They Did it Again!

Super Bowl 2012 Champs! We enjoyed our evening watching the game right down to the famous down to the minute of the 4th quarter watching our beloved New York Giants take the win! It was a good game and of course a glorious rematch win to the Pats. Go Giants!

HOPE for Peyton

Hello my blogging friends! I want to introduce you to the Badger family. Brent and I were stationed with Todd, Melissa and their little girl in Italy. Brent worked with Todd and I was bunco buddies with Melissa. While there Melissa became pregnant with twins, Peyton and Aiden. Peyton and Aiden are twin to twin transfusion survivors. Not only is Peyton (on right) a survivor of twin to twin transfusion, he has spastic diplegia (a form of cerebral palsy). Peyton will be going through Selective Dorsal Rhizontomy (SDR) in March. His mom will be following his journey on her new blog HOPE for Peyton. I hope you will join me by following their journey or at least sending your thoughts/prayers/positive energy their way. As a mom any surgical journey with your child is full of emotion and challenges. I can not begin to understand what they are about to go through, but when Brayden had his surgery this platform helped me throughout the process. Especially, the support from family and friends who followed our journey. I'm hoping to extend their HOPE for Peyton with support from my blogging friends!

First Day of School

This Mom was not ready for this. The kids were starting their new daycare this week and when I went to drop off the final paperwork we were given our first school supplies list. We made a quick run to the store picking out our new markers, scissors, glue and more and next thing I knew it looked like we were ready for our first day of school! I thought I had a few more years before I was marking and labeling each item for my two little ones, it was a bittersweet moment for this Mamma! The kids were so excited and couldn't wait to start their school. Keely has been asking for a while to go back to school so she could play with her friends, read stories and learn so she can be smart. It was a very exciting morning and no tears for anyone (including Mom). We're growing up!

(Couldn't get the kids to sit together for a picture so I settled for single shots)

Duncan Christmas 2011

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)