Christmas In MA

So Christmas Eve and Day in Massachusetts with the C & J families, respectively, was wonderful. It was the first time in a few years that most everyone was together from my mom's family. Up until Christmas I had been handling MrE's deployment well, if I do say so myself. But hearing his voice on the phone Christmas Eve as family was arriving just set me off. I hid in the bedroom while on the phone, at least until the tears stopped. However, when I put the call on speaker phone for him to say hello to all more tears followed. Just not from me. Mom, Aunty V, & my brother's wife were all teary as well. That darn C gene!!! He was able to talk with everyone in the family, which was a special treat for all. I know it helped bring a smile to MrE's face. There were lots of laughs and just as many little kids running around my parents house. It was another good holiday gathering.

The next day we were off to the Cape to see my dad's family. More fun was had visiting with cousins we don't see often enough. My children were infatuated with the spiral staircase in the great room which led to the game room/loft. Oh the little things...

Since then we've had fun visiting with family & friends, celebrating another 1st birthday for LittleMiss, a 3rd birthday for Zilla as well as other birthdays for other cousins. We've seen more snow than we could care for. No honestly, it has snowed once a week since we've been here... We've also had a couple of illnesses that have postponed our return to VA. LittleMiss has had pneumonia, croup & a cold. I think she is looking for germs since she seems to be getting sick every time we are to travel. Very peculiar if you ask me.

We'll be heading back Norfolk on March 2nd, which is a firm departure... Anything after that and MrE will have to come get us. That is right folks, he should be home in March. Well, that is as long as the Navy says, "Yes MrE, you may go to your 3rd department head sea duty job..." Until then, we'll be recovering and visiting with family for the remainder of our trip.

Azzy & munchkins, xoxo

Christmas Show

MrE's deployment brought lots of things, good & bad... Among the good was putting the kids in daycare for the duration of the deployment. The women that teach my children are wonderful! They have learned so much. The time away fosters independence and allows this mum to clean, go grocery shopping and catch my breath where there is no other break. As Christmas approached I saw a notice on the door for the holiday show, which Bean was performing in!!! To say I was beyond excited doesn't accurately portray how excited I was. Okay so the 2-3yo class wasn't singing Jingle Bells as much as they were shaking the bells while dancing on stage. It was so cute though. And our wonderful friends joined us for the concert!!!

The support and love we have from friends is amazing & has made this deployment easy, all things considered.

-Azzy & munchkins, xoxo

Pre-Christmas Celebration

Eh, so it was two months ago. I should really change the name of this blog to "Better Late Then Never". I do post the pictures on FB immediately because it is how the deployed MrE can see them, but then I'm usually distracted by the chaos that is my life. We had a great visit in Norfolk with the E!Family. Grampy & Grammy came up for the night to have an early Christmas with the munchkins. We made a trip to Busch Gardens Christmas Town for the kids. It was amazing. We had dinner with Santa, Mrs. Claus & the elves. Santa read "The Night Before Christmas" as the elves passed out cookies. We saw Elmo & friends perform a Christmas show and visited the toy shop! The weather was a little dreary, but we bundled up & made it through.

The next day Aunty A & Uncle G drove up for the day for some more Christmas activities. We had brunch at the neighborhood party. We got to see Santa again. Then we celebrated Little Miss's first birthday (again) with the E!Family. And before we knew it the weekend was over... Christmas one down, two to go...

Azzy & munchkins, xoxo