Article 31

Little Baker

Today Ava helped make a lunch time treat for her and Cooper. In fact, she pretty much did it all, all I did was preheat the oven, hand her the pieces of dough, place her finished product in the oven, and take it out. She did all the sprinkling of the cinnamon sugar, the rolling of the cresents, and placement on the cookie sheet! Very proud!

Killing Time

Whenever Joey is gone, I find myself trying to find ways to kill time. My latest endeavor? A red door. It took a couple coats but it came out pretty good!

Star Wars A-Capella

Growing up too fast

On my way out from Cooper's class yesterday, Cooper paused at the window in the door, looked at me for a moment, then winked, as if to say, Bye Mom, have a great day!

Red Robin, yummm

Well, Joey's gone again, so we pacified ourselves with dinner out. Not as good as having Daddy home, but we made the best of it...

Snow Day Craft

Snow Day 2

Playing in the Snow

Cooper has seen snow, but I doubt he remembers, and Ava has never been around it that I can remember, so they were both excited about going out and playing in the snow. While it was still early in the snow fall, I bundled them up and let them loose! Cooper was even throwing snowballs at me at the window!

Let It Snow? In North Carolina?

It doesn't snow here. At least that's what "they" told me when we got here. The last time it snowed, if you want to call it that, was 5 years ago.

Well, it snowed today. Enough to close work and keep us out half day tomorrow!

Twentynine Palms

My work sent me to Twentynine Palms, CA for a week from 5-10 January. While I appreciate that my boss is starting to get me involved in bigger things at work, the timing couldn't have been worse. Joey left for 2 weeks on 10 Jan, so I flew home early on the 9th just in time to see him off.

Twentynine Palms is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. It took three flights and an hour plus drive to get there. And you'll see from the photos from the base, it's not much to look at. But, for those there, it does have advantages; 15 minutes from Joshua Tree, 2 hours or so from Vegas, 1 hour from Palm Springs, 1.5 from Big Bear, 2-ish to LA, 2-ish to San Diego. Not close but not so far you can't enjoy the weekends.

Skyping with Grammie and PopPop

Ah, technology. Grammie and PopPop went out and got a webcam, and Sunday we connected computers via Skype, the free service that let's you text chat, talk, and video conference for free over the web. Next on the chopping block, Nana and Papa!

Leaves You Beaming

Sometimes your kids say things that make you scratch your head, and sometimes they make you say things that make you beam with pride!

Tonight, was one of those times. Ava went to bed early, it was just Joey, Cooper any myself making dinner. Cooper said:

Cooper: You guys, come here, I have to tell you something (as he motioned us closer, and down to his level)
Daddy and Mommy: What buddy?
Cooper: You know how much I love you guys?
How much? We replied.
Cooper: I love you as much as the earth.
Thanks Cooper, that's a lot! We love you that much, too!
Cooper: And I have something else to say.
What?
Rawson Four Hug! (and he extends his arms around us both.)

Man, what a kid!

Happy New Years!

We ended 2008 with our "annual" Rawson Family Dance Party, dinner in the living room, and Dick Clark's Rockin' New Years Eve! The kids lasted until 1:30AM! What a blast! The only one who conked out early was Greta!

Christmas Morning

What a blast; they came excitedly down the stairs, saw the presents, sat down at they rocking chairs and donned their Santa hats, ate cookies and then tore into their Santa presents first (red and white paper!) They were so happy they were hugging each other!

Over Did It

But boy did we have fun doing it on Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and by shopping early we could get them more for less. And we know the kids are really good kids and earned to be treated well!

Cookies and Milk on Christmas Eve

New Lights

We installed new lights on the 23rd in the kitchen eating area, and the entrance area to the downstairs bath/garage. We got an AMAZING deal, and they look great! Slowly but surely we'll get the house exactly as we like it...

Christmas Eve Allegiance

Tonight, after setting out cookies, milk, and carrots for Santa and his reindeer, we put the kids to bed and said prayers. Cooper asked if he could say his own Pledge of Allegiance. It started like this:

I pledge allegiance, to the flag of the united states of Christmas town...

So cute! It went on about having cookies and milk in a coffee cup, being good, and being good, for goodness sakes (he said it, not made up!)

Christmas really isn't just for kids, its for their parents, too.

Christmas Party Time at School

We went to the kids Christmas Parties at school; we "donated" an item to each class for the party, and joined in the feast and fun. Then Cooper came to Ava's room and joined her party. Good times!

Grandpa, Tell Me 'Bout The Good Old Days

Duck, Duck, Goose

For Christmas dinner, we've decided to try having roast duck for the first time. Hope it's not lame.

Just a little holiday spirit and a face full of glove

Madagascar 2

Today we're taking the kids to Madagascar 2. Ava is finally at the age where she sits through a movie in the theater. So much fun!

And, if for some reason they get antsy, the great part is the base theater only costs $2 per adult, and both kids are FREE!! With popcorn and soda, it's UNDER $10!

Christmas Parties

Ahh, that time of year where the Christmas party is near!

So far, we've been to 3 Christmas parties in just over a week; Joey's MEU party, my Mamas and Munchkins party, and my USMC batallion party. The kids were able to talk to Santa each time! It would almost seem Santa isn't leaving the Jacksonville area!

Here's a photo of each at the MMCLJ Christmas party.

Here Comes Santa Claus...

This is the first year Ava wasn't reduced to tears at the sight of Santa. Too much fun! Here they are watching him enter, and then on his lap.

Cookies and Milk

Is there anything better than cookies and milk with your best friend?

Please don't eat us!

Three little turkeys, sitting on the floor...

Woefully Behind

I've been terribly behind on our blog! Over a month since our last real post. While Joey was gone, I got caught up in other things at night, and when he got home we seemed to have so much to do!

BUT...

I'm going to start posting this weekend, try to catch up a little, and keep up from this point!!

Paul Revere and the Raiders, Umm.......