Happy Birthday Neave!!!

Our baby turned 2 on 22 June. Poor Bob has yet to be with Neave on any of her birthdays. We had a simple party at the park. The kids played and ate pizza. Neave absolutely loved opening presents. She was more excited about opening them than she was about what was inside. We had cupcakes and then Grandpa took us all out for ice cream. Neave is really into horses so she received several of them. She has been so fun and we love watching her discover new things. We have also been unfortunate to experience her two year old wrath. She really does have a bad temper sometimes. Instead of asking "Why?" all the time she says, "What's that for?" She is been such a wonderful addition to our family and we are very thankful God has placed her in our lives.

Erica

Rachel and Rebecca

Neavie Kate at 2.

Erica

I love my new hat.

I love to open presents.

My new magnadoodle.

Pictures Galore

Below is a sample of what's been going on for the last two months.

Outside the church after Rachel's First Communion 3 May 2009. We are so proud of her and all of her hard work over the last nine months!

Rachel and her Godparents, Uncle Mark and Aunt Heather.

Rebecca and our nephew Daniel at our brother-in-laws 40th birthday, 10 May 2009. Daniel is such a cutie and we love spending time with him and his parents.

Philip (Bob's sister's hubby) and his nephew George and son Daniel. Happy Birthday Uncle Philip! 10 May 2009

Bob, Erica, Rachel, chicken, and our awesome nephew Aiden. All at THE US Agricultural Hall of Fame in Kansas. Aiden will thank us for that trip some day! We were lucky enough to have Aiden to ourselves for a week. Thanks Mark and Mary! 13 May 2009

Rebecca and our niece Dinah at my brother's house in New Mexico. We had a great time hanging out there for a few days. 8 June 2009

Rachel, Dinah, Rebecca, Neave, Erica, and Grace. Visiting my nieces and sister-in-law in New Mexico. The kids set up a fair with Carmel apples, popcorn, and watermelon.

Rebecca, Grandpa, Duce, Erica, Neave, and Rachel on our way up to Madden Peak. My Dad and I took the kids up a 12,000 foot mountain. We drove up a lot of it and then hiked the rest. Rebecca, Neave and I actually made it up to the top. 13 June 2009

Grandpa and Neave getting ready to roast marshmallows at my parents house in Colorado. 14 June 2009.

Rebecca at 12,000 feet. Great job making it all the way to the top. 13 June 2009

Rebecca, Rachel, and Erica just below the last climb to the top of Madden Peak. 13 June 2009

Neave with marshmallow/chocolate face. 14 June 2009

Neave taking a ride on her horse before we ride on in to town to attend church. 21 June 2009

Catching Up

So what has been keeping me from the computer the last few months...many, many things.

For starters, Bob and I traveled to Virginia to house hunt as we will be moving there in June. We were able to spend time with our brother-in-law Philip and our two nephews. We were also able to spend time with my good friend Maria and her three boys. We had a very successful trip and came home having purchased a home in the perfect location for us. Bob will be working in DC for the next few years. We visited two schools and decided on the catholic school three minutes from our home. Great for me!

As soon as we returned home we started the pre-move process. We still had many boxes to go through from our move 11 months ago. It was hard since we felt like we had just completed this particular job less than a year ago. I am a little obsessive when it comes to our moves so the pre-move process takes me at least two months. I try everything in my power to ensure the move goes as smoothly as possible.

Rachel received her First Holy Communion on May 3rd. She looked absolutely beautiful and we couldn't have been more proud. We had a great party afterward and we were very thankful to celebrate this special day with Rachel's Godparents', Uncle Mark and Aunt Heather.

We had several visitors in April and May. Bob's sister in currently deployed on the Navy's USS Comfort. Her husband and kids, Daniel and Dennis, came to stay in April and May. We loved spending time with them and enjoyed keeping Philip company as we understand how lonely life can be when your spouse is gone for a long period of time. Our awesome little nephew Aiden came to visit as well. We got to be his babysitters for a week in May. He is a great kid (must have great parents) and was a joy to have. We are really going to miss him!

We spent Memorial Day weekend cleaning and taking things apart since the movers were coming the next week. The kids and I packed up the minivan and headed off to Durango for the month of June. My Dad was gracious enough to fly out and help Bob and I that weekend and then helped me drag the kids all the way through Kansas and Colorado. He was a great help. We won't get to see Bob for a month but it has become very difficult to live in limbo for a month with four children, two dogs, and two guinea pigs.

While we have been vacationing in CO, Bob stayed and dealt with the movers, the nasty landlord, and all the outprocessing fun. He graduated from school on 12 June and then headed for DC. He was in town for 36 hours before he headed off to San Diego for his first of many "business trips."

The kids and I are enjoying the outdoors and the company of my parents. We have horseback riding, river walking, VBS, swimming, hiking, soccer camp and a visit with our cousins in New Mexico. I will be running a half marathon with my Dad this weekend. We have had a wonderful time but are looking forward to being home in VA with Bob.

We hope all is well. We ask that your keep Bob's sister Jeni in your prayers. We are looking forward to her safe return. We will send out our new address via email in the future as well as posting many pictures in our next blog. God bless you all and we are glad you are a part of our life.
Bob, Melissa, Rebecca, Rachel, Erica and Neave