Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

With this long and slow transition process that we have been in since July, I have to say that I haven't quite been in the Christmas spirit. We finally moved into our home at the end of November. The kids are still with Brent's parents and we're just getting every cardboard box and paper on the curbside settled. Through all the unpacking, putting up Christmas decorations or tree just was the last thing on my mind wasn't on the top my list. We have continued to visit on the weekends, working during the weeks, managed to do some shopping in between. Even my address book sits untouched this year not doing any Christmas cards which I've done since we were married 7 years ago. As the cards come in the guilt sets in I enjoy seeing pictures and letters of our family and friends. I remember that it is okay that the tree didn't go up, it's okay that the decorations are not out, and it is okay that the cards are not sent. What matters is that we will be together as a family. Our families, our friends and we are all safe, healthy, and happy. The fun that comes with all those other things do bring joy each holiday season, but remembering the Spirit of Christmas is what matters most. So to all our family and friends, Merry Christmas from The Duncan's!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Pretty Sparkles

When Keely was born Brent and I agreed that we didn't want to get her ear's pierced until she decided that she wanted this done. After all, it's her body so she should decide. So ever now and then Keely would mention she wants "those" in her ears like Mommy. We could play and put clip on's on, but she was not even three so did she really know what she was asking for. Well, over Thanksgiving Keely was sitting on my lap and doing my hair. She places my hair behind my ears and says, "Mommy, I want earrings in my ears..." At this point Nana is very excited (maybe I should backtrack at this point to say how Nana wanted to take her to get her ear's pierced but knew the rules and that we were waiting for Keely). So the next week, after prepping that it will hurt a little and explaining the process....

Happy Girl on an Outing with Nana, Aunt Debbie and Aunt Connie

Marking the spot

Getting ready (both ears at once)

1,2,3...GO!

We had maybe 15 seconds of crying then an excited girl to have earrings!

Giving Thanks...

This year was a very special Thanksgiving. It was the first year we spent Thanksgiving with Brent's family, not because we never wanted to, it just never worked out being so far away. It also was the first Thanksgiving Brent has spent with his family since he joined the Air Force.....11 years ago. Yes, 11 years since he was home for the holidays. It was nothing out of the ordinary, we cooked, watched the Macy's parade, we ate, enjoyed some wine, watched some football, had a bonfire, made some smores, but it was sitting around with his family that made this holiday extra special this year.

Making Deviled Eggs

Hanging out with Uncle Mikey and Lilly

Cousins! Keely, Brayden, Jeremy, and Keira

(I think that Veronica got a better picture but this is the only one I got)

Special time with Daddy

Pop Pop's Reindeer

(This one is Keely's, according to her)

This one is Brayden's (according to Keely)

Big Boy Brayden

What a big day Brayden had. Full of accomplishments and big steps. Last summer potty training began for this little guy. And though he doesn't always tell you when he has to go, if you prompt him he will go...#1 that is. Our struggle has been the ever dreading #2. We have had some success here and there but nothing consistent (and pretty sure those times were ALL by accident). Today we had triumph....X2!!! Yes, the proud little boy told Nana, TWICE, he had to go and he earned the long awaited lollipop that has been sitting on the window panel in the bathroom. Sweet success!! And here is the look of the proud boy...

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

In last month Brayden has also eaten everything in sight gone through a growth spurt. Of course this was after I packed all his clothes looking at pants that were a tad too big and basing all packed pants off of that..only for him to outgrow those. Over the weekend he must have grown just a hair taller because today he was able to peddle on his big boy bike all the way down the road and back (we're talking a bit over a mile here)!!! He was so excited and Keely was cheering him on all the way "Go faster Brayden!" Such an exciting day for our big boy!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Great-Nanny

On our way out East we made a stop in North Carolina to visit with my Grandma. This is my Mom's mother who is going strong at 91! Now, I don't know where Keely's image of her "Great-Nanny" came from but she had been so excited to go see her Great-Nanny the entire trip. And when the moment came she wasn't disappointed. Keely was so happy to spend time with Great-Nanny...and this just made my Grandma's day. She kept crawling on her lap, reading to her, hugging and kissing her. Keely couldn't get enough...and neither could Grandma. I'm so happy that the kids have been given the chance to meet and spend time with a great-grandparent. The only one they have left. These moments really are special...

Reading stories

Precious moments

This smile on my Grandma's face says it all...

Nothing Better...

Than finding money in your winter jackets!

I Heart Fall

Learning new things..

Perfecting others...

Happy Halloween 2011

We had a great weekend with the kids taking them to Fall Festivals in DC and in our new community. They loved playing games, dancing, and of course the perk of getting candy!!! Brayden stole the show when he won first place for best costume (we didn't even know there was a contest) which was a nice Target gift card perk for Mom! Mostly we enjoyed getting them dressed up and seeing the excitement on their faces! Happy Halloween everyone!

Getting ready for Halloween!

The kids got to do a dry-run by trying on their Halloween costumes, just to be sure they fit. This may be a biased opinion...but don't they look SO CUTE! We are excited that both kids will enjoy the excitement of rewards that will come with "Trick or Treat!" We started with a theme thinking we would do Tinkerbell and Peter Pan but then were given a great hand me down Pirate costume from my Aunt in North Carolina. So instead I give you Tinkerbell and Captain Hook!!!

Tinkerbell

Captain Hook

We Made It!!!

After a roller coaster of a summer with so many transitions I can hardly believe it is Fall! Where.Did.The.Time.Go!!!! Here is a breakdown:

July-Brent leaves

August-Brent starts his new job

September-My last days at UNM, packed the house up, finally rented the house and headed out east.

October-Started MY new job at George Mason University, house hunting began and succeeded!

Currently, the kids are staying with Brent's family until we get settled into our home. I was hired continuing to do what I enjoy, advising, at George Mason. We should be closing on our home at the end of November...let me tell you I can't wait. While the kids are not with us, Brent and I are renting a bedroom...yes a bedroom in someone's house. It is an odd arrangement, but it is working and we are grateful to have a place to be while we transition that gave us time to figure out where we should live. This is not an easy task in this area, so many variables to consider:

1.Commute

2.Daycare

3.Schools

4.Home

5.Cost

6.Commute

7.Commute

Now you may have noticed a trend...this area was just voted #1 for WORST commute in the nation. It topped LA, wonderful. So with that in mind and the fact Brent and I work in opposite directions, it made finding the area to live in very difficult. But we finally found a townhouse in a very cozy neighborhood and can't wait to have the kids grow up here!

I wish I could be adding cute pictures of all the events we've had over these last few months but in this transition I just don't have my normal set up for uploading pictures to my little blog. In fact as I look at my other blog friend's pages I am reminded of how much renovating this little blog needs...but like so many that will have to wait for now.

Brayden celebrated his second birthday and is blooming into a really fun personality. He talks so well, really pronounces his words. He can switch moods like a light switch, but is a very lovey dovey boy (melts Mommy's heart). He still loves ALL football, or any sport with a ball for that matter. He's just so much joy to be around.

Keely is continuing to grow into a beautiful little girl. She is quick and smart. Starting to learn to spell her name, she loves to exercise, help in any way she can, and is trying her darnest to stop sucking her thumb so she can have her own carebare!

In the next coming weeks it appears I will have more time on my hands now that our house hunting is done. We will be making trips down to see the kids on the weekends and can't wait to bring them back with us. I hope to have pictures soon of our new home as we get settled in (along with more of the kiddos with all their adventures with Nana and Pop Pop).

Dress Up

One of the kids favorite activities these days is to play dress up in Mom and Dad's closet. Here Keely had found my shoes and my shirt. Brayden needed some assistance but he insisted on wearing "fooball!" So here they are showing me how to hike, run, and touchdown!!!!

Summer 2011

I sat down tonight and couldn't believe the date of my last post...June REALLY! So, I'm not sure if anyone ever comes by to Duncanville anymore but I thought I'd breakdown what has been happening this summer.

Summer started out enjoying the long evenings in our backyard. I was enjoying time to catch up at work with the summer break beginning and taking my first Graduate level course. Brayden was potty trained by Nana when she came to visit. I celebrated my 10 year High School Reunion. We were enjoying every bit that summer had to bring.

Soon Brent learned that he could in fact have an early separation from the Air Force. After 10 long years, he was ready to move on to a new chapter. He was initially offered a position from Intel which had us looking at staying here in New Mexico for a few more years. Then an offer for a position with SAIC in Virginia.

Well, knowing Brent and I you all know that Virginia has been a place we have longed to get to for many years. Here the offer was and we had to look what would be the best opportunity for our family. I had just started school again, finally landed a job I enjoyed so much, we had our home and our backyard where we were enjoying it, we could see life here and it would be safe. On the other hand, the place our heart has desired for so long was here at our doorstep. It would be quick, it would be crazy, it would be stressful, but it would be an amazing opportunity. So we said "let's do it!" Brent needed to pack up and head out east, he started his job August 1st. I gave my notice to work and we put our home up for rent. We are moving to Northern Virginia!

So with the chaos of life with two toddlers, working, and planning a move I have been MIA from the blogging world. I apologize for all of those who do stop by time to time and have seen no updates. This has been such an important part of my life to document the everyday happenings with Keely and Brayden and this summer I slacked. I hope to bring more updates and events and bring back friends and family to Duncanville. Here are a few of my favorite memories from this summer....

After 10 years, still BFF's

LOVE these ladies :)

July 4th, 2011

Balloon Fiesta Park

My two favorite guys

"Monsoosan"

(If anyone listens to OMG in the morning's then you know that Jeff has dubbed Monsoon Season as Monsoosan and I think it's awesome)

Beautiful August skies in NM with afternoon clouds and sudden downpours, NM style

Playing in the rain

Last days with Daddy...

Finding our frog friend in our garden

Evening bath time after a day of play

Cheesy smiles and brother/sister love

So that is our summer! We have BIG changes coming soon but we are so excited for this new chapter and adventure in our life. Most of all I can't wait to share it with all of our friends and family who have been a HUGE support during this transition and continue to do so. Love you all!

Fun in the Sun

It's summertime! And what a better way to spend the weekend than washing cars and some water fun. Keely couldn't wait to get her swimsuit on and didn't want to take if off all weekend. Saturday we started to make our way to the local pool, just to be disappointed that they will not open until Monday. So we turned the car around and hooked up our new alligator sprinkler...not a bad way to spend a weekend!

Keely showing off to Daddy "woo hoo, woo hoo"

Daddy's lil helper

Seeing them together melts my heart...

My Brayden Boy

Trying to catch the water in their mouth became the favorite game of the day!

It All Started...

With this picture. One of our baby shower gifts when Brayden was born was this awesome Giants comic of Brayden as a future Giants quarterback. I am embarrassed to say that this sat in his closet and Brayden's room remained empty and sadly undecorated for the past 1 1/2. We initially planned on doing an airplane them but just never got around to it. Well about a month ago I was cleaning Braden's closet and found this picture and thought "we should have a Giant's theme room." So I convinced Brent to paint Brayden's room and one thing led to another....

we did a little of this...

and a little of that...

needed some of this...

and so there you have it!

Brayden's room is finally starting to look like a room of his own. Ready for all things boy!

Happy Birthday Keely!

Our sweet, sweet, girl. Yesterday was your third birthday and we still can't believe you are now three years old. Some things that Mommy and Daddy love about you...

You love to be a "Mommy" and take care of all your babies...

Your love for "Princess Long Hair Tangled"...

You love to have Dad swing you higher...

You always ask Mommy for just one more hug and kiss...

How much you love your brother...

Keely, you are a very special girl. Mommy and Daddy love you so much and are so proud of you. We are so grateful that three years ago you changed our life. We love you baby girl, Happy Birthday!