a month with no posts!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since we last posted! Not a whole lot has happened. We've continued to rip apart our duplex (unfortunately that "we" hasn't included me lately) Spencer left for two weeks to do National Guard training in Arizona...and then got a call that he had to leave for Afghanistan (again) two days after he got home. Boo!
So, here's the deal.. I PROMISED Spencer that I would be better with the blog so he would know what's going on. So expect lots more updates and lots more pictures!
Soon to come: pictures of our "project" or "the money pit" or "eyesore in front of our house"
Also, pictures of the kids, because they're too cute to not show off (and it's Levi's birthday on Thursday...hooray for turning one, halfway to the terrible twos!)
And hopefully there will be a few updates from Spencer too (minus the scary beard pictures)

Playing in Nor-Cal

The fun didn't stop when we stopped and saw everyone in Northern California.

We played at the Monterey Aquarium..yes Jamin did get all soaked at the Hands-On exhibits.

We got to demo the amazing shrinking gun on Jamin and Lauren!

Mad driving skills here. 

Playing golf at MY museum in Monterey....

That is just one of 1 of 12 wheels on that train.

Chillin' at the Sacramento Train Museum.

And of course Thomas. Notice the tunnel vision.
 
Even Levi was getting into Thomas....in a Godzilla kinda way.

Christmas in January and more of the artist Jamin

Because I was gone over the Holidays we ended up having Christmas when I came home.

CARS!!!

Levi getting in on the action.

 
Another electronic toy that makes sound!

 

Jamin LOVES to use the camera, here are a few recent shots.

Dang cute pic.

Is he still wearing that old ratty Army fleece? Gross.

The Parks

While down in Southern California  we took the little guys to some of the parks. They pretty much had the best time.

It was a little wet, but there were still lots of smiles.


Jamin still remembers Mickey :)


Finding Nemo was one of the favorite rides.

  
The grandparents did some babysitting letting us go ride some of the roller coasters.

 
Off to Lego Land with Jamin and Wyatt.

 
Vader stood little chance!

Yes, my sons obsession in Lego form.

Getting ready for the 3-D show.

Family Picture Round Up

We've been little bad bout updating the blog so here we go! While on our awesome vacation in CA we got together with all the families to get some pics done.

 
Christine, Spencer, Levi and Jamin

Christine, Spencer, Rachael, Jonathan, Elisabeth, Jason, Jamin, Peter, Levi, Addisyn, Donna, Lauren.  Missing Steven, Debra, Kathleen, and Jason Fagan

Levi and Jamin
 
Susan, Sarah, Mike, Lizzy, Sandy, Stew, Stephanie, Steve, Christine, Spencer, Samantha, Gavin, Jack, Wyatt, Jamin, Levi

Home at Last

Just to update everyone...Spencer is finally home. Yeah! He got home late Monday night. Jamin was a little weirded out at first, but all is well now. The boys finally opened their Christmas presents on Tuesday morning and LOVED it. My three kids have been having lots of fun bonding- so cute. I'll have lots of pictures later...we're also going home to visit for a while and I CAN'T WAIT to see my neices and nephews. I'll keep everyone updated. And don't worry, I won't forget the pictures- I know that's why everyone is here anyways!

Spencer Update!

I got an e-mail from Spencer this morning. He's sitting at a passenger terminal trying to get on a flight. If all goes well, hopefully he'll be at the next location tomorrow or the next day and then be able to catch his flight back into the wonderful US of A. We'll see what happens! As of right now, he should still be home on Monday. Jamin and I are hoping he looks more like this when he comes home, rather than his scary pictures a few posts back. Jamin doesn't even recognize him...and I'd rather not admit that I do either!

I was going through some pictures from when Spencer was in Afghanistan last time and found a few more good reasons to be a vegetarian. Spencer got sick from the food a few times...I think you'll see why (just so you know, the Afghans don't use TP, if you know what I mean) I will warn you though, if you have a weak stomach or want to continue to enjoy eating hamburgers...you might not want to look.

Where in the World is Spencer?

Well, Spencer still isn't home yet. Most of you know he was supposed to be home on the 5th (two days ago). But that didn't happen....I swear, these guys are worse than the Army! No communication whatsoever. We haven't had a phone call from Spencer for over three weeks (yes, that includes Christmas and New Years). So on Monday, when Spencer was scheduled to come home, I tried calling two different guys from his work....and nothing, neither one of them called back.
So, after a few hours of lying to myself...for some reason I thought he might just show up and surprise me, no such luck... I finally called the airline to see if he got on his flight. Turns out that his flight was changed to Monday, the 12th. A whole week later! That doesn't sound like a long time, but I've been sick since Saturday night so I was definitely ready for Spencer to be home. We still have a few days left...unless his flight gets changed again.....

when mommy is sick...

What do we do when mommy is sick?
-we stay in our pajamas for days and days
-we finally decide to play nicely together...
-while trashing the house as much as possible
-we find the chocolate stash
-and we count down the days until daddy comes home!