Weeks16-17

I like that number, 17. It looks so close to 20. And 20 seems so close to half of 52, which is halfway through the deployment . It's a stretch I know, but I'm trying.

To say it's been a rough 2 weeks is putting it lightly. The combination of two year old drama mixed with Daddy being gone drama has turned this house into quite the tornado lately. Sleeping has been a huge issue that is finally starting to return back to normal. It's as if we have been fighting a 3 week hang over from that one week of party time that he was home. But we are making it through, slowly but surely, we are making it through.

Not much to report lately. Besides the daily sleep battles and busy Christmas-ness, we've been trying to keep things as calm as possible around here.

Highlights of the last two weeks-
- A santa breakfast with the family
- BEAUTIFUL weather for afternoon runs with the boys
- Talking to Daddy daily
-Lots of days spent at the park
- Watching the polar express together
- Petting the goats at the zoo.. always a favorite with Mr. Pants
- Playing at the Johnson's house and baking cookies
- Two of the BEST early Christmas presents! Registration for the PF changs Half marathon and an AMAZING all in one vacuum/shampoer/hard floor cleaner!! Happy Mama!
-some Fun at the Children's Museum
- THE FIRST POOP ON THE POTTY!!!! Completely on his own, no pressure or "training" quite yet.
SO proud!

Saw this last week and died laughing. I have a lot of friends that would love to have this, mainly to make fun of me ;)

You can imagine the boys' amazement when this landed RIGHT behind our house last week! HOT AIR BALLOON! CACTUS!! Only in Arizona.

Checking out the ducks, a little too close, after getting muddy at the park 

HI! I'm the cutest baby ever 

Oh wait.. still the cutest! 

Elfie trying to steal my Steve! 

I couldn't wait to clean the house. Pants thought it was optimus prime, so he was equally excited. 

Hi Daddy!! 

aviators and dog tags

First time dipping grilled cheese in Tomato soup! Except that he put goldfish in the soup and pretended they were in the hot tub or " hot water" as he calls it. 

Cousins and breakfast with Santa

Mr. Pants and " me-maw"

Great Grandma and Papa Olson with mr. Kaners

Their Grandkiddos- typical Mr. Pants. 

Love them 

Always fun at the Johnson's! 

In all honesty, it's pretty tough to get in the Christmas spirit without my husband here. We have spent the last few years on our own, as a family, beginning our own traditions and memories. That space is just so empty right now... a seriously HUGE space. But before I can even step foot into that pitty party , it's important to remember that everyone is facing their own struggles right now.

Time to suck it up, and get in the spirit.   Enjoy the holidays and all of the blessings we have been given this year, and look forward to all that is to come. Especially now that we know there WILL be a 2013.

A very MERRY week to everyone. Hug your loved ones a little extra for all of us that can't!