Decorating the Tree

I finally went and picked out our tree and got it up. Madison loved decorating mom and dad's tree so I knew she'd love decorating ours. Here are just cute pics from "tree decorating" day.:)

I do not know why this picture uploaded sideways.

There, "Do you like it?"

As soon as she found a spot of limbs that would hold the bulbs she would pile as many as she could until they started to drop.

Thanksgiving Visit in Nebraska

Here are just some of the pictures from our trip to Nebraska for Thanksgiving.

Kim and I made the traditional turkey table deserts.:)

It was a pretty nice day so Madi got to go out and play with the puppy.

This is Corbin, Kim's roommate's dog. Madison loved playing with him once he calmed down from getting to know her. :)

Madi decorating grandma and grandpa's tree.

Us girls at the tree farm picking out the tree.

Sorry these are a bit out of order.

Typical ornery Madi face. :)

My little cutie.

Thanksgiving in Iraq

Mike said they made a really big deal over Thanksgiving. They made sure the soldiers had a good time. He said there was every kind of food you could ever wish to eat for Thanksgiving there. There were also ice sculptures. I liked hearing that since this was their second Thanksgiving away from family. Good news though..Mike's welcome home ceremony is scheduled for Dec.19th. It will be unbelievable great to finally have him home!

Mike and his 1Sgt.

The battallion commander and battery(aka company) commanders, their 1Sgt. and SGT Major had to serve for an hour on Thanksgiving and wear these VERY attractive hats.:):)

Mike said an Indian(from India) guy put this together for them. The Indian's are the ones who mainly take care of the DFAC.

Savannah Airport

I figured it was about time I started blogging again. Here are some pictures from the airport in Savannah getting ready to go to Nebraska for Thanksgiving.

Madi and Uncle Billy.

All ready to go.:)

Uncle Billy

Yesterday Billy and Emily(good friends of ours) stopped by. Billy was in the backyard taking care of some things but when he's come in and then go back out Madi would want to go outside with him. This time, as you can see below. She got to go out with him. :) I thought this was a cute picture. Notice her little hand just barely poking out of the top of his fleece waving.

Daddy's kisses

Ever since Mike came home in August Madison has had a better knowledge of who her daddy is and responds more to him. She has longer phone conversations and even knows that daddy has to come home because I'll ask her where he is and she will point to the door. She also will find any picture of him and give it a kiss. I think this is the cutest thing. I have a small picture of Mike on the bottom shelf of my nightstand and she'll pick it up and give it a kiss when we're in there. There is also a wedding picture of us in the living room that she'll pick up and kiss. I have pictures of him on the computer screen also that when daddy is pointed out, she'll want me to put her up to the screen for kisses. Below are just a few cute pictures of her with "daddy". Oh, and we made her a daddy doll with a standup picture of Mike so that doll will get kisses also.

"Necklace Please"

Madi loves to wear my necklaces and i have them hung up in the closet. So she'll go in there and start asking for them. She asks in a funny way though. She'll look at me and "tickle" her throat to tell me she want's one.:) She has even "tickled" my throat after I have given her a necklace and she notices that I'm not wearing one.

My cute little princess!

Basket Play Time

Madison loves to take all the toys out of her basket in the living room and then climb in. She obviously has tons of fun.....

...until she starts realizing that getting out can be scary.

She never had a problem before but she is going through a phase where she's a little girl and if it looks like she has the potential to get hurt then she gets nervous.

Stuck in her basket.:)

Just aother picture of a different time playing with her blocks in the basket.

Mike's Change of Command Ceremony

September 26th Mike took command of Alpha Battery which consists of 117 men that he is directly responsible for. Initially I was very dissapointed that I would not be able to attent hte ceremony since they were doing it in Iraq instead of waiting until they were stateside but at the last minute they decided to have the ceremony through the VTC(video teleconference). I was really excited because I wanted to be a part of this major mile stone in Mike's career. I also wanted the flowers that they usually give to the outgoing and up and coming FRG leader. Since I am the FRG leader I get to lead/serve about 68 ladies. I am excited about the opportunities this position should bring and the kind of influence I am hoping to be able to be on them.

During Mike's speech his first comments were thanking God for helping him become the leader he is today. I loved hearing all that because he has all those men and those above him hearing him give thanks to our God in such a crude atmosphere where God isn't number one on most of their minds. Second he thanked me, which I did not know he was going to do. Naturally he made me cry.:) It was just a really cool experience. I am so proud of him!

Mike with his 1SGT who is areally good guy! And yes, we are the Alpha Dawgs. haha

Mike giving his speech.


The LTC giving his introductory speech about Mike.

The outgoing commander, LTC, and Mike marching down to pass the battery on to Mike.

His Alpha Dawgs! :)

First time assuming command.

Just a picture from his HMMWV.

Mike and the Iraqi LTC in a meeting with the Sheiks.

This is my side of the change of command. I didn't expect such a large boquet. Sorry I look so terrible. I wanted to show you the flowers.

This was on a very large projector screen. Mike is the second guy in the row with their backs facing us. The LTC is giving the speech.

My friend Mary Ann wanted to come along and share in the experience so she came and was so awesome. She just took Madi and entertained her so that I could watch the ceremony.

Me watching the ceremony.

The LTC's wife of the squadron Mike is attached to for a few more weeks.

Sesame Street USO Tour

On Saturday I took Madi on post to watch the Sesame Street show. They are traveling all across the US visiting all the Army Posts and allowing military kids to go to their show for free. Madison had so much fun! They did alot of singing and dancing and so did she!:)

They gave out these fun toys for free.

As soon as they came out on stage she got really excited and tried to reach for them and this is the face she gave me when she wasn't able to get closer to them.

This picture makes it look like she sat still the whole show. haha

Showing her buddy her new toy.

She figured out how to push the button.

So happy!