3 Weeks of Fun!

Sometimes things seem to work out to your advantage in the military. Monday will be the three week mark since Eric has come home and he spent that whole time at home with the family. Unfortunately, Alex and Emily spent the same time finishing up the school year, which made it a little more difficult to do things as a family, but Eric did manage to take both of them to lunch. We also traveled to Arlington and Granbury as a family to watch Alex play soccer and Eric was able to watch Emily receive two awards at the Junior high and perform at her final pep-rally (she is the MC).

While the children were at school we have tried to keep ourselves busy doing various things. (Besides packing up the house and getting ready for a new baby. Both things Polly procrastinated doing while Eric was gone.)

So in no particular order this is what we have been up to:

Feeding of the Ducks....

this one of Savannah's favorite past times.

Making cookies for our friends

(Savannah loves to help mommy cook.)

Dressing up for church in the new dress she got for her birthday.

(She already knows how to pose for the camera.)

Watering the flowers turned into watering brother and daddy.

Riding her new bike

(She wants to do this everyday.)

Swimming at the pool

Dancing to music with brother in his room.

Playing dress-up!

Running around at the soccer fields.

First date night after 4 months.

Finishing up Soccer

Soccer weekends are always exhausting. Luckily the weather wasn't extremely hot and we had a nice breeze that we were able to enjoy. Eric was glad he was able to get home in time to watch Alex play a few of his soccer games. His team ended up taking 3rd in there division. They also played in a tournament in Grandbury where his team took 2nd place. He played really well and continually improves each day. It was hard for him to say goodbye to his team that he has played with for the last three years. We just hope that he is able to enjoy soccer just as much when we move.

A few actions shots of the game.

He has the sweetest looking corner kicks.

He was back up and in the game within seconds.

Can you see how serious this game is for him?

Eric and Polly took turns chasing after Savannah...

It always turns out to be exhausting for everyone.

Belated B-Day & Welcome Home Party

With dad gone, we decided to delay Savannah's birthday party a month so daddy could enjoy the big celebration. We decided to have a combined welcome home/birthday party all in one. Everything seemed to be going as planned...BBQ at the park...what more could kids ask for at a party. Then Texas weather rolled in a couple of hours before we began. So plans were quickly changed to have the party at our house, with the garage being the place for the food. Polly quickly straightened up the house and Eric moved some things in the garage. We set up the food table in the garage thinking that the kids could eat on the ground picnic style, and there were various other places to be able to gather and eat. (Polly must have forgotten that wherever the food is so will the people be.) The evening was spent in the garage watch the kids play in the the rain. (We were grateful to go with plan B and not even try to do the park...we would have been rained out.)

The Birthday Cake...

w/the candles.

The Dinner...

Thanks for cooking Eric.

Savannah having fun...

The Rain...the best party entertainment!

Sharing a jacket with a friend comes in handy...

Opening of the Presents

The evening turned out to be a blast...plenty of food, fun for the kids (w/o the park), and cake. Its amazing what rain can do for a party.

Going to bed with a big smile on her face...priceless.

4 months later...

Eric finally made it home after about thirty hours of traveling...he was warmly greeted by his family and co-workers at the airport. We are grateful for the sacrifice and service he gave our country, we missed him terribly.

Emily and Savannah practicing for when Daddy comes home

Savannah watching the plane arrive through the window.

Everyone who came to welcome him home

Eric coming off of the plane

Savannah ran to her daddy...the first to greet him

Emily wanted a turn giving Daddy a hug

Eric with his girls

Alex finally saying hi

The whole family together again

Trying to figure out who is taller...what do you think?

Savannah wouldn't let daddy out of her site for a minute...he couldn't even put her down

The only gift Polly wanted from Qatar...Her husband with a shirt that said he loves me...it always nice when you finally get what you want

Eric had to stop and get a dipped cone from DQ...he suffered 4 months without having one and he couldn't wait a day longer