Some random pictures...

Below are some random pictures from the last week or so. Olivia allowed me to put her hair in pigtails for about 5 minutes so we quickly snapped some shots before she tore them out. The bottom picture is a group shot from the going away party my wonderful neighbors threw us last night. It was awesome. I will really miss the crew here at the FSG 'hood, VA Beach.

A couple weeks and counting

Well we have about two weeks, barring any major events or holdups, until we leave for Rota, Spain. It has not really sunk in yet and I have told Justin to NOT be home when it does. He may have a raging lunatic on his hands. The moving starts next week with some stuff being sent to storage here in Virginia and then the following week the movers come to crate our stuff to be sent overseas. We will (hopefully) leave right after our stuff is moved out. We will all be traveling together after all since we found out they have temporary housing and furniture available on the base. This is a relief.
Rota really seems like a pretty little resort town in southern Spain. The research I have done on it and the images I have seen make it look very inviting and kinda southern California-like. I am hoping this is true. Everyone we have talked to that has been to Rota has loved it and I am sure we will as well. We have already started to figure out where we are going to travel to while we are there. My top spot-Germany. Justin's-Greece. Anything beyond that is cake.
We will keep you posted with updates of our last few weeks here but we are getting down to go time and we really need to get this house ready (and I need to break my facebook addiction-see previous post).
Hasta Luego,
Heather

The new drug of the 21st century

Ok so no new pictures because I have just recently discovered that I have a terrible addiction. Instead of taking cute candid pics of my child, every spare moment I get is devoted to my addiction. What is it? Facebook. Ok, ok. I know many of you are probably in hysterics as facebook is old news. I, however, just entered the 21st century and joined a few days ago. I CAN NOT GET ENOUGH OF IT!

The addiction is so bad I have not been devoting my undivided attention to my parents who leave tomorrow to go home and whom I won't see for quite a few months.

I love facebook and refuse to give it up now that I have it always at my fingertips. It is even in my bookmark toolbar so it is one click away. The regular emails I receive telling my about status changes and updates give me such a thrill. Am I alone?

Christmas in Illinois Part II

Here are the pictures from the second half of our Christmas trip back to Illinois. On Christmas morning we opened presents with Heather's side of the family.

Heather watches Lauren, Debbie, Henry and Wyatt open presents.

Lauren watches as Olivia gets ready to open a present...

... and Heather is "suprised" by what's inside.

Christmas in Illinois Part I

Hi everyone. Sorry for the lazy posting again. We are currently in Illinois visiting family and have been very slow to update the blog. We hope everyone enjoyed Christmas as much as we did. O, of course, got a ton of great toys, clothes and books from her family. We really enjoyed the days leading up to Christmas and the annual Christmas Eve celebration at Justin's parent's home. Below are some pictures from our time in Bloomington. Another post to follow from Christmas day at my sister's in northern Illinois.


O is mesmerized by the Backyardigans. Highly recommend this show to ANYONE with small children.
Enjoying a good read by the tree.

All bundled up for the Arctic weather in Illinois.


Opening presents on Christmas Eve.

Random Sampling of Pictures

Here are a few pictures of Olivia from recent weeks. She has been lucky to have both sets of grandparents here recently. Olivia is excited about Christmas and can't wait to get back to Illinois to celebrate with the family.

O and Papa watch her favorite show the Backyardigans... who goes there?

O back at her favorite park running wild.

Checking out the signage with Papa.

O is amazed by the Christmas tree.

O with three of her favorite things: blocks, books and Mama.

O reading her book.

Hola Espana!

Ok. Now it is official. Justin received his orders yesterday and it's a done deal. Our next duty station is Rota, Spain. He is expected there in January-yes a month from now. We are in the process of contacting the JAG office there to make arrangements for our official start date. Justin will most likely leave before O and I and he will arrive there by the end of January. O and I will wait for available housing and our stuff to arrive which takes longer. We expect to go there in February at the latest.
It is absolutely amazing how our lives have changed over the last 3-4 years. We are really excited to go to Spain. We plan to travel around Europe as much as we can in the 3 years we will be stationed there. Everyone tells us how lucky we are for getting this particular duty station. I hope they're right.
Hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving and is busy preparing for a fantastic christmas season! We will be home for christmas for about two weeks and hope to see as many people as we can. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!