NC

Happy to share that we will be moving back to Camp Lejeune in November.  Brandon graduates 30 October from CCC and we will be getting to Lejeune as quickly as possible afterwards to hopefully get assigned a house.  There are indications that Brandon could potentially deploy to Afghanistan with a month of us getting there,  but we are waiting for further information to confirm this.  

After a lot of debating and seeking counsel of good friends/family,  we have opted to hold out for housing on mainside Lejeune....  and hopefully fulfill our dream to buy property in Cherry Grove Beach sometime next year.  I am thrilled to be closer to my parents.  There are so many activities for the kids to do at the beach and it is exciting to be able to spend our summers and weekends there relaxing away from base.  

As far as what is going on currently,  we are in full prep mode for my families visit this coming weekend.  I am so happy they are coming to visit over the holiday!  We spent much of this past week at the pool and spray parks since temperatures reached over 100 degrees most days.  I also registered Carter for pre-k at Lawton public schools.  He will be attending an elementary school only a few miles away from our home.  School starts August 21st!

We also ventured down to Wichita Falls, TX this weekend to check out things to do there.  We strolled around Target and the mall.  

Medicine Park with Daddy.

We spent Father's Day relaxing in the quaint town of Medicine Park.  Medicine Park is located only 15 minutes from where we live and holds quite a bit of history.  Marked with its cobblestone cottages, shops, restuarants and waterfall's,  it was the perfect background to celebrate Father's Day with Brandon.    www.medicinepark.com  to get a greater idea.

We started our morning walking along the creekside watching the water falls and seeing all the ducks.  Next we ate lunch at the Plantation House followed by a trip to an ice cream parlor,  then into the little shops along the way.  

After all that we headed back home to rest and then headed out to run a few errands.  Later we ended up at the pool with the Loomis family for a few hours.  

Brandon actually is out of the classroom this week and gearing up for hands on time with howitzers.

Father's Day Weekend

We had a fun day today with our favorite daddy at the Oklahoma Railway Museum in Oklahoma City.  We arrived and toured the museum that included several engine's and freight cars.  Next we took a train ride on a real "big" train.  They boys just loved the experience.  After our visit to the museum we took advantage of being in the big city and ate lunch at the Cheesecake Factory,  followed by spending time in a huge beautiful mall with all the stores we love.

Last night we enjoyed an evening out with friends while the boys played at First Baptist.  

Happy Father's Day to all those special daddies in our lives.

YIKES!

I have really  neglected this blog lately.  I guess that is because these boys just keep me so busy.  The past few weeks have been great.  Brandon's hours have been wonderful  he goes in at 0900 and is home at 1200.  Cannot beat that!

We have continued exploring our surroundings with the boys.  We attended the USMC family day at LETRA,  then made a visit to the Great Plains Museum where the boys were in heaven climbing on a huge train!  We visited the prairie dog park along with several trips to local parks and the spray park.  

Brandon's classes are going well.. and we are having a lot more opportunity to hang out with friends and experiment with new recipes in the kitchen.  We are super excited that my parents, grandpa and uncle are coming to visit over July 4th.  I have a million things running thru my mind to show them and things to cook for the holiday.  Carter is extra excited because he will get to have sleepovers at the Laquinta hotel.  He talks about that place 24/7  and can even pronounce it correctly..  La-keen-ta.  Pretty hard word to pronounce for a 4 year old.  I have heard Wes say it a few times too.

Some new things with the kids:

Carter: helping with laundry,  trying to make his bed, counting and more counting!

Wes:  throwing away trash when i ask him,  brushing his teeth (i always follow up), washing his hands, saying things like "cant catch me momma"  and wanting to play chase.  attempting to count,  trying to sing "if you are happy and you know it"

We are just happily moving along thru June!

It is June!

Wow May just really flew by.  I guess because we are just super busy and loving Oklahoma  (yes I just said that).  This week has been super busy with Vacation Bible School for Carter.  He loves it and his teacher says he is such a sweet boy.  We enjoyed a great walk on Monday night with Anja, and our new friends Michelle and Katie.  The three of us girls are heading to Bunco on Friday night and I am so excited.  Also the Marine Detachment is having their family day/picnic this Saturday.  It will be nice to see more familiar faces.  On Sunday we have plans to take the boys to a local museum.  Our days are really filled up with lots of fun and activities. Everyone is very happy!

BBQ weekend

We have had a great weekend going to bbq's with new friends and neighbors.  Friday night we hung out at the Fornes home sitting outside talking and eating while the kids ran around playing up until 9 pm.  Then yesterday our neighbors so graciously hosted a bbq for everyone in our complex..more great food and lots of fun for the kids.  It is so nice to hear everyone's stories and find out how they ended up here too.  Brandon is fishing this morning so the boys and I will venture outside eventually,  but for right now we are watching Curious George in our PJ's.  I am getting over a nasty head cold and thankfully no one else has it!

Up for this week is Carter will be going to Vacation Bible School all week at a local Baptist church from 9-12 every morning.  Wes  is not old enough for the program,  so he and I will have some nice mommy/son bonding time.  Brandon has another test on Monday while I have a night of Bunco planned with the ladies next Friday.  

great weekend

We thoroughly enjoyed our long weekend together as a family.  The boys had lots of trips to the spray park, pool and regular parks.  Carter and Daddy fished quite a bit and caught a lot of fish. Brandon heads back to class tomorrow,  but the next weekend is not too far away.  We are really enjoying our time here much more than we expected.  The boys and I are thriving socially!

It seems like there is always something new going on or to do.  I attended yet another coffee tonight (third since moving here) and it was a great time socializing with other women.  I have gone to more coffee's here than the entire time we were in Quantico!  It is a nice way to transition us back to fleet life.  Nothing new to report on our orders,  but we anticipate hearing something within the next few weeks. 

The weather is supposed to be great the rest of the week... so lots of outside time!!

Carter:  really getting into Madagascar lately and interested in picking out his clothes.

Wesley: has just been darn funny lately.  he says some of the cutest things and makes some of the funniest expressions.  saying "kitty cat, go to park, pool,hi amelie,uh oh make a mess, clean up,toothbrush"