Autumn Leaves

Our gang's Halloween

 This year we dressed up as Daphne, Velma, and Scooby-Doo (Brandon was Shaggy from long-distance). We went trick-or-treating with Brown cousins in the rain, then went to my brother Byron's house for marshmallow toasting and hanging around the firepit. Happy Halloween!

 Scooby and Daphne, dancing on the front porch.

Jax loved the wagon, until he figured out that walking got him more candy, faster.

 Claire and Max, dressed as the joker.

 Uncle Byron shows Claire proper "Smarshmellow" toasting technique.

Jax loved going up and doing the steps all night.

Fall in Utah- a week of firsts

First raking/sweeping of leaves with Cade, aka Indiana Jones

First Snow Woman, complete with curly tomato vine eyelashes

First Halloween program, where cousin Max and the rest of his 2nd grade performed spooky poems and songs. Also, quite possibly the first time Claire has heard the pledge of allegiance. Military parents of the year.

First time Scooby-Doo and Daphne posed together

First time any of us has seen a live wild turkey. This pair crossed the road in front of the mountain house and hung out in the neighbor's yard while we snapped some pics.

First time frosting Halloween sugar cookies with Brown cousins. Thanks Grandma Penny!

First Snow

The first big snowfall of the year was Wednesday, October 27. We woke up to about 5 inches of snow at Grandma and Grandpa's "Mountain House." Claire and Jax loved playing in the snow, and Grandpa Harold helped Claire build a snow woman. They used green tomatoes from the garden for the eyes, and the stems made curly eyelashes. Kudos to Grandpa Harold for creative snow sculpting! Note the yellow tree in the background. Utah is "still deciding" if it wants to have fall or winter.

2

We spent much of Jackson's actual birthday with Grandpa Steve and his famous dog, Dan. Claire found her calling as a dog trainer, and Jackson did a stint as a human cupcake complete with green and black Halloween frosting. Notice his recent big-boy haircut, courtesy of Grandpa Steve. Happy Birthday, buddy!

Jax turns 2

We'd like to re-enter the blogosphere with some pictures from Jackson's 2nd birthday party. We are lucky to be spending some time with family in Utah, and our Brown cousins showed Jax a great time with pizza, balloons, singing and dancing to Aunt Misty's guitar, and cupcakes. Jax was so excited about his Thomas the train, Elmo, and racecar presents. Thank you Brown cousins!

Happy Anniversary to My One True Friend

Engagement Pics July 2001
FDR Memorial, Washington, DC
"Are you sure you know what you're getting into?"

August 30, 2001
Salt Lake City, UT
Lucky Us!

December 2001
Puerto Rico
Our belated honeymoon

Our first Apartment, May 2002
Crystal City, VA
Brandon's graduation and the end of our DC days

346 Brees Blvd, May 2003
San Antonio TX
Brandon survived internship, I graduated, and we painted every door and wall in our new house

November 19, 2004
San Antonio, TX
Claire's arrival made us a "three family"

Austin, Christmas Eve 2005
We survived a tough year

Alaska, May 2006
Kayaking, Hiking, Relaxing on a Cruise

Heidelberg, July 2007
Brandon finished residency, and our European adventures began

Landstuhl, October 24, 2008
We finally became a "four family" when Jackson was born

Sacramonte, May 2009
Granada, Spain
We discovered flamenco

Canary Islands, February 2010
Our predeployment vacation- best ever!

Brandon, I love you and miss you! You're the best!

The German Mary Poppins

Repeated recent viewings of Mary Poppins have us thinking of our babysitter Michelle, who is also practically perfect in every way. From her cheery disposition to her varied games (all sorts) and crafts she did with the kids, she definitely put at least one if not two spoonfuls of sugar in the medicine of life without Brandon.
We were quite sad when the wind changed, whisking her away to San Francisco for a glamorous stint as an au pair of two gorgeous girls (Claire's cousins Sophie and Marianne). However, we managed to console ourselves by knowing how many adventures they will have with Michelle and how hopefully, we will see her again soon. Meanwhile, here are some pics of her going-away party, thrown by her friendly and very cool family.
"Goodbye, Mary Poppins. Don't stay away too long."

My baby

Eventually, I'll have to cut Jackson's hair. But it's so cute I can't bring myself to do it.