GOD BLESS THE UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

Todd is currently working on Camp Pendleton and has access to their on base museum. After school on Thursday, he took Finn to see the tactical equipment on display. You can't even imagine Finn's excitement over having hands on contact with tanks, guns and missles....

God Bless America

Anyone see Finn?

Missle and Finn

Navy Seal Tactical Jeep
(Finn's fav)


Locked and loaded....stand back....


I guess Finn can't read Arabic or English...

All teasing aside, I can't thank my Uncle Ted enough for his service in the US Marine Corps and his tour in Veitnam. I also am eternally grateful for my grandfathers sacrifice during World War II, one in the Marine Corps and one in the Navy. Both of Todd's grandfathers served in World War II and retired after full service in the USMC.

Semper Fi

Anchors Away

FINN - ALL MINE...YOU CAN'T HAVE HIM

Finn....

when I see this face all thoughts of negativity flee...replaced by happiness!

VALENTINE'S DAY 2009

Valentine's Day....a day for lovers......well, for me my memories of Valentine's Day begins as a child....coming home from school and on the dining room table a See's Candy Heart and a book or something else just as special, just for me, from my parents....the love between parent and child.....that is how my Valentine's Days began.....and will continue with my own child.

Homemade cards from Finn for Todd and I

(I love homemade)

Finns Valetine's gifts from mommy and daddy

(Mother, notice the See's heart and book)

Finn openeing card Valentine's morning...he was so excited! His school had been prepping him all month.

Finn's gift he made for mommy and daddy at school

Flower Creation from Violet

Flowers from my mother and father

Another handmade valentine card, handmade by my mother and designed specifically with me in mind, airplanes, travel, Eiffel tower, fleur de lis...does she know me well?

Handmade lavender sache from my sister Devon

(already in my lingerie drawer)

and of course there has to be champagne and candles for the adults....

thank you my dear friend Mary!!!

I will say, this has been one of the best Valentine's I have had, so many beautiful handmade creations from lavender sache's to floral creations....thank you all!!!! It is extremely appreciated. Oh, and thank you Toddly for adding to my Twilight box and for I-touch accessories.

Why I love Todd

I need to share this story before I forget..........

Sometimes I forget about the little things Todd does for me and those he loves......A few weeks ago it was "Party of Five" night and the girls, Finn and I headed to the mall to pick up presents for my sisters upcoming birthdays. We stopped in at Claire's and purchased "Fake Nails" for Kirra and Kayla. They are specifically designed for young girls. When we arrived home Uncle Todd was commandeered into "Head Manicurist" while I was in charge of keeping Finn away from the nail glue and the appealing sets of nails with cherries on them.

Kayla, Kirra and Uncle Todd

(He was setting the first nail in place)

Notice the deep concentration of the manicurist

This is one of my favorite photos ever!!!
Todd and Kayla's hands.

Kayla's Full Set

Kirra's Full Set

Kirra & Kayla

(with nicer nails than mine)

I absolutely love that Todd will do or try almost anything when it comes to Kirra & Kayla! Who would have ever thought he would be up for applying fake nails and to realize he was really good at it. As I type this I find my eyes welling up with tears just thinking of this fabulous evening and the way my husband's hand looked holding his neices much smaller, more delicate hands.

And then there was Baby Chloe!!!

Last Thursday we knew Kirra and Kayla would be coming over after school. The perfect time for them to meet Baby Chloe. They had been waiting patiently. Grandma Violet had also been waiting for the Chloe unveiling.....The time had come.....family, friends, good food, cupcake decorating....baby chloe...what more could you possibly ask for.

Baby Chloe Finn's Big Boy Bed

Kayla, Baby C hloe, Aunt Kara
(Quilt made by Kayla)

Kirra, Finn, Kayla, Chloe, Kara Violet
(and Quilt)

Teacher Ms. Gustafon with Finn and Tiago

Time for baking......on the menu...homemade cupcakes with red confetti. Finn, Kayla, Finn and Tiago

STEPPIN UP!!!!

Finn has decided to step up and wear the pant's in the family (yes indestructable Carhartt)

PARTY OF FIVE

Every week, our family goes from Party of Three to Party of FIVE!!!!

Meaning, we get the girls (Kirra and Kayla). We look forward to this every week....Uncle Todd picks them up after school and then they trek back to Finn's school to pick him up for Family Fun Night!

Video displays dinnertime conversation.....(discussion started about who we are to different people)

Best Friend Forever!!! Mary & Tiff

HOW TO SPEND THE PERFECT MONDAY.....leave work a little bit early, meet your best friend at the theatre for the seventh viewing of Twilight (Yes Rob, I know this adds up to $70.00 but I didn't pay for them all, honest....)
After the movie ended......we headed to Bruno's Italian restaurant for homemade pasta and fine red wine....(notice my red face, think I had red wine?!?!?!?)

Mary, Madeline, Me and Will

Me and Will

Mary and her fabulous children!!

I must add this little side note, you will notice Finn is absent from the pics.I would have loved having Finn but just knew he wouldn't be able to sit through the movie. My awesome husband took Finn to the airport to watch planes and eat Senior Pedros mexican food so I could have time with Mary and Edward....Love you TODDLY!!!

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

Finn

Hand over Heart/National Anthem

Thumbs UP for Kickoff!!!

Go Chargers, oh right...they didn't make it...sigh!

Dad & Todd (Go Cardinals!)

Food and Drinks

Aunt Tiffiney and Baby Chloe

Me, Chloe, Grandma Cher, Aunt Kara and Finn

Uncle Todd & Baby Chloe

Grandma Cher, Finn, Aunt Kara & Uncle Mark

SuperBowl Sundae

The end has come....Pittsburgh will party the night away, not little Finn....he wasted no time jumping into Grandpa and Grandma Cher's bed...one day we will leave him to spend the night, not this time...I'm not ready yet, the thought of 24 hours without Finn, not appealing.