Christmas 2008

We had a quiet Christmas celebrating the day with just our family. Jonathan and Jacob took their time opening gifts, jumping up and down with joy, and thanking everyone for the great gifts. The most challenging gift was from Uncle Ted and Aunt Darlene. They sent gift cards within a pinball puzzle. Getting those little medal balls in the small hole was tough, but the guys persevered until they claimed their prizes!

It's Christmas Day!!!

Kia shows off her gift from Grammy - a Carolina sweater! She looks extra cute in her new attire. The sweater was needed as it snowed the day after Christmas and it was cold all week.

Jacob's 11th Birthday

Jacob's 11th birthday was a day of laughs! He started the day with the only present he asked for - a Nerf Vulcan! As you can tell by his face, he was pretty happy!

Jacob's 11th party included 11 invited guests and started at 11am. The Nerf party included several brutal rounds of dodge ball, target games, and an all-out Nerf battle. With everyone having a Nerf gun, bullets were flying everywhere! David and Angel were glad for the pizza break! You can see some of the arsenal of weapons in the foreground of the picture.

Jacob's cake featured two Nerf bullets highlighting his 11th birthday.

Fun with his friends!

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!

More Pictures of Grandpa's Visit

Grandpa Bill Visits!

We spent a fun day with Granda Bill at the aquarium in Albuquerque.

We had a picnic lunch at our car and were joined by an unexpected visitor. This roadrunner ate chips and bread right next to us.

What an amazing bird!

When a car flew by, the roadrunner jumped in a nearby tree.

Family Reintegration Retreat

The Chapel hosted a reintegration retreat for families facing the return of a deployed family member or the upcoming deployment of a family member. David facilitated the retreat. We all enjoyed the weekend away in the southern mountains of New Mexico at Bonita Park.

The Linus Project provides homemade quilts and blankets to children of deployed military families.

David and Jonathan rode the zip line! It was tough to take the first step, but the ride was worth it according to them.

Jacob and Jonathan enjoy smores by the fireplace!

The facility had indoor and outdoor rock walls. Jonathan and Jacob had fun climbing!

PWOC International Conference in Dallas

Angel enjoyed a great PWOC International conference at the Dallas Hyatt Regency. It was a fun time of reunion seeing friends from all the bases we have lived. Shari and Angel were stationed together at Fort Hood for the Army Family Life Chaplain Training Center.

Hula Sisters, Angel and Chris, are friends from Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii!

Kirtland Air Force Base gals - Terri, Maggie, Heidi, Angel and Suzanne.

Jacob in Braces

Jacob got Part 1 of Phase 1 of braces this week. He goes back in two weeks to get his pallet expander installed in his mouth. We have the joy of cranking his pallet expander over the next few months so his permanent teeth will have room to come in. I didn't sign up for this in my Mom Contract. It's just another one of those joys we get to experience!

Jacob chose his favorite colors (red and black) for the bands. He fit right in at the Lobos game!

University of New Mexico Lobos Football

We enjoyed a UNM football game with the Solheim family.

New Boy Scout Troop

Jonathan joined his new troop on Kirtland. Jacob will bridge into the troop in February(from the pack), but is participating in troop activities already. David, Jonathan and Jacob enjoyed a day at Cochiti Lake located between Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The campout focused on physical fitness.

Halloween 2008

Commander Cody, Jonathan the Baseball Player, Hello Kitty in Camo, and Matching Ice Cream Sandwiches were the highlights of Halloween 2008.