Seattle Trip

Well we did it! We made it to Seattle and back with baby! I'm not going to lie...it was hard. It wasn't exactly a vacation get away. There is nothing relaxing about traveling with a baby or saying good-bye to your husband for a year as he leaves for war. Between flying across the country, time-changes, jet lag, and getting over an ear infection, Jude was not a happy camper. He is very much a creature of habit (like his mom) and couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep well the entire time. The weather was decent for Seattle and the fall folidge was beautiful. We had an amazing hotel view of the city and bay and managed to have a lot of fun. Thanks to Aunt Kelly and Nani (Monica) for all the help...no way could I have done it without you! It was a physically and mentally exhausting trip. Glad to be back home, but so glad we went! Here are some highlights....



Hanging with dad....
Hanging tough in Nike Town...

Playing Peek-a-Boo in the rental car....

Seattle skyline from Pikes Market

Judes new hat from Nani...

Chris and Jude on the giant piggy bank in front of the fish throwing...

Fish throwing fun...

The freshest flowers for the best prices!...

Original Starbucks...one pumpkin latte please!

So I didn't get a good picture of the beautiful folidge.....but I did manage to take a picture from under the highway...it's even pretty under there!

Chris with sleepy boy, Kelly and Monica just outside Ivars on the harbor

Ivars had yummy food and we got to watch the ships coming in...

Jude crashed at the restaurant....Dad soaked up some snuggles

Eating like a big boy...

Happy Family...

Daddy Doll

One of the Family Readiness Group volunteers ordered these great "hug-a-soldier" dolls to give to all the children at our deployment ceremony. I refer to ours as Jude's "daddy doll" or sometimes I just refer to it as "dad". Dad hasn't missed a beat...

We took a family picture at the Northwest Hills UMC pumpkin patch...


And dad has even been laying at Jude's bedside to keep him company while he has been sick...

Now if these little soldiers could just do dishes and diapers, I think I would order a few more:)

First Ear Infection

This weekend Jude got his first fever, cold/ear infection. Yuck! He started "slowing down" this week and just wasn't himself. By Friday afternoon he had a fever and by Saturday afternoon he was in a lot of pain. We took him to an after-hours pediatric office and they said it was indeed an ear infection. Poor baby is all snuffly and conjested, tired, cranky and well sick. We are hoping for a speedy recovery in order to fly safely to Seattle by Sunday. We are hoping for the "all clear" from our family doctor on Thursday. He is feeling better, but still not his normal silly self. Thank goodness it's perfect weather for being sick, staying in our pajamas, and snuggling in bed.


After a long day, Jude gets cozy with his Nani...(8pm on Saturday night)
And what a difference a good night's sleep and a Longhorn win makes....(8am on Sunday)

Four Little Pumpkins

Four little pumpkins sitting in some hay....
the first one said..."what a really hot day!"
The second one said, "this snack is really yum!"

The third and fourth one said "We are ready for some fun!"

And "eww" went the wind and out went the lights and the four little pumpkins rolled out of sight!

MORE Autumn Air!

Another cool front came our way last night...OK so its not exactly cold, but it's just enough fresh cool air to inspire us to do all sorts of fun things...like...



Make yummy treats for Chris (OK, not the final product, but we did get all the ingredients for marshmallow popcorn bars and peanut butter-chocolate cookies!)


Drink some pumpkin spice latte...

light some pumpkin spice candles....

Open some windows...

And decorate some doors...

Make some new friends...

And hang out wth some old friends...

And best of all ...wear pumpkin pajamas sent with love from Aunt Julie!

Autumn Air!

Today was the first day of fall and it actually felt like it! After a cool front and a thunderstorm canceled our Mommy Club we decided to take a walk at 4pm…usually the hottest part of the day. But today it was 65 degrees at 4pm…it felt wonderful! With the cool air still blowing in, we had to put on jackets! Yes, I know I am totally from Texas…but with the hottest summer in recorded history, we have been waiting for this day for quite some time. It truly felt like autumn and I know it will be back up to the 90s by this weekend, but I’ll take what I can get. Jude topped off the day with his first taste of baby puree pumpkin. I can’t wait for apple cider, the smell of burning fire, leaves (and not dead grass) crunching under my feet, and glowing Jack-o-lanterns. As aunt Julie would say…. “There are footballs in the air!”

The Shark

Jude is a shark. He wants to bite everything! He starting teething early at 4 months. He now has 4 teeth and we think more on the way. His gums are swollen, he drools and he loves to chew on teethers. I bought him these yummy organic vanilla teething biscuits to naw on, but by the looks of this picture he is smoking a cigar! Whatever takes the edge off...