Finally, A Cool Fall Day!

Only a couple days left in October and the temperature finally felt like a beautiful crisp fall day. The kids were so excited to feel the coolness that they wanted to put on their hats and mittens and go play outside. It was in the low 50's and I know that doesn't really merit putting on winter clothes, but being in this warm climate we just couldn't help it.

Emmaline making one of her cute crooked faces. To my surprise she loved her hat and gloves.

Molly loved being able to wear her favorite pink sweater from last year.



Isaac kind of missed the point of getting warm from head to 'toe'. Notice his flip flops.

Emmaline loved running up and down the drive way. Her little nose even turned red.

Isaac making his mother laugh.

Children's Museum

A few Saturday's ago we went to a children's museum and had a lot of fun. It was a lot like the Leonardo's Discovery Warehouse in Enid(which we miss terribly), but a little bit bigger. If we were going to be here longer, I would love to get a membership.

Having fun in the music room.

Getting through an obstacle coarse.

Emmaline crawling through the 'ocean'

Molly's turn.

Aaron and Isaac building a city and Emmaline coming by to love her Daddy.

It was hard trying to capture Emmaline with this cart.

She was cruising around sooo fast. I think she felt very big.

Watching the kids play.

Isaac being 'scared' by a dinosaur.

We had a chance to play outside for a little bit too.

Molly tree climbing.

Isaac being eaten and Molly being loved.

An Evening With The Guitar

Every now and again Aaron will play his guitar before the kids go to bed and they love it. Emmaline sat next to him the whole time on the couch happy as can be, Molly danced like a ballerina around the front room and Isaac played quietly with some lego guys on the coffee table. Here are a few photos that caught the moment.

Like I said, as happy as can be.

Molly broke away from her dancing to get a picture with her cute sis'.

I had to pull Emmaline away to put her pj's on, but then she

continued to sit there 'reading' next to her Daddy.

Molly posed for me while dancing.

A-10 Graduation

Aaron graduated from initial qualification in the A-10 last Friday on October 2nd. YEAH! It has been pretty busy these past few months. It's not until now, that I look back on the experience and realize how difficult it was. Aaron was gone a lot and when he was home, he was studying. During the week he would leave before the kids woke up and get home around 6 or 7. He would eat dinner and chat with us for about 15 min. and then went off to study for the rest of the evening. Almost every Saturday he would wake up early and study 5 to 6 hours and then we usually tried to do something fun as a family. Sunday he would again wake up early and study another 5 to 6 hours beofore going to church in the afternoon and then took time to rest, play some board games with the kids and recoup for the coming week. We were extremely blessed during these past few months. I know God buoyed us up and strengthened all of us.
On graduation day we were able to fly the A-10 simulator and then walk out on the flight line right next to the A-10's. The day ended with his class graduating and then dinner to follow at his squadron. I didn't get any pictures of the graduation, because I was trying to keep Emmaline from squealing "Daddy" every time a pilot in a flight suit walked up on stage. Everyone but her Mother thought it was quite humorous. The day was a lot of fun and I can't quite believe it is over and that we will be moving soon.

Aaron instructing Isaac on the simulator.

Molly's turn.

Emmaline waiting so patiently and happily.


This video is kind of wiggly, but it gives you an idea of what the simulator is like. Also, anyone who knows Isaac and his fun personality will appreciate it. He took the camera while I was flying and took quite a few videos and they all cracked me up. He certainly adds a lot of joy to our little family. Here you can hear his excitement as I do a loop in the A-10.

I decided to include this one too. There was a computer just outside of the simulator that showed me flying and apparently Isaac wanted to spice it up. Listen for his sound effects.

We head out to the flight line and you can see the A-10's lined up so precisely.

Standing by the gatling gun.

My pilot and me(and Isaac trying to sneak into the photo, which his Grandma's will not be surprised by this occurrence).

Standing by one of the missiles.

Aaron showing the kids the cockpit of the A-10.

Isaac and Molly coming down the ladder after peppering Aaron with questions. Emmaline just waiting in the stroller watching the A-10's taxi.

Leaving the flight line.

A Day at the Range

All I have to say is, "THAT WAS TOTALLY AMAZING!" Last Thursday on October 1st we had the opportunity of going out to see two A-10's drop some bombs, shoot some rockets, fly at extremely low altitudes, and my favorite, see them shoot the impressive gatling gun. It was incredible! I had to drive about two and a half hours with the kids in the desert to get there. Aaron wasn't able to come because he had to fly, but it was worth it. There were some other pilot family members there as well and we had a lot of fun. It is definitely a memory that will not be forgotten. I tried my best to get some pictures, since I know our parents would have loved to have been there, but those A-10's were so close that it was actually a little difficult getting pictures of them before they went by. I did try though and included just a couple of photos that worked out.

This sign cracked me up. We drove on this dirt rode for a couple of miles and then came to this sign with a phone booth out in the middle of the desert. One of the pilots that came with us got out of his car and called the tower to get clearance for us to proceed and then, we were off.

This is the best photo I got of the A-10 doing one of its passes. I know it doesn't do it justice, but did I already say AMAZING? This is the coolest airplane ever and no, I do not have a bias.

Smoke from the rocket explosion. It was quite impressive.

We stood at the top of this tower and had a great view. Isaac and Molly loved it.



Coming down the tower and wishing for an encore.




Okay, so this picture isn't quite as bad as it looks. I did leave Emmaline in the car with the AC on and put a little Baby Einstein movie in for her while we went up the tower to watch the planes and she was as happy as can be. When we were done I got her out so she could run around for a little bit and this was her reaction when I put her back in the car seat. The poor baby. She calmed down after we started onto the dirt road and remained happy the rest of the way home. I thought I better include a picture of Emmaline, since she was there as well. I just wish it was a little happier one of her.

My Little Pumpkin

I know Halloween is still quite a few days away, but I like to get our costumes early so I don't have to deal with the crowds and picked over costumes. This year I asked the kids what they wanted to be and after giving me a few ideas, I headed off to the store without them and I have to say that I loved doing it this way, because frankly I think a lot of the costumes are quite disgusting and so the kids didn't have to see any of it.
I've always thought little pumpkin kids are so cute, and since Isaac and Molly didn't share my enthusiasm of being little pumpkins, Emmaline was chosen for the job. I found a ninja costume for Isaac that he loved, and a princess costume (of course) for Molly that she didn't seem too excited about and so she decided to wear her sleeping beauty costume from a previous year that her Grammy Jo bought for her. Great!
Well, as for the pictures, Emmaline loves to be a little pumpkin, which makes me so happy. The first time she saw it, she wanted nothing to do with it, but after I put it on her, she waddled around, patting her big pumpkin tummy and squealing in delight. Now every time she sees it, she brings it to me and makes this little pleading sound to have me put it on her, but I don't seam to mind. I know in just a few short weeks it will be put up with the Halloween stuff and it will all be over. These kids just grow way too fast for me. These times certainly are precious.

Our Pumpkin Pianist!