Okay funny story...well it wasn't at the time but it is now. So I asked Eric if he wanted me to get a sitter to watch the kids during the graduation ceremony and he said no. He wanted the kids to be there for the graduation and like a good wife I brought them along. If I had it all over to do again I would definitely get a sitter. Alright moving on... so our seats were up in the balcony and while I was standing near the railing trying to take pictures of the scene below I begin to hear a kid whining. I pause with taking pictures and realize the kid who is whining is my very own Lily. Apparently in an attempt to see what was going on below Lily had put her head through the bars and it was now stuck. Those of you who know our Lily can easily imagine just how hysterical she was getting and with all that racket she was making the people below us were obviously starting to look up to see what was going on. So there I was, with an audience, trying to calm Lily down and free her head as quickly as I could. Thankfully I was successful and the graduation ceremony was able to continue. Whew!
Thank you Ian, Sharee and Arthur (who is taking the picture) for coming to support Eric on his big day!
My handsome PA
After graduation Eric's next move was to prepare himself to head on over to the East coast for Officer Training for the Navy, which would last for 5 weeks. We had received orders to be stationed in Oak Harbor Washington so we decided we'd move the family over that way before Eric needed to report to ODS. We also decided I would fair better during this period of being a "single parent" if I had help. Thankfully both sets of parents agreed to letting me and the kids stay with them for as long as I needed while Eric was gone. I am so very grateful to my parents (plus my younger siblings who were home at the time) and to Eric's parents who were all very kind and patient with me and my kids. I appreciated all the help I received. I love all of you so very much and feel truly blessed to have such a loving and caring Family.
Eric flew back July 19th, and with the help of Eric's parents we drove to Oak Harbor. Eric and I had about 1 week to try and get everything semi in order since we were going to Hawaii for a Stone Family Reunion! Eric's parents were awesome, as usual, and came up from Kennewick to watch the kiddos for the week. We had a wonderful time being with ALL of my siblings, my parents, some of my nephews and nieces and my Grandparents (Stone and Packard). I was super sad when it was all over and our 9 HOUR flight delay only made it worse :) Thankfully we finally made it back home safely to our kids. Its good to be home but I can't wait for the next family reunion!!
This last week and half, and the week before we left for Hawaii, has just been filled with Eric trying to complete his super long "Check In" list so he can actually start working. I've been slowly unpacking here and there and trying to get our new house to look more like a home. I'm pretty sure that because we were moving around so much these past couple months it's felt more like a super long road trip and the fact that we've moved didn't get a chance to set in. However, now that I'm here (Oak Harbor) with no upcoming road trips...my family and I have really begun to miss the Gariety Family back in Albuquerque. My kids talk about their cousins quite a bit and keep asking "why can't go over to play at Aunt Sharee's house?" We love you guys and miss you a ton, thanks for all the fun things you included us in, I'm so glad we were able to live so close to each other for a while, I loved it and miss it so much already.
Oh, and one more quick bit of news...though most of you already know I still need to put this on the blog since I'm using it as our family journal...I am expecting our fourth! Due date is tentatively Feb. 15th 2014. Don't know the gender yet but I plan on finding out :)
Colorado Mesa Verde National Park
Moab Utah
Oak Harbor Washington
This is our new home, after I get the inside more in order I promise to take some pictures.
Water park in Kennewick
Caleb really liked Uncle Reed's cowboy boots despite them being way too big for him :)
Emma received her mission call while we there, she reports to the MTC in September and is serving in the Atlantis Georgia Mission! Jacob also received his mission call but just after we left so I don't have a picture of him with his calling but he will be reporting to the MTC in November and will be serving in Uruguay, spanish speaking. We love you guys and are so proud of you! We have now doubt you'll both be fantastic missionaries!
Uncle Nathan playing with me kids :)
Grandpa reading to Lily
Nona taught Lily how to write her name while we were out there :)
Nona also encouraged Kylie to learn how to crawl :)
Packard Family Reunion in Washington 2013
Fourth of July Celebration activities included several games of Tug of War, a parade, shaved ice, and a BBQ.
The last night of the reunion there was a dance party
Lily loves to dance but I think there were too many people around for her to feel comfortable so she headed to higher ground and semi hid herself behind bushes and did a little dancing and singing where she thought no one would see :)
Lily turns 4!!
Lily really wanted a PINK birthday cake and that's what she got :)
Can't believe how fast she's growing, she'll be going to kindergarten next year!
Kylie can crawl!
Hawaii - Stone Family Reunion 2013
And that's a wrap folks!
2 comments:
Holy Super Post! Wow, Jewels! Loved all the pictures and seeing pics of your drive back West. We miss you guys too. Sydney is always asking to play with Lily and Caleb and then she says, "But Aunt Julianne is very far away." :( We miss you guys. But we are planning to visit you in Washington in the next couple of years, and we can't wait to see your cute little home. The pictures of Oak Harbor sure look beautiful!
Love the update. Oak Harbor looks so pretty and Hawaii looks awesome! Hope unpacking goes smooth.
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