Happy Holidays

Merry Christmas Everyone! We hope that you had a blessed holiday. Ours was very short since Robbie had to deploy for some training the day after but we made the best of it. While we couldn't be with our famlies, we were with our Marine Corps family. We fed over 40 guys and gals from Robbie's battalion since none of them could go home for the holidays. It was a crowded house but we made it work and the marines were very thankful for a home cooked meal on the holiday.

Please continue to keep all of our service members and their families in your prayers. We have so many friends that are serving our country in Iraq and Afghanistan and so many other places right now that weren't able to be home with their families. Please keep them in your prayers. Keep us in your prayers as we continue to celebrate our holiday away from each other. We love you and miss you all!!


Below are the pictures from our holiday. These are mostly for the grandparents but please enjoy.

Christmas Day

Christmas Eve Part 2

Christmas Eve Part 1

Winner of the World's Largest Stocking: Lauren!!

This morning after talking to our parents, we decided to go to brunch at the Officers Club. We discovered this wonderful brunch that they have every sunday and I had read that today Santa would be there and each kid would get a toy. As we walked in, they handed me two raffle tickets to fill out for Lauren and Gabbie at a chance to win the World's Largest Stocking. This thing was HUGE!!! I filled it out and forgot about it. We enjoyed brunch and missed Santa since he was on a break (probably a good thing based on our experience trying to see him at the Exchange - not a good one). We went on about our day running the million last minute errands that we are trying to do before Christmas and before Robbie leaves for more training. We get home and are home like 30 minutes before any of us realize that there is a message on the machine. We play it and they tell us that Lauren won the stocking and we needed to come and get it. This thing is HUGE. Taller than Robbie and full of games and toys for the girls!! We almost didn't need to buy too many things because they can just devour this!!! Lauren must be our good luck charm!! Sweet girl - she has no clue what she even won! She just wants the green frog at the bottom on the stocking :)

Us picking up the stocking at the O'Club

Lauren asking for the frog

Robbie trying to figure out what all is in it

Christmas Tradition: Christmas Cookie Baking

When Robbie and I first got married, I started a tradition with Gabbie that my mom had done with me every year. We baked Christmas cookies. I also wanted to include Lulu this year. Last year, she just sat in her swing and laughed and this year, I knew she was old enough the participate some. I always allow Gabbie to have a friend over to bake and this year was no exception. We invited Alexis who is our neighbor and also whose father works with Robbie. Robbie was still at his appointment when I started and I was more than a little nervous when I began. He arrived not 5 minutes after I started thank goodness because without his help I wouldn't have been able to do it. I am so used to having my mom's hands about this time each year and I am missing her and everyone greatly. This tradition finally started to make it feel like the holidays here, although it made me miss home a lot more!!

The girls and I hard at work

Watch the sprinkles Gabbie!!!

I think Lulu ate more dough and sprinkles than anything but at least she tried to help!

Cheese!!!

The girls and I having fun!

Lauren's First Haircut

I had refused to cut Lauren's hair for the longest time. It took so long to get it where it was. I finally had to breakdown. Her bangs were constantly in her eyes and she would pull out her ponytails on a daily basis so I brokedown. After the game, Robbie went by the barber shop to get a haircut. While he was doing that, I walk over to the beauty shop to see if Lulu and I could get hair cuts. They had an opening 30 mins later. I took it because it's hard to get in. The only downfall was that I was going to have to handle it by myself since Robbie had a work appointment. Hey, I can handle 7+ month deployments I can handle first haircuts right??? Sort of. We got there and I put lulu on the little stool. The lady decided that she wanted to put towels behind lulu and it was downhill from there. She wouldn't sit on the bench or in my lap. Finally we decided that I would go first and then lulu. When lulu saw my hair being combed she wanted her hair to be comb so lulu had her first haircut standing. She did great too. She was still. Then she hopped in her stroller for a bottle and waited for me to finish my haircut. Here are some pictures!

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Gabbie's First Cheerleading Game

Gabbie had her first cheerleading game on Saturday. She was so excited. She did great!! I am so proud of her. The only problem we had was that Lulu thought she was a cheerleader too and screamed when we wouldn't let her down to go stand with the girls. I guess that I am destined to watch football and basketball games for the next 20+ years of my life. I think I have two cheerleaders in my house...pray for me. Better yet, pray for Robbie...he's the one we need to worry about :)

Gabbie in her uniform. Note the LSU colors. Her stepfather loved, her father HATED it. Guess we are looking for a UNC outfit for Lulu to wear.

Gabbie cheering and encouraging the team

Making a little noise

Not sure what cheer this was

This was Lulu...so upset poor thing

Walking in Someone Else's Shoes

For the past few months, Lauren has been trying to put on everyone else's shoes. She has not been successful until the past week. She has been wearing Robbie, Gabbie, and my shoes and walking around the house in them without falling for the most part. Crazy girl!

For My MaMa

Thank you my MaMa (the girls great-grandmother) for the Christmas Dress. Lulu wore it to Daddy's graduation!! Here are some pictures for you MaMa!

Enjoy the video of Gabbie & Lauren dancing. Everyone has been asking about what our cars look like that we are driving, the two silver cars are ours. The station wagon looking one is a Honda Oddessy - looks a little different, huh??? Robbie drives the van looking vehicle called a Suzuki Every! Hope that gives you a better idea.

Staff Academy Graduation

Since the end of October, Robbie has been attending the Staff NonCommisioned Officer Academy at Camp Hansen. He worked so hard during his time there and yet he came home EVERY night even though he didn't have to. I loved his time there though, because he was home early every day even though he would have 2-4 hours of homework to do. He graduated from the Academy on Wednesday morning.

Lulu and Gabbie running around before the ceremony

Robbie receiving his certificate

The Family

*Sorry for the darkness of the pics, it was too dark in the theatre

**Sorry for Gabbie's face, the sun was in her eyes. Oh well!

Christmas Photo Shoot

Enjoy the Photoshoot pics! Happy Holidays!

Sesame Street

For those of you who don't know, my daughter is in love with Elmo. We watch Sesame Street every morning. She dances and screams every time she sees the opening credits. I laugh and watch in amazment every time because she knows what is going on. I was finally able to catch it on tape although forgive me because the camera wasn't turned completely right. Enjoy it though!

Bath Time Glasses

Lulu has these glasses that she and Gabbie got at the last festival we had here. They used to have the popout eyes on them but some how they have disappered. Everytime Lulu gets in the Bath she puts them one. It's too funny!

Happy LATE Thanksgiving!

I know I am late. It's been a crazy weekend. Robbie had 2 teeth pulled the day before thanksgiving and then lulu was teething. We had a very quiet Thanksgiving. We went to Gabbie's mom's house and ate with them and then went to Robbie's Lieutenant's house and helped them to serve the Marines that didn't go home for the holidays. It was nice not to have to have everything at our house but it was also very strange since we have hosted it for the past 3 years. Our place here just isn't big enough. We'll see what the future holds though!! :)

At Home with Lauren

When I first decided to stay home with Lauren, I had a hard time with it. I was so used to working full time and while I loved Lauren, I missed the adult time. Now though, I love being home with her. It's neat to see how she is learning and watching her have fun. Enjoy some pictures from our time together!

Lauren is a girly-girl. She loves for you to brush her hair. BUT she likes to pull her pony tails DOWN!!! It drives me crazy!

Lauren was helping with the laundry. She put her daddy's t-shirt on her head. Notice she is wearing Gabbie's t-shirt. We had to make do one night for pjs...she loved it though!

More helping with the laundry

Trying to fold clothes. I tried to start early with her :)

I came around the corner one day and found Lauren dragging her diapers into my bedroom. I guess she was trying to tell me something!

Marine Corps Ball

Thursday night, Robbie and I got all dressed up and went to the Marine Corps Ball. The Marine Corps Birthday is actually November 10th but we celebrated a little early. There aren't any pictures of the ceremony because it was really dark and we were far in the back. If you've ever gone to a ball, it's pretty much the standard ceremony :)

Robbie and I at the end of the night!

Robbie with his 1st Sgt and another SSgt.

Robbie and I before we left the house

Notice that Lauren was enthrolled with her father. She couldn't stop staring at him. Wonder why??? :)