Farnes Cross Country Adventure

On the way to their newly purchased home in North Carolina,



Emma sent us daily emails about their cross country adventure! I decided that since many of our family and mutual friends read my blog I would post what Em wrote to us. BTW, I told her to set up a blog of her own so I would not cry so much!

Day 1-
We just made it into Arizona. We had in and out for lunch which made Tyler especially happy. Stopped to use the restroom at a rest stop with a bus load of Italian tourist. They were taking pictures of the big 16 wheelers, it was pretty funny! Our first stop is flagstaff. Kids have watched a few movies, played DS and Hailee read some of the books she brought.

Day 2-
Here we are in New Mexico! Hailee enjoyed the visitors center. It was all native Indians that worked there. They gave her a map and a tourist magazine. The bathrooms were nice and clean but no seat covers. So I showed her the art of the toilet paper seat cover. Chris says NM highway is probably the best maintained. He let me drive this morning! I'll probably take over when we get to Albuquerque. We are going to Amarillo tonight. Last night we had outback for dinner, yum. I had a gift card from Michele. That's all for now! Love you...



Day 3-
We had a great nights sleep last night. Due to Patty's hook up at the Druary Inn we got a spacious suite! I highly recommend that hotel. Due to the great nights sleep we left later than usually but really no hurry since the weather is no longer sunny. Due to the inclement weather Chris will be doing most of the driving. If you didn't know I'm a true California Girl, I get nervous in anything else but beating down sun! But, I'm going to have to get use to it in NC!! I took a picture of a VW graveyard, four VW stuck front first in the ground with spray painting all over them. Last night we went to Red Robin for dinner usually we save that restaurant for after family Disneyland trips but once again things are changing. The waitress had a sweet Texas accent and her name was Bristen...very Texas name! Anyhoo after hearing her speak Hailee then suggested we talk in all Texas accents for the rest of our time here. We are 90 miles into our 500 mile day!! We hope for good weather!!



Day 4-5
The kids asked if NC is now their home state. I guess that's the hard thing with military kids you never really have a state to call home.
Anyhoo, we made it to cracker barrel last night and I'll tell ya it was yummy. The kids both stayed with their hamburgers. But we had chocolate coke cola cake so that was a little of an unknown item. Inside the restaurant is this massive country store with lots of sweets, gifts and toys. Well the first thing Hailee said was "mommy if I'm good will you buy me something" I don't think she's ever said that. She's always good hence they always get things. In the rare except that they aren't getting something she nags me to death and I give in. Now you know my mommy flaw : )
Tyler bought a cap gun. He slept with it last night on "his hip like a cowboy". They both have done great in the car. Hailee has napped just once. Tyler no such luck. They have really enjoyed the lap trays Sara got them. It holds all their books, games, drinks and has a big flat space on top. Thanks, Sara. Oh last night we stayed in Asheville, NC. We made it all the way thru Tennessee. We are now on the east side of the Appalachian mountains with only 175 miles until the house. Still on the 40!!

They finaly got there!
When the Farnes got to their new home, they wasted no time in getting everything rolling with improvements (there are really not that many) and here are a few pictures that Em sent.

What we have been up to....A lot

This is what we have been up to for about a week and a half:) Busy, Busy!

Headed to vote...


Mom's group dinner


A wedding


Mar & I after the wedding


A family party to say goodbye to the Farnes'


Family Day that also celebrated Hannah's, Kyle L & Kyle B birthdays


Hung out with Grandpa down in Oceanside


Ty made the Honor Roll


Hung out with the Mom's group at Fullerton's Arboretum


Roasting smore's with family and friends down at Farne's...again down there...


So cool we got to see (and go into) so Heli's and Cobra's!!!




Too cute not to post LP eating beans!!!


Drew started summer T-ball


San Pedro!



Carly's Promotion!

Clinton's Bronze Star

My brother-in-law Major Clint,


was awarded the Bronze Star!


He was also awarded the (I am getting the order of the names wrong)Navy/Marine Medal and the Combat Ribbon. He is the SHIT! I have no real idea why he was awarded medals, but I am just happy he is here alive and maybe one day I will be told a few stories. I only know one other person who has been awarded the Bronze Star and that was Derek's dad for his duties in Vietnam. All I do know is that he is a great Major for the United States Army and has been awarded many awards for his service. Thank you CLINTON!

9 month Girl!

Lillian at 9 months...

17pds
28inches
Claps, rolls, eat a ton of food, sits up, and love to smile!

A Baby Shower for Sara 2

Back in March I hosted a baby shower for Sara 2. I know it has been months since the shower and she has even had Izzy (Isabella Rose), but I just got around to asking Sara for photos...I was a total dork and did not bring my camera! Just like Sara, the shower was simple and sweet, I got some help from her in-laws with food, Dave took Maddi out for the afternoon, and we played some fun games. It was such a nice distraction for me, since Derek's dad had passed away a few days before, to hang out with Sara and all of her wonderful family and friends. I was so honored to do this for Sara 2 and am extremely blessed to have her and her family in mine and my family's life. Love you Sara 2

Tackle Tuesday

For the purpose of this post, it is Tuesday:)
My tackle is for this week, is to tentatively plan summer activities for the kids and I. I have so many things going on in my head and in the 'junk spot' next to our fridge that I need to organize and see what it is that I want to do for the summer and what I have already signed up for. Come on organizational skill!

ME

*ME attempting to take a picture of ME after 5 hours at the pool, wearing no makeup & Derek's shirt, and sporting a fab sunburn! You should see the rest of my body!*

1. I love God
2. I love my family!
3. I love my boobs...wait before kids, now I love to think about how nice my boobs use to be. Sorry they use to be my best feature, now I do not have one:) Sorry dad if you are reading this:)
4. I love wine, dt coke, and WATER!
5. I am happy that I have 3 kiddies....no more!
6. I struggle to find the balance between family and friends.
7. I try to do 'it all' and know that I can not, but I keep trying.
8. I have learned I can have it all, just not all at the same time.
9. I miss some friends that I no longer talk to, but am happy that I no longer do.
10.I love GOOGLE
11.Derek is the man that I always wanted, thank you love.
12.I am a freak about keeping my house clean, yet when people happen to just stop by the place is ALWAYS A MESS! argh
13.I hate,hate,hate my hair, but plan to cut it all off soon.
14.I never want to work EVER, but love the fact that I got my BA and will soon start a MA.
15.The only thing about myself that I would change right now.....sleep! I have always been a night person (since in the womb) and even though I sit here and yawn I still can not go to bed before 12am...even when I was preggo!

Thank you Dar for posting your ME (look at The Yadens) and even though it has been some time since you posted yours I have thought about it many times. So now here is my ME.

Emma's First Recital!

The "I Could Have Danced All Night," song is running through my head! When I run I sing the song, when I shower I hear the song and as I type this I hear the song! Why? I have been listening to that song five days a week since March and even in our home for additional practice for Emma's first ballet recital! Most have thought I am crazy for going five days a week to the dance academy, but I can not help it....Em LOVES it there! However, as much as I would love to shout that Em was the breakout star of the recital, I can not....she just stood there along with the other 2-3 year olds! It does not matter what she did, she and the other girls were just so dang cute.

In toe to enjoy the two shows were my mom, Mary, Susan, Auntie Em, Ty, Haliee, my dad, Derek, and myself. We were so happy that they came to see Em during her 2 minutes on stage. Words can not even describe how cute the babies were. Along with the babies dance were about 30 other dances that shocked us with the level of difficulty and creativity. Emma was in two out of four shows, I had to leave her back stage (that was hard for me) for 4 hours, and she had to wear makeup! She is getting SOOO big! At the end of it all Emma was so happy (she kept asking for grandpa...too cute) and we were extremely pleased with the entire show. Thank you Ms Brenda for teaching Emma!

*below are the only pictures that we could take. no photos allowed while the show was going on and none in their costums...stinks, I know*

Grandpa

These are a few pictures that my cousin Andrea took of our grandpa's gravestone. As you will notice there are two more people's names on the large stone above my grandpa's name (Richard Harvey '32-'92), those are his parents. Not shown on the large stone are three other names of people that I do not know (I am going to find out). The reason why I am showing these are because I LOVE old cemeteries and tombstones. This one is in Maine and I loved to go there as a child...it is just so rich in history. Every tomb as a story and every dash is someones life. I love my grandpa and miss him so much still. Thanks Andrea and her hubby Chris for taking the time to go up there, take pictures and send them to us!