Chickie's House

 Blanket ride

Evie had the best time playing with her cousin Benton!  She loved swimming and petting the chickens! 

Lions, Tigers and Bears...OH MY!

 Lauren, Benton, Evie and Chickie at the Fresno Zoo. 

 At the reptile exhibits

 Watching the sea lions swim

 Enjoying the bird show with everyone

 Brooke and Trent

 Travis was a brave volunteer

 Having fun with Chickie

 Stingray exhibit...Evie liked looking but didn't want to touch.

 Evie's favorite the petting zoo!

Although all the animals were her "favorite" she loved this little goat the most.  

Saying Goodbye

Me, Wendye and Evie

Judy, Me, Wendye and Michelle

Racheal, Evie, Judy, Shelly, Wendye, Me, Michelle and Dana

Michelle, Wendye, Me and Evie

There are many great things about the Army but one of the things I don't like is that it keeps taking away my best friends.  Wendye has become one of my dearest friends over the last few years.  We met through work and were both RNs in surgery.  She always had my back in the OR and we worked like clock work anticipating the other person's moves.  We really didn't become best friends until our husbands returned from tour but since then we have bonded as close as sisters.  Wendye is an amazing mother, wife and friend and I am going to miss her so much! I am dreading the last few months here without her and honestly don't know what I will do without my confidante and workout buddy.  She is moving to Fort Bliss, TX November 31st.   We have become so close and have laughed, cried and can even finish each other sentences.   I feel so blessed that God has placed her in my life and can honestly say that she has taught me a lot of valuable lessons that I will take with me forever. 

This past weekend we had a going away party for her and although there is nothing I could do to show her how special she is to me it was a great night.  There was lots of yummy food and we played Bunko.  I know Wendye had a great time and felt appreciated which is exactly what I wanted. 

Our First Family 5K!

Travis warming up for the big race and listening to talk radio.

 

 

 

Wendye, Me, Michelle, Evie and Gabby

Travis, Me, Evie and Gabby waiting to start our race

Evie (12 weeks) with Stanly and Gabby (14 weeks)

The first place winners!!! Travis is the only one that broke a sweat.

Evie got a new hat to keep her warm on the runs

I have been running by myself and with friends and so this weekend our family entered in our first 5K race.  It was so much fun to get out there and run.  Travis ran with the little girls and took first place.  I was so proud of him!  The babies were so good and never cried just laid back and enjoyed the bumpy ride.  The big girls (Wendye, Michelle and I)  did really good for our first race.   I have many more races planned and honestly hope that is something that our family continues to do together. 

The race was downtown and they were also doing celebrating Veteran's Day with booths and music so we walked up and down the street.   When I saw this penguin hat Travis and I couldn't resist and got it for Evie.  It will be really handy on our cold morning runs to keep her ears warm. 

Our Louisiana Family

Great Grandpa George.  Evie gets her orneriness from him.

Rene and Evie

Auntie Wendye and Evie

Although we are far from home we have made such good friends here in Louisiana they are like family.  It is so wonderful as a mom to see so many people truly love and cherish Evie.  She always has someone asking to hold her or bring her more gifts. She is so loved and I think she knows it!

12 Weeks Old

I am 12 weeks

I will rule the world

Evie is 12 weeks old!!!!!!  This week has been tricky with her sleep schedule! She has been very restless in the middle of the night which means lots of trips in and out of bed trying to put Stanly (her giraffe pacifier) back in her mouth or swaddling her back up.  I have had more sleepless nights recently but in the morning when I walk in there and she sees me peek over the side of her crib and say good morning she has started to smile back at me.  She is all about her hands and mouth or hands in her mouth this weeks.  We have started teaching Evie sign language and although she can't sign back she smiles when we sign to her.  I really think she can recognize kiss and milk.  She has started to love to look at the TV or our phones whenever they are on.  She is talking more and more to us and really studies our mouth and hands when they move.  She has also started to really reach for objects.  The only change that is challenging is she has started to really scream when she isn't getting her way. 

Celebrations!

This week I turned in my resignation letter at Byrd.  It is rather bitter sweet because I learned so much and have so many friends at work.  However nothing is more important than trying to soak in every minute I can with Evalynn.  To celebrate Evie and I went to a local store and tried on some clothes.  Doesn't she look good in zebra fur!

Our Puuurrrfect Halloween

My little Kitten

Waiting of trick-o-treaters

Our Puurrfect Feline Family

I told Evie she couldn't have any candy....we had a long talk after this picture

Evie has got her claws out!  This is another mean mug face.

Road kill and his kitten

Our neighbors and us handing out candy.

Halloween has never been one of my favorite holidays.  I have never really understood why adults liked to dress up in tiny costumes and pretend they are kids again, until this year.  Evie was a kitten this year and I had planned on doing nothing for Travis and I, but that afternoon I decided that we would be a feline family.   Even though Evie didn't get a single piece of candy and slept through the entire holiday it was one of my favorite Halloweens I have ever had.  I can't wait till I am taking her from house to house next year and her saying something that sounds similar to "trick or treat."  Travis was a Tom cat and he did his own makeup, but by the end of the night it was all smeared and so I said he looked more like road kill. 

Eleven Weeks Old

Look at me I am 11 weeks old

I don't want to grow up!

Evie is 11 weeks and is really starting to show more and more of her personalty.  She is such a good baby and hardly cries.  This week though she has found her voice and if I guess wrong she quickly lets me know that is not what she wanted.  The other thing I have noticed is that she HATES to be woken up early from her naps.  Just another confirmation that she is her daddy's daughter.  She also hates tummy time! She loves to look out and watch everything.  She is cooing and babbling more and more and it is adorable.  She has also started playing with her hands and her mouth more.