Daddy's Home!!!

After 6 1/2 months Tom came home yesterday. It was Amazing, Wonderful, Exciting, and exhilirating all in one (yeah, maybe that's a little over the top, but I don't know how else to explain how great it is to have him home again.) I feel "whole" again.

I love this picture because it truly shows the support and love we got from friends the whole time he was gone. Mattie and a Rachel (a nieghbor).

Waiting Wife

Hazel enjoyin the free cookies from Operation Uplift

The plane coming in.

Tom walking up. At the point the kids just started running towards him yelling "Daddy, Daddy!"

First Hug

First Kiss.

Tom had a rose for me, Emma, Mattie and Hazel, and candy for Sam. Everyone had tears in their eyes, even the kids.

Hazel not sure if this is her dad who she saw on Skype all the time. Now all she does is walk around saying "Daddy, Daddy." He has to hold and comfort her as well.

Family Picture

Emma and Dad.

Going home!

Halloween and Pumpkin Carving

Carving the Pumpkins

They all loved the guts.

Part of the photo shoot afterwards.

This one said "expert" on the printout. And Yes, I'd have to say now "I am an expert" at doing crazy things.

Emma's own design.

Before trick or treating downtown

We also did a progressive dinner trick-or-treating party with the neighbors. It was so much fun. It was one big party after another. There were 12 adults and 16 kids, the final conclusion was we just went from house to house trashing it. Way Fun!

Our house was at the end and the kids and I put on a haunted house. Complete with a heart, intestines, and eyeballs, a witches cauldron with a smokey brew, and a full size dummy in a flight suit. With a strobe light and scary music, it turned out to be a great hit.

Just have to brag

So Boggle is a game our family likes to play. Today we pulled it out and here is the "board."

And here is Mattie's list of words. She had no help, she did it all by herself, I promise.

Just had to brag.

Hazel calling "addy'

Our Camping Trip to Jim Creek

We had such a good time at the squadron camping trip at Jim Creek. "Camping" is used elusively however because we staying in these pretty nice cabins that had electricity.

There were seven different families that stayed the night and some came up just for the day. It ended up being a warm and beautiful day, so the kids got into water fights as well as making their own waterslides.

Notice the noise? That was a constant for the two whole days. And I think we all loved it.

There was a community pavillion and campfire pit we all shared. We all enjoyed Smores and I caught Hazel helping herself to the bag of marshmallows.

Mattie got a little cold at the end of the night and was quite miserable, but squeaked out a smile for the camera.
There were a lot of other cameras up there, so there may be more forthcoming soon. We hope to take Tom there (if we can convince him he doesn't HAVE to have a tent) b/c it was such a perfect place.

Some Cute Videos

Mattie doing her pottie dance.

Emma is convinced she has "learned to ride faster than anyone else." I agree with her, but didn't inform her that most people learn when they are 5, not 7.

Sam pumping iron at the "family gym" on base.

Anacortes Arts Festival

Despite the focus being on strangers I love this picture Miriam took b/c this is me everywhere I go. I am the mother hen in front with three little chicks following behind (and if they have candy, even better ). This is a great picture because I love the smiles on both Miriam and Sam, but I also love it because the owner is in the background giving a crusty.

Emma's birthday money payed for the extra fancy balloon hat.

Enjoying the magic show.
And Tom, that is Lopez Island Creamery in the background, who I dare say rivals Whidbey Island Ice Cream.

The festival was way cooler than I imagined. I'm glad Miriam was here to enjoy it with us.