New Tradition

                               
Our side of the family has decided that we will be celebrating our Christmas on New Year's Eve.  New Year's is a bigger holiday for my mom than Christmas and this way everyone can go to their significant others for Christmas. 
This year I deciede to have it at my house and instead of doing a dinner, decided brunch would be a little different.  I enjoyed cooking and experimenting with the new bruch recipes!
The menu included:  French Toast Casserole, Amish Casserole, Regular/Turkey Bacon, Fruit and a Cinnamon Bread Bowl.  It was delicious! 
For the gift giving, this year we each pulled a name and the idea was to spend $20 with a twist that you had to make a gift for the person you picked.  Some of the members of the family didn't quite understand the twist but I think we'll start a little earlier this year to allow more time for the "homemade" gift.  All in all we had a blast!!



                                     

Sleepover!!!

I got to have LN over again for a sleepover.  I told HB that I wanted to have her over at least once a month so I can spend some time with her.  This sleepover she did fairly well, I think she really missed her bed, or rather her parents bed!

Thanksgiving

Thangsgiving was hosted by yours truly...me!  It was a last minute decision with some of VM friends from work.  My parents and mother-in-law also came to help celebrate the holiday.

The next day HB and LN came by and did some shopping at the base, I unfortunately came down with something and stayed home.  I think I may have overextended myself!

Sleepover

LN spent the night with us so her mommy and daddy can have at least one night of peaceful sleep without having to worry about her.  Uncle TJ and MA helped a lot keeping her preoccupied and busy with toys...they were actually a pretty big help!

Hey Cowboy

We decided to dress up at the office this year.  It had been over 10 years since we last dressed up for Halloween!  We had a great time and I know I did because I got to flashback to the 80's, my favoriet era of all time!!!!

Afterwards, we took MA out to a few neighbors and drove him around town to the parents and some friends.  He looked so adorable as my little cowboy!

The girls and I at the office!

Before heading out for a candy raid!

Hey Lolo...aren't you going to fill up my basket?

Stealing some candy when no one was looking...

and another one...

and one more!

Air Show = Blue Angels

VM, MA and Grandpa went to the yearly Air Show on the naval base.  GP wanted to take MA and show him the jets out at the base.  Usually, VM works Saturdays but was fortunate and had the day off today so he decided to tag along.
What was going to be an hour or so at the Air Show turned out to be a 6-7 hour stay!  The boys were just going to see the jets and get some pictures because MA likes anything with wheels!  They actually made an afternoon out of it and stayed to watch the show as well!



Our "Sponsor" Child

VM and I have been talking about making a difference.  We are at a place in our life that we are choosing to "pay it forward".  We have been blessed with so many things and are truly happy with our blessings.  I have always wanted to sponsor a child and was surprised he felt the same way. 
We came across this organization from my boss, they have sponsored several children and elderly over the years and have had positive things to say about World Vision.
When I logged onto the World Vision website, a child pops up and you can opt to select that child to donate.  I read his story and liked him right away.  He was 3 years old, the same as MA, and his interests were playing baseball.  I was so excited that I went to tell VM and let him that I left the page up for him to read.  Next thing I heard him yelling for me asking me where it was. 
Well, suffice to say, he lost the page and couldn't find the sponsor child because it was a random pop up.  So, whatever he did my first choice of a sponsor child was gone!  He was so cute too!
Anyways, we tried again and this time we got another boy this time from Mozambique.  He is 3 years old and his name is Chiposse Felix.  We are looking forward to corresponding with him and watching him grow over the years.  But most of all, we are making a difference in one child's life!



Local Fire Station Open House

A few weeks ago, on our way to the grocery store, our local firefighters were trimming the firehouse trees in front of their station.  They had the fire engine with the ladder out to get up in the trees.  Since the fire engine was out we decided to pull over so MA could see it up close!
We were standing on the sidewalk when Dennis came by to talk to us.  The firemen had to do lawn work so they are responsible for doing the work around the station.  Dennis let take some pictures of MA on the fire truck and even let him sit in the drivers seat and play with the wheel!  MA sure had fun!
So, this past week the fire station had a big banner saying that there was going to be an Open House on Sunday and the community was invited.  We took MA there and the first thing he saw was the local police car and the fire chief was greeting everyone as we came in. 
We stood in line so MA could have a go with the fire hose.  They were letting the kids hold the hose and turn on the nozzle and spray the fake window!  He got to see the ambulance and the HazMat vehicle.  The line was too long for fingerprinting so we skipped that and also the line for bike helmets (they were giving those away for free).
Before we left, MA and VM had to get on the fire engine and explore one last time!



On our way to the fire station!

 Our Local PD

 Me and MA waiting in line for the fire hose!

MA was a little apprehensive...

Getting his chance to put out the fire!

The fake window.

Getting a sticker from the EMT

 Climbing onto the HazMat

Looking at the different fire engines throughout the years.

Last chance on the fire engine!

He was so excited!

I just had to take this picture...for memories sake!