Thursday, June 30, 2011

Moving Time!


We have had a busy last couple of weeks!!!
Here is a recap of our moving process:
June 26th: Picked Ann up from OKC
June 27th: Ben and I drove down to Dallas to drop his car off at the shipping station, so we will have it when we arrive in Germany.
June 28th: Packers and Movers # 1 came to take all of our unaccompanied 'stuff', the things we want available to us when we arrive in Germany.
June 29th: Packers and Movers # 2 came to take the rest of our household goods to Germany.
June 30th: Packers and Movers # 3 came to take all of our stuff that will be left in permanent storage in Altus, while we are in Germany.
I think this pic was from the Packers and Mover # 2 day... It was so confusing sorting out all our belongings for each of the movers... I'm sure Ben explained what should go in which move to me at least 10 times... but I'm still not sure I get it even now!!!
I love these photos... A lot has happened in the 3 1/2 years that we were in Altus!!! When we arrived, it was just the two of us (I was 3 months pregnant with Belles)... As we head out of town, we are leaving a very blessed and bigger family. Bella 3, Ethan 16 months and 28 weeks pregnant with baby Shaub #3, a baby girl .
July 1st: Ann and I were supposed to leave in the morning to drive our other cars back to Billings... but between painting Bella's room, organizing all of our stuff that got left behind, packing the cars, cleaning up our house for the housing inspection and doing little odds and ends here and there... we didn't actually leave until 5:45! At least we got on the road!
July 3rd: Ben flew to Savannah, GA for C-20 training for the month and we arrived in Billings, MT for the next 3 weeks.

The first night we drove about 5 hours to a little town in the pan handle of Oklahoma and stayed at the Longhorn Motel... Which to say the least was Sketchy! There were only two options... and after staying there, we probably didn't choose very well. It was only $58 for the night... I guess what they say is true... you get what you pay for! LOL

The second day we made great headway, and drove to Casper, WY. I was pleasantly surprised when I looked on the GPS and saw that Billings was only 4 hours from Casper.

Ann and I could not believe how great the kids were. Ann drove with Bella in the MDX and I drove with Peety and Ethan in my little car. I think Ethan and Peety entertained each other the whole way. It was really sweet... Ethan sure is going to miss Peety when we move to Germany! He loves that cat!  We drove a total of 1870 km over the three days. I am so thankful that Ann was able to help me drive with the kids. I have a feeling that having one in each car, was the trick to them being so well behaved. Thanks so much Ann for helping us move!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

A Not so Fini Flight

Ben was supposed to have his fini flight today (more on that later)... But because of the BIGGEST hail storm I have ever been in, happening on Thursday night, that didn't happen!


It started off fairly light, but with the biggest balls of hail... then for about 25 minutes it just kept coming... and coming... (and as you will hear, Ben was in fine form being silly, joking about wanting to go outside)

And Coming!

After it was done... Our cars were sporting a new dimply look all over the surfaces. Here are two pics I took on my phone. The pics don't show the damage as bad as it is. There is a USAA appraiser coming out on Tuesday to assess the damage, so we will see what the outcome is!

The temp dropped from 105 degrees to 74 in the matter of 10 minutes. It was crazy. We sure have lived through some crazy weather here in Altus (see HERE & HERE)... At least I wasn't 9 months pregnant this time :)
 The calm after the storm! God sure does have a sense of humor in Mother Nature!!!
The planes were damaged from the hail storm... so Ben and Nate's fini flight was cancelled. It's a good thing that neither Ben or Nate are really sentimental (even though Audrey and I both are), because their last flights in the KC-135 will not really be a big deal. Unless Ben happens to fly this coming week, his last flight will have been this past Tuesday. I was hoping to get in some good pics of Bella marshaling Ben in, holding the marshaling wands and spraying him off... But oh well! And considering it was 110 degrees outside... taking pictures on the tarmac would have been CRAZY HOT!

Regardless, we still had a PARTY at the Squadron!
The Tolle Family!
strawberry. marshmallow. blueberries... yum!
Col Tamblyn still made the boys get doused with water... 
 

 Lt Col John Tamblyn and Ben
It was a fun day... and even though it didn't go as planned... It was still filled with lots of great people and fun memories.


Thursday, June 16, 2011

3 Years Old.

Just thought I would get some pics up from Bella's 3rd Birthday this am. 
She has been talking about this day and getting excited about it since the beginning of June. 
I will write more and post more pics later on... but for now... Here is our sweet little girl, whose THREE!
She has been asking for a 'pink' kitchen for a while now... So that was her present. 
I had the camera all set up to video her walking into the family room this morning... But she surprised me and came out of her room without making a peep. So I missed the initial reaction (which was priceless). I'll try to download the video later!






 She tried to blow that candle out at least 5 times...
 So mama had to help a little.
                                            EVA                                                 SOPHIA
                                                       ALY                             Birthday Girl!
 Friends at Bella's Party!


Bella showing that she is 'three'
 The beloved Bouncy Castle... 

Friday, June 10, 2011

Squadron Play Group!

This morning we walked to the Base housing pool for the squadron play group! Bella is really doing well in the pool with her little life jacket. Every time we go, she is getting more and more courageous jumping off the edge, kicking her legs and going in by herself. Ethan on the other hand, was more excited about crawling around the pool like a mad man! 




 The bathing beauties: Sophie, Violet, Eva and Bella