Earthquake!

Now that we are home I guess strange things are going to happen. This morning at 5:25 we had a 4.5 earthquake. It was centered North of Seattle but apparently still felt near us. We slept through it and did not even know what had happened until we turned the news on. What a welcome home.

Brrrrr.

Well we are home and getting settled back into the cold. It snowed the first day we were here and has been pretty darn chilly since. I hate to admit this but we are missing the Louisiana weather.

We had "Christmas" again at the Grandparents house and she got so many great gifts. She got lots of things but the highlights were a Star Wars car to ride, a Radio Flyer wagon, and a really neat rocking horse. I do not have pictures of everything but as soon as I get them I will post them because she loves them so much. Thank you to everyone for getting her such great gifts.

I am trying to find a job so I can get back into the routine, but only time will tell.

Saturday we get to go to cousin Lainey's birthday party. This will be the first one ever that we will be able to attend. We moved to Louisiana just a few weeks after she was born, so we are looking forward to the party. I am sure we will have pictures to post later from the day.

I know this is long but we just thought we would give you an update on how we were doing.

Fairwell Louisiana

This is our last day in Louisiana, for Sydney and myself that is. We thought it would be fitting to take a few minuets and list out a few things we will and will not miss. Keep in mind Nathan is helping me write this list too.

To start off the things we will NOT miss...

• Hurricanes
• Horrible thunder storms with torrential rain
• The hot and humid summers
• The large and strange bugs
• The lack of large stores and chain restaurants
• Not being able to buy beer on Sundays
• People with missing and icky teeth!

Now the things we WILL miss...

• First and most important all of the great friends we have made during this last four years
• Friendly people with manners
• Being able to buy hard liquor in Wal Mart
• No traffic

It is very bitter sweet leaving Louisiana. This is basically the only place we have been throughout Nathan's Army career. I do want to tell everyone who has been there for our family these past four years (especially the last 14 months) a big THANK YOU! For everyone interested I will try and keep updating the blog so you can see how we are all doing. I know this is getting long so all I will say is bye bye Louisiana.

Daddy's Finally Home

Nathan finally made it home at 2:00 AM Sunday, January 11. The guys were running late and we had to sit in the gym for three hours. Sydney was too excited to see Daddy and did not want to sleep.
As soon as they got to the gym Syd was clapping and screaming Daddy. It made Mommy tear up a little and the people around us enjoyed her excitement. Nathan even got to see her as he was walking in clapping away. The welcome home was worth the wait. Welcome Home Daddy and everyone from the Patriot Brigade, you all were missed very very much!

The last big flight of soldiers home in formation

Finally together again

The doors are about to open

Welcome home signs in the gym (I think I could have used Shana's fancy zoom lens)

Anxiously waiting for Daddy

Goodies for Daddy and Mr. Ryan

Checking out the sign when it came in the mail

These are out of order but I am getting used to the no mouse laptop so bear with me :)

Random Pictures

With the past few weeks being very hectic, the blog has gotten neglected. We have officially closed on our hosue, moved out, lived in a hotel, lived with April, and now are in an apartment with Ryan. I am also happy to announce that Thursday was my last day at Dental Plus. It is a bitter sweet ending. I am happy to move home but will miss the friends I have made and the wonderful patients I have seen.



Here are some pictures of Sydney from the past few weeks...

Bye Bye Motel

Sydney and I waived goodbye to the lovely motel tonight. I begged the apartment manager to let us in early so we will be moving in to Nate and Ryan's apartment on Saturday. Until then we are staying at Hotel Brown. April and her family have graciously invited us to spend the next few days with them instead of the creepy motel. I have gotten a tentative date for Nate's return and am getting very excited. I will let everyone know when it is a little closer or after he arrives.

Home Sweet Motel

We finally closed on the house Monday so that is one big thing to mark off the to do list. It was nice to be done with everything but a little sad too.

We are now living in a "wonderful" motel in Leesville. For the price I guess it is fine but we have not been enjoying bedtime. Sydney refuses to go down with any lights on or the TV. She screams and throws herself down in the pack and play. Needless to say I have been going to bed when she does and hiding under the covers so she can't see me. Silly huh?

Nate update: Should be home this weekend sometime if all goes well, but it is the ARMY and anything can change.

We also want to give a big WELCOME HOME to our friends Adam, Craig, and Doug. We are glad you are home but to be honest we are also very very jealous.