We're back...

Well, it's been a few busy couple of weeks.

After Mike came home, we got used to our life as a family of 4 again. We are now well adjusted and were lucky to have Mike spent most of that time at home with us.

St Patrick's Day

We went back geocaching which led to Claire's biggest fear so far. We were looking for a cache and she and I walked on a red ant colony. She was covered with it, we had to strip her down to her underwear. Very traumatic experience for her. She woke up a few times that night checking her body and since then she has been very careful where she steps and does not want to see any ants. She is ok with other bugs but no ants!

Geocaching n Okaloosa Island

Claire got her evaluation at school and she maxed everything. She is a very bright, smart little girl and we are certain she will do great in life.

Last week was Spring Break. The weather was just horrible, thunderstorms, rain, rain and more rain!

We started the weekend with a trip to MS to try to find a school for the girls next year. We visited 3 catholic schools and chose one of them. Both girls will be ttending the same school and have the same schedule. (Yeah for Mom!) They will also wear a uniform. The school is 5 minutes away from the base and therefore from our house. We will be staying on base since Mike's job requires him to live on station. The house is a pretty nice 2 stories, 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths house with TONS of storage!!! We will live in a neighborhood with all the other commanders and essential personnel.

We have mixed feeling about the move, we love it so much here. It is a great place to live and raise kids. The school system is the best. The beaches, our neighborhood... We will really miss it and I know it will be tough for the girls as well.

On the way back from MS, we stopped to visit the USS Alabama.

Since the weather was so bad, we stayed home and did some crafts, played on the Wii (Mike and I LOVE the Wii Fit), went bowling. We did manage to squeeze in a trip to the beach and to rent a boat with some friends on some of the nicest days.

Bowling on base

Dolphins, they came by next to our boat, I was so shocked that I froze and did not take the picture...

The girls with our friends, Katie and Chris

Craft time - making a pony piggy bank

Today, Emilie went back to school, she was really excited to see everybody and especially her teacher, Mrs R. With Easter around the corner, Claire will have an Easter party at school tomorrow with stations and egg hunt and Emilie will have Easter crafts, egg hunt and parade at the end of the week. Looking forward to all that fun!

I can't believe school will be over in 2 months and then we move... !!!

Homecoming

Yes, Mike finally made it home safely after being deployed for 6 loooong months!!!

We are all very excited. He arrived in the USA on Thursday, February 26th and was greeted by his brother John and his two good friends Mike Veltri and Dino Efantis at his arrival at BWI. They then all went out to eat a good meal in Baltimore.

Mike arrives at BWI aiport and is greeted by USO members


John, Dino and Mike V. ------Mike V., Dino E., John and Mike

The next morning, Mike got up early and got on his last flights to Florida. The girls and I had prepared signs to welcome him home. We got to the airport early enough to get security passes to welcome him at the gate. But somehow as we got through security, Mike's plane landed (very!) early and we missed each other. So we were at the gate and he was waiting for us in the terminal. After realizing that everybody was out of the plane, we made our way back to the terminal where we saw Mike. (the airport is very small so all that took place in a few minutes) Emilie came down the escalator as quickly as possible and run to him, I followed and did not even think Claire could not. She got scared and stuck upstairs. A gentleman helped her but she managed to scrape her leg and was crying as we got to Mike. Of course, he did not excpect such an welcome home but it all worked out fine. I was prepared with my camera in my right hand and a balloon in the other but I did not get to film or take pictures because of all the unexpected commotion... We hugged for a while and then about twenty people from his office started showing up one by one. We all started talking when suddenly I realized no luggage was coming and Mike was the only one waiting for his luggage. We found out it had arrived on an earlier plane.

Mike's boss, Don "Krash' Kaderbek and Ruth, his wife

The sign Emilie made for the airport ------- Claire' sign, she added some more stickers later

His co-workers helped him carry his luggage to the car and we went back home.

co-workers carrying the bags to the car

Sign on the garage door, Emilie wanted a sun and painted one and Claire a heart and painted it as well

Welcome Home ice cream cake

It is awesome to have hime home with us again and we think of all the other families that have a loved one deployed somewhere in the world and pray for a safe return...

Last post before his return

This is my last post before HE comes home this week... Yes, the 6 months are almost over !!! They were very long and I am really happy they are over. I missed him very much and love him very dearly. I can't wait to see him and hold him in my arms...

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14 Feb 2005 - 4 years ago...

4 years ago I got admitted at the WPAFB hospital. My baby was breached and they were going to try to turn it around. After an epidural and some efforts from a few docs, the baby's heartbeat was slowing down and I was rushed to the OR for a C-section. A few minutes later, a beautiful little baby girl was born. We named her Claire, Isabelle. What a great way to celebrate Valentine's Day!
She has been a joy since then. Today she is turning 4. I can't believe it!!!
Claire is pretty shy at first but will warm up to you, she is full of energy. She loves to sing, dance. She remembers everything, has an excellent memory (hears a song or story once and remembers them), loves to draw and is really good at it. She likes her bicycle, working in the yard, and LOVES playing with any kind of dolls, Barbie... She is very independent and will play by herself for a long time. I am so happy and blessed to have her in our lives.

a few days old

1 year old

2 years old

3 years old

Today - 4 years old!

Emilie 1st school musical - E-I-E-I-Oops

(Don't forget to turn off or pause the musice on the left side before you biew a video)

Emilie played in her first musical. She had the role of a milkmaid in E-I-E-I-Oops(*), the Bluewater Elementary Kindergarten Musical. She had a small role but we were gonr for over 2 months while the other kids were rehearsing. She sat in the middle of the stage on a stool next to the cow and sand and got up to do her part. She did very good. We are so proud of her! At the end of the evening performance, I gave her flowers on Mike's behalf. She loved it!

Here are some videos and pictures. I tried to both film and take pictures at the same time so probably not the best rendition but better than nothing...

Emilie's class played the sheep

Emilie's part

* Let's take a trip to see Farmer MacDonald! The whole barnyard is singin'... rooster's singin' tenor, the mule chimes in on bass, the chicks are pretty good altos, and the sheep are all over the place! But wait! Something's wrong with Madame Cow... she just can't moo! Join the fun as the animals all do their part to save the day!