A Day to Remember

Today was Danny’s grandpa’s funeral. Although I heard that Grandpa George had a pretty fiery side to him in his younger days, the Grandpa George I knew was always kind. He was a great man who left behind a huge family, most of which came to celebrate his life today. Danny wasn’t able to make it, along with a few others who are deployed as well (such is life in a military family). He was missed.

Above: Grandma with six of her seven kids.

Below: Grandma with most of her grandkids.

Above: Grandma with some of her great-grandkids (the one on her lap is 2 days old!)

Below: Kate with her cousins Bryce and Gus

Above: Everyone

Below: Grandma, kids, and spouses

Above: Kate with Ben and Brea, our good buds

Below: Everytime Kate saw this baby she wanted to hold her.  They're 8 months apart and almost the same size!

Another ninja on the way!

I'm pregnant!  Today I had my first ultrasound, and it affirmed that we are definitely expecting one little ninja sometime the beginning of March.  My mom's prediction of twins was disproved (whew!), and Danny's prediction that we're having a puppy was proven wrong too (sorry, honey). 

Family Time

One perk of spending the summer in Colorado is that there are always old friends and extended family visiting.  No one can resist Colorado in summertime!  Danny's family are coming into town lately to wish Grandpa George goodbye as he is terminally ill.  It's a hard time for the family, but also a time for them to come together and enjoy each other's company.  Danny has a very large and loyal family-so supportive and loving of each other.  It's been a pleasure to get to know them and be associated with them.  I'm glad Kate has some of their blood flowing through her veins. 

Kate with some 2nd cousins once removed (just making that up...).  Danny's cousin Holly's children.  They loved her, and she had a blast with them.

I love how kids become instant friends. 

Say "Cheese!"

Danny's parents and brother.  We're in Grandma and Grandpa's backyard (the house in the background is the neighbor's...)

Danny's Aunt, cousins, and cousin's kids. 

Kate's new trick

Danny and I are able to skype occasionally, but the quality is never great.  I want to make sure he isn't missing everything cute that Kate is doing, so have uploaded a bunch of videos here of some of the moments I knew he'd appreciate.  

Kate at Lake Loveland

Kate hugs are the best

Sugar, Out!

Corn on the Cob is Delicious!

More Work Pictures

A few pictures from this last field op and day at the range. There are actually 3 guys sitting in that "bush". Can you see them? 

Okinawa

Although it's about as comfortable as living in a microwave while wrapped in a wet towel, Okinawa is rather beautiful. Here are some pictures of the local area.

Dad at Work

Here are a few pictures of "work". It's been in the mid- upper 90's, with 90% humidity. I'll gladly take the dry cold mountains over this tropical heat!

Dear Dad

Since I didn't get to talk to you today, I made you a little video.  I miss you!!!! (Side note from Mom: Kate left you a little present right before she climbed up the slide, which is why I think she was trying to take her shirt off before she slid down.)

Some pictures for Papa

Now that Danny's gone, I want him to feel like he's still a big part of what's going on here.  Kate and I are in CO now, getting ready for Bubba's wedding.  Here are some pics of our last few days together, along with a pic of Kate with her cousin Ben enjoying some popsicles.  We miss you, Dad!  

Aloha!

Doing a little catch-up blogging. Danny's parents both have birthdays in May, and this year was the big six-oh for Danny's dad, Larry. His best friend (Uncle Frank) planned a huge luau for the occasion.  Although Larry knew about the party, he didn't know that his daughter Shelly would be coming from Virginia, and that we'd be coming from California.  Surprise!   

Hawaiians sure know how to throw a party!  I think the food preparation began weeks before the event.  The food was plentiful and exotic, and although an intense rainstorm hit us during the feast, everyone stayed and ate until the sun went down. 

Danny's sisters giving Kate some love.

Most of Danny's immediate family made it to the party.

Everyone huddled under the tents trying to stay dry.  Eventually the water started to pool in the depressions and spill over the sides.  A few kids got their baths early that night!

The Many Faces of Kate

I'm sure going to miss this little girl. She has been so fun lately- full of new faces and sounds. Here's a quick clip of her reaction to a Jack-in-the-Box.

Exploring the Last Frontier

We just got back from our 7-day Alaskan Cruise.  We left Kate with my sister and mom so we could have a little couple time before Danny deploys. 

Aside from being sick with Strep Throat most of the trip (Amy was.  Danny got it the day we got home.  Hopefully Kate gets passed over...) and not seeing the sun until the last day, we had a great vacation.  We wanted a change from the desert, and definitely got it.  Brrrrrr!!!!!

p.s.It was so hard to decide which photos to post.  If you want to see all of our photos, they're on my facebook page. 

A view of the ship at night.

Docked at Ketchikan

Creek Street in Ketchikan.

The view from our balcony.  Can you believe that?!

 Sailing through Tracy Arm (the Inside Passage).

Look closely...see the two seals on the ice?!

This video will give you the panorama view from the ship.  Amazing!

Here's the glacier we saw.

At Skagway we rented a car and drove about 60 miles in the Yukon.  Gorgeous!!!!

Docking at Victoria Island, British Columbia.

BC's Provincial Legislature bldg. 

Happy Birthday Kate!

Kate's 1st Birthday was this week so we threw her a birthday party on Saturday that was probably the best birthday party she's ever had!  Great food, and great friends-that's all you need.  Thanks to everyone who came and celebrated with us.

Babies eating birthday cake are the best element of a 1-yr-old birthday part, so here's a video of Kate demolishing her delicious lady bug cake (I think some of it made it into her mouth), which, by the way, was made my Danny. So multi-talented!  My friend Katrina brought her really nice camera so I'll get the photos from her and post some of them later (thanks, Katrina!) 

Reverend Daniel Gibson

One of Danny's best friends, Kevin, asked Danny if he would perform the marriage for him and his fiancee, Sarah.  I'll have to write more later...very tired right now...but here's some pictures that tell most of the story.  I'll just add some quick comments.

The night of the dress rehearsel, Kate and I just walked around and took lots of pictures. 

The wedding was at Lake Oak Meadows, a beautiful place made just for weddings in Temecula's wine country.  So Gorgeous!

Don't they look so happy together? 

What a beautiful day!

Some of the marines that showed up for the party.

Technical Difficulty

Does anyone know how to post videos with this new blogger layout?  Where the "video" button once was, there's a "link" button.  Can I only post a link to a video now?  A few weeks ago when I logged in, blogger asked me if I wanted to upgrade to their new dealy [insert correct computer lingo] and I said yes, and now the old tool bar is gone so I can't post a video.  What do I do?  Anybody???

Our little lady

Kate has become a little comedian lately.  I wish I could read her thoughts when she makes this face.  Is she mocking us, or just trying to make us laugh?  Usually this face is coupled with an overly forced fake laugh.  My baby is growing up too fast!!