Charlie arrived home on December 21, 2011 for two weeks or rest and recuperation from Afghanistan. We surprised the kids, as they had no idea that we were picking him up at the airport. I even got them passes to the gate and made it through security without blowing my cover! I had told them that we were delivering Christmas cookies to the soldiers that were coming home and had nobody at the airport to greet them. They tried giving goodies to soldiers and never saw their Daddy until he was crouched down in front of them.




We spent our time bowling...



Ice skating...



More bowling...



Being carried like a sack of potatoes at every bedtime...



Schooling Dad in chess....



And playing glow-putt!




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Location:Charlie's R & R

Ava raced in her first swim meet in November 2011. She as so excited when we signed her up, but then totally panicked when it was race day. Thankfully a couple of older girls rescued me and convinced her that it wasn't going to be all that bad and got the tears to stop flowing. She swam in a 25 yard backstroke for girls 10 and under. She placed fifth and earned her first swim ribbon. Go Ava!





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Location:Ava's First Swim Meet

Thanksgiving!

We joined our friends, the Nelsons for Thanksgiving. We wrestled, ate, and then wrestled some more. Six little boys, Ava, and one dad to take the brunt of the beatings! Charlie owes Scott a spot on the sidelines when this deployment is over because every time our kids see Scott, all they want to do is wrestle.











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Brady turns SIX!!!

In November we celebrated Brady's sixth birthday! My sweet, quiet, and go-with-the flow child had a rocking birthday party at the local gymnastics studio. We rented it out and had a few hours of bouncing, jumping, flipping, and turning. With turning six, I'm pretty sure that he sprouted six inches too, lost the very last of his baby fat, and is growing entirely too fast!














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Our friends hosted their annual Halloween party on Saturday night. Frightful fun was had by all. My little goblins were too busy with pumpkin whoopee cushions to keep their costumes on. Here is a quick review of the evening:

All the guys in costume:



All the ladies (take extra notice of the skeleton!):


The Viking couple (hostess and host):



The costume contest winners. The Leprechaun won the "Best Male" and "Best Overall". Wonder Woman won "Best Female". Laura Ingalls won "Best Kid".


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Location:Fright Night

Apple Picking

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Kansas buddies!

We spent two weeks in Kansas visiting with our wonderful friends, the Bartholomew's. It was fun and relaxing. All of our children still get along wonderfully and it was sad to have to say goodbye as always. Here are some of my favorites from our time with them.











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