Dancing Boy

This child never seems to fail me when it comes to laughs! He's a goofball and loves to dance- he has way better moves than I do! We checked out this cute CD from the library from the movie Cars- he loved it!

Aunt Donkey, Doggy, Dummy

I love this video that I took of my friend Morgan and Crue. It was so funny to hear all the funny names he had for her- I laugh out loud every time I see it!

6 More Years

So here I am taking the Oath of Re Enlistment. That's right another six years. My soldiers have always told me that I bleed green, and I guess that they were right. This picture is actually the last picture that was taken of me next to my MRAP. As a matter of fact it is the last time that I will have had my picture taken at my FOB. Thank you all for your support, and I cannot wait to see you all again.

Central Michigan Football Game

Matt's unit was chosen to be Central Michigan's Adopted unit (or something like that- Matt always talks in military speak, so I can't understand). We got to go to one of the games (which happended to be biggest game of the season, and the coldest!)and see D-1 school Central play Ball State. It was a great game, and 14th ranked Ball State should have killed Central, but they held on until the last minute- and threw an interception to lose- but it was still a good game! Crue was a little chilly, but I made him go because Matt made a video and they showed it on the big screen. It was so cool to see him, but we didn't know when his video would be shown, so we had to be ready every time. Well, of course, the one time I wasn't ready, there was Matt! We tried to get it on video tape- but missed it. I even had my professional photorapher sister-in-law waiting with my camera to get a pic- but she didn't get it either! So we had a couple other pics of the fun night with Matt's and my family all freezing our butts off! (the one of the scoreboard is the one that should have Matt on it!)

BTW- yes, Crue is wearing Matt's neck gator from the Army- that goes to show just how small Matt's head is and how big Crue's head is!

First Snow

The dogs love to play in the snow as much as Crue does!

What a goofball!

Too cute!

Trying to get that pesky chunk of snow. He loves to eat the snow- just like his daddy- go figure!

Is it possible for a 2 year old to have such a big attitude?

Combine Ride

Crue got to go to his friend Logan's farm and ride with his grandpa on the combine. He loves tractors, so he was in heaven. We watched the corn get scooped up by the little arms, and then see the finished product (just the corn kernels) pour into the grain trailers. I learned a lot too because I'm not a farm girl- it was a lot of fun! Crue and Logan especially liked playing with the empty corn ears in the field!

Halloween

Crue's Getting SO Big!

Here are a couple pics of my little man. One is of his first time putting his shoes on by himself- notice they're not quite on the right feet! Another is him practicing his drop-kick. He just started doing it, and I don't know where he learned it! He seems to love soccer, so we'll see if that's his sport! There's one of him painting on one of the last warm days of the fall- he got paint everywhere! There's also one of him in a grocery bag with his "T-T" I can't believe he fits right in it!

Fall Fun

Here are a couple pics of Crue this fall. He "helped" me make apple crisp- he loves helping me bake! Another is of him in our front yard. He thinks the cherries on the tree are for him to eat- for some reason he eats everything in his path! There's one where he thought it would be fun to sit in the sink after I put his shoes on- what a weirdo! And still more of him just being cute in his fall gear!

Crue's New Room

This is a pic of the old lockers I got for Crue's big boy bed. My dad painted them for me, and I got the pic that says "A Little Dirt Never Hurt" because it is totally Crue! It turned out great, and I'm sure I'll do some more tweaking to it before I'm completely satisfied! My neighbor said he couldn't wait to hear Crue banging on the metal before bed- which he did the first night! But after I yelled at him, he hasn't done it since! He seems to like his new bed- he loves hiding all sorts of little toys and books in the lockers! I also painted him the picture on the wall, which is him as a little fireman with our dogs next to him. It matches his room, and he loves pointing to the dogs and saying "No, No!"

Wet fall day

Crue, his cousin Brooke, and I went to Boo at the Zoo on Friday. It was a little rainy, but we had fun anyway. Most of the animals were out, and we got to do a little trick-or-treating. Most of the time we stayed dry, but we had to break out the umbrella a couple times. Crue and Brooke dressed up like cowboys, and had a lot of fun! After the zoo, we played around in the John Ball Park, and I got some great pics of both Brooke and Crue. Crue stayed clean for a while, until he was running way too fast, and fell right into a muddy puddle! After that, he only got wetter and dirtier! Even though he was a muddy mess, I still got some great pics of him!

Obama Supporters

This is a picture I took while waiting in line to see McCain and Palin in a Townhall Meeting in Grand Rapids. Look at the yellow sign closely- to me, it's the epitome of Obama supporters. It was funny that I saw her in the 1st loop of the line, and by the time we got back to that spot in the 2nd loop, she was gone. I'm pretty sure she realized her mistake. Let's hope she realizes her mistake of voting for Obama!

Matt's R&R

A Day at the Park

Matt, Crue, and I went to the park on a beautiful early fall day while Matt was home. Crue loved being there with daddy- I think he thinks I'm really boring somethimes! We saw a snake in the creek, and he said "sssss" it was so cute, and I was really proud that he knew what it was, b/c he had never seen one before! Matt is an amazing daddy, and we can't wait for the day when we can go to the park any time we want to!

Culver's Soccer Ball Event

Matt worked at Culvers handing out the food one day while he was home. People donated either money to buy soccer balls or a soccer ball to be sent to Iraq. (Crue thought he should be able to take one home- he's so selfish!) There were 140 balls donated, and Matt has been able to hand quite a few out so far. He said it's so amazing to see how excited the kids are to get these soccer balls. He said that a couple days ago, he almost started a riot, and the soldiers had to get back in their vehicles and lock the doors so that the kids wouldn't get in and take more balls! They have so little, and this is such a great way to give them just a little bit of fun in such a dark place! Thanks to everyone who came out and supported this great event!