Awesomesauce!!!

There really is no other word to describe it!

"It" being a whole family again. It's hard to believe Jon has been home an entire month already. We haven't done anything extraordinary...we have just been "us" and there really is nothing sweeter. Life is good! Praise God!

A special treat the night Daddy got home. Eleanor wants to know when she gets to have one!

Jon's idea...can you tell they're excited??

Starting grill lessons early from the grill master!

Best part....I don't have to pick them up!! That's big brother's job before we get to watch Elmo!!

Boys will be boys!

LOVE our new bedtime routine!!

Always time for a silly, funny face before we go night-night.

The fullest that machine has been in 8 months!! Amazing what one extra person does to the balance!

Checking out Costco with our buddies! Eleanor is going to be one tough chick! 

Laguna Hills Half Marathon. Running with a bunch of BAMRs (and their hubbies)!

An early morning flag waving session on Memorial Day!

Ready for 13.1!

Almost finished! Loved seeing a fellow SW...it made the last half-mile so much easier!!

And I'm apparently a thumb-sticker-outer-runner! Ethan waving his flag in the background!

This photo sums it all up....together, we can accomplish anything!
I love you three, to the moon and back!

BLING!

Checkin' out some of the big toys with Daddy!

What 2 year old (or 31 year old for that matter) doesn't want to pose with a big gun?

Don't know how we would've survived these 8 months without these amazing women! I am so blessed to call them my friends!

Pos-race, impromptu s'mores feast! It really is the simple things in life that bring the most joy!

People often comment on how I must have my hands full. Well, these two are best buddies (for now) so they make it easy!!

Li'l miss getting her crawl on!

PIZZA NIGHT!!! YAY!!!

If only we all could look this good at 26 miles! Mia - you are a ROCK STAR!!!

A little Stroller Warrior love for the marathoner!!

No caption necessary! BOOM!

Can't tell she just ran a marathon. Again, ROCK STAR!!



Just a little fun before the show began!

 

Braxton was there too. Sorry, dude! Only shot I had of you!

The age of technology! They say kids learn by watching...ain't that the truth!

CHEESE!

Multi-tasking!

 

It's garbage day!!! HOOOORRAAAAYYYY!!!



"I see! I see!"
Mommy knows that the door and window shades need to be opened on garbage day!



Waiting patiently for the truck to head into the circle.



Eleanor's a little late to the game!



Beep. Beep. Beep.
Sound effects are a must when anything backs up (even momma's caboose...sigh)!



Running to catch the truck in action!



One last gaze before the truck drives away.

I wouldn't have it any other way!!



I hadn't even come down the stairs yet and she started wailing. Somehow she just knew!

Righteous hair, dude!



Celebrating the birthday of 5th Marines.



Praying that neither kid would decide to throw-up or poop on one of us!

Grandma flew into town so that Jon and I could go out! Ethan thought he'd upgrade his reading material!
Thanks, Grandma!!

One of these things just doens't belong....

PHEW! Thank goodness for extra costumes...we started to stick out like a sore thumb. Mommy dressed little man for the Batman themed party. Can you tell she wasn't into comics as a kid?? Totally thought Spiderman would fit in!

Too cute not to share. Who doesn't love male-patterned baldness on little baby girls??

Some pretty amazing 3/5 women!

And the coffee table is once again turned caddy-cornered (sp??)

Unfortunately, we had to say "see you later" to another one of our buddies. Miss you, Edwards family!

But with goings, there are comings. So, these kiddos are from friends who met when we were 6 years old.
How in the world did we get old enough to have our own kids?

Everyone look at the camera!!! Or, the helicopter.

Friends since 1st grade & kindergarten. Finally living in the same time zone!!!

Total California boy!

Li'l girl must've looked like a giant to Miss A.

It took a little bit but Miss A finally warmed up to Eleanor!

An attempt at kiddo jammie time...Miss A not feeling it so much!

Shmoooooshy kisses from Daddy are the best!!!

 

We are looking forward to post-deployment leave. Some much needed family time (aka - mommy sleep-in time)! ;-)