Settling in, its been almost a year!

It has been nearly a year since we moved here. These past couple of months here we've been feeling more and more at home here.  We've developed some great friendships and look forward to future growth in those relationships.

We seem to fit in here fairly well.  Even with our odd ways.

Thank you to all of the wonderful people that have blessed us in so many ways and welcomed us with open arms.

Air Force event (steampunk outfit/Ken Kinetic jewelry)

This past week the 12th Air Force celebrated it's 70th birthday.  70 is a big birthday, and all the more so since the 12th is actually older than the Air Force!  We've been looking forward to this big event since finding out about it this past winter.  It was one of our few chances to dress up in formal atire!

I knew I would need to make my outfit since I was wanting a formal look, but cotton because of the heat here.  As I thought about it and the necklace I wanted to wear with it I realized I was going for a bit of a steampunk look.  My mom and I went shopping for the fabric when I was visiting this spring.  As I was showing my stepmom the fabric and describing the look we both realized that some of the jewelry my dad had made would look fabulous with it and really help pull off the steampunk look.

I've been working on this off and on for a few months with it really coming together the last few weeks.

 

The event called for Rob to wear his Mess dress (the military version of the tuxedo), the kids call it his "messy dress."  He looked quite hansom, and I think we made a nice looking pair.

We enjoyed the evening including learning more about the history of the AirForce in general, but also of the 12th Air Force.  With many generals (both active and retired), a congressman, a former Hanoi Hilton POW, and many other special guests it was a wonderful evening of not only celebrating a birthday, but also remembering the great sacrifices that have been paid to afford us such great freedom, and that we too must be ready and willing to continue the fight with our own sacrifices to keep that freedom.

 

Sneak peek!

I've been working on a very special project for the last few months.  It is ready.  I have to wait a couple of days for the big event that I get to wear this special outfit to, but I thought it would be fun to post some quick shots....

Ruffles add dimension and color.  The burned edges give a soft, but finished look.

Bustling, and layering add interest to the look.

 

Jewelry makes an outfit.  Every piece I'll be wearing is very special to me and they each come together to really pull of a great look.

Its all ready and waiting for a special evening!

A double birthday!

A couple of weeks ago we celebrated the double birthday of our oldest AND our youngest children!  Just over a year ago Miss E was celebrating her 11th birthday just the way she had prayed; by spending the day at the hospital witnessing the birth of her baby brother and cutting his cord!

This year we enjoyed the fun of a baby birthday and a pre-teen birthday all in one day! It was fun seeing the difference in gifts right there side by side (and similarities as well, they both got some playmobil), and that a one year old really does not care at all that it is his/her birthday!

Miss E picked the cake.  This is the first time one of my kids have picked their cake just for the flavor.  She chose "grown up meals" like breakfast sandwiches made with gruyere cheese and ham, brie and ham quesadillas for lunch and lasagna for dinner.  The best part?  She wanted to make it all!  I enjoyed helping her out in the kitchen though.  Her e-reader died just before her birthday, all she wanted was to replace it.  Between what we gave her towards it and generous grandparents she was able to get a kindle as well as some playmobil for both her and Mr. K with some cash to spare!  She is growing up to be quite the wonderful young woman and we are looking forward to watching her grow and mature in Christ in the coming years!

 

*1 year old after eating his birthday cake.

While Mr. K hardly noticed that it was his birthday, he did enjoy opening his gifts.  He was excited about all of them, but then what little boy wouldn't like a new dump truck, airplane and animal train?  Mr. K is such an active little guy, he only seems to sit still to eat or sleep.  He likes to climb, play with cars and balls, chase siblings, and play with knives (well, just the wood one from the play kitchen set.  Daddy is proud of the early interest all the same though!)

*12 year old after eating birthday cake.  Oh, the difference 11 years make!

 

I was way too slow getting this up because I've got a big project I'm working on.  Its just about done and I'll get to post pictures soon!

Tarantula by the door!

Rob found this guy by our front door the other morning.  He got the boys up out of bed to show them.  Mr. M immediately decided to make a pet of the thing.

I'm glad he has a good understanding of what critters are and are not allowed in our home.  For him making this guy a pet consists of going out to check on it regularly and showing any friends that may stop by.

For me letting my son keep a tarantula as a pet means I'll brave going in and out of our house knowing that the thing will be there for as long as it wants.  I will not ask that it be removed as long as it is leaving us alone.

I think it is enjoying feasting on the bugs that come to our door in the evening.  All of this has reminded me to look up an old favorite....Be nice to Spiders.

Little reader

Miss C LOVES books.  I guess she comes by it honestly.  We all love to read and spend quite a bit of time as a family reading books aloud as well.  Miss C would most likely be very content to spend a whole day on the couch being read to.

She was found in her room reading having put together this set up on her own.  She is quite the resourceful little gal too!  She has been sitting in on Miss J's reading lessons, soon enough she will be reading her favorite books on her own!

14 years!

A couple of weeks ago two bright eyed girls came to me full of excitement.  Could they set us a restaurant, make dinner and bake a cake so that Mommy and Daddy could have a special date at home for their anniversary?

It has been so sweet the hear the kids buzzing about the last couple of weeks pulling their plans together and throwing things in the cart as I was shopping.

Miss E planned it all out and the others helped out where they could.  She did a GREAT job with the cake.

Menus were made up, and the table was set for two.  We had the most wonderful wait staff we could wish for (and the cutest I've ever seen!).  The service was excellent, and the food was delicious.  We had so much fun, it really was so much better than going out just the two of us (at least this time).  I was impressed with how the big kids managed to keep the little ones involved and/or happy the whole time, and with how attentive they were to our needs.

August Cupcakes

Once again I was so excited to be making the cupcakes for the month.  Not only were these owl cupcakes absolutely adorable (and fairly easy to put together), but they were easy to make allergy friendly for the kids at church that have had to miss out in the past!  Woo hoo!

Since Miss E's birthday is this month she wanted to have a big part in the decorating.  She helped out quite a bit and decorated a whole tray of the owls on her own!  She is becoming quite the baker and her decorating skills are developing as well!  I love watching her in action and tasting all of the wonderful treats she comes up with!  Thanks for helping with the cupcakes Miss E!

*I missed doing last months cupcakes do to a nasty bug that was going through the house. :(

Friends/Family Passing through

We were blessed to have some friends who also happen to be family passing through on their way to the next duty station.  Mrs. D is the sister of Rob's brother's wife.  How's that for connections?

She was on the cross country drive with her two little ones while her hubby stayed behind to handle the move.  We were so happy to hear that Tucson was one of their stops along they way since we've enjoyed our visits with them every time we've seen them in the past.

It was nice to be able to provide a place for the little ones to play while Mrs. D was able to relax a bit.

 

Miss E was happy to have a good excuse to make a batch of cookies.