Aubrey Marie, aka Lil' Miss

Lately, the kids love to take pictures with my camera and Aubrey has been their main model with lots of smiles for them. I will try to get pictures of her smiling but when the camera comes up it is a straight face for me. So here are some that the kids have caught. Can you tell she is well loved?

Something New To Do In VA

The National Museum of the Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia.....The architectural profile of the National Museum evokes the WWII flag raising on Iwo Jima. The gleaming steel central mast stands 210 feet tall and serves as the museum's focal point. The cool thing is you will be driving on 95 and all of a sudden it just pops out of the trees, and at night it is amazing with the lights.

We went this past Saturday and it was so much fun, we only made it half way through and we will go back and finish it within the next couple of weeks. They also have an awesome playground, (one of the best I've seen in VA.) We had a fabulous time and the kids can't wait to go back. -An explanation to the middle picture, there was a sign that said Jenny so we HAD to take a picture ;)

Yum! Ice Cream

We were just playing around and Aubrey wanted to have a lick of Ice cream. She said "I'm Ready!"

Second Room: The Girls Room

I finally finished Lauren's & Aubrey's room, Krissie helped me with Aubrey's letters but it wasn't till yesterday that they were finished, I can finally cross that one off of my list. Kyle & Ryan want me to post their room but I told them that they had to clean it first, we will see if that works to get them to clean it.

Football VS. Spongebob

Today Adolfo was watching Football on the T.V. and Derek said "Dad I don't like Football!" Adolfo said "Derek I love Football, please, watch it with me." Derek said "No Dad, I don't like Football I like Spongebob." So there you have it, on Thanksgiving we will watch Spongebob re-runs instead of Lions vs. Dallas!!!!

First Steps, After Surgery

Hurray for D!!!! This past Saturday we went to see Adolfo at work and Derek took his first steps since his Surgery (March 29), he has had Physical Therapy 2x's a week for the past month and it has helped him so much. He still prefers to walk with a little help, but before we know it I will be posting a new video of him running away from me.

First Room: Living Room

This is the only room in the house that has drapes and carpet. The rest of the house is either wood, tile or cement. So this is the fancy room of the house, on one of the empty walls I would like to get a nice picture of Christ, my favorites are some of Greg Olson's. Then in the empty corner either a curio cabinet or a grandfather clock. But some of this is wishful thinking.

Home Sweet Home

We finally made it! After lots of hard work we were able to purchase our own HOME in Virginia. We have been looking on and off for a year now and there were a couple of houses that we liked. In February we found this place and it was a Short Sale which our realtor discouraged us from setting our hearts on it because they hardly ever go to closing. Well, we came by and walked through it but while we were there 5 other couples came by with their Realtors and on the kitchen counter there were at least 20 business cards of people that have already came by and looked at it. We loved it, unfortunately at the time I let my heart set on it. We placed and offer, and it was considered but the owners decided on a cash offer instead of ours. I was so upset and I had never let myself fall so hard on a place but it just felt right. Adolfo said if Heavenly Father wants us here then it will happen. Well we moved on and started looking at other houses but nothing ever seemed "Just Right." On April 20th (Lauren's birthday) our realtor called out of the blue and said the house was back on and the owners would accept our offer for less than what we offered but we had to close in 3 1/2 weeks. It had been so long and we had looked at so many others I couldn't even remember the address. We lived, breathed and signed paperwork for those 3+ weeks. On May 15th we signed the papers and became HOME OWNERS. It still seems like a dream, we got a steal of a deal and we are so thankful for our new home. So I have had a few requests of what our new place looks like, so I will try and post a picture once a week of a new room, here is what it looks like when you drive up to the place, and so far I haven't killed the front yard, the back yard is another story however.

Goodbye Aunt Kris

The poor girl arrived to a house of boxes and tape, May 22. Within the first week of being in Virginia, her job titles were: Professional Mover, Janitor, Nanny, dishwasher and Jen's personal slave. That was just the first week! The summer flew by, with Dr. appointments and Physical Therapy, a brand new BABY, camps, library trips going to the pool, Costco runs and pedicures. We can't believe that she is gone, the house feels empty. We don't know what we would have done without you Kris. The kids all wanted to list their favorite things to do with Krissie. Kyle said, "Ummm, watching NCIS with Aunt Kris." Ryan said, "Have Fun and go to the pool." Lauren said, "Krissie reading to me every night before I go to bed." Derek said, "Playing with Aunt Krissie and watching Spongebob." Aubrey said, "Aunt Krissie changing my diapers and holding me." Jen said, "We had lots of fun eating at Panera, Pottbelly, Sweet Water, Five Guys and the rest of the best that Virginia has to offer while watching Bridezilla's." Adolfo said thanks for all of your help and the great babysitting you did so I could take my wife out on hot dates. Your the BEST Kris, we miss you and love you!!!!

Just a Test

Alright, I have to admit Krissie sat right next to me for the last posting so this is a test to see if I can manage this after she leaves.......Plug your ears for the annoying beeping sound. (Krissie didn't get my joke-the test that comes on TV for the emergency broadcasting....;)

New Family on the Blog

Hello Family, Friends and Neighbors..... We wanted to say Hello! I'm hoping I can update this once a week with family news. Hopefully I will be able to figure this out, we will see. Stay tuned for future updates, I have lots of pics that I would like to share with you all. Love you and miss you tons, Adolfo, Jen, Kyle, Ryan, Lauren, Derek and Aubrey.