For those of y'all who don't know, Brian got a new car. We ordered him a jeep a few months ago, and it came in while I was in the States. We have enjoyed having 2 cars again. Kennedy also got a jeep from us for her birthday present. While K's jeep is pink and slightly smaller, we are still the owners of 2 jeeps

Some of Kennedy's 2 year accomplishments:
-has been potty trained since May..YEA!
-Knows her shapes...even octagon and hexagon
-Knows all her colors
-can count to 20 without help, and 50 with some prompting
-her favorite thing to say is "where's that from?"
-loves loves loves animals and knows their sounds
-has an imagination...she makes her animals talk to each other and plays pretend
-sleeps in her BIG girl bed
















We are having Kennedy's birthday party on March 8th, so we'll have more pics then.

In the hectic Army world, family days can be few an far between. Today we had a relaxing morning with an afternoon trip to the base. We ate a lunch that would not be on anyone's diet plan, and then headed off to the base theatre to see Alvin and the Chipmunk's. I was so proud of my girl; she sat through the whole movie with no loud talking, no bathroom breaks, and no
rowdiness. We sat as a family eating popcorn and drinking slushies.

In just 2 days my girl will be 3. Milestones have been met and surpassed with excellence. We now need to work on her shyness, but in the mean time we will be starting dance and gymnastics whenever they get to her name on the waiting list. More on Kennedy's past year on her birthday. Until then, have a wonderful weekend!

With all my travels and then the PWOC programs, I still haven't actually been to a Wednesday morning Bible Study. I was all ready to go this morning with my study done and all, but then there was a childcare issue. Instead of learning about Max Lucado's 3:16 book, I learned that a group of 3 & 4 year olds is just CRAZY! I really don't understand how people teach daycare/preschool; they really must have some kind of gift from God. I have a lot of respect for them. Every attempt to get the toddlers to sit in a circle for story time or to sit at the table for coloring time was just foolishness. I had the grand idea that music/dance time would get their attention, but that was just as futile as the rest of Laura and my attempts. What did get their attention was food and a juice box...now we can convince children to do anything with food. Oh and you should have seen us trying to take 9 toddlers to the bathroom at once! = )

Our marriage study on Wednesday nights is very interesting and fun. We are doing a video study with group discussion on Song of Solomon. Right now we are just in the courtship part of the book, but things should get more intimate in the near future. We really enjoy the fellowship with the other Christian couples.

Off to bed for me. I told myself I'd be in bed by 11 and it is now 11:23! I'll be home all day tomorrow waiting on our storage shed to be delivered, so maybe I'll get more Paris pics up.

How do I begin to tell you how much fun we've had over the past few weeks. Kennedy is growing up so fast, and she truly enjoyed traveling. Our journey to the States took longer than expected, but we had a wonderful time with our family and friends. A short recap...we had temperatures in the negatives and snow, we got to shop a little bit, but honestly going out in the cold wasn't much fun. We did get Kennedy's ears pierced at Claire's as we posted earlier. We had an adventuresome 9 days with my grandparent's and extended family. Time always goes by so fast when you are with people you are so comfortable with. It was hard to leave the people who love you and your child soooooooo much, but we had to go. I have faith that we will see them again soon, but we miss them already. Kennedy keeps asking when she gets to see Grandma Mimi again; it makes it so hard to be half way around the world. We love Grandma Mimi! = ) We ventured off in our rental car to see Brian's family a few hours away. Kennedy got to meet a few cousins she's never met before, and had a good time playing with Brooklyn. Our trip took us south to Texas for another few days. My good friend Lexi recently had a baby and we just had to see her. Kennedy got to spend several days playing with Lexi's older child, Caleb. (Thank you Lexi for letting us bombard your house.) We got 3 year pictures taken while we were in TX, and will be posting those too. Goodness, we had so much fun, but time went by so fast. Spending time with friends and family fills my heart with joy! I look forward to the next time we can be in the States again.




The vacation was over once I got home. PWOC, the women's Bible study I belong to on base, was having its monthly program a few days after I arrived home. The program was already planned out, but since I'm the Programs leader then I had some last minute things to get together. Brian had either been gone or working crazy hours the whole time I was away, so the dogs were starved for attention and the house needed some major cleaning. Laundry from the trip needed to be done, mail organized, and all things Aviano needed to be dealt with. Last week was so busy that I could hardly think. The most important things were taken care of and other things were put off until we could return from Paris.

Let me just say that I'm so happy that I'm a member of PWOC! No matter how stressed I am, the wonderful women that belong to this group brighten my day. I loved seeing the fellowship this past week. Michelle took some pics of the women having great fun playing games that I will have to get. I'd love for everyone back in the States to see a glimpse of my life here in Italy.

Paris, Paris, Paris!!!!!!!! WOW! We headed to Paris with friends, Michael & Tracy, for the 4 day weekend. Let me just say that we were up and moving early in the morning until late at night. We saw Paris from so many angles and locations that it is hard to grasp that we were even there. 4 days is definitely not enough time in the city of LOVE. From the Louvre to Versailles and everything in between the city was just fascinating. We walked, skipped, and jumped from location to location...no just kidding = ) We did walk, but we also took almost every other form of transportation in Paris (bus, metro, RER, & van). There was no time for shopping as we were trying to see EVERYTHING! Everything didn't happen, but we saw the things most people want to see. Let's just say that we were amazed. I think the guys came to the agreement that their favorite thing was the Eiffel Tower, and Tracy & I liked Versailles. Everything was amazing, but Paris at night was the best. I could go on and on, but the crazy/fun/out of the ordinary things would be us out at the Eiffel tower until almost midnight and the interesting red light district by the Moulin Rouge....none of us were prepared for what we saw on the street by Moulin Rouge. SCARY! I can't believe I had my baby sleeping in a stroller in freezing weather in Paris just so I could go up the Eiffel tower at night, but I did it! = ) We had a blast!

Life in the wild world of Texas has been busy. Busy enjoying my time with our great friend's the Rice's; most importantly meeting little Ms. Carly. Who knew that a house filled with 3 adults and 3 children could be so much fun! = ) Kennedy and Caleb, Lexi's little boy, spend most of their time wearing each other out by running around in circles. I don't really understand the joy they get from chasing after one another, but the joy I get from hearing children's laughter is probably along the same line. Baby Carly is at the eating and sleeping phase of her 3 weeks in this world, so it seems like we are always stopping to feed her. We do a lot of potty-time, diaper, and food breaks....goodness, everything takes longer with kids.

The winds have been horribly strong since I arrived at DFW; 60 mph the day I flew in. We have braved the weather everyday to go shopping. I have failed to find the inspiration to buy things for myself this trip. Maybe God and Brian are speaking to my self-conscious while I'm in the stores or maybe because every place has sleeveless stuff out and its still 40 degrees outside. Either way, I've had no problems shopping for Kennedy. Today was our most productive day. Kennedy got her 3 year pictures taken and I finally got new glasses. I will try to post pics later. Right now, my internet connection is horrible and things just can't be uploaded.

hmmmmm...tomorrow is Lexi's post baby baby shower since Carly decided to come a few weeks early. It should be great fun chatting with the women from her church, eating lunch, and opening baby gifts. Who doesn't like baby girl clothes? I have failed to get the baby fever since I've been here; I don't know if its a good thing or a bad thing. Sooner than later, I'll have to decide if Kennedy gets a sibling or not. Maybe God will send a burning bush as a sign; there are lots of those in the DFW area right now....high winds + dry air=brush fires. Anyways, enough rambling. I should go to bed. Miss everyone in Italy!