The Jordans- Cherish, Sean, Autumn and Emelia

Pensacola Beach

2012-01-29T14:19:00.003-09:00

I was telling Sean when he came home on Friday that I have really been missing the beach. To my suprise, he said let's go!

I guess Pensacola holds a special place in my heart. Sean and I were stationed there when we got married. We dated each other there. I think Sean met my parents down in Pensacola when they came to visit me.

Anyway, on to this weekend.

Mille wasn't sure what to think of the sand at first.

Taking the girls to get their toes wet.

Autumn is loving this!

Autumn trying to convince Emelia to get wet.

A little closer.

Closer.

Almost there Emelia!

Millie says, WAIT! I don't like this! It's too cold!

I am outta here!

Dad to the rescue!

Seriously, Emelia didn't like the water, or the sand for that matter.

One of my new favorite photos!

This picture is for my friend Mindy. We got stuck behind this car for quite some time and I just couldn't stop thinking of MRS Roboto.

Our very friendly Park Ranger.

Autumn demanded to put her swim suit on. I guess in a way, she called my bluff. I was convinced that after she put her feet in the water, she wouldn't really want to get in. WRONG!

Little foot print.

Playing in the sand.

Miss Millie.

She must have played in the water for an hour and a half. It didn't matter that she was shaking like a leaf, she did NOT want to get out. Keep in mind, it was 70 degrees outside and that water was cold!

Smiles for miles.

Is Gary Bider following me?

Bump on a log.

After promising Autumn there would be more swimming, we made our way to Ft Pickens.

Autumn made us explore every little nook and cranny.

Millie was carrying around her Barney and in one of these tunnels, she pushed a button and he began singing the "I love you, You love me, we're a happy family, etc...." A woman a few feet in front of us jumped like ten feet in the air and turned around to see Millie holding her Barney. She said to me it was the creepiest thing she could imagine.

Millie and Barney.

The girls and I.

Bending it like Bolt.

The view from our hotel this morning.

On our way on a hike at Big Lagoon State Park.

Didn't see any!

Doesn't this look peaceful?

Why does he have to push the swing so hard? It gives me heart palpatations.

They are all the same human!

What a blast! Autumn cried when she realized we were going home and not to the beach. I cannot wait to go back some time!

The Jordan's.

Missing you.

2012-01-27T03:38:00.002-09:00

Well, it is official. We are tired of you being away. All 3 of us want you to come home. Autumn had a huge meltdown last night and said that all she wanted was her daddy.

Miss Millie waited for you at the front door for over an hour. She was banging on the door and calling out, "Sean!"

I went to bed just wishing you were right next to me. I cannot wait for my great big bear hug. Crossing my fingers you are already on your way back to us.

Next month is going to be awful. I wish there were no such thing as NTC. I guess this absence was a good practice for the next one. I hate to even think about deployment.

Your current wife and favorite airman. xoxo

The Jordan's.

PS- I'll be sure to take some pictures today and post them later gator.

N is for

2012-01-26T12:18:00.003-09:00

Nook.

It is also for No Way! As in, Autumn, NO WAY can you take my Nook to show and tell today.

It is "N" week at Autumn's school. She did bring her Princess Notebook for show and tell, but she did ask to take my Nook.

After dropping Autumn off at school,

I did a short run today. Just 4 miles. I don't know what it is about my five fingers, but these old hens down here give me dirty looks when they see my shoes. They are seriously disgusted by them. Their reaction alone is enough to make me want to wear them everywhere, all the time!

Near the turn around point. I guess I'll need to slow down a bit. Hardee har har.

The last half mile I took Millie out so she could walk around.

Life would be perfect if she could push me instead.

She is such a happy girl, unless we are at church and I've tried to put her in the nursery. They gave me a nifty little pager because I was feeling a little nervous to leave her there and sure enough, not more than 15 minutes later that thing was going off. I had to excuse myself from a very gripping seminar on finances to rush to Miss Millie's aid. She was so distraught she could barely catch her breath. She dove into my arms before I was really close enough to get a good hold on her. It took me at least ten or fifteen minutes to calm her down.

Worse part of this scenario is there was a very interesting verse up on the screen about being rich or poor and I think I have it all screwed up. I thought it said something like "The man who loves pleasure is poor, but the man who loves food and wine is rich." Maybe my mind made that up because, well, I love food and wine! I have no idea what book that was even in so researching it might prove difficult. Anyway, church was a little overwhelming, people greeting and introducing themselves, but I enjoyed it. Autumn had a blast! While we were sitting down eating, she told me:

Autumn: Mom, I was just thinking about something.
Cherish: Oh yeah? What were you thinking about Autumn?
Autumn: My friend Owen (a classmate), he is so cute.
Cherish: Oh my goodness, I'm glad your dad didn't hear that!

A few minutes later, Owen walks right on by. He goes to that church too! He showed Autumn all around and they were holding hands and just having a blast.

OK, so back on today.

While Millie was walking, we took a moment to look at the clovers. Which Millie will say, but no, she will NOT touch. They freaked her out. I guess old habits die hard and maybe, just maybe that girl will be afraid of plant life for the rest of her life.

We picked Autumn up from school and grabbed a movie out of the red box. We are expecting some nasty weather this evening, so we are staying in the rest of the night. Autumn made something for us at school though.

Not sure exactly what it is, but those circles are snow flakes. I'm thinking we have a little girl who misses the snow.

Autumn has been working on her name too. Over the last week or so I've been working with her trying to teach her how to spell it. She gets what all of our names start with, but today was the first time she could tell me the letters in her name. Then she wanted to know why there were two u's in her name!

The girl says Hi Dad.

I got something in the mail today:

A Nook cover! Made for me, by my good friend Angie at Sew What?!?

The inside. Yes, that is a picture of Autumn and me with Snowzilla.

Our sweet girl wanted her picture too.

While sitting here writing you this letter, Autumn passed out in the floor.

Millie petted her, kissed her and then covered her with her blanket. You know, the white one with blue flowers? The one she has had all her life, but describes to us in great detail when she cannot find it!

I love you. Wish you were coming home today.

Your Current wife and favorite airman. xoxo

The Jordan's.

Bedtime Blues.

2012-01-25T11:45:00.005-09:00

The girls did not sleep well last night. You know how every so often that happens?

I was having a hard time falling asleep, so I did what any girl all by herself would do....

I put a chick flick on my Nook and set it up right in the bed, on YOUR side. You being away is such a double edged sword. On the one hand, I miss you terribly, on the other, I get to watch chick flicks, IN THE BED!

Anyway, about 11 pm I finally fall asleep and wouldn't you know it, Millie wakes up at 1130. Not sure what her problem was, but she wanted to be held. I put her in the bed with me and drifted back to sleep. Sort of. You know how sleeping with either one of these gorilla's goes. I swear to goodness Miss Millie has Jazz hands when she sleeps.

Not more than a few hours later, Autumn Harvest shows up. She wants water and cartoons. I told her it was 445 am. She said, God made the morning. Well, who can argue with that?

After some coffee and breakfast, I got everyone ready for school. On the way to school, Autumn told me she was grouchy and that she didn't want to go to school. Once we arrived at school, she unbuckled her seat belt and climbed in the front seat. She crossed her arms and said, she wasn't going anywhere. When the teacher came to get her from the car, she said she was angry and didn't want to be at school. She went anyway. I told them I was sorry.

Millie and I headed out to Fall Line Trace and I did

7.0 Miles.

I went and picked Autumn back up from school and Miss Kari (Autumn's teacher) wanted to know what happened this morning. I told her nothing, the girl was just grouchy. She said that Autumn was mean mugging her all morning and giving her this look like she better not even talk with her. She asked her if something was wrong and Autumn said, "Nothing." Then Miss Kari asked her if she needed a hug and she nodded yes. Miss Kari hugs her and then asks her if she wants to do her job today of being the door helper. Autumn Harvest proceeds to cross her arms and says, "I guess I WILL DO IT." That totally cracked me up and I could completely picture the entire interaction! Oh how I love Miss Kari!

After talking with Miss Kari, we went and picked up your mom.

Grabbed some chickfila, then we headed to the park and had a picnic. We spent several hours there and played to the girls content. Another sunny and beautiful day here. The girls fell asleep in the car on the way to drop your mom off and now we are getting ready for church.

Getting ready for church includes tickling Miss Millie.

Complete tangent here, but did you know our house came with a ton of little knobs for hanging your purses? Bet you know that now!

Maybe the girl just needed some sunshine. She looks happy now doesn't she?

Autumn is getting good at taking pictures. Maybe I'll start showing up in more of them now.

I'll let you know how church goes. It will be my first time at this church and I'm really excited about it. It is the one down the road from your mom's house. Hope you are having a swell day today.

Your current wife and favorite airman. xoxox

The Jordan's.

Sunny day!

2012-01-24T14:59:00.003-09:00

I was so excited to wake up to no rain AND lots of sunshine!!!

Part of our morning routine is brushing teeth and hair.

Autumn has done such a good job of helping Millie get her teeth nice and shiny!

Trying to get a good picture of them... fail!

Now one of them isn't looking.

Great Job Millie!

Autumn showed Millie where her pocket was at on her overalls.

Millie was like, "Oh yeah, I forgot about this pocket. Wonder what sort of things I can stuff in there today?"

Autumn says HI and she misses you, and she misses Christmas.

After dropping Autumn off at school, Emelia and I went on a run/walk.

Started on the Fall Line Trace Trail at mile marker 10.5

Millie walked me for a bit....

Then we turned around at mile marker 8.0. We did 5 miles in about an hour. Proof that I walked! Millie watched Blues Clues and people gave me some weird looks, but seriously, it keeps her entertained so I can get my calorie burn in. My calf is still bothering me some, so I think I'll be walking the rest of the week. I'm starting to get a blister on my left foot too. Guess I need to go and get new shoes. These are falling apart!

We went back to the school and picked up Autumn. This week she is working on letter "N." She made me a noodle necklace! She has been "making" me wear it everywhere!

Once we got home, Millie and I did some Jillian Michaels workout and I have to say, even Millie doesn't like her!

After nap time, we loaded up the car (by we, I clearly mean Autumn) and headed to the

Park! I Know you know how beautiful it was today because I'm sure it was nice weather there too!

Their favorite activity. Autumn kept asking me when you were coming...

I think they could stay there all day.

Millie sliding.

Lizarding around.

Climbing.

I think NOT Miss Millie!

Best friends, best friends are we. Nothing makes me smile bigger than these two girls being nice to each other.

Millie was "helping" me make our bed. I use the term helping, loosely.

Millie climbed in on your side of the bed and told me night night. You know, in that creepy way that she says it.

Your current wife and airman. xoxo

The Jordan's.

Dorky Monday's.

2012-01-23T08:20:00.002-09:00

Monday's are such a huge cleaning day for me. I'm not finished, but I've already put in two hours and twenty minutes worth of work. Don't get me wrong, I'm mostly finished, but there is probably another half hour or so worth of work to do. I'm taking a quick break to write you this note and then I'll move on to a Jillian Michaels and Pilates work out. Nap time, then finally, CHILL out time!

Monday's include cleaning the kitchen and I just love the way a freshly mopped tile floor smells.

I like the way having a clean house makes me feel too. I've tried many times to "undo" the negative feelings I have when the house is in disarray, but it just doesn't work. When the house is clean, I feel good, when it isn't, I'm grumpy.

I want to thank you for all the bad food you left me. For starters:

There are the Guinness Brownies. How on earth am I supposed to eat all of that by myself?

Then you left these? I don't know why you find that so hilarious and seriously, you do that EVERY time we buy hot dogs!!!!

Miss Millie is not happy about the rain today. I concur with her, I'm sick of it. It feels like it has been raining for a week straight. We are ready to get outside. I think the rest of the week is supposed to be cloudy and even more rain on Thursday. YUCK!

Autumn is doing OK. She always makes the most of it. She's been busy coloring and watching Netflix. She did want to know why YOU get to go to the state that Mickey House lives in and she did not, but I reassured her that you would not be visiting Mickey without her.

Well I guess it is a 50 50 kind of day. 50 percent of the girls are happy and the other 50 are not!

I LOVE you and hope you have a good TDY.

Your current wife and favorite airman. XOXO

The Jordan's.

The good, the bad and the ugly.

2012-01-18T15:29:00.004-09:00

Dinner = the good.

You ever had Carne Bistec? Me either, but it turns out it is good, easy and cheap! The perfect trifecta. The girls ate some of it too, but I set their steak out before adding it to the onions and tomatoes. I think I could have eaten the entire batch myself, but that wouldn't help me with my weight loss/fitness goals now would it?

The hardest part of making this meal was cleaning the cast iron skillet. I only say that because Sean has all these rules associated with his skillet. You cannot use soap on it, you have to use a brush and water, you have to dry it immediately, blah, blah, blah. The cast iron skillet alone is a workout if you ask me!

Death = the bad.

Sean's cousin, Nathan, died two days ago. Apparently he had surgery a few weeks ago and then he threw a clot which caused a pulmonary event. He was 38 years old. His funeral will be this Friday. Nathan was someone I met at Grandpa Frank's funeral many years ago. In my own words, he was a funny, smart, optimistic guy. I cannot believe he is gone. Jim and Phyllis headed up to Indiana to visit with the family and attend the funeral. I've thought long and hard on it and decided that since Sean cannot go, it wouldn't be good for me to take the girls. I don't think they are ready for this subject matter. I know that I for one, will miss Nathan. I plan to pay my respects to his family sometime this summer.

Now on to the ugly!

Sean, laying in Autumn's bed, watching a movie WHILST eating Doritos's! Fired, fired, fired! I've recently fired Sean from putting Autumn to bed because for some reason he is really bad at it! We discussed it and figured out why he has so many issues with Miss Autumn at bed time.

Let me give you a run down.

CHERISH: Autumn it is time for bed. "Mom, can I please......" No! You can do that in the morning. "BUT....." No.

SEAN: Autumn, do you need anything else?

At which point Autumn runs Sean all over the house for the next 20 minutes and then demands that he climbs in bed with her. FIRED!

Pig pile on daddy!

What have we been up to? Well, I'll tell you....

Again, with the working out!

I have put in 14 miles since Sunday. Autumn has put in 4 or 5 miles.

We visited the scariest slide in America (at Callaway Gardens). I was certain Emelia was going to fall off that slide and break something. I mean at one point, the entire lower half of her body was over the side of the slide, yet she was still somehow coming down the slide. At the end, she nearly hit her face every single time, but thankfully, she managed!

We've been up a tree!

Up a tree!

And Autumn has been taking pictures of her dad smiling.

There has been spinning in the sun.

As well as spinning in the rain.

Autumn having a blast playing in the rain and apparently Emelia has had enough of Georgia, packed her suitcase and is heading back to Alaska, where life makes sense.

I'm thankful that my children had the opportunity to play, sing and dance in the rain. It was thoroughly entertaining.

Until next time.

The Jordan's.

Our day at the Atlanta Zoo!

2012-01-17T12:33:00.003-09:00

We took part in the free zoo pass offered by our local public library. It was super easy! You rent a video, watch it, return it and get 4 free tickets to the zoo! You have one week to use your pass, so we decided we wanted to check out the Atlanta zoo over New Year's weekend.

It wasn't the best of days to visit the zoo. It wasn't the temperature so much as the WIND! I've always said this, I really dislike the wind! A breeze I can live with, but we are talking 20-30 mph winds this day. Anyway, we made do!

FLAMINGOS!

The girls! I think Emelia looks especially silly, but Sean pulled her socks out over her pants to help keep her warm.

Peek a boo!

The bird house was really cool!

You can feed them for $1.

These guys are always my favorite.

That is obviously just a statue of a giraffe, but Miss Millie thought it was real.

Wait, so I can get on this thing? Right after I took this picture, Emelia fell and hit the pavement. She left part of her face on the pavement. Poor girl.

Autumn settled into the idea of the Zoo, but she wasn't really having a good time (with the wind!), until we hit the kangaroo area and the petting zoo.

Every since Autumn learned about kangaroo's at school, she's been talking about them a lot!

Petting zoo!

I'm not sure exactly what Sean was doing, maybe trying to convince Emelia to pet it. She wouldn't.

Overall, I thought the Atlanta zoo was kind of boring. Honestly, I don't know if we just hit it at a bad time with all that wind, maybe the animals were hiding from it? I am not sure, but even the little poky Anchorage zoo was more fun than this one, at least to me. Considering we didn't pay, I'd say it was worth the trip.

Sean is home now, in case you were wondering!

The Jordan's.

Exercise, Exercise, EXERCISE!

2012-01-12T11:49:00.002-09:00

I've been trying to get back into shape. We all got sick around the time Mr Frank died (Nov 3rd) and we've been coughing, snotting and generally miserable every since then! I've decided over the last few weeks that sick or not, if it isn't raining and above 50 degrees, I'm going outside!

Sean and Autumn hopped on their bikes and off they went. Autumn did fantastic! The last time I tried this with her, I'm not kidding you here, she went about ten feet and said, "I'm done!" So, I wasn't expecting much! She did two miles! Atta girl!!

Millie on the other hand kept escaping the jogger, she wanted to walk, but she wasn't being safe. She would walk all over the trail that is also a bike path. I didn't want her to get run over, so I had to strap her in and she screamed the whole way back to the car!

So today, at the start of my 6 mile venture, I thought ahead of time!

That is right, our portable DVD player. Millie rocked the Barney while I rocked the 6 miles. Vanessa, Troy and Todd meet me out on the trail and we walked together. It was a great distraction from "working out!" I'm hoping she can meet up with me regularly.

Besides getting our exercise, we've been trying to get a lot of sunshine. So many visits to the park recently!

Millie still practicing her one eye.

Even Grandma and Grandpa made it out to some of our park outings!

Millie's been having a rough time with her face. She keeps falling and busting into things. In the past few weeks, she has had a handful of particularly nasty spills (where she ends up losing skin on her face), bloody noses, and scratches on her face. I will be so glad when we can get her to the specialist and start getting her seeing correctly.

Last night I made Spicy Lemon Garlic Shrimp over Spaghetti Noodles. The girls just ate the noodles! It was really good and so easy. While I cooked dinner, the girls played

In Millie's bed. On the one hand, I would really prefer they do not play in Emelia's bed, but on the other hand, I got dinner cooked without being harassed!

Waiting for you!

The Jordan's.

A conversation between Mr and Mrs Jordan

2012-01-11T11:47:00.002-09:00

I have some random pictures to share today.

Hard to believe Emelia is doing that all by herself. I get dirty looks from the other parents, but I'm always close by. She does scare me a little bit, but I'm glad she isn't afraid to do it.

Autumn pushing Millie.

Playing with cousins at chickfila.

Aren't they silly!

Millie sneaks into Autumn's room while she is at school and rearranges things, chills out in her bed, watches her movies. It cracks me up!

Playing with our train set.

Celebrating New Years. Millie was too afraid to hold a sparkler, so just Autumn here.

I realized after I finished my previous post, I forgot to mention what Sean gave me for Christmas.

A buttstock shell holder for my gun! I LOVE this gift. He kept telling me he got me something very thoughtful and I kept thinking he got me memory for my computer/Nook or something silly like that (he is always giving me practical gifts like that), but instead he got me this! The ability to shoot at you more often if you try to break into my home!

Speaking of. One night a few weeks ago, Sean was off to an ALS graduation. I was waiting up for him, but I got very tired so I sent him a text message.

Cherish: I cannot stay up any longer, heading to bed. I won't shoot you.
Cherish: Wait, did I say I won't or I will shoot you? I took a benadryl, I don't know.
Sean: You said you WOULD NOT shoot me.
Cherish: (to self) shew! Why am I thinking about the gun so much tonight?
Sean: (to self) I wouldn't come home if she said she was going to shoot me.

I love you and miss you.

Your current wife and favorite airman. xoxo

The Jordan's.

It's A New Year!

2012-01-10T13:34:00.003-09:00

I realize that I am behind. It seems to be my thing lately. I find it hard to update my blog when Sean is here! I have pictures from Christmas that I would like to share and because I don't beleive Sean has seen them yet AND he isn't here, now is a good a time as any, right?

The girls set out their cookie for Santa and a homemade raspberry cheese cake cupcake!

I wonder if Santa (Sean) knows Millie put her finger in that cookie? Hmmmm. I'm not telling!

Sean and Autumn.

Sean and Millie.

In their Christmas Eve PJ's and almost ready for bed!

Santa's arrival.

Looks like a lot of stuff!

I could hardly believe the next morning I had to wait for the girls to wake up!

8 am and STILL asleep!

Miss Millie's first look.

So happy and excited. Let me tell you what. Emelia found her stocking full of Hershey kisses and could barely be distracted with much else! I swear she ate a pound of chocolate!!

Aha! You mean there is more stuff? Also in this photo, my favorite tree ornament given to me by Miss Cindy.

Finding the train set!

FINALLY! Miss Autumn makes her debut!

Millie's La La Loopsy doll.

Millie got a mailbox from Grandma and Grandpa Jordan. Autumn says to me, "Did Riley send this to me?" I told her no. Autumn says, "this is just like my friend Riley's. I wish Riley, Dylan, Cole and Taylor were here." It was so cute!

We spent the entire day in the house, fire going in the fire place, mostly relaxing, playing and preparing for our Christmas feast.

For dinner we had a Herb Mushroom encrusted standing rib roast with a mushroom wine sauce, red pepper bisque, lemony asparagus, Savory Sweet Potato and Pecan Molasses Yeast rolls! All made by yours truly!

The girls really loved all of their gifts. This market was from Grandma and Grandpa Jordan. Emelia's apron was made by my good friend, Angie! Head on over and check out her stuff! It is awesome and a shameless plug! Autumn got hello kitty stuff that she loves! The train set was a huge success! Leap pads, books, money! It truly was a wonderful day.

By evening time, the girls were playing with their Twighlight Turtle and Twighlight lady bugs. It casts stars onto the ceiling of a dark room. It has different colors and turns off after 45 minutes.

In other news....

Dear Sean, Miss Kari (Autumn's teacher) said she did wonderful on her first day back. Autumn was a little upset you weren't in the car when I picked her up, but I reminded her you wouldn't be gone very long. Miss Millie has been running around the house singing twinkle, twinkle. Oh my goodness, it would make you smile to hear it. We didn't work on potty training with Emelia today. I will work on it again some tomorrow, but we will hit it hard come Friday. I love you and miss you much!

Your favorite wife and airman. xoxo

The Jordan's.

Letters to Santa.

2011-12-23T12:25:00.003-09:00

My girls sat down and wrote a letter to Santa.

Autumn wrote "sod" and asked for a baby.

Emelia said, "ho, ho, ho."

I think Autumn needs a little less coffee.

After carefully decorating each paper and the envelope.

We took our Santa mail to the mall.

Is Santa in here?

Let me look for you Millie.

After dropping off Santa mail, we headed over to see the big guy for a photo.

We waited.

And waited (crooked eye finally got her doctor appointment for next week, will update you on the status of that after the appointment).

Is Santa ever coming back from lunch?

Waited some more.

After more than an hour, Santa finally made his debut and wouldn't you know it, neither girl would let us get their photo. I won't lie, I was upset by this. I told Autumn if she was so afraid of Santa, maybe he shouldn't even come to our house. Man, I am a mean mom!

We headed home and decided to take our own little photo shoot.

Autumn is getting easier and easier to get a photo of, she loves to have her picture taken.

Autumn thought our tree out front needed some Christmas on it.

They decorated, while I took pictures.

Autumn showing off her frosty.

Sweet, silly girl.

Putting her own special touch on the tree.

Millie giving Autumn a kiss.

Her running really cracks me up.

The Jordan's.

Chocolate Popcorn and Zesty Snack Mix

2011-12-15T10:07:00.002-09:00

The girls and I were busy this week working on our gifts for Autumn's teachers, our neighbors and Grandpa Jordan.

We started with a Zesty Snack Mix that I found in a Paula Deen Magazine. You start with:

2 (9 ounce) packages oyster crackers, 1 (1 pound) package of goldfish, 1 (1 pound) package miniature pretzel twists. Dump them all in a roasting pan.

Melt two sticks of butter in a medium sauce pan.

The rest of the characters: 2 tsp lemon pepper seasoning, 1 tsp dried dill, 1 tsp ground red pepper and 1 (1 ounce) package dry ranch dressing mix.

Next, make sure your assistant isn't eating all the goodies.

Keep your eye on crooked eye.

Add all the dry ingredients to the melted butter and then pour over the pretzels and crackers.

Stir with a slotted spoon.

A great task for Autumn! Put in the oven at 250 degrees for 45 minutes. Every 15 minutes, pull it out and stir it up.

I transferred to a cookie sheet so it would cool down quickly, but wait for the mix to cool down completely before transferring it to

Jars. This batch made 8 quarts, so I filled 6 quart sized wide mouth mason jars and then had a little extra left for me.

Next step was to throw some Christmas flair on them and put the recipe card on each jar.

Chocolate Popcorn.

The Ingredients.

4 (3.2 ounce) bags microwave popcorn, popped.
1 cup butter
2 cups firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/3 cup Dutch process cocoa
1/2 tsp baking soda

I popped the popcorn and then dumped each bag out on to my cookie sheet. This made it easier to pick out the popped kernels from the unpopped kernels. I placed all the popped corn into the roasting pan.

I don't think anyone wants to eat that!

Melt two sticks of butter over medium heat in a medium saucepan. While butter is melting, start measuring out your other ingredients (wet and dry) this next part is going to happen fast!

Add your brown sugar.

Corn syrup and vanilla.

Bring to a boil and let boil for 5 minutes. As soon as you see that first boil, start your count down.

Scold your assistant for eating all the popcorn.

Keep an eye on your butter/sugar mixture and stir it occasionally. I'm not going to lie. This is probably the hardest part for me. I am obsessive compulsive. I want to stir a thing constantly, so I busied myself with other things, like taking these pictures. Once the five minutes is up,

Remove your saucepan from the heat and sift in the cocoa and the baking soda. Stir until combined, then pour over your popped popcorn.

It says to drizzle it, this is what mine looked like. Then I took the slotted spoon and stirred.

Until it looked like this. Place in a 250 degree oven for 30 minutes, stirring halfway through.

Next, I lined a cookie sheet with parchment paper and placed the popcorn in a single layer (on two cookie sheets) to cool. Some pieces I just snapped apart with my fingers so they would be single pieces and not like eating a caramel popcorn ball.

I waited for them to cool completely and then added them to the 1 quart wide mouth mason jars. It filled up 6 and I had plenty to spare (although the recipe says it makes 6 quarts). Again, I added some Christmas flair and the recipe card to each jar. We packaged these guys up and already handed them all out. So far we have received good reviews.

I'd like to thank Paula Deen for the recipes and my two little assistants for all their help!

Order Up!

The Jordan's.

Inquiring minds want to know

2011-12-11T13:14:00.003-09:00

DID Autumn learn her lesson?

I don't know. On the one hand, she is doing much better, on the other hand, there is room for improvement. Since removing Autumn's things from her room, whenever I say, "do this or I will do ____," she takes me quite seriously. However, the day after I cleared her room she threw yogurt at me because I insisted she eat it at the table. I sent her to her room for that offense and she fell asleep with in moments. We haven't really had any outbursts from her since then.

Autumn has been staying in her room for nap time and bedtime. This may come as a surprise to you, but since moving from AK to GA, Autumn has been frequenting our room. Almost every night. I don't find the correlation myself, but I have a hard time wanting to give her anything back while she doesn't come and harass Sean and I at night, you know what I mean?

In other news, a few weeks ago (right before Thanksgiving) I noticed that Emelia's right eye was turning inward, just ever so slightly. One eye wasn't keeping up with the other and I was starting to get a little concerned about it. We went to the doctor on something unrelated and I was told that her sinus infection was backing up into her eyes and it was causing her eye to water, therefore making it difficult for Emelia to focus and it could be causing floaters in her eyes making her look strange at times.

A few days later, Emelia was running and tripped and fell right into the brick of the fireplace.

Boy, was that ugly! A few days later, she went to see the doctor again for her 18 month check up.

Emelia was 32 inches tall and weighed 24 lbs. Her doctor said that Emelia's eye is turning in ever so slightly and that most likely she will need an eye patch. We've been put in for a referral and are awaiting a call from the eye doctor (hopefully soon, you know TRICARE). Our doctor said that her eye wasn't terrible and that if this just started a few weeks ago, most likely it would only need an eye patch for a short amount of time. It is possible Emelia will need glasses. We will know more once we see the eye doctor.

Emelia isn't the only one with crooked eyes. Should we get an eye patch for Autumn's frog?

The girls and I will be working on our Christmas projects this week. Stay tuned for more on that!

Over the weekend we got to visit Grandpa Jordan for a bonfire!

Autumn and Emelia had a blast with their Grandpa! On the way over, Autumn said that she had been missing her grandpa, so she was glad just to see him!

Wearing Grandpa's glasses.

Making dogs in the fire.

Ah ha! It's Pepper Annie! My evil cat. I left her with Jim and Phyllis when we moved into our house. Sometimes I feel guilty about that, but Pepper has turned into a nice cat since being made to stay outside and it is obvious that she loves Jim and Phyllis.

Silly Autumn.

The fire!

Sean was shooting at marshmallows. I don't get it, but he was having fun!

Millie eating her hot dog.

A close up of her face. Can you see that her eye is just turned in ever so slightly?

Catching marshmallows on fire.

Blowing the "on fire" marshmallow out.

Grandpa making sure the fire stays strong.

Autumn taking a bite of her marshmallow.

Trying to convince Millie to eat one.

You want me to do what?

Drag it across the ground until it collects leaves?

I think she is just too cute.

Wheel barrel time!

The girls LOVED it!

I think the girls stayed there most the night!

Autumn and crooked eye. ARRRR Matey.

Once it got dark, it did start to feel a little cold.

It is moments like these that I don't miss Alaska.

The Jordan's.

PS- I could kill Grandpa for serving cappuccino instead of hot chocolate. Autumn was bouncing off the wall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A life lesson.

2011-12-06T06:26:00.002-09:00

Tis' the season for........... temper tantrums? I don't understand it myself, but sometimes Autumn behaves so badly. Partly I do not even want to post this here, but I think people should know (especially those who are always saying I seem to always have it together!) that we deal with our fair share of unruly behavior.

This morning I made Autumn a drink and because I didn't put it in the cup she wanted, she dumped it out on the floor, all the while looking at me. It was so unbelievable, but at the same time, it felt as if I was staring into some small, satanic version of myself. I was angry. I sent her to her room while I cleaned up the mess. I needed to make sure it didn't leak through the carpet to the wood floor.

While in her room, she picked up her piggy bank and smashed it into a million pieces. Again, I picked it up because I didn't want her to get injured on the broken glass. Emelia helped me pick up all the money and transfer it to Emelia's piggy bank.

I made Autumn stay in her room until I calmed down, about 20 minutes. Then I got her ready for school. While at school, I emptied her room of everything except her bed, dresser, night stand (clothes in the dresser) and Roww.

Her linens are in the wash (I wash linens every Tuesday, so don't comment giving me grief that she should have her linens). I'm not sure what she is going to make of this when she gets home, but I need to get through to her that behaving the way she has been is not acceptable. For the moment, I've placed all her stuffed animals in a garbage bag in the attic. All her books are in Emelia's room.

I hope this works.

In other news, Aurora was found two days ago reading a Christmas book (Rudolph).

Autumn and Emelia are getting a big hoot out of Aurora's shennanigans, at least until this morning.

When Autumn saw what Aurora did to their pictures, she cried and said that "Aurora is a bad elf and gave Millie and me hair on our face. We need to clean it off right now." Maybe it was my fault Autumn had such a fit today, I don't know.

This much I can say, there is no way I'm giving Autumn Christmas gifts if she keeps this kind of behavior up.

Lord, please give me strength.

The Jordan's.

Gone Fishin'

2011-12-04T07:12:00.002-09:00

Aurora surprised the girls with a fishing trip (sorry about the quality of the pictures, my camera has been giving me a hard time lately).

There was some grouchiness over where the fishing should take place.

It made me feel a little grouchy too Autumn!

I love the look Emelia's giving Autumn.

Maybe there is something to this whole waking up at the crack of dawn and just going fishing by yourself.

The Jordan's.

Aurora bakes!

2011-12-03T03:29:00.002-09:00

Before I get to today's elfery, yesterday, when Autumn saw her panties on the tree, you could tell at first that she wasn't quite sure what to think of it.

Then she busts out laughing and says, "that's disgusting!" She proceeds to pick her panties off the tree one by one until they are all down. She was very excited to see a new letter from Santa!

Reading her letter.

This morning, Aurora must have woke up quite early and baked Autumn and Emelia some cookies.

What a good little elf, she even cleaned up after herself.

Autumn was so excited to wake up and go look for our elf on the shelf. Now she is enjoying cookies and coffee. Emelia is still asleep, but she will indulge in cookies and coffee too!

The Jordan's.

Elfery Shennanigans

2011-12-02T01:59:00.002-09:00

This morning, when Aurora returned from the North Pole,

She littered our tree with some of Autumn's panties. I hope Autumn finds it as humorous as I did. When I was a young teenager (think 12), someone took my pantie's and plastered them all over my window and the tree in the front yard of our house in military housing. I remember being at least a little bit embarrassed, but I also thought it was hysterical.

Autumn's letter from Santa asked her not to put anything up her nose or in her ear (she was trying to put a bead in her ear last night at dinner!), I hope that works. Santa also sent Autumn sparkles on the grass yesterday. When we walked outside there had been a frost and Autumn exclaimed, "there are sparkles on the grass, not like Alaska, but like Georgia."

Emelia's letter from Santa told her not to punch her sister in the eye anymore, or shove the baby Jesus (from our nativity scene) down her overalls.

My girls make me laugh so much. I sure do hope to catch their beaming faces when they wake up on camera this morning!

The Jordan's.

A North Pole Breakfast.

2011-12-01T03:36:00.003-09:00

Have you heard about the Elf on the Shelf yet? Seems a lot of folks are getting into it. We've named our Elf, Aurora and this morning she surprised the girls with a letter from Santa and a North Pole Breakfast.

Autumn woke up first and when she found Aurora in the kitchen, she started laughing and said, "Our elf brought me donuts."

I read her the letter from Santa, then she began to eat.

Aurora was keeping her eyes on things.

Anything sweeter than dunking a "snowflake" into your ho, ho, hot chocolate?

I think not!

Such a sweet girl.

After some time, Emelia woke up and she was just as delighted to see what Aurora had done.

Emelia has been extremely helpful this year with regard to our project Declutter the Jordan's lives.

She has been breaking one ornament after another. I guess Autumn didn't break so many because when we lived in Alaska, we had carpet all over the house. These hardwood floors are unforgiving for the clumsy. You drop something and you can almost guarantee it will shatter! Anyway, I've tried putting the breakable stuff at the top of the tree, Emelia has taken care of the lower half. I even placed my jingle bells on the bottom as my MWS or "Midget Warning System."

I sure do love this time of year.

I wonder what Aurora has in mind for tomorrow?

The Jordan's.

Something that makes me smile.

2011-11-30T12:22:00.002-09:00

Sometimes, if I get to feeling blue, there are a few things I know that will immediately bring a smile to my face.

I took this video in December of last year. I just uploaded it to my computer today.

This really makes me smile. I get to see it in real life quite often. Autumn is always "singing" something.

The Jordan's.

Gobble, Gobble.

2011-11-28T11:47:00.003-09:00

A week ago, the girls, Sean and I did a March of Dimes walk at Callaway Gardens. We were invited by Sean's brother, Brett and his wife, Jen.

We arrived before dark and shared a pizza together. Here is Autumn, Emelia and Anna.

Violet and Jen.

Getting ready to walk around.

The triplets too!

A rare picture of Sean and his brother and all the kids between them!

Autumn popped off the jogger we borrowed to get a picture with a snowman. Emelia was having nothing to do with Frosty. I'm not looking forward to our Santa picture this year!

After a few games outside, we headed over to get the show on the road.

It got dark in the nick of time and before we knew it, we were on our 7 mile walking journey.

I think Autumn has a thing for a man in uniform!

This was my favorite section of the lights. Watching the flowers grow.

Brett and Jennifer! Almost there.

Autumn wanted this picture for Riley.

North Pole? I think NOT!

Christmas trees or creepy trees? Close call.

Swan lake! We made it back to the Jeep just before 9 pm and boy, was I ready to go home. It was so much fun though and I cannot wait to do it again next year.

The next day, I was cleaning around the kitchen and talking on the phone. I had pulled out my handy dandy stool to reach something high in the cabinet when I turn around and see before me....

Emelia! It really did shock me because I had tucked the steps away, but she still managed to climb on top the counter.

One bad girl must follow another. At least they are patriotic bad girls?

A few days later, we packed up and headed to Charleston to celebrate Thanks giving with my family.

It was the typical Turkey Day Massacre at the Coleman home.

The kids worked on arts and crafts.

The kids made these turkeys and boy did they have fun doing and eating that!

Sean made this picture. I believe he called it What if Joseph was an alien?

While I baked my own birthday cake, yet again!

Happy Birthday to me!

Every year after Thanks giving we go out to James Island county park and catch the lights.

This year, I caught my sister Sarah Marie between the Jeep and my mom's car!

It wouldn't be Thanks Giving without Piggly Wiggly.

My nephew Cole and Emelia.

Cole and Autumn.

Autumn, Cole and Emelia. Cole is so much fun.

We rode the train.

Ohhed and ahhed over the sand sculpture!

Then it was time for these girls to head home. My sister put us up in a hotel (which was really very nice of her), we didn't have to pay a thing for it, BUT there was a problem with Palmetto bugs. Palmetto bugs you say? What are those? Well, I shall inform you. They are flying cockroaches and oh my goodness we saw several dead ones and at least three alive ones. I shook out the comforter of our bed and one scurried across the floor and got in the drawer of the nightstand. Autumn opened said drawer and can we say, came undone? Why yes, that is exactly what happened. We tried to make sure she didn't see any other bugs, but she kept referring to the hotel as the "bug hotel." It was a little embarrassing! We were glad to pack it up and head on home!

Once home, we celebrated my birthday.

Sean got me birthday pie! My favorite.

Autumn sang me a little song that went something like, share your birthday presents, share your birthday presents.

Emelia said, am I here?

For my birthday, Emelia gave me the Nook Color (very cool!), Autumn gave me Godiva chocolates (my favorite and no wonder she kept telling me to share) and Sean gave me a protector for my new Nook, as well as a few hours to myself! It was truly a wonderful birthday.

During the few hours to myself, Sean and the girls picked out our Christmas tree.

We got it all put up and decorated.

Hello Kitty crashing the Nativity scene.

The Mantle all ready to go.

During this week we even managed to name our Elf. She shall be called, Aurora!

On a completely different note, I'd like to ask you to say a prayer for a family that I met through Sean's work. Stephanie, the mom, was diagnosed with a rare form of Leukemia last week and started treatment immediately. The doctors have run in to some problems during the treatment and at the moment, she is in a medically induced coma and does not have a very optimistic outcome. Stephanie is a very sweet girl and has two beautiful young daughters (Sara (4) and June (1)). Sean has gone up to Atlanta to spend some time with the husband/dad, Mike. Please add them to your prayers.

Back to my family.

All that is left is for Santa Baby, hurry down the chimney tonight!!

The Jordan's.

Life is like a box of chocolates.

2011-11-19T17:07:00.005-09:00

I probably have to give credit to Forest Gump or something, but we all know where that saying came from.

I haven't been doing a good job of keeping up with my blog lately. Guess I've been in a writing funk. The girls and I are having loads of fun though. One of our favorite things to do....

Picnic in the park. I'd say we do this at least once a week.

Autumn set her lunch up right on the playground.

We hang out.

Play around.

Peek a face.

The girls really are getting used to this 80 + degree weather in November.

Every day at the park, Emelia gets better and better at navigating the equipment.

She isn't really afraid of much out on the playground.

Sweet Autumn.

She's my dare devil. Willing to do just about anything.

One of Emelia's big accomplishments, riding the big kid swing. I won't lie, the whole time I am freaked out she is going to fall off, but so far, she has held on tight.

This whole swinging thing makes me a complete

Basket case.

Emelia hanging with her cousin, Taylor. Those two are two months different in age and I would have thought that they'd be the best of friends, but they fight something horrible. Maybe when they are a little older.

She had lots of practice in Alaska with this kind of obstacle.

I recently got to teach the girls how to roll down a hill!

Enjoying a ride around the pool. Autumn always cuts it so close to the corners. Grandma had to rescue her once. One wheel of the bike over the deep end of the pool. Autumn was smart enough to stay completely still.

Driving Miss Millie.

What else do we have going on this month?

Pig pile on Sean.

Emelia all dolled up for Sean's work T-day party.

No rules.

Roww Smiles.

Christmas socks. Autumn decided they must get hung up NOW.

We adopted a sweet elf, but haven't been able to agree on a name. Sean wants to call her Clarice (you know Silence of the Lambs), but I think that is majorly creepy. I'd like to call her Gwen (like Stefani, Sean's not so secret celebrity crush).

Cheese.

Tonight we went out to Warm Springs and looked at Christmas lights, rode a little train and

Said hello to the big man.

Doesn't hardly feel like Christmas when it is nearly 70 degrees outside, but I guess it is better than subzero temperatures.

The entire reason I titled this post the way I did is this very last photo. I guess it just reminds me of Forest. Thank you for stopping by. I'm going to do better about the posting.

The Jordan's.

A completely selfish post.

2011-11-18T16:58:00.003-09:00

I recently had to say goodbye to someone near to me.

When I was a kid, we lived in Goose Creek, South Carolina. On base, in military housing. I was about 11 maybe 12 years old when the Herriott's moved in right next door to us. Frank, Sherrill and their three kids Michael, Michelle and Shawn. Shawn was my age and we quickly became good friends. It might have been an odd pairing at first, the Herriott's were African American and well, we were white. We were living in South Carolina and I quite vividly remember people giving us grief about being friends. That didn't stop us however, Shawn and I mostly ignored the morons who made vicious statements about our relationship.

I very much remember running in and out of the Herriott's house like it was my own and this may sound odd to you if you haven't ever lived in military housing, but we shared a wall (our hallway bathroom and my parent's room).

About a year after the Herriott's moved in next to us, we all went through a hurricane together. Hurricane Hugo was a monster storm and my mom always blames Sherrill for us staying. Sherrill did keep saying that storm was going to turn off, but it never did. It hit us hard and my dad and Frank were gone. The mom's and the kids (plus a few dogs) held tight in the hallway and bathroom of our house while chaos happened all around us. At one point, people were holding the hallway door shut with their feet and Michelle was holding the attic door closed.

You don't just go through a hurricane together and not get closer as a family. I suppose there is something to be said of Navy family's. Often times when my dad was out to sea, I'd seek counsel from Frank. He was almost always available to help this girl get her teeth pulled out. I know that must sound ridiculous. I'm almost 11 years old and still losing teeth? I had horrible problems with my teeth not falling out and save 3 teeth, the dentist pulled them all. Mr Frank pulled two. He pulled a slew of teeth out from my sisters too. I suppose in my mind, he will always be our tooth fairy. I remember two incidents in particular where he told me he would count to three and pull the tooth and he ALWAYS yanked on two, not three!!! One time, he tied my sister's tooth to a door knob and she was so afraid of having the door slammed with her tooth tied to it that she chased after the door each time he shut it! Eventually, he just pulled that sucker out!

A few weeks ago, November 3rd to be precise, at the age of 57 years old, while driving home, Mr Frank had a massive heart attack. Unfortunately, because he was driving, the car continued on without him and eventually struck a parked vehicle. The occupant inside was banged up, but according to state troopers, they pulled her from the vehicle and placed her in the grass to await transport to the hospital. She suffered minor injuries to my knowledge. Mr Frank was gone. It was shocking to me. Horrific honestly. Next thing I know is that his daughter, Michelle, and her children happened upon the accident, which occur ed just down the road from the high school I attended. The police wouldn't tell her anything, but to go home and be with her mom.

Mrs Sherrill, or mom #2, which I have affectionately called her for many years, did not shed a single tear in front on me. She stood strong and simply said at the funeral that no one can take her joy away. Mr Frank is in heaven now, never to be harmed or in any pain ever again. They were married for 39 years. They met in the 3rd grade and began dating in the 11th grade. They loved each other very much.

I love them very much. My heart is sad that Mr Frank is gone. I'm grateful I was able to go to the funeral and tell him good bye. To me, he will always be my tooth fariy and the man that taught me the value of being slow to anger. I never once saw Mr Frank be quick to anger. I'm not going to say that I am any good at being slow to anger, I'm just saying I see the point of it!

It was hard for me to hear Mrs Sherrill read a love letter goodbye to Mr Frank and then when Shawn, my childhood best friend, got up and spoke at the funeral, I thought I would have to leave because I was such an emotional wreck. I stayed strong though. Mrs Sherrill and Shawn give me strength. Their love is unfaltering, all encompassing and reciprocated by my own family.

I suppose this is a see you later and not a goodbye. Thanks for listening.

Tick teat.

2011-11-01T07:11:00.002-08:00

What is tick teat? The way Emelia says Trick or treat. We had such a blast this Halloween. It was nice not having to navigate little monsters through 20 degree weather and/or snow! We got to spend time with some of our family too. Here are the pictures.

You ever tried getting a picture of 6 monsters under the age of 4?

Take Two.

Millie the "gary bider."

Autumn Harvest the wicked witch.

Jennifer and Violet.

We left gramps behind to hand out the candy.

We hit up the neighbors first.

Three little monkey's and a witch!

Thank you Sean!

Hope you had a Happy Halloween!

The Farm House.

2011-10-27T11:55:00.003-08:00

Autumn's school planned an outing to a pumpkin patch at a little place in town called, The Farm House. As soon as we got word of the field trip, Autumn asked that Grandma come along. Well, we invited Grandma and of course she accepted, but at the very last minute, an emergency came up with her sister (Aunt Carolyn) and Grandma needed to be with her. SO, Grandma decided we would all go to the pumpkin patch, just a day early. I have to say, thank goodness because someone wasn't being very understanding as to why grandma had to be away! Great idea Phyllis!

Holding hands.

Grandma showing Autumn where to pet the horse.

I don't think Autumn ever actually touched the horse. Every time she got close enough, the horse backed up. One time neighed and freaked Emelia and I out!

Silly Millie watching from a distance.

We made our way over to the "pumpkin patch." OK- truth be told, the pumpkin patch was off in a field. We told Autumn this was the pumpkin patch so she wouldn't be mad at Grandma!

Since it is a farm, we decided we would just check out all the animals.

Petting Jacob the donkey.

Autumn's turn.

I'm an ass.

Emelia still keeping her distance. I'm not sure why, but she isn't very trusting of the animals.

Cheese.

That sweet angel face!

Emelia James and Autumn Harvest.

The scary, dangerous bunny!

So the next day, Autumn, Emelia and I made our way back to the pumpkin patch for the school outing.

The day started with Autumn doing a craft.

Then some playing, while we waited for our hayride. I wonder how many kids they can get on the end of that?

Tell me she doesn't look like trouble!

Can you tell she is having a blast?

Our turn to get on the tractor.

Does she look a little worried? Sitting next to Autumn is her teacher Mrs Kari.

After a short hayride, you can hear all the kids hollering about the pumpkins off in the field. Each child would get to pick which ever pumpkin they wanted!

Trying to get a photo of the three of us! Guess there was too much sun.

Emelia picking her pumpkin.

Heading back.

We had such a great time today. Now we all need a little nap!

The Jordan's.

Providence Canyon, Yellow Jackets and Swearing.

2011-10-26T03:55:00.004-08:00

What do these things have in common? ME! We went out to Providence Canyon over the weekend to do some sight seeing and I was stung by a yellow jacket. It hurt so bad, I accidentally said a swear. Anyway, I cried a little, but I survived! On to our day.

Providence Canyon is also known as the Little Grand Canyon. Now, as a person who has been to the actual Grand Canyon, this place doesn't really hold a candle to it, BUT!!! It was neat. You just wouldn't think there would be a place like this in Georgia, you know what I mean? Also, the weather was perfect. It was sunny and in the 60's. I feel like we can finally get out and start enjoying being in the south. I still sweat quite a bit, I was carrying Emelia who ain't heavy, she's my baby. I'm really coming around to this Georgia thing. I wish I could see some snow though.

We didn't have a map, or check in with a visitor center, but we did have water.

Our first view of the trail.

Spanish Moss. Haven't seen that in years.

I wasn't prepared for there to be water on the trail. I guess I should have been, because how are canyons made?

While at the park, we visited Canyons 1,2,3,6 and 7. I'm really more putting that out there for myself, so that when we go back, we can remember which canyons we went to!

Emelia wanted to walk, Autumn wanted to be carried.

She really loved splashing around in the water. I wish I would have brought her rain boots!

Autumn and Sean climbing the mountain.

Autumn figured it would be easier to slide down the mountain, until she realized she was getting dirty!

Daddy's girl.

Crazy hair.

Autumn Harvest the Fearless.

Clap.

Autumn climbing up the mountain all by herself.

Georgia clay is so shimmery.

Just outside the trail head is a nice little picnic/park area.

Going down together is so much fun!

I was shocked they both fit side by side.

Oh how they make me smile.

Sean had to get in on the fun.

The girls loved that too!

The view from down here in Georgia, not so bad.

Gatlinburg.

2011-10-11T08:55:00.006-08:00

We left Saturday morning and made our way to Gatlinburg, Tennessee. What a beautiful drive this time of the year. Once we got to the Great Smoky Mountains, we hit some pretty serious traffic. No worries, it gave us time to stop and get some pictures.

We weren't really sure what was causing the slow down, but Autumn was getting kind of restless and started bouncing around the car.

Emelia was being Emelia and was kind of chill.

At first we thought it might be construction or a car accident that forced us in the same spot for about an hour.

Snoring.

Once we finally got moving again, we realized that the hour long traffic jam was

Over a BEAR! I guess someone scared the bear up the tree and it was hanging somewhat precariously over the highway. I realize, not a great picture of said bear, but we refused to be one of the jerks who stopped traffic to further endanger a bear. I am hoping that poor guy made it down without incident.

You just couldn't beat the views though.

We made it to our hotel about 7 pm (a bit later than we would have thought). Parked our car and decided to walk around town. It was very crowded here too. I guess a lot of people thought to take to the mountains for the weekend.

Our hotel.

Autumn taking time to smell the roses.

I think the girls thought it was really neat to stay on the river like that.

Emelia and Sean.

It got dark shortly after we started this little walk, but we had 45 minutes to kill before we would get seated at our restaurant, so we continued walking around. We ate an OK dinner, then headed back to our room to call it a night. The next morning we got up and headed out to one of my favorite places...

The Apple Barn. We had a great big breakfast, walked around the shops there and then headed to Ripley's Believe it or not Aquarium.

They had the river all decorated for Halloween and someone even tossed a great big pumpkin right into the river.

Harvester at the Harvest.

Inside the Aquarium, there were sharks.

Penguin peek holes.

Secret tubes.

Silly Autumn.

A LOT of fish! After the aquarium, we had to head out through an arcade. Millie came across a dance game

And started doing a

Very silly Millie dance.

Next was the mirror maze. This place totally freaked Autumn out. She cried the entire time we were in there. She kept leading the way and bumping into mirrors. I won't lie, I did too! If Sean hadn't been there, this place would have totally freaked me out. At one point I almost bumped into some other people in the maze because I thought they were a reflection!

We did some more walking and stopped over at

Ripley's Believe it or not museum. There is a part in this museum where you are supposed to make silly faces in front of a mirror except that you don't know it is a two way mirror. I've been here before, so I knew this already. Once we got to the part where you could see the other people making silly faces, we saw a young man walk up and PICK HIS NOSE! It was hilarious. I wish we could have stayed to see the look on his face when he realized he picked his nose at this mirror!!!

After Ripley's we headed to the sky tram and went up the mountain to find a little play park. Inside there was a

Carousel.

Which both girls loved!

Next on the menu was the chair lift. Sean and Autumn went together and Emelia and I went together. Emelia was a bad girl and tried to flip off the chair, but I held on!

Me and Emelia.

From the chair lift, you could see the Alpine slide.

Yes, we did that! Sean and Autumn raced Emelia and I. Of course, Sean won! I was scared to go fast. Emelia kept leaning out. She thought it was a blast though. She laughed almost the entire way down!

After we left the Alpine place, we rode the tram back down the mountain. I sent Sean after dinner and the girls and I headed to the room. It was about 730 pm now and within 10 minutes or so, the girls passed out! Too tired to even eat dinner! Sean and I enjoyed a meal just the two of us in peace and quiet!

Our last day in Gatlinburg ended with a visit:

To the Great Smoky Mountain National Park visitor center and a random Roww + Elephant picture. We needed to figure out which trail we wanted to hike.

A rare Jordan family picture!

I was suprised how many more trees had changed colors just from a Saturday to a Monday. It was beautiful though!

Emelia wanted to walk and not be carried, but she walks so slow and gets so distracted! So instead, she threw herself a little fit!

Doesn't it look like Halloween here?

We decided on Deep Creek Trail.

It was a bit windy, so Autumn decided she better put her coat on!

During our walk we came across some magic. A floating leaf (it's the yellow one!).

It's a great view right?

We got in the car, drove some more and stopped at another trail head.

Deep Creek trail (odd, that was the name of the other trail)- it had waterfalls!!!

Pretty trees.

Emelia is always touching or picking her nose!

Even if she is gross, she is still my little girl!

Anything sweeter than a dad holding his little girls' hand?

After a short walk, we got to see a waterfall.

I think Emelia was contemplating going swimming today.

Autumn asked to go swimming.

The serious thinker.

Autumn was throwing great big rocks into the river and watching the splash.

So peaceful.

Except these animals were around.

These animals too!

It was a really pretty trail.

This picture cracks me up. Why do they all have a grouch look on their faces?

The Sean smile.

Wait, I'm in a picture!!!!!!!!!!

The other waterfall.

So we had a great weekend. I do wish that we would have gone camping instead though. The weather was perfect for it! Gatlinburg was SO crowded! Hopefully we will be going camping soon! Hope you enjoyed our trip! Now to go clean and recover.

The Jordan's.

PS Again- Sean sort of smiling. I bet he tries to irradicate this photo!

Pine Mountain Trail.

2011-10-06T11:19:00.003-08:00

Yes, Autumn picked her own outfit. I think she looks special.

My own personal TACP guide.

There was a lot of tornado damage on this trail.

So much personality in such a little person.

Pine Corn.

Don't they look the same?

It's a red leaf.

It's a big ole tree.

Sleepy girl.

Autumn helped me bake some dinner rolls.

She really likes baking. I told her we were at a point where we needed to let the dough just sit and grow. She told me that she had the perfect place to put it.

Next to the basil because it needs to grow too.

The finished product.

Random Roww sighting.

I think "skelmon" needs a witch hat.

My silly Millie.

We are getting ready for a trip to Gatlinburg this weekend. I hope we have a great time. I'll post about it next week. Thanks for listening.

The Jordan's.

Kaitlyn's 6th Birthday Party Celebration.

2011-09-27T09:53:00.004-08:00

Since moving to Georgia, I've gone home at least once a month. September was no exception. It was Kaitlyn's birthday party and I wanted to be there for it.

Here are our pictures!

Autumn playing games with me.

My niece Abby.

Autumn took my picture.

The birthday girl Kaitlyn.

My niece Taylor.

My sister Devonne.

Emelia.

My sister Sarah bara butt (and Kaitlyn's mom).

Taylor is so cute. I wish you could see Emelia and Taylor together, they are such a hoot.

There was swimming and a slip in slide.

Swinging.

Contemplating drowning. Taylor did go in the pool later in the day and yes, Devonne dove in after her fully clothed.

Autumn swimming with her cousins.

Abby do.

My lone nephew on my side of the family, Cole!

I mainly took this photo for Sean so that he could see Autumn was putting her legs behind her finally. She had been doing this walk sort of swim thing. She really is getting the hang of it.

Hannah Montana birthday cake.

Lighting the candle.

Blowing it out.

Check out those purple lips.

Tasha (behind Tasha is Mrs Sherrill, she is and always will be my second mom! Her son, Shawn was my best friend growing up. I've known them since I was in the 5th grade).

We moved from purple lips to purple tongue.

The kids really did get a kick out if it!

My niece Jordan and Kaitlyn's sister. Autumn is confused about Jordan's name because it is also our last name. A few times I hollered "Autumn Jordan!" and both girls came running.

Matching (lips and shirt).

The littles eating.

Emelia tried like crazy to fall into that pool! Bad girl.

Overall it was a great weekend and a great birthday party. I really missed doing stuff like this, I grew up having backyard cookouts. Most everyone at the party was family or as close to family as you can get. I will say this (I'm sure she won't be reading unless someone tells her I said something, but) there was someone missing from the celebration. One of Kaitlyn's favorite relatives couldn't be bothered to show up, she was too busy spending time with her friends and couldn't take the time to change her plans. You would think in the case of scheduling conflict she would at least drop off a little card or maybe a birthday present, but again, she couldn't be bothered. How do you explain that to a six year old who is asking where you are? Worse yet, how about you call her the night before and promise to see her and drop her off a gift and then fail to follow through? All I am saying is, you suck.

Now that that is off my chest, I hope you enjoyed my pictures and Happy Birthday to the self proclaimed smartest kid in America! I love you Sarah and Kaitlyn Marie.

The Jordan's.

Hot Air Balloons.

2011-09-26T12:51:00.002-08:00

Earlier this month we went up to Callaway gardens to see some hot air balloons.

We got to the gardens extra early and walked around. It was SO hot, the girls just had to have some Popsicles.

Emelia always makes such a mess.

Autumn on the other hand, doesn't waste a drop.

Some days I do not even feel needed.

We waited for awhile, then took a walk around the lake.

Or a run.

After awhile, Autumn's cousins came and the kids played in the sand. Once it finally started getting dark,

The hot air balloons started showing up.

We watched, and watched, and watched.

Finally, one of the balloons made it up!

We walked around to the other side of the lake and managed this shot.

My favorite shot of the evening!

Once it got dark, we got to see a show!

All in all, it was a fun day! I cannot wait to do it again next year (although next year we won't get there so early!!). Autumn's been asking to go on a hot air balloon ride every since we went to this. I am hoping we can do that in the next year or so. Wouldn't that be fun!

The Jordan's.

Whatever happened to Roww?

2011-09-16T10:50:00.002-08:00

Roww was accidentally left behind in Canada. I called the hotel we stayed at in the Yukon and fortunately, Roww was still there! I gave the desk clerk our forwarding address and thanked her profusely for holding on to Roww for us. Once we got to Grandma and Grandpa Jordan's house, I guess I was expecting Roww to be waiting on us. Little did I know there was a mail strike in Canada. After several weeks passed and still no Roww, I decided to call back.

I left a message with the hotel and several hours later we got a phone call. The desk clerk who took our address down the first time, misplaced it. They had been waiting for us to call back. Grandpa Jordan gave them our address and a few short weeks later we got a package in the mail.

Sean and I knew what was in the package, but Autumn had no idea.

Is it a coffee pot mom? No Autumn, you have to open it.

Is it a bag mom? No Autumn, you have to open it.

Can you see the excitement on her face?

Autumn exclaims "Roww was in the mail mom!"

Just so you know how important Roww is to Autumn, I've decided to include some pictures of Autumn, growing up with Roww (this post is going to make me cry). You will soon see that Roww has been around for every major event in Autumn's life.

Autumn, just before her second birthday, having dinner with Roww and other friends.

Roww was a great source of comfort when Daddy was deployed.

A great sleeping mate.

Hiking buddy.

Welcoming Daddy home from Afghanistan.

Visiting Eagle River Nature Center in Alaska.

Welcoming baby sister, Emelia, into the world.

Learning how to ride a bike.

A friend to share secrets with.

Ring around the rosie partner.

Visiting the reindeer.

Riding the reindeer.

Dressing up in a fairy princess outfit and napping with sister.

Watching the fireworks in town square- Anchorage, Alaska.

The thought of being without Roww is un"bear"able!

She cannot even watch!

A playmate.

Most importantly, a friend.

The last picture we got of Autumn and Roww before Roww was sadly left behind.

I just have to say a big thank you goes out to the Yukon Motel in Canada for reuniting Autumn and Roww! Without you, we couldn't have this:

The Jordan's.

Autumn's school.

2011-09-15T07:04:00.002-08:00

Autumn started school last month at a local church that her grandma and grandpa attend. She goes Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for three hours. So far, I'm really loving school and so is Autumn. Don't get me wrong, she is grouchy about getting up in the morning and getting ready, but once we make it to the car, she is all smiles and happy about going to school. I wonder where that morning time grouchiness comes from?? NOT I!!!!!

They had school pictures done last week and really, I wasn't expecting much, but I LOVE the pictures. I cannot decide between them. Guess I'll be shelling out the money for all of them.

Yesterday the girls and I were outside having some fun in the driveway.

Autumn riding her bike (and yes she demanded to wear jeans).

Millie Willie.

It's all fun and games until your sister decides to pull a

Mommy dearest (isn't that the movie where the old woman gets pushed down the stairs?). Sean, you know what Autumn is trying to do right?

Emelia just smiles though. She is loving it!

Loot at Autumn's face!

I hate to break it to you dear, but she drives like me.

Again, does she not look a little evil?

So I asked Autumn to take my picture and got a little side tracked. She took this one without me knowing it. I found it when I was uploading the pictures.

Thank you Autumn!

This is the picture I knew she took, but well, I was washed out by the sun.

All of a sudden, Autumn breaks out into a dance.

Putting her hands on her hips.

Then it quickly turns to this. "Shaking my booty."

Emelia knew she was being bad and tried to stop her by "spanking" her.

Completely exasperated,

Emelia gives up!

So, what you need to know. We are your girls. We are bad. We are missing you! Cannot wait to see your face again.

Your Favorite wife and airman. xoxo

The Jordan's.

Our great new Georgia Life.

2011-09-14T06:59:00.002-08:00

Once we got to Grandma and Grandpa's house, we started getting settled to the idea of what it meant to be at "Georgia's house." The extremely warm temperatures meant

Swimming without turning blue.

Just a lot of smiles.

Grandma and Grandpa Jordan set up this little pool for the girls and boy did they have a blast.

I hope this is the beginning of a lot of days by the pool.

Another fabulous thing about Georgia,

Fishing. Of course it helps to have a full blown professional fisher from Georgia as your dad.

Mille and I hung back to watch the professionals work.

So I really love this picture, but I'm not sure what was going on with her shorts.

Autumn taking a little break from the sun, but pointing out that the fish are down there.

Let's see it Autumn!

It didn't take Autumn very long to make her first catch.

Maybe it is time to head back. After about 10-15 minutes in the heat, everyone is turning red and splotchy. Boy, this 100+ degrees thing is going to take some time to get use to!

Overall, I'm loving my Georgia life!

Now a note to my husband. Sean, I miss you so much. The girls are missing you terribly too. Autumn is asking about you and Emelia is searching the house for you. She stands at the front door every day pointing out and saying Daddy. Just a few more days. I love you.

Your Favorite wife and airman. xoxo

7 days of no fishing!

11, 12 and 13.

2011-09-13T14:26:00.003-08:00

Days 11 and 12 were so boring that I don't even have any pictures! We woke up on Day 11 in Colorado and drove to Salina, Kansas. 452 miles. We stayed at a La Quinta, picked up some steakhouse take out and called it a night.

Day 12 we drove to St Peters, Missouri. We drove just under 400 miles. I knew as soon as we got in to Missouri that I wanted some Steak n' Shake. We stopped at one for lunch. I got a Frisco burger (or something like that). It was delicious. I gobbled it down!

That evening I got to meet up with a friend, Cathy and her daughters Gianna and Sophie. Cathy and I actually met 3 or 4 years ago (before Sophie/Autumn/Emelia and Gianna were even born!) online. We've been mostly chatting on line, but occasionally had talked on the phone. I was very excited to finally see her face to face. Boy, was she way taller than I was expecting!!

So we met up at a McDonald's. Autumn and Sophie were too busy doing their own things to really notice each other, but Cathy and I got to talk and catch up. It was like being with an old friend. Sean left to get us some dinner to take back to the hotel. We gave our farewell's to Cathy and her crew and headed to our room to eat dinner.

I purposefully picked St Peters, MO as our stop because it was around the corner from where Sean's sister, Julie, lived. Little did I know that O'Fallon, the town Julie lives in, was in Missouri and Illinois. Guess what? Julie lives in O'Fallon, Illinois, not MISSOURI!!!!!! OH well! Julie and her husband made their way over to our hotel with their son, Winston.

Me, Julie and Emelia.

Sean and Winston.

Sean, Winston and Autumn.

Julie, Winston, Sean and Autumn.

It was really good to catch up with Julie. The last time I saw her was when we were in Texas (so at least 4 years ago!). Hard to believe that since we last saw each other we've managed 3 kids (and Julie is pregnant again). We spent about an hour or so together and then we had to get the girls to bed. I started feeling really rough. About midnight, I made my first run to the bathroom and just started puking my guts out. I was shaking and sweating and felt just really horrible. I knew the next day we were supposed to meet some friends and Julie at the zoo and I just didn't even think I was going to be able to do anything. After getting up and down several times, I decided to just lay on the cold tile of the bathroom floor. I'm almost certain that there was something wrong with that darn Frisco burger from steak n' shake. I haven't been back to one since. I was the ONLY one who got sick which really leads me to believe it wasn't a virus, but bad food. I think I fell asleep around 4 am.

I woke up the next morning feeling really rough and unable to eat. I sent Sean and the girls down to the lobby to get their breakfast (I knew I wouldn't be able to stomach breakfast smells) and I took a shower and got ready to go. After getting up and moving around, I knew I needed water since I couldn't eat. Sean got me some fluids and we started to make our way over to the zoo. That is when Julie called me and let me know she wouldn't be meeting me at the zoo. She told me she had a really rough night and didn't get enough sleep. I was really disappointed, but totally understood (I did just spend most the night puking my brains out and laying on the bathroom floor!). We still made our way to the zoo.

Parking was HORRIBLE!!! It was a really nice zoo, but it took us awhile to find a good spot. Remember, we are traveling with 3 cats. Well we weren't about to put our cats on leashes and take them around the zoo, so we had to find a shady spot for them. After about an hour, we finally find a place to park and start walking to the zoo. The St Louis Zoo is awesome and free, so if you are ever in the area, hit it up, but keep in mind, IT IS BUSY!!!

I met with another friend, Sarah (whom I also met online while pregnant with Autumn) and she wasn't at all what I had pictured either! Sarah has a great smile, a beautiful laugh and two gorgeous children. Talking to her came quite easy.

Autumn rocking a total Alaska outfit complete with socks, while wearing sandals, and a long sleeve shirt. IT WAS HOT! BUT she insisted on dressing herself. What do you do?

Autumn quickly became friends with Lucas (Sarah's son), so Sean was keeping an eye on him!

But Lucas is sweet as peas!!!! After just a few minutes Autumn asks Lucas' if they can hold hands.

Isn't that just the sweetest thing? I'm pretty sure Sean was jealous because he use to be the official hand holder of Autumn.

Little Miss Molly (Sarah's daughter).

We were waiting for our good friend Bree and her son's Owen and Adler (we met Bree online too!!!!) when I decided I wanted to get a picture of all the kiddos.

Attempt one = FAIL! Thank you Lucas! You are the only one looking!!! I love the look Emelia is giving Molly.

Attempt two = FAIL!! Now no one is looking!

Attempt three = FAIL!!! Do you notice a pattern here?

Lets just go for Autumn and Lucas. I think this is a cute picture.

So we waited, waited and waited for my friend Bree. I really wanted to meet her and give her a giant hug. Not to sidetrack too far from my own story here, but in February of this year (gosh, it feels like it was last year, but I guess it was just this year) her son Owen was diagnosed with cancer. My heart breaks for Bree because like her, I'm a mother too. Just trying to imagine what that would feel like tore me to pieces. Anyway, I've thrown my support behind Bree, Owen, Adler and Jeff and pray constantly for Owen's remission. If you would like to read more about Owen, please visit his site by clicking on his name.

Back to the zoo! My girls are falling apart. I'm feeling a little woozy myself. It was HOT. The girls were hot! Autumn and Emelia were crying. I felt like crying. Bree makes her big debut! I jump up, give her a giant hug, say my hello's to sweet Owen and then bid my farewell.

Our family picture.

Sean and I get in our vehicles and we have to make a decision. Do we drive to Sean's mom/dad's house or do we stay over in Nashville. We drove for a bit and I decided I felt OK enough to drive and around 7 pm we make the call to go ahead and finish this trip. At this point I was still guessing at food poisoning that caused my problems last night, but maybe it was just eating out every day for every meal for the last 13 days. I don't know! A little after midnight, we pulled into Jim and Phyllis' drive way and what we would call our home for the next month. It was such a relief to know we wouldn't have to wake up every morning, pack and drive. Thank you for following my story and joining me on our great North American adventure.

13 days.
5,546.6 miles.
A trip full of memories to last a life time!

The Jordan's.

Day 10. Does it ever end?

2011-09-12T11:07:00.003-08:00

Hard to believe that months after taking this trip, I'm still talking about it. Day ten starts in Vernal, Utah.

After a short drive, we enter:

Colorful Colorado. We made a pit stop at Dinosaur National Monument.

Autumn following the tracks.

There were such pretty views out there.

My new favorite picture of Emelia and me.

Beautiful wild flowers.

Autumn getting a chance to have a little fun.

We decided to take a little walk. We have been stuck in the car for several days.

I come across this tree and think that it is really beautiful.

Emelia having a blast on the trail.

My people.

Where is my bow and arrow?

After driving through Dinosaur National Monument, we get back on the road. I wasn't quite prepared for:

Running in to snow again.

It was just a little bit of snow at first.

The sky looked beautiful.

It turned into a lot of snow. I didn't have snow tires on my car and we were in the mountains. I won't lie when I tell you that I was scared.

We made it through, slowly, but we did it. We stopped for the night in a town called El Rancho, Colorado. We only drove 368 miles today, but we had a blast!

The Jordan's.

Day 9 of our big fat trip and it is Father's day.

2011-09-07T14:59:00.002-08:00

We started off Day 9 with me making a promise to Sean.... I'd try not to yell at him for Father's day. Man, I'm a great wife! We start the day in Boise, Idaho and I guess I was just ready to get out of that place because we were on the road at 6 am.

The best part of today, in my estimation, is seeing this sign:

Welcome to Utah! Utah has got to be one of the prettiest states in the lower 48.

I really enjoyed seeing the low lying clouds.

Accompanied by mountains.

Arizona isn't the only place with red rocks!

If I had all the time in the world, I'd love to explore that cave!

Snow.

Green.

More mountains.

A lake.

We drove 520 miles today and ended in Vernal, UT. Just outside this stop is Dinosaur National Monument. We stayed the night in a Mariott that was really, quite strange. I'll link it, check it out if you want! Utah has a lot of weird stuff that I don't particularly care for, but something they did right was:

McDonald's! That was the biggest McDonald's I have EVER been in and this was a tiny, tiny town! Autumn had a blast! I think we sat in there for two hours and just let the girls go wild. Then we went back to our blue room, had some sort of a dinner (Mexican?) and slept, slept, slept. I used all the luxury bath items and felt like a new woman. Personally, I had a great Father's day!! :-) I love you Sean!

The Jordan's.

Day 8 Good bye Washington, Hello Boise!

2011-08-31T12:10:00.002-08:00

Day 8 is upon us and it is time to get rolling again. I'm sad. I'd rather stay here than drive anymore, but we must get going.

I guess the weather matched my mood.

At least it is pretty here. Can we come back and go white water rafting?

Autumn getting out to stretch her legs. I don't really care that she is barefoot and in her PJ's.

Some of the towns we drove through were really interesting.

They had pretty flowers and murals.

The water seemed really high to me.

We still have mountains.

Again, still cloudy.

We started the day off at 730 am and stopped in Boise, Idaho at 7 pm. We saw 1 deer, at ton of apple trees. We stayed at the Motel 6 (not my favorite place) and I remember there was some sort of struggle over what to eat for dinner, but now I barely remember what we ate. It was BBQ of some sort.

Can you believe this trip is still going? Me either.

The Jordan's.

We are still in Seattle for Day 7!

2011-08-26T02:48:00.002-08:00

Since we left Anchorage, Sean noticed there was a small oil leak coming from the Jeep. We decided that since we were in the United States now, we should get it checked out. Now, I cannot really remember what was wrong with the Jeep and why it was leaking, but what I DO remember is that the part wouldn't be in until later today, so we decided that instead of going down to Portland, Oregon as planned, we hang around in Washington for one more day.

We learned about a park there called Forest Park. If you live in this area and have kids, you HAVE to go and visit this park! They had a big open field for picnics, kite flying or bubbles! There is a playground, sprinklers, a petting zoo and it was all FREE.

I didn't realize there would be sprinklers, so I didn't pack the girls bathing suits for that day. SHAME on me!

She is trying to catch a singular drop of water.

And having so much fun in the process.

It's bubble time.

I love the looks Emelia gives me! The thing I really love about this photo is Emelia's outfit. I had to get her out of the sopping wet pants she was wearing, but now her outfit looks pretty ridiculous!

I want to catch one!

Time to see the animals!

Sometimes when you take a picture, you don't realize the way things will look until after the fact. I suppose I shouldn't post this picture because of what it looks like Emelia is doing to that goat.

Chickens!

After visiting with the animals, we decide we have had enough park time and now we want to see the ocean. This is one of the things I really enjoy about Washington. You can start off on a trail that looks like this:

While I was taking this picture, I look down and find Emelia:

Trying to fall into the little creek.

As I was saying, you can make quick work of this trail and end up:

At the ocean. This reminds me so much of Alaska!

My family. At my favorite place, the beach.

Miles driven today... ZERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The

SEATTLE!! Day 6

2011-08-24T12:17:00.005-08:00

Sean and I had decided a long way back that when we made our trek to Georgia, we wanted (take that back, HAD to) stop in Seattle. It is a place we are considering living when retirement rolls around and I hadn't ever been there.

Can you guess where we are?

How about another clue.

The Pacific Science Center. We had to make sure we got some science learning during our trip.

Sean being all manly.

Autumn learning about the brain.

Time for robots.

She did pretty good with that.

Please take note, Autumn is holding "Dino." Guess he took Roww's place for a bit.

What kid doesn't love to play in the water?

I am so grateful that Sean will touch just about anything!

Emelia's turn!

Mom, there is so much to do. Let me ponder about what is next....

We decided that next is the butterfly house. Most of you know that Emelia has quite a fear of plants, so when we walked in and she saw all the shrubbery, she did this:

I'm getting the fun out of here......

Seriously, she kept trying to escape. She wasn't digging on the house of horrible horticulture....

Sean on the other hand, was a total butterfly magnet. Look closely, that is a butterfly on his head!

Emelia started coming around once she noticed the butterflies.

Seriously, I think she was trying to kill them, or eat them.

I like this shot.

Emelia getting up close and personal with a butterfly.

After the science center, we headed down to Pike Place Market.

While I really appreciate the idea of Pike Place Market, it was SO crowded (with tourists I assume since they were wearing winter jackets when it is 65+ outside! Yes Seattle, we relate, tourists show up all the time in the middle of summer with winter jackets). I digress. We take a brisk walk through the market and realize it is just too crowded with the girls. We pick up some food and head out. We must have had some really good karma today because the spot we pick to stop has a bunch of homeless people. Bad news is, I didn't realize at first they were vagrants. Sean whispers to me that we need to leave and go somewhere else now. Once we get away, he tells me that one of the homeless people was shooting up drugs. RIGHT in front of us!!!

Anyway, we've had about enough of that! Sean and I decide it is time to do something really fun....

We head over to a little place called Chateau St Michelle. On the grounds of the winery, they have ducks.

Aggressive ducks.

Autumn doesn't seem to mind. She knows she is bigger than they are and her dad is right there.

That is more like it duck!

Looks all nice and innocent doesn't it, but that darn duck went after Emelia's fingers. Guess he or she thought there was food in her hand. I've never come so close to kicking a duck before!

I did a tour of the winery and learned some stuff and things about making wine and where it comes from. Sean and I tasted some of the wines, then we bought some.

I cannot explain it, but I really love this picture!

Autumn had a blast at the winery, which shocked me!

Can't you just tell she is up to NO good.

So we head back "home" to our hotel. We met with some company.

Autumn was the perfect hostess and offered Tiffany and her daughter Aubrey our goodies that we picked up from the Market.

Aubrey was all over some cupcakes!!

The girls were having a blast playing in the curtains. I was having a hard time just trying to get a picture of the both of them!

They gave up on the curtains and decided jumping on the bed would be much more fun!

Thank you Tiffany for stopping over to see us and not judging us by drinking your wine out of a cheap hotel glass!

It was nice to do NO driving today. I thoroughly enjoyed Tiffany and Aubrey's company and hope to see them again when we move out to the Pacific North West!

The Jordan's.

Day 5 of our Adventure.

2011-08-24T06:49:00.002-08:00

I know I haven't been very dilligent about updating my blog, BUT since my last post, we moved into our house, unpacked and have been steadily making our house, our home. I'd like to get back to our trip from Alaska to Georgia by starting just where I left off. Day 5 of our adventure began in Prince George.

We got on the road at 6 AM.

We drove through some really neat looking canyons. You cannot see it in this picture, but on the right hand side of the road, are steep canyons with a river running at the bottm.

Silly picture time!

Autumn's turn! I love how she is sticking her tongue out!

Look evil much?

Proof that she had some fun!

My sweet Millie girl.

We kept going through these tunnels, which Autumn insisted were bridges. Each new one we passed, Autumn would say that is the biggest bridge I ever saw.

I really enjoyed this part of our trip through Canada the most! I didn't do a good job of showing it, but it really was quite scenic.

In the dark.

I had to take a picture, that is my middle name after all.

Needless to say, I was so very excited to see that sign!!!!!!!!!!!!

Waiting in the long line at the border. Sean went in first. He got through with hardly any problem. I pulled up and one of the first things the guy asks me is do I have the girls birth certificates. I did not. Sean had them. I radioed ahead to Sean and told him I needed the girls birth certificates. Sean finds a place to pull over and now I'm getting the lecture from this guy about how kids 16 and under need a birth certificate to get through the border. Oh great, do you want to take them and finish out this drive for me? Sean tells me it is going to be a minute, the documnets are somewhere in the back of the trailer. The border guard finally says to me, I'll let you through this time, but BLAH BLAH BLAH! I don't even feel like finishing this conversation.

The most important thing, is this sign! Yes and thank you! We stopped for the evening in Everett, Washington, where we would take a three day break. I'll be back tomorrow to post all about that!

The Jordan's.

Bears, bears, bears.

2011-07-19T10:28:00.003-08:00

Day four- June 14th, 2011.

We are in Bell II and still recovering from what was the worst day of our trip. Roww was left behind in the Yukon and last night Autumn locked us out of our hotel room. This has got to be a better day right?

RIGHT!!!

We got on the road at 0750 am and within an hour, we come across....

A dark spot in the road. OK, really, it was a black bear. Funny thing about this bear spotting is that we missed our turn. Had we turned when we were supposed to, we wouldn't have ever seen this guy.

Funny thing about bears, they like to use the roads too. You'll see evidence of bears all over the highways in Alaska and Canada.

I turned around (we were going the wrong direction anyway) and got as close as I thought I could to this guy and was shooting pictures of him when I hear Autumn in the back seat say, "Come here buddy. I want to pet you." I look back at her and she is hanging out of her window. I had a heart attack!

Then there was a brown bear.

Autumn said this guy looked like a grouch.

I thought this building looked neat.

So, on day four, we drove 466 miles (10 hours). We stopped in Prince George. We saw 1 black bear, 1 brown bear, 1 little black bear, another brown bear and then one other bear that we didn't get a good enough look at to tell what it was. A great day for bears, bears, bears.

The Jordan's.

When the adventure really began.

2011-07-18T04:15:00.003-08:00

Day Three- June 13th, 2011.

On the morning of day three, Sean and I woke up very early. I just couldn't sleep any more. Sean and Autumn shared one bed while Emelia and I shared the other. It is important to note that, you will learn why in a bit.

One thing that Sean had to do every morning was corral the cats. Penelope, check. Pepper, check. Prince, uh oh! We could not find Prince! We started tearing through the room trying to figure out where the cat was at. Once we had looked everywhere, we even started looking outside. Trying to figure out if maybe I had slept walk and let him out of the room. I knew a few hours earlier I had seen Prince, so I had a feeling he had to be in the room somewhere, unless there was some secret whole in the wall that he managed to escape from.

I started pulling EVERYTHING off the bed Emelia and I slept in. Blanket, sheets, mattress, box spring. We lifted up the frame of the bed. No Prince. I was getting ready to do the same thing to the next bed when out of the corner of my eye, I noticed in the bathroom, a giant gap below the sink. I knew instantly that Prince had crawled into the plumbing area beneath the sink. Sean had to tear some things apart, but sure enough, we found Prince.

We were so relieved the cat hadn't gone missing that another cat was overlooked.

We packed up our vehicles and got on the road at 740 AM. About two hours later, Autumn started asking for Roww. Sean asked me if I had it, I said no. I hadn't seen Roww all morning. Now we have come to the awful realization that Roww was left behind at the motel or even worse had fallen out on the side of the road. Autumn was so distraught. She cried herself to sleep. Sean explained to Autumn we'd find Roww and that Roww was just going to take a different route than us. I felt sick to my stomach all day. I was so worried.

We drove.

An oddity in Canada, random stop lights on the side of the road. Who needs a flagger, just put up your own stop light. The good thing about those lights, the wait is usually only 3 to 5 minutes.

We drove.

Sean and I noticed the smell of a forest fire long before we got to it. We stopped at a junction city (I think Junction 37, but not sure on that) and asked if the forest fire was causing delays on the route. They acted as if that was a strange question, but I didn't have any radio signal. If the fire was near the road, how would we know? They told us that as far as they knew, the forest fire was not causing any problems. We drove. That big cloud in the center is a cloud of smoke.

I always have mixed feelings when I see burnt forest. On the one hand, it destroys. It ruins homes for the critters and creatures. On the other hand, it makes room for new growth and is a necessary part of the forest evolution.

More smoke.

What wildlife did we see this day you ask?

A red fox. We know because it cussed a lot.

Excuse me mam, can you pass the Grey Poupon?

Not pictured was the moose that ran along the side of the Jeep. Autumn thought that was pretty cool.

We did see ice/snow still.

I thought this area was very serene.

We ended up staying in a town called Bell II. We stopped at 615 pm (so 10.5 hours of driving that day). We did 445.6 miles. Our hotel:

The Bell II Lodge was very nice. I want you to take a good look at the front of this place. Sean, Emelia and I stood outside with about a billion mosquitoes thanks to Autumn bottom. Autumn and I were in the room; I had the hotel key in my pocket. I look out the window and see Sean trying to carry Emelia and some suitcases. I tell Autumn we should go help her dad. She says OK. I get about halfway down the stairs when Autumn turns around. I don't think much of it, I have the key in my pocket. Autumn runs up the stairs, goes into the room, slams the door shut and throws the dead bolt. CRAP! The dead bolt.

We use the key in the door, it doesn't open nor does it work in the dead bolt. The mosquitoes are now surrounding us. A few minutes go by. I feel my blood pressure going up. Sean starts telling Autumn, "You open this door right now. You are going to get a spanking." I'm thinking to myself, I would never open the door if my dad was standing outside threatening to spank me. This isn't going to work. I go over to the hotel office with Emelia and tell them our three year old has locked us out. She proceeds to hand me the room key. I show her that I have my key. It doesn't work in the dead bolt. They are dumbfounded. She tells me this has never happened before and she doesn't have a key to the dead bolt. She calls the manager. Someone is on the way to help us.

I'd say another 15 minutes goes by. We start to head back towards the room when the office lady tells me, Sean and Autumn are walking towards us. I told her that Autumn better be crying. She gets this huge smile on her face and says, "Oh yes mam. She sure is crying." I secretly giggle. Autumn looks really sad. I ask Sean how he got her to open the door. Apparently, he told her we were all leaving and going to Georgia without her. That was enough to convince the girl to open the door! That is also the reason she was crying.

Back to the lodge.

Grassy roof. During peak season, you can get a massage in that building. The lodge also provides helicopter rides to snowy peaks so that you can ski.

I think the girls were just happy to have a place to stay. I managed to call the YK Motel and speak with the lady at the desk. I tell her about Roww. She starts describing Roww and tells me the house keeper found her in the bed. DOH! I give her Jim and Phyllis' address and proceed to thank her profusely for not throwing it out and mailing it to us. Finally, a wave of relief. Roww was not lost, just a long way from home.

I was happy for two gigantic beds. Can we just stay here from now on?

The Jordan's.

Holy Frost Heave.

2011-07-17T04:40:00.003-08:00

Day two- June 12th, 2011.

Day two begins in Beaver Creek of the Yukon Territory. We got up and ate breakfast in our room (something we'd do throughout the entire trip) and subsequently got on the road about 8 am.

Have you ever heard of a frost heave? If you've driven the Alaska Highway, you know first hand what a frost heave is, but for those who aren't aware, let me show you.

This picture may not do it justice, but a frost heave develops in areas where extreme temperatures (cold) cause the expansion of ice crystals. Once these ice crystals melt, the soil drops creating craters in the road. We drove hundreds of miles of this stuff. Some areas were so bad, you could see the giant RV's bouncing all over the roads trying to avoid them. Often, you'd have to slow down to 10/15 miles per hour. If you were to drive fast over those things, I'm certain you'd end up with tire or axle damage.

Autumn HATED this section of our trip. She kept telling me I couldn't drive and that she didn't like all the bumps I was making. Coloring was nearly impossible and the DVD player kept falling off the console.

As far as wildlife viewing, to this point, the only animal we had spotted was a rabbit. Boy, was this going to be a long day!

I was actually grateful for some dirt road after all those frost heaves.

We found a little picnic area to stop for a break. We tried to let the girls out and about as often as possible.

Autumn enjoyed running around for a bit. It was a little bit cool this day. Temps that morning were in the low 40's.

SO we were just driving along when all of a sudden, out of nowhere....

Bears!!!!!!!!!! It was so exciting. We stayed in our car and honestly, I was a little scared to even roll my window down to take her picture. Autumn was bouncing all over the car. The bears didn't seem at all bothered by us being there taking their picture.

I just look at that mama bear and think holy cow, she looks like she would kill you in a heart beat.

I just found this amusing.

We stopped at a park and a very lovely park ranger (I cannot remember her name to save my life, but she was very kind and had twin girls born in Feb 08, same as Autumn) came outside to talk with Autumn. Autumn LOVED it.

The view from the park.

Stretching our legs again!

One must always remember to stop and smell the flowers!

There really were some very lovely views.

One thing I really liked about Canadia was the kilometers per hour. I'm fortunate that in my car, at the touch of a button, my speedometer converts from miles per hour to kilometers. It made me feel as if I was driving super fast!!!

We stopped for the night about 6 pm, so 10 hours of driving this day. The town was Teslin the hotel was called the YK Motel. We ate dinner there at the hotel and called it a night. Sean and I actually visited this town 4 years prior, but the hotel was booked up. I believe they have 11 rooms and on this particular day we were lucky enough to get the last room. We drove 390 miles, saw a bunny rabbit, swan, a grizzly and her two cubs. What an exciting day!!!!

More adventure coming your way soon!

The Jordan's.

Operation Relocation.

2011-07-16T11:50:00.004-08:00

I bet you have been wondering if I was ever going to update my blog! Well, here I am!

It has been such a saga moving from Alaska to Georgia. Maybe writing about it slowly will help me get through it. It is no small feat moving across the country with two little girls and three cats, but we did it and we survived to tell about it.

I'm going to blog about each day, rather than the trip as a whole.

Day One- June 11th, 2011.

Just to be sure you know this, Sean drove the Jeep with the three cats and a u-haul trailer behind him. I was in my Pontiac G6 with the girls. All the suitcases were in the trunk of my car and in my passenger seat was all the things I would need to hand the girls (Juice, water, benadryl, snacks, movies, benadryl, coloring books, crayons, benadryl, books, paper, camera, benadryl, etc.). There really wasn't an ounce of room in my car for anything else! Autumn mainly rode with me, but occasionally went in the Jeep. Sean and I had walkie talkie communication with one another. I set Autumn's DVD player on the console between the front two seats so that both girls could see the movies. Sean had some nifty gadget that played the DVD through my radio which meant I got to listen to Sponge Bob Square Pants until I wanted to chuck myself over any number of bridges! OK, so moving on!

We left Anchorage at 8 am. We stopped in Eagle River to fill up my car with gas. Emelia fell asleep almost immediately. I was worried when that happened because she doesn't normally nap so early in the morning. All I kept thinking every time I looked back there at her was that she wasn't going to sleep a wink at night if she spent the whole day sleeping in the car!

On to the pictures!

Autumn took some pictures too!

There were dirt roads.

Construction. Lots of construction. Lots of just sitting there twiddling our thumbs waiting for a slow sign to get to the next stop, waiting for construction!

More dirt road....

There was also plenty to look at.

We made it to the welcome to Alaska sign. We decided to stop and take a few photos.

Autumn and Roww.

My silly Emelia.

The Jordan's say goodbye to Alaska.

Hello Yukon!

We ended up driving 425 miles this day. Emelia slept most of the day in the car. Autumn mainly spent the day looking for animals. What, pray tell, animals did we see this day? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!!!!!!!!! GAH!

We stopped over in Beaver Creek at 8 pm Canadia time (so 11 hours). There was a lot of stopping in this short 425 mile day. It took a few times to get things adjusted right so that everyone was comfortable. The weather, wasn't bad. The high was in the 50's. Mostly sunny.

Our hotel was the Westmark Inn. We had dinner there, we all slept pretty good. I guess Emelia was just tired, because she slept all night. If I remember correctly, Sean got his own bed and the girls and I slept in the other.

That was then, how about some now!

While we were out and about today, I drove over a:

Turtle (keep your pants on.... the turtle ducked!), thus began Operation Relocation for said turtle.

Now the turtle lives down the road from Sean's mom and dad! We can check on that silly turtle anytime we'd like!

Stay tuned for more photos and find out if we ever saw any bears!!!!!!!

I feel like I just wrote a commercial for my blog!

The Jordan's.

Emelia's birthday party.

2011-05-28T17:07:00.004-08:00

Despite some hiccups early on in the day, the party was a success. Enjoy our photos!

In her birthday dress. After about ten minutes, she dug through her backpack and brought me a change of clothes. It wasn't very subtle.

The outfit change.

Riley roo.

Skinny Angie and vegan baby (aka Reagan).

Reagan and Emelia.

Autumn's been getting ready for Georgia.

Getting ready for the birthday song. Someone accidentally said Happy Birthday dear Autumn. It cracked me up!

Blowing out the candle.

Enjoying her cake.

Time to open the presents.

Most the other kids handled that (really Autumn opened most of them!).

Emelia seemed to really like her sleeping bag the most.

I really loved this hat Angie made for Emelia!

Thank you to Amy, Shawn, Devin, Zoe, Angie, Riley, Reagan, Tyler, Tara, Amanda, Derrick, Tyra and Ezra for coming out and celebrating Emelia turning one. Not sure when I'll post again, but you never know, might happen right before we get on the road.

The Jordan's.

What is going on with us.

2011-05-26T18:27:00.002-08:00

Here is the low down. Tomorrow is Emelia's birthday party, after that, we'll be busy packing, packing, packing. The movers arrive on Tuesday to pack our things. Packing will take place Tue/Wed, then Thurs/Fri they will be loading it onto the truck. Fri/Sat we will be feverishly preparing our house for our final out inspection that takes place on Monday (Jun 6th). Needless to say, I'm really starting to realize the pressures of moving. I think the thing that I'm the most worried about is the girls do not have a lot of summer clothing (especially Emelia). I'm hoping we have enough to get by on our trip and then we will purchase some more items once we get to Georgia or if need be, along the way.

In an effort to maintain some sort of security about our travel and whereabouts I'll just say we'll be leaving in approximately two weeks. We definitely plan to stop in Seattle, Portland and St Louis.

As of Monday, we will most likely not have any Internet, although once we move out of our house and into the hotel, we should have some Internet service. Our cell phones will be working and everyone who needs our cell phone number, should have it already! Sean is going to make sure we have service through Canada, but there is no telling if we will get any signal through some of the more rural parts of Canada.

I will post when I can and you should definitely expect to see at least one final post before we leave here with pictures from the birthday party! I'm so excited, yet anxious to begin this new transition.

In the meantime, we've been soaking up some beautiful Alaska weather (think upper 60's and today we even hit 70 degrees!).

The first swim this year!

My poor girls are so white. They spent several hours outside yesterday and got a little sunburn from that. We are definitely going to have to start beefing up our sunblock!

Autumn Bottom.

Meewah!

Doesn't she look like she is saying, "what's up?"

Who cares if she is riding it backwards, she is having fun!

You see that bruise on her noggin? I was helping a friend clean up her house (on Emelia's birthday!!) and moved the garbage can without realizing Emelia was hanging on to it for balance. She fell right over and smacked her head on the corner of a door frame. Poor girl!

Autumn and her bestie Riley. This is probably the one thing that worries me most. Autumn already went through losing her friend Dylan when he moved to New Mexico. It was really tough on her. I'm not sure how she is going to handle moving away from Riley. The one very fortunate thing for us is that she will be gaining a Grandma and Grandpa, Aunt and Uncle, Triplet cousins all within an hour of where we are moving! My side of the family will be a short drive away too!

She is such a beautiful girl!

Sometimes, when you are a little crabby, you need a nap!

Trouble makers!

Who you talkin' to?

Best friends, best friends are we.

Autumn simulating an earthquake for Riley.

Until next time!

The Jordan's.

Emelia's First Birthday.

2011-05-23T19:04:00.002-08:00

Today, one year ago, Sean and I welcomed Little Miss Emelia to the world. She has changed our lives in ways I could have never predicted. Happy First Birthday Emelia!

Please enjoy our pictures.

What happens if you put a cake near a girl, but not quite close enough?

She cries!!!

Autumn making sure things are in order.

Finally, I get my cake!

Only to have Autumn blow out the candle. You see the look Emelia is giving Autumn? Hilarious!

Autumn getting a piece.

Emelia's turn.

She enjoyed it!

Moose on the loose

2011-05-14T08:30:00.004-08:00

That is my neighbor Izzy.

Emelia.

Bet we won't see anything like this ever again!

I do what I want.

One of my new favorite pictures of those two.

Because they love their dad.

The Jordan's.

It's beginning to look a lot like...

2011-05-09T19:26:00.006-08:00

We are moving! The movers are going to arrive in less than 22 days. We have our pre-inspection for our house tomorrow. This feels like such a stressful time in my life. There are more things to accomplish than there are hours in the day. Some stuff just cannot be done until our things are moved out of the house and that makes it feel like we are procrastinating when we really are not. Anyway, my whole point in telling you all this is that the updates on the blog are going to start coming slower (as if it could get any slower! Sorry!!).

We had a nice Mother's day weekend. Allow me to share with you.

The morning started with:

French Toast and a BRAND NEW CAMERA! I have to say, Sean knocked it out of the ball park this year.

For dinner we had:

Lamb Kebabs with mint pesto over cous cous served with wine.

For dessert we had:

Dark Chocolate brownies with Sean made caramel sauce and vanilla bean ice cream.

The only thing that could have made it better:

A beautiful Emelia James.

A beautiful Autumn Harvest! I sure am one lucky mom!

Thank you for such a wonderful Mother's Day.

The Jordan's.

Time out.

2011-05-05T10:36:00.002-08:00

Time out is such a beautiful thing. Honestly, sometimes I wish I could go to time out. Today is Thursday which means Riley and Reagan get to spend the morning with us. Autumn and Riley were in quite the mood this morning. Just generally being ugly to one another (with words). After about a half hour of it, I had enough and put them in time out, facing one another and told them they couldn't get up until they decided they wanted to be nice to one another.

After just a few minutes, they were saying they were sorry and that they loved each other. They even finished time out with a hug for one another. We haven't had any other issues.

Just dancing!!!!!!!!!!!

Apparently Emelia's dancing is just as busted as Autumn's!

Oh how these girls make me smile!

I love you and cannot wait to see you tonight.

Your Favorite wife and airman. xoxo

Sometimes,

2011-05-04T16:57:00.002-08:00

I just get so lonely for you. I'm sorry I didn't post yesterday. It has been raining, raining, raining. Just ready for you to come home. I hope this is the last TDY before we move.

I had a talk with someone today that I've been needing to talk to. I think it went well although I still worry that feelings were hurt. I'm sorry if this is vague for those of you that don't know what I'm talking about, but Sean, you know exactly what I'm talking about. I am hoping over these last few weeks that we have here, everybody can have a pleasant time together and no more incidents.

I ran 8 miles today. The girls and I had "sghetti" as Autumn calls it. We are getting ready to head out in a few minutes to see "Elmo's world."

I love you and cannot wait to see your face.

Your Favorite wife and airman. xoxo

3 days without you.

Jim's Creek.

2011-05-02T15:25:00.002-08:00

We've been having gloomy weather. Typical for Alaska, but sometimes you just are so grateful for the really nice days. Our ten day forecast had rain/clouds, but on Sunday, when we woke up, the sun was shining and there was barely a cloud in the sky.

We decided to load up, bring our guns and spend the day at Jim's Creek.

Here is our adventure.

We were trying to determine whether we should cross this part of the water or not.

We did.

There is a glacier back there.

Emelia looks like a midget.

Isn't it amazing how one minute you can be happy and the very next, crying.

Is it evil to laugh?

Seriously, you'll put your hand in a litter box for fun, but a little dirt brings on the tears?

Roww..

Autumn getting some training.

She did great!! I cannot wait to take her again.

It really cracks me up that I had to stand with my feet so far apart, but Sean, he can just stand normal!

Emelia's tongue makes me laugh.

Look at those baby blues!

So we dirtied up the Jeep, shot up some targets, let Autumn drive, said good bye to a friend and had just a wonderful weekend.

I love you and miss you Sean!

Your favorite wife and airman. xoxo

1 day without you.

Happy Easter.

2011-04-24T15:42:00.002-08:00

Autumn woke up to a trail of jelly beans leading to her Easter Basket. Once she found it, her first words were, "It's so cool. It's Christmas time." She loved all the things in her basket (like- the bunny from Grandma and Grandpa Jordan, her "SO CUTE" Easter dress as she called it, her lollipop, her ladybug pen). After checking out everything in her basket, she started looking for eggs. So did Emelia. Here are some pictures of our day.

Emelia couldn't be bothered to stop eating for a picture. She also didn't care if the wrapper was off of her candy or not.

Autumn looking silly.

Emelia looking slobby.

Autumn really likes her new bunny.

And blowing bubbles.

Emelia only cared about the eggs.

Watch out!!!!!! An Autumn monster is going to steal that egg from you!

Finding a new one!

Seeing as how it was Easter and everything, there were at least two things going on in this household.

1. Prayer. Dear Lord in Heaven, thank you for the Easter bunny. That is all. Amen.

The other thing.... DISHES!!!

Making them girls earn their keep. We are having ham, deviled eggs, homemade dinner rolls, sweet potatoes. For Dessert, blackberry cheesecake squares. There were A LOT of dishes. I've already done two loads today and we haven't even made it to dinner yet.

Ta da. Something totally amazing that Emelia has been doing:

I'm not going to lie, I cried a little bit. It just seems so shocking that she would be trying to walk already. I know, I know. I have to get over it. She just turned 11 months old yesterday and next month she will be one. She is doing a great job at growing up.

From our house to yours:

Happy Easter.

The Jordan's.

Sean is home and Easter is upon us.

2011-04-23T13:14:00.002-08:00

The girls and I picked Sean up from the airport yesterday afternoon. Autumn was so happy to have her daddy back at home. Emelia had fallen asleep on the ride over to the airport, when she woke up, Sean was in the Jeep. I think it startled her, but after a few minutes, she warmed right up to him.

I took some pictures of Emelia (on Thursday) and forgot to share them!

Emelia with Sean's Garfield.

Having a conversation with Elmo.

I think he needs an Easter hat.

Emelia clapping.

After we picked Sean up from the airport, I spotted:

A black bear in the woods across the street from our house. She had at least two cubs. It was really hard to resist the temptation to get out and get a photograph, but I knew if we spooked the baby bears the momma might get really angry, SO I stayed in the Jeep and now can only share this sorry picture with you!

This morning we dressed the girls up and took them over to Easter Egg hunt on base. Here is our adventure:

Autumn Harvest.

Emelia James.

Waiting for the go ahead.

Sean trying to get Autumn warm!

Emelia- Can we get this show on the road or what?

There were a lot of eggs.

Somehow though, Autumn ended up with 4 and Emelia got 1.

I LOVE this picture of Sean and Autumn.

I'm ready to go home.

Me too.

So tomorrow morning we will have an Easter Egg hunt in the house, cook up something nice for dinner and spend time together just the four of us. Hope you have a great Easter too!

The Jordan's.

Thursday at our house.

2011-04-21T12:53:00.002-08:00

On Thursday's Angie will be bringing Reagan and Riley to our house to play. If you recall, I was feeling a little anxious about it, but after today I know it is totally doable and even enjoyable. Reagan only cried one time and that was because Emelia accidentally beamed her in the head with the basket to the shopping cart. Poor girl. Reagan let me console her and after just a few seconds, she moved on.

While Emelia and Reagan played together, Autumn and Riley worked on big vs small and the letter A.

Let me show you.

Riley

Riley's A. She was pretty good at it. She just couldn't remember it was the letter A.

Autumn.

Autumn's A. Autumn also did pretty good. We practiced our flash cards too. Both girls did really well on that. Some of the cards Autumn knew and taught Riley, some of the cards Riley knew and taught Autumn. Both girls got stumped on a picture of a goose and guessed duck. I told them it wasn't a duck and Riley said, "If it isn't a duck, WHAT IS IT?" It cracked me up. She was so sassy about it, in a cute way.

Anyway, after a bit, Reagan and Emelia wanted to join in on the action.

Watch out, a tornado is coming through!!

Along the note of learning, Emelia has learned to wave hi and clap this week.

It is so cute to see her clap.

Emelia and Reagan wanted some snacks, so I set some out for them on the floor of the kitchen and Reagan decided the best way to grab a "turkey" off the floor was to....

Suck it up with her mouth. I was laughing hysterically and thinking to myself, I hope Angie isn't upset about this, my floor is clean after all!!

From one little girl who misses you,

To a bigger girl who misses you,

And from me of course, we are so glad you are coming home tomorrow!!!

I guess I worried for nothing about this switch off from Angie to me. The girls did well (although it did get a little hectic right towards the end). Emelia was tired, Autumn got her arm stuck in the stair railing, Riley got a little fussy. Overall, I am calling it a success. Everybody got fed, did some learning, and I got some workout in. I know you'll be happy about this, I did my kettle bell workout!!! I am already feeling it too!

I love you and miss you much.

Your favorite wife and airman. xoxo

4 days of missing you.

I'm having a sad, sad day.

2011-04-20T14:15:00.002-08:00

I'm in a funk today. I feel frustrated about somethings that I don't even feel like I can vent about. I ended up leaving the gym in tears this morning. I am going to have to start doing something different about the gym time. We need to come up with a way for me to transport both the girls and still allow me to run. I cannot wear one of them and run at the same time. It is getting nice enough outside that we need to get this show on the road. I'd like to be able to run to the BK park, let the girls play and then run home. I'm getting tired of the indoor workout. Anyway, I promise to try and get out of this funk. I think the girls and I are going to go to the park after nap time. Hopefully some sunshine will do the trick.

Angie took some pictures of the girls from Tuesday. I wanted to share them with you.

Emelia and Reagan side by side just blows my mind. Hard to believe Reagan is just 4 weeks younger than Emelia, but when you have a tiny mom, you have a petite little girl.

Emelia makes me so mad sometimes. How can she squat so low like that, but refuse to walk!!! She has actually started taking more steps. She looks completely ridiculous while doing it though. I mean, she just looks really awkward.

Reagan checking out Emelia's shoes. I'm not sure why, but Reagan has always been very interested in Emelia's shoes.

Autumn and Riley playing aka making a giant mess.

Bubbles.

Seriously? That face cracks me up!

I need a nap! Angie put Emelia down for a nap and she did just fine.

The best picture of all:

MONSTERS! Probably Zombies trying to eat their brains with a spoon. I'm sure Riley found them in her closet Sean Jordan!

Tomorrow is my day to keep Reagan and Riley while Angie works out. I'm looking forward to it and hoping everybody plays nice. I'll be glad to talk to you tonight, so call when you can.

Your Favorite wife and airman. xoxo

3 days without you. Come home already (PS- Autumn keeps asking why you went away. I told her you had some very important work to do, but that you'd be home soon).

Happy Birthday Sean!

2011-04-19T20:36:00.002-08:00

Our day started off wonderful. The girls woke up in pretty good moods. I dropped them off with Angie, got my workout on. Made it back to Angie's around 1115ish. Emelia did great and even took a nap for Angie! I'm excited that things went so well with her and I'm hoping similar results for me on Thursday with Reagan and Riley.

We had a bunch of people over for dinner. I made salsa, marinated the fish, Tara cooked it and I must confess, I liked it. I didn't feel so full at the end of my meal like when you make steak tacos or ground beef tacos. It was just a lighter meal. Tara made some salmon dip that was really good and I loved Angie's gucamole. I have to say my most favorite thing was my salsa. I put the leftovers in a mason jar in the fridge.

On to your birthday. Autumn has been singing happy birthday to you all day. It is so cute. I guess I should have taken a video of it, but it made my heart so happy when she sang it to you over the phone.

On to some pictures.

We've been having really great weather this week.

That girl is such a trouble maker. She was making Autumn so mad by pulling her hat off.

This is a photo from the other day. I call it "what happens when my dad dresses me." Hopefully I didn't already post this on here, but even if I did.... it is SO bad it deserves to be commented on again! I was embarassed to be seen in public with that girl!

We had to celebrate your birthday even though you weren't here. Emelia really likes whipped cream.

Because she has second child syndrome (A ha moment- Sean is a second child....) I had to wipe it off the floor, the carpet, my pants, the fridge, the cabinets......

Autumn harvest had just finished telling me that "my daddy is so cute." I think she is right.

I LOVE YOU and hope you had an awesome birthday. Forgot to ask you if you won that GPS.

Your favorite wife and airman. xoxo

Two days without you.