Honorable Discharge

Yesterday Kevan received something in the mail that is worthy of celebration: His official Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps. Yup, he is officially done with all his duties and obligations to good 'ol Uncle Sam. His time in the Corps is especially marked by the 7 months that he spent in Iraq... three years ago already. We can hardly believe that it actually happened - and that we lived through it (in more ways than one). And we are SO happy he never has to do it again. When the paperwork arrived yesterday I got that familiar knot in the pit of my stomach when I saw "Department of Defense" in the return address. I knew his time of service was done... but that feeling is hard to shake! I know some guys are "lifers"and do tour after tour overseas. But once Kevan got married he realized that that lifestyle was just not for him. Being apart was just about the worst thing we could imagine, and living through it was nothing short of agonizing. But, at the same time, we're incredibly proud of his service and sacrifice - and thankful to those who continue to answer the call of duty. Kevan was honored to serve our country and he served with commitment and dedication for 6 years. And I am so proud of him. For doing what was right even when he would rather take the easy road, for seeing beyond himself and his own little world in an effort to make the world - and our country - a better place, for waking up at 4 a.m. on the weekends once a month to spend 2 days training and sleeping on dirt and then heading back to work on Monday, for walking miles to a phone in a combat zone for a 10 minute conversation with his wife... the list goes on. The guy made a great Marine, but he makes an even better husband and dad. And I am so thankful we never have to share him again!

In a helicopter in Iraq

Cooking up burgers on the grill he built in Iraq

In case you're wondering if it was all fun and games... how miserable does this look?

Welcoming him back to American soil

I love my former Marine! (Thank goodness it's over!) =)

Fun with Cousins

Autumn, Daniel, Morgan, Ezekiel and Bekah Jane... a perfect day for ice cream!

Imagine if you will 11 kiddos ranging from 3 months to 8 years old... yeah, sort of sounds like a super stressful episode of Nanny 911. But it's actually the reality known as my parent's grandchildren (and with 2 more on the way things are not slowing down!).

Last week, we had the special treat of getting all the kids together at mom and dad's for a play date. As crazy as it is, we all love these rare days when all the cousins play together and the adults try to keep up! It was such a fun day - I just soaked up every minute. I painted Maddie and Morgan's toenails, went lizard hunting with Abby, had snail races, and Aaron and I hung out with 8 little ones in the spa (counting heads every 10 seconds!).

A couple days later we met up with Melissa and her kids so Uncle Kevan could spoil them a little (he had to work earlier in the week when we got together). We played at the park and then headed to Baskin Robbins for some yummy ice cream. Remembering how my parents used to trick me as a kid, we tried giving Ezekiel just the cone. Yeah, he's a lot smarter than I was! He just looked at his pathetic little empty cone and kept asking his cousins for a bite of their ice cream. Nice try.

Maddie, Morgan and Bekah Jane. Morgan held baby Bekah as often as she could. Such a good little mother's helper!

Morgan and Seth help keep Bekah asleep

Ezekiel and Autumn winding down after a busy day

At the park... Bekah Jane trying out the swing for the first time

Doesn't she look so tiny?!

Weee!

Ezekiel finally getting a taste of some Mint 'N Chip. Mmmmm!

A bit of business

Forgive me for getting down to business for a minute, but I could really use a referral for a good dentist. Any suggestions for a dentist who cares for children as well as adults? I've been feeling guilty about not taking Ezekiel yet and we've just switched to a new plan so I have no clue who to go to. I'd love to find someone in the Fullerton/Brea/Anaheim/Yorba Linda area.

Let me know if you have any suggestions and I'll see if my plan covers them.

As a thank you, let me offer you this adorable picture of my daughter mastering the skill of holding up her own head:

Are we crazy?!

Yeah, that's what Heidi and I were asking after packing up our 4 babies, driving to the beach, and attempting to camp for 2 days sans our husbands. Had I even stopped for a minute to think about this plan ahead of time, I might have realized the complete insanity behind it and opted out. But then we would have missed out on all the fun, too.

It was crazy. We spent 2 full days keeping 4 kids under 2 out of the ocean, out of the street, out of the fire pit, out of the neighbor's campsite... and we just about went out of our minds. Did I mention we slept in the back of our SUV's?! For some reason we thought it would be "easier" than setting up a tent for the night. Oh, how we regretted that decision as we desperately tried to make up "beds" for our little ones while it was pitch black and they were crying from exhaustion. And I regretted it even more around 3 a.m. when Ezekiel refused to sleep anywhere else but on my arm, on my tummy, across my legs... you get the idea.

But, oh how it was fun, too. We played in the sand, we went on bike rides, we walked to a delicious breakfast, we stayed up late and chatted by the campfire. And we made memories. The kind of hilarious, crazy, sweet memories that can only be made when you take a little risk. And Heidi and I will always remember our camping trip to Doheny with two newborns, two one year olds, too little sleep, and too many laughs to count!

Ezekiel checking out the sand when we first arrived

Kate and Ezekiel making their mark with sidewalk chalk

The big kids loved going for a ride!

Everett - what a hunk!

Bekah Jane enjoying being outside (and she obviously loves her cute new suit!)

Snuggling with my babies

Isn't this so funny? Ezekiel put his hand on my face all on his own. He is such a crack-up.

Checking out the waves together

Ezekiel loved having his own big boy chair

The survivors! Think we'll do it again next year?!

Visit with Nana

Blogging is a funny thing. The busier we are, the more I have to blog about but the less time I have to do it. So that's my excuse for being sooo far behind on posting pictures. We have had a lot going on (mostly fun stuff, too!).

A few weeks ago Nana (Kevan's mom) came out to meet Bekah Jane and spend time with her main man, Ezekiel. As always, she spoiled the kids rotten and we had a great time eating yummy dinners, visiting the park and feeding the ducks, and just being together. We are so grateful for a Nana who loves her grandbabies so much and who is willing to drive out to see us as often as she does. Here are a few cute pictures from our time together:

If this doesn't make you smile...

How cute is she?! I cannot stop taking pictures of this baby. She is so stinkin' adorable and smiley, it is hard to put the camera down. It also doesn't hurt that baby girl clothes are soooo sweet. I have a bunch of posts I need to do of recent fun events, but in the meantime here are a few more great pictures of our little Rebekah Jane: