Ft. Benning, Georgia

...was very HOT! I felt like a sissy complaining when all those soldiers are out there in ALL their gear, and here I am not wearing nearly as many layers and complaining. I couldn't imagine being pregnant in that weather. Andre would have to just push me around in a wheelbarrow.

Kurtis graduated basic training on the 26th of August so we went to see his ceremony and spend as much time as we could with him. I feel very luck that we live as close as we do. It could have easily been much further away but it was only about a 9 hour drive. There were some soldiers that had nobody there, and that made me very sad. I never understand people that do not support their own family members.

Kurtis lived with us when both the kids were born so they have a very special relationship. The kids cannot comprehend why Kurtis did not come home with us.

Meet Kurtis' girlfriend.

Downtown Columbus, GA. It was very pretty and quaint.

This is a brick oven. Or at least it used to be.

I was very sad to leave Kurtis just sitting outside the PX but we had to get home. At least I left him with some hot n' spicy cheez its!

I am very proud of my brother and I am very lucky to be taught how to serve and sacrifice. My older brother is a Navy veteran and now my little brother is an Army Cavalry Scout, and of course my own husband has proudly served in the Army and still is. I always thought I would be a soldier someday, but I am grateful for those I love, and those I do not know that are that selfless. 

We love you Kurtis and are excited to watch your Army career progress. If anyone feels like doing something kind and sending him a letter, postcard, anything he would absolutely love it. It does not matter if you know him or not. A soldier's life is very lonely and he lives for mail. Contact me for his info!

Summer Days

This is Airlie Gardens. They are doing a special thing with frogs, I can't remember what it's called. Airlie gardens are so beautiful, I would love to have family pictures taken here, especially certain areas. It would make a beautiful place for a bridal shoot.

Ava is playing a musical instrument (no idea which one) and Kael is depressed the Jazz era was before his time.

This was one snazzy frog. Not gonna lie, all I could think of when I saw this frog was, "The redcoats are coming!" over & over again in my head.

Ava was hoping he would turn in to a prince. We didn't stick around long enough to find out. We do know however, that she did not turn into a frog.

See what I mean? Beautiful. 

Butterflies!

Well that was basically our time at Airlie Gardens. They do a concert every Sunday night and I keep meaning to plan to go to one, but we somehow never make it. Maybe one year we will get there.

This past weekend I went back to school shopping (tax free weekend here in NC). It was weird having to fulfill a list of items for kindergarten!! The list was longer that what I had thought it would be. My summer term just ended though so I feel like summer is just beginning and here everyone else is getting ready to go back to school! I know stores already have out all their Halloween stuff, and fall decor, and some stores have out their CHRISTMAS stuff (???), but let's keep it summer a little longer!

Happy happy birthday!!

Ava is now 5 and Kael is now 4! We had lots going on at their birthday time but we are so glad we were able to do lots of fun things!!

We had the missionaries over for dinner last night and had Kael's birthday cake. That is how late I have been in making their birthday dinners. We did go out on Kael's birthday- we were in South Carolina. Come to think of it we were in South Carolina for Ava's bday too. She requested PF Changs (so proud of her). Kael requested Olive Garden. About a week before their birthday we went to Myrtle Beach and stopped by Medieval Times, you know, just to see what it was all about. John was able to join us (he recently started working at Harris Teeter and doesn't get much time off). I will say that Medieval Times was ok, but I won't take the kids back there. The pirate show in Myrtle Beach (Pirate's Voyage by Dolly Parton) is WAY better and more kid friendly. Medieval Times was violent, and just not as entertaining. There were parts of the show where I was bored, but it wasn't that way at Pirate's Voyage.

It was some good family memories in the making though. Andre had drill in SC the week of the kids' birthdays so we made the most of it. We drove down on Ava's bday (6 hour car ride) and went straight to dinner. Recognize the big horse? Then we went to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia and hung out and swam at the hotel pool while we were there.

The horses left a very distinct smell. So Ava tried to hold her breath the whole night.

We cheered for the red knight! A lot of good it did, he didn't even win. He did toss Ava a flower during the show though, which was very sweet.

At the zoo! 

They both were thrilled to ride ponys! It was really cool because they took them on an actual trail, not just in tiny circles.

Kael turned 4 that day! He still asks me pretty much everyday if he is still 4. He dreads the idea of waking up and being 3 again I guess.

We are adjacent to the bear exhibit. The bears were actually playing and swimming in the water, it was so fun to see them.

Kangaroo walkabout

Happy brithday my little man!

I feel like I have more pictures of that trip, but I'm terrible at labeling useful folders under My Pictures, so who knows where they are??