Pictures For Andrew... VENTURA

Summer Fun

She is pretty hard to impress these days. Always up to no good this one.

Where did Will get these awesome blue eyes??

He really is this sweet. No Lie.

I love Ellie's face in this picture. Pure terror mixed with pure terror and a little fun. This swim suit is so awesome. I think it was one of Amy's old ones. The elastic is a little worn in the butt and it rides every time she wears it, ALL THE WAY ACROSS! Great for pictures?

Ellie has been potty training and it has been a huge struggle. She thinks it's o.k. to go outside because that's where we take the dogs. Hence the need for more than one swim suit these days. We went out the eat with Grandpa's side of the family on Tuesday for Great- Grandpa and Grandma Elms 62nd anniversary! Ellie had been so good with her training for about 2 days and so I had her in real chonies. Besides trying to feed her, which is a whole other story all together, and feed Will, she told me she needed to go PEE. So we ran to the bathroom and she decided that she didn't want to go on the potty they had there and she wouldn't put on a pull up. Needless to say a little while later there was a puddle of pee in the restaurant and a really wet little girl. She is really stubborn. Everything is a fight right now! The only thing getting me through her tantrums is the unprovoked kiss and "I love you mommy" before bedtime. Honestly. I'm so glad that Will is such an easy, happy baby right now. He saves me from insanity altogether.

Potty Training

Lucy got a bladder infection!! Poor Girl:( As if potty training two babies wasn't enough. (We put a diaper on her because she was dribbling.) Ellie is still resisting and I've done EVERYTHING. EVERYTHING. Please Ellie and Lucy! Cut me a break already!!!!

So MANY Firsts

FIRST WHEAT BREAD AND PIG TAILS

FIRST BIG HORSEY RIDE

FIRST DANCE CLASS

FIRST HAIR CUT

FIRST SUMMER SWIM

FIRST PUPPY!!

These sweet pups were born on May 5th 2010 to Papa and Pepa's dog Penny. So when we came here we had new puppies for the kids to play with! Papa named them Pancho and Lucy when they were born. We get to keep Lucy! She is so, so wild and therefore, fits right in. We all love her so much! (p.s. Erin I'll call you! I had no idea!! But it's such a sweet name!)

The Sweet Pupper

Her first bath

We take her for her first shots on Monday and we'll find out more about what type of dog she is. Her mom is a chihuahua/ dachshund mix. I think the father is a puggle, but we shall see. Either way she will be a small pup. We're super happy to have her in the family.

Big Willy is 6 months!

Will is already 6 months! Papa calls him Big Willy, but just so we have it straight, no one else is allowed to call him that! His name is Will:)

This little man is super strong and wants to explore all day.

He is officially an ambi-turner- he could only turn one way for some time.

He sits and walks with help.

Loves to swim with his papa.

Loves sweet potatoes and applesauce.

Hates peas

He cut his first tooth on Saturday the 26th- a bottom front tooth.

When he doesn't get what he wants or wants something he can't have he throws a fit, thanks to the best teacher around--Ellie. He's been doing it for 5 days now!

But he's mostly a happy, happy smiley baby. And so sweet to all. I love this cuddly sweet little man. Every morning he gives me a huge baby smile, excited laugh and fat juicy baby kiss on my cheek that melts me even if it's 6 am. I smile just thinking about him.

We LOVE you DaDdY!!!!

Happy Fathers day!

Pictures from Daddy

The Dental Clinic
Daddy in his costume at his quarters. The fact that he's wearing his bullet proof vest scares me.

The lovely Afghanistan Mountains

Andrew is doing just fine.

Happy Birthday Daddy!

Remember this picture-- One month down!

You officially have the longest birthday ever this year. I talked to you last night and I'm writing now and it's still your birthday! We wish you a happy 31 and send you all of our hugs and kisses. We miss you and love you so much! I'm so proud of you and all you are doing for us and for your country. We love you daddy! You're one amazing guy!

Back To No Good and Lov'in It

We went to Yosemite with Andrew's family right after stepping off a 12 hour flight. Needless to say it was a little rough. But we had a great time! This is the part where Ellie wanted me to carry her up the trail --not a happy camper. Poor Grammy Liz ended up caring baby Will and Ellie ended up in the baby carrier the whole trip. Jet lag is a bee sting.

When we got back there was a party with camels, elephants, vultures, snakes and other wonderful creatures. The camels were set up for rides in the front lawn and there was an elephant in the driveway that we could pet. In the back yard there was a presentation from the owner of these guys. He raises animals and trains them for movies and such. We would have stayed longer, but Ellie was really sick. On the car ride home she said "Mommy, elephant scary." Yeah guess we can cross that off her favorite animals list. She was so scared of him she was shaking. Totally understandable for a little kid though! I've never seen one so close!

Needless to say the trip has taken it's toll. Both kids have double ear infections for double the fun! And mommy is a bit sick too. But we are with family and being taken care of well. We get to talk to daddy on Skype every day and he is doing just fine! We feel really blessed and happy to be where we are. We have such wonderful friends and family that have been such a awesome support through all this! Thanks so much you guys!

Goodbye Daddy!

Today Andrew loaded up all of his costumes and went to Army. Andrew- I can't wait to see your awards. Please can one of them be a plush seal from playing the Claw?? Then I would know you're really in the arcade and not in Afghanistan. We love you Andrew, be safe!