Fall Hike

On Sunday we had a break throughh of sunshine from the past three days of straight rain.  We jumped in the car and headed a little over an hour away to Benaojan for a two hour hike.  The hike was beautiful and we followed a bank of a river.  The kiddos did GREAT the entire time and the fresh air was greatly needed after being trapped inside the past few days.

Drew loves to be the "navigator" he carried the book most of the way and would "tell" us where to go!

Andy had a carrier for Claire (which she loves being up high)

Earlier this spring we bought another carrier, which is AWESOME.  It goes up to over 60lbs (I don't know who would use it that long...) any who... you can wear it on the front, as a side carrier, and on your back.  It has a flap as well that folds up to hold the child's head in place if they fall asleep.  I mostly use it for Claire, however this was a good work out for me:)

On our journey we came upon this lizard that played dead I'm sure as soon as he heard the kiddos voices a mile away.  Andy is doing his research on the lizard as I for sure thought it was poisonous!!

Um notice the guys not with smiles on their face...

Yap.. that's because this is who they were waiting on.. Claire loved to explore everything her foot would touch!

Andy and Drew practicing throwing rocks into the river

Half was through our walk we saw a dog come running at us!!! I FREAK out at loose dogs... Andy picked up a rock just in case and the dog ran to us and then walked by us.. Andy checked it's tags and it had identification and was the NICEST dog ever.  Drew kept asking if it was our new dog.... The dog hiked with us the rest of the way  and then it was the funniest thing when we returned back to the original town where we started the owners called it's name for it to come home!!!  I tell you that's true Spanish culture:)

We had a great day and look forward to many more fall hikes

Cinderella Ball

This past weekend the base held a Cinderella Ball, the ball was for dad's and daughters ONLY.  The daughters could be of any age from birth and on up.  The military had the option of wearing a suit or their uniform and the daughters could dress up as formal as they wanted.  It was so cute seeing all of the little girls so excited and proud with their dads.  We're  excited to begin the tradition of the Cinderella Ball.

Claire and dad already to go to the ball!  Claire is OBSESSED with purses right now...

Claire wasn't the happiest when we were in the back yard taking photos and we didn't let her in the sand box!

Our neighbor girls came over before the ball for a group photo!  Claire couldn't get over her sparkle shoes!

The daddies TRYING to take a photo with their daughters before... I don't know who was worse the men or the girls to get their attention!

Take two...

And take fourty...., I think the dad's were harder to get their attention then the girls!

Clarie watching Drew wanting to play so bad!

Claire still has all of her purses...

Outside the ball were horse drawn carriage rides.  Well kind of a horse... donkey??

Claire was in ah and didn't know what to think!

And then they were off! Once Andy and Clarie reached the room where the ball was held the mom's were not allowed in.  Claire danced the night away and had a blast! 

Trip To Minnesota!

The first of November we traveled back to Minnesota for a quick trip home.  Andy was extra excited as we timed out trip home for the opening weekend of deer season as well!

Andy's parents live out in the country and it's non-stop fun from the moment the kiddos wake up (which is early...).  It reminded me of when I was little and how one could spend hours outside playing with the dog, rocks, sticks, bikes, and using their imagination.

Andy's parents have a lab named Kai. Kai is a VERY well behaved dog, the kiddos loved it as Kai followed every command they said.  Ahhhh the power Drew and Claire had that week....

Drew was ecstatic to go on his first pheasant hunting trip with dad, grandpa, and Kai.  Drew was in a back pack on Andy's back.

They came home with pheasants. Drew was a little concerned when he learned they couldn't fly anymore though!

Thank you Mimi and Papa for the Iowa sweat shirts!

Claire the master of Kai!

Andy teaching Drew how to shoot a bow

Drew had so many firsts this week!  They also took the boat out and went fishing!  He was entertained the entire time and spend four hours out on the lake with the boyzzzz!

Andy so proud of one of the pheasants!

Claire stayed so busy with the cat, Julie and dog Kai.  Claire would follow them around ALL DAY!

We also scored awesome dress up costumed the day after Halloween for $2.00!!! 

We had a great time back home and were also able to spend time with my brother Brain in Virgina. Uncle Brain is like a trip to Disney Land for the kids, non stop fun!