Pics of our Frozen Tundra...aka...Minot, ND!

I have given this wonderful state we live in a new name....The Frozen Tundra!  I swear we have had snow on the ground since October!  Just when I think we can't get anymore, here it comes.  Although these pics are absolutely gorgeous!  Hope you like..

 

Love to all,
J and gang

A little bit of Fall....

Here is one of my favorite pics of the kids from the Minot AFB Fall Festival held back in September.  Yes, I know I am WAY behind in blogging.  I have been super busy helping out at J's school and am a board member of the PTA.  It keeps me hopping!

Love to all,
J and gang

First Day of School

Here are a few pics I took of the kids on their first day back to school.  G started 7th Grade and J started 5th.  They were super excited and have had a blast so far!

 

 



































Love to all,
J and gang

A whirlwind Summer/PCS

Well after a crazy whirldwind PCS, we are finally starting to get settled here in Minot, ND. I wish I knew where to begin, so much has happened the past few months..  I guess I will go back to May/June.  We stared getting our things together and organized, or as much as one can for a military move, the last few weeks of May.  We had decided to move out of our house by the end of May.  We weren't due to arrive in Minot until 13 June.  The kids were all packed and sent off on their six week summer vacation with their grandparents in North Carolina, while the hubby and I handled the packers/movers, and settled into TLF on base in Albuquerque. 

However, the night before we were set to head to Minot, I got some devastating news.  My dad, Ken, had passed away back in Texas, unexpectedly.  So the hubby and I detoured from Albq to TX, to be with my mom and N and the rest of the family.  Those two weeks in Texas were very emotional.  It hurts my heart thinking about what my mom is going through day to day, as I write this.  It is still so unreal.  I know that God needed a strong leader to build those streets of gold, and I know that Ken is up there overseeing that process! 

After spending two weeks with mom, we had to head to Minot, we couldn't put it off any longer.  The hubby had to report in and we had to see about getting matched to a house.  (Which is awesome)!  I spent about 10 days here with D and Trouble, then my sister flew in from Dallas, and she and I drove back to Texas together. Of course, making numerous pit stops along the way!  We were Thelma and Louise out on an adventure!  The kiddos then flew into Dallas a few days after we arrived, and then we spent three weeks down there with family before we headed back to Minot.  Leaving the second time was so much harder than the first.  I don't think I stopped crying for at least 100 miles. Goodbyes stink!

So now we are back to the present.  I have been unpacking, sorting, and arranging our household goods.  D tried to do some of it while I was gone but his schedule has been a little hectic. I have finished a few rooms but still have quite a bit to accomplish.  Plus get the kids registered for school, extra curricular activities, and all that goes into getting them back into school.  We decided to stop homeschooling, after much discussion and prayer.  I was blessed to do it for three years, but feel God is leading our family in another direction.  I hope to get back to blogging and adding info and pictures of what is going on in our family. 

Love to all,
J and gang

Happy 12th Birthday G...

Happy Birthday G....

She has a beautiful smile and a kind heart and soul!

Love to all,

J and gang

Trouble...

One lazy puppy...slept like this most of the day!

Love to all,

J and gang

Trampoline Fun...

Having fun on Easter Sunday...

Playing a game called crack the egg...

Singing...."Every day I'm shuffling"...

Jumping high and doing flips....so brave!

Her signature pose...

Love to all,

J and gang

Family Easter pics...

Here are a few family pics taken on Easter...

Striking a signature pose....LOL!

Can't forget Trouble!

Happy Easter everyone...

Love to all,

J and gang

Happy Easter 2012

We had a nice, quiet Easter Sunday this year. First, we headed off to Church to celebrate this special day with our Church family. Afterwards we came home and had a nice relaxing afternoon. This year we decided to grill steaks for dinner, we usually have ham but we wanted to do something a little different. Plus, the weather was absolutely gorgeous! The kids hunted eggs and played outside on the trampoline (pics to follow). Trouble lounged around as well (pics to follow). All in all we had a great day!

Every year we get the kids a new book and a small trinket. This year we just had a "family" Easter basket. They usually get their own, however, they are getting older and it was more fun this way.

Enjoying their gifts. . .

Of course, we can't forget Trouble. He got a rawhide bone that Daddy doctored up for him. He was so happy! Chewed on it all day long!

Getting ready to hunt eggs...on your mark, get set, GO!

We hope you all had a blessed and Happy Easter!

Love to all,

J and gang