Eden's 16 Months

Better late than never right. I chose this picture because Derek woke up with Eden one morning and this is what she wanted. Her baby doll, crackers, and a pacifier. Life was perfect for her. She is my sweet little girl. It is amazing to see the natural instincts my children have. Kael is all boy and Eden is all girl. I love this about her. She is so sweet and petite. She is stubborn until she gets what she wants. She loves so much. She cares so much.
Eden now gives open mouth kisses. It is so silly, but so sweet.
If Kael kisses my cheek, Eden is always right behind him.
She loves the swings.
She loves any toy that Kael is playing with.
She likes to sword fight Kael and does a pretty good job keeping up with him.
She likes to play in the kitchen and pretend to be doing what I am.
She loves dolls.
She loves jewelry. She is always putting on her necklace.
She likes her nails painted.
She likes having her hair in piggy tails and bows, but sometimes just has to pull them out, but she likes having them.
She loves, loves water. She pretends to swim in the bath tub. She gets on her belly and kicks her legs and puts her face in the water. She has no fear at all. At the swimming pool she blows bubbles in the water, and tries to take off swimming by herself.

Words Eden uses:
UP, UP, UP, UP
Mom
Dad
No No
Shoe
More please
Please
Thank you
One More
More
Bath
Uh oh
All done
Banana (nana)
milk (for water)
water (ba ba)
night night (ni ni)
cracker
binkie (bee ee)
bubble
balloon
ball
Juice
Baby
Dog
AND, POO POO

PS: Dear Eden's Molars, Please come in fast so Eden can be sweet again. I'm tired of her being grumpy at 3 am... PLEASE HURRY UP!

What Did You Do on 7-11-11?

In the morning we went to "This is The Place" Monument Park. It was pretty awesome! We learned all about Utah's history and we got to do it riding a train, which Kael loved, Eden, not so much. Kael and Eden got to ride ponies. Kael loved riding the "horses" and had to ride them twice. Eden was done after the first ride. Then, we got to pet some goats and look at sheep, pigs, and cows. It really was so much fun! I kind of wish I got season passes when they were half off now because Kael really loved the animals and the train. Thank goodness for buy one get one free passes.

 Dad, Eden, and Kael on the train.

 Eden on the pony. She didn't love it very much as you can see.

 Kael on the pony and he did it all by himself. He is getting too big!

Eden on the train.

Eden, Kael, and Mom on the train. Kael never looks at the camera anymore, while Eden loves to smile.

In the afternoon we did THIS!

Free slurpies at 7/11 on 7-11-11! How awesome is that?

After we got our slurpies we headed home and got the kids in swimming suits and played in the water outside and ate popsicles. I think Kael and Eden had way too much fun. It was a pretty awesome day. For dinner they got to sit on the couch with TV trays and watch a movie. They won't remember this day, but I sure hope I do. Thank you 7/11/11!

35 Months of Joy

Dear Kael,

I am so happy to report that I kept you alive another month. This last month I even managed to keep you alive all by myself. That's right kid. It wasn't easy, but I did it. I have to tell you that you also brought me so much joy this last month. You are such an amazing kid. That's right, I think you are becoming a kid. You are talking to me so much. You have your own opinion and you know what you do or do not want. You helped me take care of Eden and have proven to be the best big brother. You protected her from her cousins who sometimes showed a little too much love, from strangers, and from weird animals. You loved to show off your sister when we were at the airport to all kinds of strangers. You were so friendly and people were so friendly to you. You have a new love of airplanes! You asked me first thing in the morning about 3 days in a row when we got back from Ohio if we were going on the big airplane today?. You were so happy when Dad came home and brought you a "cool airplane". You love dinosaurs so much!
Kid you did it! You finally decided to be potty trained! It was a glorious day for me and it has been a glorious 2 weeks since you decided. This month has been such a roller coaster, and I'm not certain I am ready for you to be 3 in less than a month. I wish that time would slow down just a bit. I love you so much kiddo and I can't wait to see what the next months bring us. You are an amazing son, brother, friend, and child of God. Mom, Dad, and Eden love you so much. Keep being the person you are and I think you are going to do great in life.
I LOVE YOU KAEL!
Love,
Mom

Pictures of Derek at Air Force Training

I think this is one of my favorite pictures. You can tell they were really sleep deprived because Derek was able to fall asleep in the middle of the day in 100 degree, 100% humidity weather, and on concrete. 

2nd Lieutenant Bradley

I couldn't be more proud of him, or more grateful he is home with us.  This 4th of July I was more grateful for our amazing country because of this man. I love him with all my heart.

 My Airman.

Derek's flight squadron "The Falcons".

July 2, 2011 He's HOME!

He's home, we are so happy, and we are busy spending time with him!
Love our eternal family!