Christmas Morning

Lydia crawled into bed with us and laid there for a good thirty minutes before she remembered there were presents waiting to be opened.  There was no turn-taking this year; the kids just quickly went from one present to the next but were thrilled with each and every thing they received.  Thank you so much for all the gifts.  Santa brought them very little this year because the tree was already full from gifts from family.  Megan

Merry Christmas!

A failed attempt to make a Christmas card left me frustrated and cardless this year.  This blog post is the next best thing.  Lydia got the idea to re-create her Christmas pageant this morning.  I'm pretty proud of what I was able to scrounge together in the matter of 15 minutes!  She was in tears when she realized no one was actually going to attend our pageant, but the photo we captured is priceless. Merry Christmas!  

Love to you all, 

Megan (the Snow Angel)

John (Joseph or as Lydia calls him "Uncle Joe")

Lydia (Mary)

Jack  (2 year old who refused to put on a costume)

Big Barbie (the Shepard)

Ugly Baby Doll (Baby Jesus)

Happy Birthday Jack!!!

Happy second Birthday Jack!  We started with grandiose plans to return to Sea World today.  Those plans then changed to a visit to the Train Museum and changed AGAIN to simply cake and presents.  And you know what?  Cake and presents was perfect.  It was all Jack need to have a special day.  Megan 

My Snowangel

Lydia's preschool Christmas pagent was last night.  Seeing her walk in as th Snowangel was the highlight of my week.  She smiled and sang loudly.  Very proud parent moment.  Megan

Sea World Christmas Party

One great thing about the Coast Guard is they have spectacular holiday parties!  Yesterday was the Sector Christmas party, which was hosted at Sea World.  Santa, crafts, rides, door prizes, photo booth, animals--the kids were in heaven!  Megan

Lydia & Jack Growing Up

Lydia is going to be entering kindergarten next year!  She loves pretend play, particularly re-enacting movies in costume with music.  She is kind-hearted and always nice to other kids we encounter, most of the time to her brother.  She doesn't sit still for long and loves to "help," be it cooking or fixing things around the house with her dad.  I am incredibly proud of who she is becoming.

Jack is going to be two next week!  I didn't realize a child this young could make me laugh so much.  He is expressive and funny.  He is affectionate but at the same time very much a rough boy.  Jack is talking up a storm and can tell you pretty much everything he wants, which in most cases is to have or do whatever he sees Lydia doing.  Jack is a joy to be around.

In the Spirit

This crew is feeling the holiday spirit!  We had a relatively low-key Thanksgiving with friends from John's work, followed by some Black Thursday TV shopping.  And now we are in full-blown Christmas mode.  We upgraded to a real tree this year and enjoyed an evening decorating it.  Lydia is eager for Santa's visit.  She asked if we could put out cookies tonight.  Megan

Besties

Lately we have had a lot of hair pulling, growling and consequential time-outs in our house.  But for some odd but wonderful reason, the kids are getting along like little besties this morning.  Here is a video of them playing so happily together with blocks.  You can clearly tell that Lydia loves watching Youtube videos, hence the "subscribe" comment.
https://youtu.be/2m7L3PJE48s
Megan

Looking Ahead

Each day that passes, moving to Alaska is becoming more of a reality.  They say you either love it or hate it.  I plan on loving it.  Here's a list of all the things I am looking forward to about the move:

- The natural beauty

- Four seasons

- Better sleep (less noise, cooler temps)

- A healthier, safer environment for the kids

- No traffic

- Simpler way of life

Megan

Smiles to the End

John took down the pool today.  Temps have finally cooled off here in San Diego. The kids had one last romp in the water as it drained.  John and I sat in the sun and watched them play happily.  I had a moment of anxiety about Alaska.  I know John and I will like living there but I hope the kids will like it as well.  Megan

Chuck, You Will Be Missed

Is it weird of me to admit that one of things I will miss most about San Diego is Chuck E Cheese!?!?!?  This photo was taken last week at Jake's Birthday party.  I think it is safe to say that everyone, all adults included, had fun at that party.  Lydia takes the cake though as she was chosen to be Grand Marshall of Chuck E's parade and scored a boatload of free tickets. Awwww, we love you Chuck.  Megan

Alaska Mobile

To be honest, I have never been too fond of SUVs.  One of my goals as a parent was to always have a sedan.  However, when Alaska was confirmed, I immediately thought we need a 4x4 SUV.  Oh, the hypocrisy!  John and I recently traded in the convertible for this Nissan Xterra Off-road Edition.  This will be my car and John will use the Impala in Alaska.  I love driving this high, powerful beast of a vehicle.  Lydia calls it the "up car."  I feel like I am finally part of the club, the boy's club!  Megan

Promotion Ceremony

Today marked John's two and a half year anniversary in the Coast Guard.  He was promoted to Lieutenant at a ceremony this morning.  We are so proud of his hard work in the Coast Guard!  Megan

Happy Halloween

Happy Halloween from Applejack and a turtle!  Megan

Grand Canyon Hike

John, being such a great planner, began organizing a Grand Canyon hike a year ago.  Joe and Pops were excited to hike and with Phyllis kindly offering her babysitting services, I too was on board. This was my first time to the Grand Canyon and what a exceptional way to experience this wonder! We spent six hours hiking the South Kaibab Trail to the bottom of the canyon.  We then spent the night at the Phantom Ranch in the bunk rooms.  Being at the Ranch felt like being at summer camp, only the food was way better!  The next morning we hiked seven hours up to the rim on the Bright Angel Trail.  Couldn't have asked for better weather or a more gorgeous, enjoyable hike.  Megan

Alaska Bound

Big news in our house!  John received an email several weeks ago recruiting Coast Guard Pilots to rotate early for a three year tour in Kodiak, Alaska.  After a week of going back and forth about whether to apply, we decided to go for it.  John applied and was accepted--we leave late winter!  It is a great move for John's career with the Coast Guard, and also has many benefits for the kids and myself.  Adventure awaits!  Megan

Sicktober

Last October was spent wiping noses and sadly this October seems to be going that same way.  Tonight I find myself at the ER with Lydia for an ear infection.  The upside is a pleasant dinner catered by McDonalds.  Megan

Oma's Pumpkin Patch

A break in hot temps is really helping us get into the Autumn-spirit.  I even took the kids to Oma's Pumpkin Patch Tuesday afternoon.  Lydia, being a maze-enthusiast, got a kick out of the hay bale maze.  Jack enjoyed petting the goats.  The highlight of the visit was witnessing the birth of a calf on a hayride through the working dairy farm.  Megan

Happy Birthday John!

John is 36 years old today!  We celebrated yesterday (because he has duty today) by heading out of the city 60 miles to the Pacific Coast Railway Museum.  John had stumbled upon the museum during a motorcycle ride and requested to check it out.  What a little jewel!  We took a one hour, 12 mile ride on the train, which was so picturesque.  The train was actually used in the Pearl Harbor movie years ago.  Gorgeous train, gorgeous ride through the countryside, gorgeous children.  Happy Birthday John!  Megan

Donut Run

Our house is about a third of a mile from a shopping center.  When we first moved in, I was excited to walk to a bakery specializing in cinnamon rolls.  Unfortunately the owners didn't give me the warm and fuzzy when the kids would take the place by storm.  Next we tried the restaurant across the street.  Nice but a little slow and pricey.  In the past six months we have fallen in love with the donut shop. Not too fancy or pricey.  The owners welcome little sticky fingers.  When we mention "donut," Jack heads for his stroller and Lydia her bike, ready for a dozen glazed donut holes.  Megan

Miramar Air Show

Lydia played hooky this afternoon so that John could take her to the Miramar Air Show, where they met up with Mike and Jake.  Headgear, loud jets, funnel cakes and cool breezes - the afternoon was a treat for all.  Megan

My Cheerleader

Lydia has become my little cheerleader.  "Mommy is number 1!!!"  She cheers me on as I return to the mundane chores of cleaning house and folding laundry.  Megan

Good-bye Navarre

Navarre, thanks for the perfect beach vacation!  Every day on the beach was slightly different providing the kids with new entertainment.  We saw dolphins, a sea turtle and lots of jellyfish (luckily no stings!).  John truly unplugged from work; he didn't check his email once!  We ate at all our old favorite spots, including three meals of fish tacos.  We got phenomal sleep, thanks to central air conditioning.  Today we are back to the daily grind in San Diego and already looking forward to our next beach vacation. Megan

Never Disappoints

The Gulf Breeze Zoo never disappoints!  The kids and I spent a fun morning feeding animals and riding the zoo train.  Lydia said "I never want to leave here."  I'm not sure if she meant the zoo or the Gulf Coast. Megan