Our Christmas Newsletter...

I would like to claim that putting our Christmas newsletter online is am effort to go green and save trees...but the truth is I just didnt get it done in time to include it in the actual cards. Although we have found a pretty good routine with both kiddos, life is still pretty crazy in the D10 household. Crazy...but wonderful. Here is a recap of our 2007....

Our year started off on a wonderful note when we welcomed daddy home from four and a half months in Iraq. Kurt left a wife an 8 month old son...and returned to a one year old and a pregnant wife. Soon after his return we found out that Keegan would have a little sister and could not have been happier about this addition to our family. Nervous...but excited none the less....

Our next big adventure was leaving Clovis, New Mexico and the fresh smell of cows and heading back to Phoenix. It was an exciting new chapter of our lives yet bittersweet since we had to leave Keegans first home and many wonderful friends. We found a wonderful house to rent for our few years here and with teh help of family tried to get all settled in before Reese arrived. The key word here is TRY. I soon figured out how little I accomplished with a toddler and a huge belly. As ashamed as I am to admit it, there are still a few boxes that need to be unpacked.

Kurt became and instructor pilot in the F-16 and started into the routine at work. It was a great change of pace for us that includes Kurt being in town most of the time and even being home for dinner most nights. Can you even imagine how happy the kids and I were to have daddy around more:)

In May we welcomed Reese Elizaeth and our lives changed drastically. It was a smooth transition thanks to both grandmas being her for the big event. Keegan instantly loved his new sis and our lives as a family of four was off to a good start. A sleepy, but good start:) Although sleep deprivation made the first few months a bit blurry we had never smiled and laughed so much.

We went home in June to introduce Reese to the rest of the family in Ohio and also to celebrate Aunt Lisa getting her masters degree. It was a wonderful visit and we got to catch up with lots of people we hadnt seen in a while. After our Ohio visit, my sister and her family came to AZ to visit and everyone had a blast. Keegan went through major withdrawl after all of the attention...and Reese had to learn to sleep in her crib again since she was heldfor about 3 weeks.

Keegan and Reese were also lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa D (aka Nonnie and Boppa)visit a few more times just to play. We also have tried our best to get to know the people in our squadron and in our neighborhood...although nap and eating schedules make it a little tricky to get out of the house on a regular basis.

Kurt went to Alabama for 5 weeks of training and Aunt Lisa visited. We were even brave enough to take the kiddos to Sedona for some sightseeing. The rest of the trip consisted on sunbathing, swimming and enjoying the kids. Since I had some extra hands I headed back to Ohio when Lisa left and let the kids visit with the family once again. I was so excited to enjoy the fall weather with the kids...but it was almost 90 degrees the entire time we were home. The pumpkin patch is not so fun when you are sweating. Kurts parents returned with the kids and I and went to San Diego for the week. It was beautiful and I am so glad we went...but we needed a vacation from our vacation since the kids slept terribly the entire time. Traveling with kids is not for the non-adventurous.

Now we find ourselves in the holiday spirit and very thankful for everything in our lives. We spent Thanksgiving with friends and Keegan enjoyed the large amounts of food. His favorite was of course all the desert:)

We have enjoyed getting into the holiday spirit with festivities in the neighborhood and the squadron. Reese likes Santa...especially yanking on his beard. Keegan is not so fond of the man in the red suit but does like the fact that he gives out toys. The other day he saw a man in a red hooded sweatshirt walking his dogs and started saying "anta" (you know...toddler for Santa) and squeaking like he saw Rudolph do in the movie. Apparently he though our neighbor and his dogs were Santa and his reindeer. He is developing quite and imagination.

The tree is up, the house is decorated and we are looking forward to being together as a family on Christmas morning. And rumor has it that Santa may have gone a little crazy on presents this year. I guess not sleeping through the night and refusing to eat your vegetables does not add you to Santas naughty list:)

We hope you and your family have had a wonderful year filled with many blessings also. We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year!!!!

Love

Annie, Kurt, Keegan and Reese

If you want to see more pics just check out the older posts on this sight!!!!

CHEESE....

I got an early Christmas present...a digital SLR camera...and I am in love with it. Still have lots of reading and learning to do...but here is the result of my playing around so far...

Love

Annie

WHO NEEDS REINDEER???

We had our squadron Christmas party today. Of course Reese loved Santa and Keegan was terified:) Here is how Santa gets things done in the Air Force. Reindeer are for wimps...and in this crazy world what Santa would leave home without armed gaurds:)

awake late at night after too much caffiene...

No Whammies...

So...we struck out. Reese is finished with her allergy testing and she isnt allergic to any of the things we thought were causing her skin issues. She is fine with dogs, cats, grass, pollen etc. Only allergic to a few foods that she has never had before...so no answers to our dilemna. Next we will see a dermatologist. The allergist seemed confident that she would outgrow the food allergies and the eczema....so hopefully only a few more months before she is much better.

Sorry for the lack of pics. Our camera broke...

But here are some from last weekend that I am just finding time to post...

These are from our neighborhood holiday festivites. The day started with a bazaar (bought Reese the cutst tutu for Christmas) and some man made snow in the square. It was more like a giant snow cone...but the native AZ kids were convinced it was the real thing. It was still cold...but I was wearing flip flops so I may even be mistaken on that. Notice the GREEN grass in one pic. Love the mild weather this time of year...but sow when it is 70 degrees and lighting your cactus just doesnt bring out the same spirit in a person. There was the annual tree lighting, horses pulling a hay ride (Mrs Claus was on board singing Christmas carols), carolers all dressed up in a manner that Charles Dickens would have loved, heater and fires(I know...crazy AZ people) and food and crafts. The best part was that all the people attending were all dressed in hats, coats, scarves and gloves. We thought we may have overdressed Keegan with his vest:) Anyway...it was a nice weekend and got us in the holiday spirit. The decorations are up and we are even done shopping...

Enjoy...

Annie

look what Reese did now....

So...way after bed time Daddy had to get out his toolbox (so to speak for you fighter pilot types) and lower Reese's crib.

No Beer for Reese...

First round of allergy test results are in and Reese is allergic to 4 foods...

BARLEY
GARLIC
PORK
and RYE

These allergies could go away as she gets older...but we need to avoid these foods for now. They will test again in 6 months to see. Next week is the prick test that will test mostly for outdoor stuff like pollen, mold and pet dander.

Amamzing how many baby foods have garlic and rye in them...so now we have to be careful label readers.

Not really an answer to the skin issues though since she has never had any of these foods. So hopefully we will figure out what is causing her eczema next week.

I will try to post new video of her crawling this weekend...she is all over the place and getting very fast. And all she wants to do is crawl!!!! Kurt and I are thinking about getting her a helmet for Christmas since she has already bumped into the entertainment center and coffee table several times:) Keegan tries to keep her contained but he isnt very effective.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. Ours starts tomorrow with the squadron Christmas party and then lots of holiday festivities follwed by a tree lighting in our neighborhood on Sat.

Love

A and K

A Year Ago Today

A year ago today the world lost an amazing man. I honestly can not think of any words appropriate enough to write. I just wanted to make sure that Kurt and I did our part to make sure that Troy "Trojan" Gilbert and his family were never forgotten.




Please keep all the service men and women and thier familes in your prayers.

Here is a new paper article that was in the local paper. What a lucky man to have such a beautiful wife and children to look down on from up above!!!! (you may have to cut and paste it since I am having trouble getting the actual link on here)

http://westvalleyview.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=28946

Ta Daaaaa....

Here is Reeses crawling debut. She started on Thanksgiving but was really good the day after. Now she is working on her speed!!!!

She is so proud of herself and is all smiles as she cruises along...

And the best part is that she is wearing herself out so much that she is even sleeping through the night most nights:)

Robo Reese

Reese had her first of five days of allergy testing today. It was the patch test where they put various food directly on her skin. Thay have to stay there for 48 hours!!!! Here is my poor lil girl with 23 different food stuck to her. She has been a trooper though and doesnt seem too bothered by it. We will see ow she feels when they do the needle test. I am guessing she wont be so patient and understanding!!!!!

hangin with the looneys

So...I wanted to get a Nintendo Wii as a gift for family. Started my hunt about 4 weeks ago and havent found a single one. So...like any rational person I decided to head out at 4am the day after Thanksgiving try to get one. I started at Toys R Us...and was met by a few hundred people waiting at 4:15 in the morning. Yes...I said a few HUNDRED. So...I decided that I should not waste my time and decided to head to Target. As I started driving I realized that Target would be just as insane and started to give up hope. There is a small game store in Buckeye (where we live...very small town...a bit away from the main stream part of the west valley) that opened at 7am. I got there a about 5am and there were only 2 people in line. I was umber three...and when I got to the storefront there was a sign saying that they anticipatd 16 Wii's!!!! For those non gamers out there this is a TON and this is the hardest thing to find this holiday season. Anyway...long story short...I waited outside for 2 hours and eventually there were about 50 people in line. I GOT A NINTENDO!!!! Kurt thinks I should put it on ebay and give cash as a gift and keep the proit but I refuse. I headed home exhausted but soooooo excited. There are some VERY serious black Friday shoppers out there!!!! Later I went to the grocery store and found the lights for the tree that I have been wanting. I wanted red and green...and no place had them. I found red and green individually...but not on the same strands. So....the day got me in the Chrismas spirit BIG TIME!!! The tree is up and I just need to finish decorating it tomorrow and make popcorn and cranberry garland. Outside lights and a few more decorations inside and we are ready. We even have almost all to our shopping done!!!! Cant wait to see Keegan and Reeses faces tomorrow when they wake up to a tree in the living room!!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and as found themselves in the spirit of the holidays also...

Will have more pics soon...

Love

Annie

Happy Turkey Day...

We wish you and your family a wonderful and relaxing day spent with friends and loved ones.

This year we are thankful for all of our blessings...but most of all the fact that we are together as a family. Last years holiday season was not so easy, so this year we are going to enjoy every moment. We have 2 wonderful children, amazing friends and family, and a life that we simply would be insane to complain about.

Please add all the military members who are away from their loved ones this season to your list of things to be thankful for.

OK...now go eat some turkey and save some room for pie. You have to love a holiday that includes pie:)

Love

The D10 fam

The pics are of Keegan watching the Macys parade in the morning (he waved to all the floats), helping mommy in the kitchen (he is a mean little pecan smasher), the turkey fresh out of the oven (mommy only cooked a turkey and a desert...HOORAY!!!), Keegan in his shades on the way to freinds, eating dinner (my little vegetarian ate a peice of TURKEY!!!) and hanging out at Uncle Tam and Aunt Des' house after recovering from a meltdown and a catnap for Reese. We thought we were going to have to head home...but a little sleep in the car and they were good...so we turned back around and continued the festivities.