Catching Up.....

I think this is more for my benefit than anyone elses....The few people that actually read my blogs, already know whats been going on, but to summzrize anyway....
We made it back to Germany after an awesome and well needed summer in Utah! We were able to hang out with family, shop, attend endless numbers of parades and fireworks, have birthdays, shop, have lunch dates with Grandma and Mindy, shop, get to know my grandparents even more, shop, go to lagoon, shop, have Rylee's baptism and did I mention, shop?
We really enjoyed our time. It was so nice letting the kids play with their cousins that they love so much. How fun to have kids so close in age. Whether it was arts in the park, feeding the ducks, a trip to Lagoon, running through sprinklers, or just playing on the swings in Grandma/pa's back yard, they definately made up for lost time.
A special time for our family was being there on Rylee's baptism day. What a blessing! She was able to have her uncle Chet baptize her and had many friends and family there for her special day. I can't believe my baby girl is old enough to have made the decision to become a member of the Church and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. I look at that little girl with absolute amazement. She is truely a blessing to have in our family. She's an example to others and even helps keep our family in the right direction. We love her so much!
On another note, the trip coming back was "interesting". Not many bumps along the way in flights but we definately had some car troubles coming back home. Actually we barely made it in the driveway. But we're here, we're settled in (obviously, its been a month) and we are ready to start school and have summer over with!
Bring on the colder weather, the leaves changing, and Jake coming home!!!! We are getting tentative dates of mid-October. Yeah, maybe in time for Halloween! As for now we are waiting as patiently as possible (ya thats not always very patient). In my opinion, no family should ever have to endure more than a 12 month deployment. I just don't know that the brain or the heart are capable. Then suddenly you're standing there with your welcome home signs, waving to your loved one and wondering how the impossible has been possible. Again, I wait for that day! In the meantime, we're all doing things to get ready. Jake is preparing to move out of his 2 man room and into a 20 man room tent! They are preparing all the humvee's and other vehicles for the trip home and we are starting to receive boxes from Jake with all his stuff that he doesn't want to have to pack up later. Its fun opening up and seeing all the sand covered stuff. Cards, movies, video games, etc. Speaking of....looks like Jake just signed in on yahoo so I'd say this ends this blog....