Welcome to Texas!

I've been wanting to post about our new house here in Texas ever since we got in but it's been a mess with boxes everywhere and the house was so filthy that I had to clean literally EVERYTHING! It was gross but now at least the move out will be a pinch! Lets just say I spent 2 days cleaning the blinds and windows inside and out. An entire day cleaning the kitchen cabinets and the refridgerator water dispensor and ice maker were covered in mold! I guess everyone has their own standards of cleaniness but even the carpet cleaner who cleaned the carpets initially and had to return to redo the carpets said that it was filthy. Anyways, now that thats over and done with we are happy in our new home and it's a nice home despite all the work we've already had to put into it.

Silly Benton decided to pose in every single picture with his arm up in the air! This is the master bedroom and it's really a great size with a big walk in as well which we really need cause of all our sports equipment. The bathroom is huge two with two large separate vanities even though Brandons vanity is covered in my things too! hahaha.

And here we have it, our brand new washer and dryer! I get excited everytime I put in a load and I can't hear it! It's amazing! I LOVE the options for active wear, towels and bedding. Brandon jokes that its my mothers day present but quite honestly...I'll take it!

We have the living room here and that huge rug actually fits really nicely in here. Theres a dining room behind it but since we're not that formal to begin with it's going to end up being the kids corner.

The kitchen with the hideous wall paper. I thought about asking to paint it but then I realised just how much wall paper I'd have to take down and that is NOT worth it! lol So...I'll just live with the hideousness of the kitchen!

And a view from the living room to the entry way with Leben in the background.

The guest bathroom which is actually really nice!

Bentons room! His sheets are being washed cause Aunty Holly and her friend will be sleeping the night in his room!

Mias room...SO perfect for her with a huge walk in closet to the right. If you look closely she's sleeping and you can see one side of her pigtails. Oh sweet girl!

 Our entry way with the garage on the left and the hallway closet on the right. Welcome to our home for the next 2 1/2 years!

We're are now all waiting for Aunt Hollys arrival. Benton and daddy are napping on the couch, Mias snacking and watching Nemo. Tonights menu? Beef wellington with corn, fruit salad and for dessert Pavlova! Happy memorial Day! my heart and thoughts go out to all those who serve our country so diligently and for the families whose loved ones can't be with them this weekend.

Destructorsaurus



My 19 month old just walks right into the ocean. My 3 year old on the other hand is not a water loving creature and just like me avoids water like the plague. It's amazing to watch them develop into their own personalities and it makes me a little teary eyed. They know what they want, they know what they like and they go after it. Although most of the time, I honestly wish they didn't have their own opinions...kinda makes life a little harder for me ;-)

 

 I think when Brandon came back from deployment the 2nd time, his dream of Benton being his diving/adventure buddy was shattered. He squeals and screams when you put him in the pool or wash his hair. It's ok though, Miss Mia will be his adventure buddy since she has no fear and I kinda think Brandon is smitten with this little girl.

 First things first of course. When we first got to Corpus, we stopped by the NEX and got them some beach toys. We sure have gotten our moneys worth out of these things. It's a toss up between the time spent at Lowes and the time spent at the beach. Repeat...LOWES. The Home Depot here kinda stinks as far as the things they have but their customer service as always beats Lowes big time.

 Miss Mia in her teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikini courtesy of Great Grandpa Jack and Popo. She's going to be a heartbreaker this one. Dads got a lot of worrying to do.

 I have a lot more pictures of Mia cause she loves the camera....Benton not so much anymore. He doesn't stay still long enough for me to take a decent picture.

 Mia is a shovel-hog....oh and a destructorsaurus of anything made of sand. Every single sandcastle we made she aims at it like its her job, struts over there with purpose and tackles it like I would ice cream. It's a little scary how violent she is but then again she does have my temperament. ;-)

 

Oh Miss Mia

 

"A shell"

 

Nemo swim diapers...she loves them!

 

 The kids are also fascinated with sitting in a sand hole, especially Mia. She just giggles and laughs like its a million dollar toy! It's so funny and it makes me laugh every time.

Helping dad make a sandcastle....that she will destroy afterwards

 

Benton supervising the work going on

 

"A Star" aka starfish mold

 

Mia sitting in her unfinished sand hole

So far its been a blast having Brandon at home. He has till the 10th of June off which is really nice because this place is a mess and it's still not all done. It's all those silly little things that don't belong anywhere...oh and the things that the landlords left here and never took away like the 3 x 60lb cement mix in the garage, trash cans, all sorts of random things. Well the kids are napping so I better make use of this time to do things like laundry and cleaning...when I'd much rather be napping as well!  Love you all!

Our journey to the south via MT

I have been thinking of how much Benton and Mias grandparents will miss seeing them grow as we once again move. You never realize just how nice it is to be that close to family until its time to leave. I thought it would be a nice little scrapbook to keep family updated with a blog. They are going to grow and they are going to grow up fast. Just today I thought to myself..."when did Mia start putting words together to form a sentence?"

Our journey officially began when we left Portland, OR. Onward and eastward to Montana to see Great-Grandma Adams in Bozeman, MT. THAT was an intense drive. We got up at 2am and was on the road by 3am. We didn't get there till 4:30pm but once we did the kids took to Great Grandma Adams rather quickly. Poor great grandma...she was so patient with the kids and their 13 hours of built up energy. It was wonderful for the kids to be able to play with Ashleys children as well. They all came over for dinner. It was nice to spend some actual time with them. 

 



 

The next day we met up with Ashley and Whitney and their mom Bev for lunch with all the kiddos. Honestly the kids all did so well. Sweet Whitney took us for a hike to this one hill where the college kids at the local university made a big M with a bunch of painted white rocks. Brandon wanted to run up the steep trail. I said "You're crazy" lol...so instead we hiked a longer trail. Yup, Montana is pretty beautiful :)





 After that, we felt we deserved some ice cream. Much needed by the way after not having worked out for a week. But HEY! I'm on vacation. I'll get back into shape once I get to CC, TX...right? RIGHT! We also then went to visit Great Grandpa Adams grave. I'm not great with explaining things to Benton and Mia or anyone else for that matter, so I was nervous about how we would explain where Great Grandpa Adams really is. Benton took it pretty well granted he probably didn't grasp the entire concept. He asked a few times but he was good with "Great Grandpa Adams is in heaven with Jesus." I'll will take that and run with it. :-) My sweet boy.

 

Next stop was Billings, MT to see Great Grandma and Great Grandpa Hamby! We got there just in time for dinner...we have perfect timing with that it seems! :-) Anyways, the kids were so excited to explore yet another new house. They even got to share a room together with a heated blanket! I'm always cold so I was super excited about MY heating blanket and I sure used it too! First things first though. Lets get to the point. The REAL reason we came to visit the Great Hambys was to play hand and foot. After the kids went to bed, snacks were opened, cards were on the table and it was the men vs. the women. Great Grandma Hamby and I won every single game for the next 3 nights. The last night we weren't so lucky but lets face it. Winning 3 of the 4 nights pretty much deems us the winners. So even if the men supposedly won the championship round, the women won. Its all about the entire streak not just one night, so I'm not  bitter at all. ;-)



 

During the day, we'd take the kiddos to the park just up the street. 

Then Saturday family came over and it was a blast. Great Grandpa bbq'ed a turkey and everyone brought along a dish. Food is always good ;-) I ate a bunch and so did the kids. Of course you can't just eat, you gotta follow it with some time at the park!

Mia and Benton with Heathers husband Justin causing trouble in GGs vege garden!
 

Michelle, Robert, Heather and Justin

Mia showing off her tosh!

Picking at GGs sprinkler system...

I guess boys never do grow out of that kid phase ;-)

Mia laying claim on Heathers water bottle

And off we go....

 That sums up our vacation to MT, in all an entire week which was well worth it. Montana is beautiful, family was gracious and fun and it was good to get the kids exhausted before our continued journey. Goodbye MT, till next time!