Glam Gala

Since Dave is still gone there wasn't a Marine Corps Ball this year for VMA-513. They did however have a Birthday Ball for deployed spouses called the Glam Gala. Not as formal as a traditional ball but a chance to dress up and have a fun night! They guys will be home tomorrow! Can't wait!!

Brenden's First Pumpkin Carving!

He was so very excited to carve a pumpkin but he actually of course thought that meant we were going to paint the pumpkin and not cut it. He was very surprised when I started cutting in it and was very worried I was going to cut myself. He also did not like the smell of the pumpkin when I opened it up to gut it. All in all it was a good time had by all. We wish Dave could have been there. Next year for sure!

Pretty awesome I must say!

A Pirate's Life for Me!

Brenden can't wait for Halloween to wear his pirate costume....so this is the result every night:

Yuma Family Pumpkin Patch

We are trying to get into the Autumn feel of the season but I have to say it's still been 100 degrees here and is just too HOT! Tired of Mother Nature waiting to give us a break, Brenden and I ventured out to the Yuma Family Pumpkin Patch. It was pretty fun I have to say. Horse rides, tractor rides, petting zoo, bounce houses, face painting and a hay maze. We had fun and it's too bad I didn't know that there would be a pirate show at 7:30 tonight. Brenden would have loved that but there was no way I was staying another three hours there..

Halloween Decor

Brenden is really getting into Halloween this year. He wants and will be a pirate and he can't wait! He helped me decorate the front of the house and had such a great time. He was quite proud of his work - stayed tuned as we attempt to carve the pumpkins....

Labor Day RAIN!

Brenden and I had a mellow Labor Day weekend here in Yuma. On Monday we had a downpour in the desert - and Brenden had a blast jumping in the puddles and running around the backyard in the rain. We put his rain boots on and away he went!

Missing his Dada...

.....but at least he gets to talk to him almost everyday on Skype. Thank God for technology during these long deployments. Brenden knows that Dave is in 'Ganistan' but obviously doesn't know where that is. I am pretty sure he actually thinks he is living in the laptop! Part funny and part sad. He does know that he is fighting 'bad guys' and will fly home in his jet 'soon'. Here are two pictures. One of Dave and one of Brenden's trusty koalas. Too cute!

Brenden's First Day of Pre-School - Bittersweet..

It's was Brenden's first day of pre-school at The Learning Pad Christian Pre-School at Gila Mountain United Methodist Church. Three days a week from 9-12 he gets to be with friends and learn new things. Our little guy is growing up so fast. I wished Dave could have been there - it was an emotional moment knowing he is getting so big...

Heritage Park and Brenden's First Pony Ride!

This is The Place Heritage Park has come a long way since I was a kid. It is now a full fledged living history attraction that draws in a lot of visitors. Think a pioneer version of Colonial Williamsburg, VA.

Brenden had his first chance to ride a pony! He was a bit hesitant so we went slowly. Luckily he was the only kid at that particular moment who wanted to ride so the lady was very patient. She even lent him her hat for the picture. A true cowboy.

O.k we are fully potty trained! Well that is if there is a bathroom immediately available. If not - improvise! This was a secluded area so no humans were harmed for this picture.

Hogle Zoo and Zoorassic Park

This year Hogle Zoo has a display this summer call Zoorassic Park which features13 life-like animatronic dinosaurs. They are scattered throughout Zoo grounds which makes it very nice. Brenden had the liver scared out of him by the first one because it growled and shot water out of its mouth. He thought they were all real and steered clear of them. By the end of the visit though, he came around (a little) and was curious to see what they were as evidenced by the last picture!