie is wearing Jason's Do-rag

Me and Gin, 2 very cute sisters

What a wonderful family I have (minus my hubby)

I hate this pic of me but I love my siblings so I had to put it up. This is at Santa Cruz.

Alyssa went for a ride on the dirtbike with her brother.

Some friends and me at a BBQ

Alyssa, Jack, Me and Mom at Six Flags.

Alyssa and her cousin Angelic watching the fireworks at the park. Lincoln fireworks were really great this year.

Alyssa and Ollie in their 4th of July getup.

Alyssa in the pool with Ollie and Gin.

Trip to Pennsylvania

This past weekend was the Army's birthday so Dave had a 4 day weekend and we were lucky enough to make a quick trip to Pennsylvania to visit the family. We were not there very long. We left NC around 7 pm on Thursday night and arrived at grandma's on Friday morning at 3:10am. I was so eager to get there I drove the whole way. We also brought our puppy with us on the trip. It was such a fun weekend and I am so glad everybody got a chance to meet Dave. I am looking forward to going back soon, I think being there cured my little homesick problem I get every once in a while. Here are some of the pictures from the trip.

Lys and Joey playing in the water

The kids at the chicken coop

Dave and I

Chauncey licking Jackson's toes

Me and Aunt Claude

Me and Leah

Grandma reading to the kids (Lys, Joey and Josh)

Casey, Nate and Dave playing basketball

Me and Chauncey

Merideth, Aunt Tonya and me

Me, Lys and Dave with Grandma

Lys and Joey

Some of the ladies on grandma's porch

Lys and the bullfrog she found

Joey, Ava, Joshua and Lys in uncle Dougs pool