How did it happen?

Four years ago......

At 10:01 pm we welcomed Junior (who's not really a Junior, but what my friend called my tummy since we refused to find out the sex) to the world at a whopping 10 lbs 1 oz.

If he had been born October 1st, then I would have had to play the lottery that day.

Gunner arrived home less than 48 hours before he arrived for his R&R from Iraq.

Amazingly, he has survived being dressed as a girl, used as a live doll, playing with barbies, having his hair done, and being used as a model for Em's sewing creations.

He's all boy though.

Obsessed with cowboys, dirty jobs, Diego, and Avatar.

He's opinionated. Still not 100% potty trained (but I am thinking of sending him to The Mrs. for that).  

Loves cars, dinosaurs, and being naked.  (Probably the being naked part because it will make his sisters scream)

Even at 4 he has dreams, or maybe he is just plotting against us.

Where did the time go?

Happy Birthday little guy, we can't imagine life without you!

Pineapple anyone?

I was so happy to be back in my bed, that I couldn't sleep in this morning.  I got up to find Abs on the couch watching tv.

She turned on the Today show for me, and then disappeared.

She never asked for breakfast, or I would have made something for her.

About an hour later my nephew got up.  I guess he is learning that you can never be sure what to expect with Abs in close proximity.  He came out to tell me that there was pineapple juice all over the floor of the bathroom and a half eaten can of pineapple as well.

I called for Abs, and told her she was my "maid for the day".  Together we cleaned the bathroom, with her on her hands and knees scrubbing the tub and floor to my specifications.  She was thrilled, really.  She folded laundry.  She helped wash dishes.  She delivered clothes.  She matched socks.  She ran errands for me, delivering things to other places.

I wish I could figure out her currency.

Home!!!

I never thought I could be so happy to be home.

We had a great time, with a lot of ups and downs.

Abs kept getting her hair stuck in the tent zipper.

Gunner discovered he can't sleep on an air mattress, and spent 3 of the 5 nights in the RV with the dog.

I love sleeping on an air mattress.

Showers don't matter when you get dirty immediately after getting out.  We had/have red sand on EVERYTHING.

More stories to come, but overall we had a great time.  Lots of memories, lots of walking, lots of laundry to do.  (A rare picture of me at Arches National Park.)

I can't wait to sleep in my big, comfortable, sand free bed tonight.

What were we thinking?

Utah is beautiful!

We forgot our first night's dinner, but managed.

Luckily Gunner threw in a little popup dome tent at the last minute. WWIII broke out among the girls, and as tempting as it was to stick them in a smaller place together, we separated them.

We forgot the air pump so the air mattreses aren't the most comfortable right now.

We hiked this morning 3.25 miles with minimal complaining from the girls, probably because their cousin is with us. I'm taking him everywhere with us!

We are filthy but having fun!



Oh, I did lose most of my pinky toenail, abs covered herself with red dirt shortly after arriving, but luckily the bathroom is only a short jaunt away. Unfortunately we have to pass the couple that were watching a movie last night, one in the recliner and one on the couch of their million dollar motorhome, lol.
-- Post From My iPhone