CHRISTMAS 2011

Our Chrimstas morning started with a phone call from Benjamin to wake us up. The boys were still sleeping so I was able to chat with him for a few minutes before I could hear them stirring upstairs, which was almost 8 in the morning. We all took the phone into Connor's room to wake him up and then it was time to start the show. I was holding cameras, video and regular, relaying what was happening to Ben, and trying to get the boys started with their first gift that was such a hit! It was called Battle Tops and the last top spinning wins that round, with the first one to reach 10 declared the overall winner. They really played with it for the first 30 minutes before they were ready to move on.

We were able to make it to the stockings and the bright green presents from Santa before it was time to get ready for church. There was a really special spirit during the service, especially when the primary-age kids sang "Can I hold the Baby?" They hadn't even started singing before I was already tearing up, that is just the way that I am when it comes to Primary songs. It is just such a tender and sweet song, and watching my boys sing just did it over the top for me.... So needless to say I had quite a few people ask me if I was doing all right, or giving me hugs when it was over. I know they were thinking that I was having a hard time with Ben gone for this special holiday, BUT REALLY... it was the primary song + pregnancy hormones! Even if my husband was sitting right next to me I would have still been emotional during and after that sweet music.
So after church we made it back home and opened a few more presents. Connor fell asleep on the drive home so he actually wasn't there while Cael and Brecon opened a few more gifts. We actually didn't open everything in one day either. We started about 5 days early and then we still weren't done at the end of Christmas day! It was pretty nice because the boys actually played with their new gift the day that they opened it and it was enough to keep them satisfied and not be so overwhelmed everything else that was going on either. It was kind of like a Hannahka-ish holiday with 8 days of presents, and I really liked it! (*except for the 8 days of garbage and wrapping paper and packaging plastic... that part wasn't the best)

Brecon makes an amazing stack of his stuff!

THANK YOU WONDERFUL NEIGHBORS!! After I had struggled to put together Brecon's slot car race track, took a break because I was so frustrated, and then tried to figure it out again.... I finally had to call in for reinforcements. Not only did they get the track together and working but we had some pretty great races as well. That loop and connecting track were actually turned and hooked in the wrong way!! GRRRR... it is a good thing that Angie and Kent are problem solvers! Plus they brought over delicious cinnamon rolls and dinner rolls as well to share. I need to call them over to help more often :)

The pictures above are actually part of the reason we started Christmas early. When opening a package sent from Ben in Afghanistan we discovered that the boys gifts were inside. And it was just our luck that Ben had called us and was on the phone at the same time. The boys were thrilled with their "ADVENTURE PACKS" that contained flashlights, tools, a shovel, rope, binoculars, a first-aid kit, a compass, etc... everything a little boy/grown up would need to go on an adventure or be out in the forest with. Cael and Brecon were walking around the house and excited to take their packs and explore their surroundings. I made sure they understood that this was a Daddy activity, so now they have something very exciting to look forward to when Daddy comes home!

So the rest of Christmas we had races and went over to the Layton's house for a delicious dinner and for the first time I had a Christmas Goose! And they had the MOST delicious apple pie I have ever eaten. A perfect way to end a meal and Christmas day. When we got back home Connor as able to actually open some of his presents while Cael and Brecon really tried to hold themselves back, they just couldn't help but get right in there to assist Connor with his gifts.

And these pictures are added just so that I can remember the amazing Ward Christmas party and dinner we had on the 23rd. First of all we really weren't planning on too many families due to the holidays and the long weekend. BUT we had an amazing turn out, every table was filled and we were running out of forks! Our building just isn't that large or have places for a lot of people to eat, but we made it work and now we know what to do next time.

Part of the party included a white elephant exchange game for the adults, but before that they announced the winner of the ugliest, most creative, and best group for sweater wearers that night. After all the others were given their awards I was completely surprised when they said I WON the UGLIEST!!! It was like my name had been called for the Price-Is-Right. I almost gave everyone in the room hugs, but I controlled myself (at least somewhat) to only shaking my hands, covering my mouth, and squealling with delight! It feels good to win (ha ha ha) AND the best part is the guy next to me got the "runner-up" award and he is actually wearing one of my Christmas sweaters! Such a fun night and a good time to spend with the wonderful people in our little church family.

After the party I just had to swing over to my neighbors house and show them my prize for the ugliest sweater. The cute little snoopy would shake his hands/bells while a few different songs would play. You can tell I was feeling pretty excited about the "Big Win" and Connor is looking at me and thinking "I sure have a crazy Mom".

We had a wonderful Christmas!

Christmas Eve

The Layton Family

The Dean Family

The Platt Family

The delicious food we ate.

After everyone did a talent for the group, the kids were able to open a "grab bag" which had either candy, toys, or money inside. It was a huge hit with the children and it was so fun to watch all of the talents be performed. Cael played "We Three Kings" on the piano, Brecon did some amazing gymnastics on the carpet, and Connor played the harmonica while we sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" (this was also his favorite instrument choice while we delivered goodie plates to our neighbors.) I think Connor was pretty pleased with his chocolate goodie bag!

"These are my favorite!" Cael was heard saying when he found what was inside his goodie bag + $5 makes it that much sweeter!

The kids were all excited about which grab bag they were going to get. In order to make things a little more organized the children each had a number they chose after doing their talent and one by one they took turns opening their prize and were excited by the sweet treat inside!

The Durtschi Family

This is the most amazing family in the world and they were wonderful to have our family + 14 other people for a Christmas Eve dinner and party. I have to mention that they had just been in Spain for the past week and had just gotten home that afternoon after waking up to catch their flight at 4 A.M. They are amazing hosts and such wonderful friends! Plus after all the crazy party people left they were up until the wee hours of the morning getting their Christmas all ready, only 2 hours shy of a 24 hour crazy travel, drive, make food, and host a fabulous party. We love the Durtschi's!!

Garmisch Retreat

The boys and I were able to take a weekend trip to the Edelweiss Lodge and Resort for a deployed spouses retreat. The buffet and restaurant food and our room were free, as well as the childcare for the kiddos during the day and spouse building seminars. There was a crazy snow storm and the elementary school kids were release 2 hours early from school on Friday so I thought the weekend was going to be cancelled. Then the weather turned from a snow storm to rain and all the roads were completely clear on the drive down, so the retreat was back on. I was glad for a little distraction and get-away with the boys. Sometimes it is just nice to change up the routine from our regular stuff and try something different, especially right before Christmas when things are getting a little crazy....

Here is the resort. We got here around 6 that night, ate dinner and just missed the Friday evening childcare and adult meeting... oops! The boys had fun exploring the halls and Cael was excellent at practicing his cartwheels all the way to the ends. Brecon and Connor were just happy to be running around and not buckled into a carseat.

It was also fun because they had all the Christmas trees and decor all over the place. I tried to get the boys to stand in front of as many of the decorations as we could until they just couldn't stand it anymore.

THE BRECON POSE- you gotta love it!







Almost a great picture, until Brecon decided to put on a grumpy face. Still pretty funny though :)

On Saturday the boys all went to their groups at the child development centers and I spent the morning talking about building a strong relationship with my spouse. By 11 o'clock the class was over, I enjoyed an all-you-can-eat buffet and at 1:00 I had an early Christmas present by getting a massage. It was pretty wonderful, especially since my entire back was in desperate need of attention. I spent the rest of the afternoon reading and enjoying some quiet time until the boys were ready to be picked up at 4:00. We enjoyed our huge dinner together, and then went to the swimming pool. Back in our room we borrowed 101 Dalmations 2  and called it a night.

Guess where I was sleeping? See that tiny space between Cael and Connor? That is where I somehow slept for a few hours during the night. Thanks boys for giving Mom plenty of space to get my beauty rest :)


 When we woke up our last morning the whole world had been sprinkled with powdered sugar. The view from our window was pretty beautiful. I will always remember that the building on the right sure had a powerful light to illuminate the mural... ALL NIGHT LONG. Too bad my curtains didn't block that out, but the boys eventually went to sleep even though it looked like it was still daytime outside :)

Rise and shine Brecon! I probably should have jumped over to this bed during the night. Look at all that room!

The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous...

JUST KIDDING! More like the Simple Life of a Deployed Solider/Husband.

I just wanted to put these pictures up do a little update on how Ben is doing. Whenever we talk to him he tells us that his days are all about the same, with not too much going on to keep him busy. He doesn't usually have to go very far, in fact his Aid station, the DFAC (dining facility) and his sleeping area were all less than 100 yards apart from one another. That has to make for some exciting change of scenery during the day :) Ben also talks about the training he does with the medics everyday but Sunday. They talk about any medical topic in general, how to treat sunburn, basic information on colds, pain, sprains, etc. They usually talk about their daily subject for about an hour and Ben has told me that he enjoys doing these trainings together. The medics are very motivated to learn about medicine so it makes for easy conversations. Other than that most of the days are spent eating, resting, studying, and trying his best to keep busy, usually checking emails or sending his family (us) little surprises from amazon.com. Gotta love online shopping to pass the time :)

 SO here are some pictures from Ben's first area in FOB Waza Kwha.

 Here is Ben's Room and sleeping area. The walls are pretty plain, but the only thing Ben ever mentioned was how much room he had here. I guess that was helpful for all the excercises he could do during the day...

 Looking the other direction at his "study area/desk". I really love that colorful chair and the way that towel is just hanging from a nail.

 Another view of his room and highly decorated surroundings (I think)

 Working out on a medical mission to the local clinic.

 Back in the Aid Station and right outside the door to Ben's room (I think :)

 ....Ben and an Afghan Officer

 ....Handing out medical supplies and vitamins to the people in the area

 Some of the locals checking out what all the action is about, or just waiting for a turn to get some stuff.

 Ben and another solider at the local clinic stop to take a quick picture with the doctor and staff.

AND here is our hero out on a mission to the local area. He's lookin' pretty good with that gun.

SO I guess this is it. I am sure Ben can fill it in a little better but that is the best that I can do for now. In the meantime Ben is currently covering at a different FOB while one of the PA's has taken his R&R for a little while. He has told me that the aid station at this FOB is very nice compared to the ones he has been. So I guess that is nice since that is where he spends the majority of his time.

My BIG Boy Cael

You know how sometimes you get those school pictures back and you wonder
"WHY on Earth did I pay for this horrible picture?!"

This year I was so pleased with the results. LOOK AT THAT SMILE! I just LOVE this boy! That sweet innocent face gets me every time, plus it has a mix of mischievousness sprinkled in there that I simply adore. Everyday I am so thrilled with the young man he is becoming, our talks together, laughing at silly jokes we share together,  and the way he entertains Brecon and little Connor is just wonderful! (especially when Mom has some work to do) He is smart, sensitive, strong, and has quite the comedic timing. At least I laugh at his stories whether they are funny or not.
There is so much I could say about Cael and how proud I am to be this Mother. But my words cannot do my feelings justice, so we will just leave it at I LOVE THIS BOY!