Beach Bums - August 2010

Jay wasn't due in until around midnight - so the girls & I (and some great friends) thought a good distraction would be to spend the day at the beach...it was a great idea! The weather was beautiful and we all had a blast. Ashton loves to wear glasses, but usually tends to put them on upside down...she is such a trend setter, eh?

BFF's, Alyssa & Paige. I just love this picture. (we have the same one of them from when they were just 3 years old). Growing so fast.

My little resourceful girls found 2 boards and made a teeter-totter out of them. It's so nice when they actually play nice with one another. :)

Future in Fashion?

The picture says it all! Ashton loves her ladybug boots (hand-me-downs from sister, of course). Pretty sure she gets her Fabulous Fashion sense from her sister too. I learned with Alyssa to pick my battles...and matching clothes/shoes is not one I choose to fight. Punky Brewster lives on in our house! :)

Pool Party

We had a brief glimpse of summer weather last weekend and luckily it coincided with Kaitlyn's Birthday/Pool Party! The girls got to even play with their cousin Harper - Alyssa enjoyed playing "Mommy" for her, because she'd actually let her...unlike Ashton.

Alyssa & Ashton playing at the water table.

Iraq - June 2010

Jay and some of his 2-23 guys posing in front of one of the Strykers. (Jay is 2nd from the left in the front row.) Looking good...but Ohhh so ready for this deployment to be over!

2-23 Easter Celebration - 2010

2-23 IN held a wonderful Easter celebration on Ft. Lewis with a huge egg hunt, games, food and more. But of course, Ashton had to have her own "appetizers" before the BBQ.

Alyssa hanging out by the "tattoo booth." She wanted one of everything...at least they're temporary, right? :)

Ashton on the hunt for eggs. She loved finding the eggs - not too interested in opening them though. Ashton even found the "Golden Egg" and got a big prize...but was way more into finding them and putting them in her basket. It's all in the hunt! All in all, it was a great SUNNY day - Yes! Just wish that Daddy would've been there to share it with us.

Charlie Company: March 2010

Photo of Charlie Company (Cco) after they finished doing their missions surrounding the Iraq elections. Jay is in the front row, third from the left. Looks like a dream destination, doesn't it? Ha.

R&R Fun!

We had tons of fun while Jay was home. Just the 4 of us took a two night trip to the Great Wolf Lodge (huge indoor water park) That was an awesome start to his time home. Jason "wrestled" with his girls many a night.

We had lots of good friends/family over for a serious Rock Band Party! This is the "Varsity Team" (as they like to call themselves) Yes, that is Jay singing!

The 4 of us took a trip to the Zoo - they both love the "Maui fish" aquarium. "Shish" as Ashton calls them. (I swear Alyssa has tons of cute clothes - this outfit just cracks me up - she's just "expressing herself", right?)

My gang! This was the night before he had to leave. The girls had to say good-bye to him before they went to bed, because I had to take him to the airport at 4:00am...and it's better not to let them see Mommy cry like a baby.

I've never wished away a summer before now...C'mon SEPTEMBER!!!