And she's F O U R !

Hard to believe she is FOUR today!

Happy Birthday myLittle Echo! Love you :)

Hmmmm, it's been quite a week!

I am behind in my blogging...that's what a week's worth of company will do to you :) It's all good though and we enjoyed all the guests!

It was a lot of fun to have the Littles here. Of course they were accompanied by GiGi and G-Pa along with Aunt Turtle and Uncle Jimmie. They got to splash and swim, look at lots of planes, play on our stairs, eat catfish (which they LOVE), see the coolest diorama's ever and just enjoy being Tourist on an adventure of their new surroundings! They even got to see an alligator...which was tops on their "to do" list!

 

 Getting inside Miss Liberty!

 This was huge for them!

Splashing downtown...they had sooooo much fun!

 

 The downtown murals up close and personal...really magnificent!

These two murals are the largest public murals in the nation. Known as the Once in a Millennium Moon Murals they are full of  symbolism. Looking at them is almost overwhelming due to all the embedded meaning depicted. Their detail is amazing as well. I have seen them from afar as we travel the highway that gives a good view numerous times but going to see them up close was WOW!

 Who knew an Elvis statue in Shreveport! Aunt Turtle was all about seeing that :)

 Checking out the diorama's...everyone loved them. They are really spectacular!

In the Barnwell gardens...the goldfish were really cool!

After our touristy about and around the downtown area we stopped in at the ElDorado for a nice buffet lunch. There was something for everyone! I loved the fresh pineapple! Another day we ate at the Blind Tiger. I had heard great things about this restaurant and it did not disappoint. The catfish was really good according to my dad and the Littles. The red beans and rice were tops according to Uncle Jimmie along with the ettouffee. GiGi and Aunt Turtle liked the appetizer platter offerings especially the dipping sauce! My Santa Fe grilled chicken salad hit the spot for me so it was all good!

Later in the afternoon we experienced another REAL RARE TREAT...

 

I know this will be talked about for years to come...what an awesome experience!

I'm so glad they all were able to make the trip, especially my dad. I thought he might bow out, but he didn't! We really put them through the paces trying to getting in as much as we could showing them the base and surrounding area. 

 G-Pa catches a few Zzzz's before dinner!

It was a great week! I was worn out too! But like I said we are gearing up for another crew! Hope your days have some fun adventures in them, if not, start making plans now, summer will be gone before you know it. We are trying to nail down some of our own summer travel plans, it's hard with work and school schedules to de-conflict but we are hoping to get something scheduled soon!

Thursday Thoughts!

I'm going to a swanky dinner tonight! Dressen' right up and going out. This evening we will be attending a heritage dinner celebrating the 70th anniversary of the MIGHTY 8th!

I have many things to do and have already accomplished a lot so I feel pretty good about today. I'm choosing to be on the computer less and less. It is hard but I like it.

Gotta run, still much to do!

Thoughts:

• Pool is O P E N :)
• Already really warm here...
• Really ready for fresh 'maters :)
• Working hard on that exercise thing!

The other really uplifting news is that The Littles are planning to be here next week :) Can't wait for the precious hugs and lots of questions, it's going to be a F U N time I know! Oh, and my parents will be here with them, so bonus :)

Thursday Thoughts...or not!

Thursday Thoughts....hmmm, you know that old adage?

The one from Bambi.

Thumper: He doesn't walk very good, does he? 
Mrs. Rabbit: Thumper!  
Thumper: Yes, mama? 
Mrs. Rabbit: What did your father tell you this morning?  
Thumper: [clears throat] If you can't say something nice... don't say nothing at all. 

Well, it's probably best I abide by that. Yep, I better just keep letting that tape play over and over and over in my mind.

However, should I share some words that are floating around in my head?

Sure, why not?

Deflated | Disillusioned | Defunct | Disappointed | Defiant

Funny how those all start with D, wonder what that means? And I don't think they are in any particular order, I mean, I know they aren't alphabetical for sure :)

I better quickly revert back to that Bambi quote and just wrap up today's post and move on down the road, before something comes out! And funny that's exactly what I'm going to do. I'm going to move on down the road and travel to MO for Easter. I'm so ready to see the Littles along with rest of the family especially LilBlue! Being with family helps me to keep things in perspective and realize there is so much more to life then the Blue :) Just keepin' it real, sort of!

Thankful for her...

Honestly, I am very thankful for all my nieces! Even the ones I don't really know...but that's another post, maybe. But since HER birthday is today she is singled out for some extra words...

She was born while I was away at college. However, when she was just over a year old, I got to spend quite a bit of time with her since I was "home" while waiting to join MiB at our first duty assignment. So we hung out lots and we had a great few months in those early years. Then I came home to visit for an extended time period the next year and we again re-bonded and spent lots of time together. She's a quiet one without many words. But there IS a giggle that she still has to this day. She doesn't ask for much ever and she is somewhat last minute on things, usually important things too...but she is who she is and we love her! She is the mother to "the Littles" as well!

 

She's the one in the wedding dress :)

Today is HER birthday, so Happy Birthday to SLC-M!

"You is kind. You is smart. You is important!"

The Help

Wedding...Thankful we could be there!

The Littles were adorable at the wedding...I'm so very thankful we could be there to help out with the festivities! We had the fun of being last minute planners, decorators, errand runners and all around helpers to do what ever was asked of us! We also did some "what we thought should be done" things too! A garage was transformed! It was really neat to be apart of it! I pray for their future and happiness, I pray they stay as committed as it takes to make it work!

 

LilBlue caught the bouquet and of course is ready for that day in more then a day dreamy sort of way as most young women her age are...I fear that day will be hear sooner then we want! We know of course this is a natural progression in a relationship we just pray that they know we believe it should be for better or worse; should not be entered into lightly for convenience sake or any other reason then to be married and become one and work as a team on a life built together, period.

I'm so thankful for the weekend with family! It's great to be able to get together for fun things such as a wedding! Now we are in the car headed south for the long drive home and LilBlue is headed north. Prayers for all of our travels to be safe!

31 Days of Military Life ~ Day 24

Happy Birthday Little #1

In just a few short days I will get to see this little guy again and I am so excited! I love him, he's my "buddy"! While MiB was deployed this past year I tried to spend lots of time with him and his little sister or "my little echo" as I liked to call her and I soooo enjoyed every minute with them. The two of them make up "the Littles" I have blogged about them several times! They crack me up every time I see them, they come up with the funniest things and they are a hoot to be around. And they love to dance.

I cannot believe he is 5, oh my, how they grow and the time is passing so quickly! I remember the day he was born I think we all do, bit of a surprise but we were all instantly in love with this little guy with the black hair and eyes. He stole EVERYONE's heart. Gigi and G-Pa especially! He has been the most inquisitive child I have ever been around, asking questions, I mean real questions continuously. He is such a deep thinker, although he has a sort of "worry" factor in his questioning as in, "what happens if" type thing, he also has a great imagination and gets on board quick with playing anything to do with movement, such as planes, trains and automobiles. I cannot tell you how many hours we spent building train tracks, racing cars with the most detailed scenarios I have ever heard. He also loves to play Legos and be read to.

In addition to playtime we spent many a lunch hour together at the counter, where in no short order he usually requested scrambled eggs with salt or noodles and crackers. He also made sure I was aware that I do not have a place at the counter...there is only room for himself, G-Pa and sister.  This boy likes his routine and he did not want me coming in to mess it up :) He would also like some peaches or applesauce with that too thankyouverymuch! And for a prelunch snack I would take two chocolate tookies please :) This might also be a request after lunch as well. This boys knows what he likes and likes what he likes; not an adventurer in the food arena to be sure as I would try to talk him into at least trying what I was eating on a regular basis. My plate usually contained food very different then what he was having :) He would have none of it, oh he might make me think he would try it but then he would tell me why he couldn't! Silly boy!


So Happy Birthday to you little guy who is getting so BIG, I miss you and I will see you soon! We will have fun as we plan for another BIG day, more on that another day!

MyLittles

So it's been a few days since we've been gone but I have talked with the Littles and I am happy to report that they miss me...is that bad? I mean I AM glad they miss me, I miss them too! It was so neat to get to be with them more then usual this last year, and of course I miss them dearly! So last week when I was in AL and just strolling the BX I couldn't help but check out the 75% off racks. I found PJs for her and a neat T for him. I immediately put them in the mail and then I got a picture of them wearing their new things!

Aren't they adorable????

Their mom has been pretty good about sending pics and updates and things and I got this last week and thought it was worth sharing as well!

Just a little muddy!