Out of Office: Been living life....

So, my last post was a comment about how long it has been since I blogged... And now, over a year later, I feel quite the same way. In the last year I have done a bit of distancing from the World Wide Web, I removed myself from facebook (hoping to get my face out of my computer and out into life).

Johanna is now in Kindergarten (holy cow!), Kippie is 3 1/2 years old, and we have Chief, our lovable albeit insane, 7 month old puppy.

Take a peek at how life has changed.

Has it really been this long?

Has it really been since last year that I have blogged? I need to get back on the wagon.

Happy Turkey Day!

Thanksgiving was wonderful this year! We had the opportunity to go to Cole's in-laws house and enjoy a new experience. We are lucky to be close to Alyson's family anyway, so we knew everyone there already. The food was magnificent! And it was really fun to see all of Alyson's nephews. (Ty, Preston, McKay and Isaac) Johanna spent her evening giving Preston the eyes! I was absolutely astonished that McKay (who is just over 1 year old) was almost as tall as Kippie! I thought my baby was big, but McKay may just top the charts!

Johanna also got her hair done on Thanksgiving, I LOVE HER BRAIDS!

Kippie was his usual jolly self, until about 7:30 when I had to make a quick exit with him in tote.

Once we got home, Kippie was ready to party again! He and Johanna spent an hour running around the kitchen in circles........

Johanna was worried because cheetos had "hairs" on his face :)

Look how cute my baby is!

I am so THANKFUL for wonderful family and friends!

I am thankful for beautiful, healthy children.

I am thankful that my husband and I both have jobs in this dangerous economy.

I am thankful for my warm house,

warm heart,

and excited about what is to come!

Thanks family and friends for being all I could have ever hoped for!

Halloween Preparation

As a Siggard-Mapson, I take my Halloween preparation seriously. Any of you who know my family know that Halloween is the most important holiday that exists.....

The first part of our prep was a lovely new tradition of making sugar cookies and decorating them, Johanna was a natural! By the second time that Gobbie showed her what to do she wanted to do everything on her own, and she was actually quite good at it! Future cake decorator, maybe?

Gobbie's holiday spirit makes everyone want to get involed!

The final creations, which weighed about 5lbs each!

The second part of our preparations was to go see the witches at Gardener Village. We went on the perfect day, it was overcast but still quite warm.

Above is a picture of me making dinner :)

Kippie was loving this witch!

Gardener also has a little petting zoo, it was so much fun to let the kids wander around touching the animals.

Johanna and I loved petting these baby piggies, and then we met their Momma Sally, who happens to be as big as a bus!

The sheep and goats at the petting zoo

really seemed to like Kippie, until one of the goats decided to head butt him into the fence.

Johanna's first pony ride!
Here is an updated picture of Cheetos, he is now a whopping 103 lbs, and is only 10 months old! What have we gotten ourselves into?

The Joy of Family Time

These photos sum up the last few weeks in my children's lives. I cannot say more about my family's dedication to making me successful at work than to point out what they have been doing to show me support.

As a working mom I was worried that my kids would not be able to partake in the summer leisure activites that childhood is supposed to be full of. I love Cole and Alyson because they have totally stepped in for me where fun is concerned (read: trips to the park, hot tubbing, hiking).

I never remember to bring my camera, thank heaven Alyson was a professional photographer in another life.

Thank heaven for Gobbies, who drop everything to make sure that the kids are cared for during my shifts.

Thank heaven for sisters who will watch Beauty and the Beast with 3 year olds in my absence, and actually enjoy it!
Thank heaven for kids who role with the punches, and don't give me too much grief.

And most of all, thank heaven for a husband who takes pride in having a smart successful wife, and who has suffered through all the adjustments like a soldier. I love having a partner in this life!

Thank heaven for my family who has supported me through the last 10 weeks of training, and although my training culminates in a week paid vacation to Florida, I know that I would not be going without my supportive family.

Thank You: Mom, Cole, Ali, Alyson, Joe, Kippie, & Johanna for being all the support that I will ever need