Out smarted....

I have tried a new parenting technique to get more sleep in the morning. I am now not getting the girls out of bed till 7:30 AM. This particular morning the girls woke each other up at 6:30. The goal is for them to read, play in their room, have girl talk until I come in to get them. Well Ava and Ellie DID have girl talk. Ava decided to throw ALL of Ellie's clothes out of the dresser, put a ton of random things in her crib, and then somehow get in the crib with her. I couldn't help but laugh. Every day after this WAS a success at least.

Greg's Guests...

Greg sure does miss us but it hasn't been dull lately on the Truman for him. Here are some pictures sent out to us from the past two weeks.

Retired astronauts Capt. Jim Lovell, Capt. Gene Cernan, and Commander of Apollo 11 Neil Armstrong stand on painted footprints to commemorate their “Legends of Aerospace” tour aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75). The astronauts visited the ship to meet with Sailors and Marines during the Morale Entertainment sponsored tour.

Retired astronaut, Commander of Apollo 11 Neil Armstrong, speaks to Swordsmen of Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA 32) during the “Legends of Aerospace” tour aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75).

The XO Vinny gives Neil Armstrong a VFA 32 Hat

Neil Armstrong addressing the ready room

The singer and designer, Jessica Simpson came on board to entertain the guys.

Sadly, within a few hours of being on the ship she got violently ill with the ship flu that has been passed around to everyone. She had to have an IV inserted in her arm!

Unfortunately, Greg was flying the majority of the time Jessica Simpson was feeling well enough to visit on the ship and he didn't get to meet her.

bringin out the big guns for her!

Happy Halloween From Little Bo Peep and Her Sheep

Girl Talk

Ohh Bean. Nothing can tame her!

Then they decided it was a serious horseback riding lesson

When Ellie naps Ava and I have "Girl Talk" on my bed. She tells me about her day, what her current favorite song is (the happy day song learned at Preschool), and then we read. It has become a nice afternoon ritual even though she would like this ritual to begin at 6 AM some mornings.

Ellie's attention span is short, just like her legs.

Sissy Talk Time

Mom I don't want to be a cheerleader I want to be the Quarter Back!

Is this edible?

Needless to say, this car is probably more noisy than a 6 lane intersection.

New Dress from Jane Berry!

This was a "tame" day of sleeping. She is so her father's child.

Nascar time

Visiting the Queen of Sass- Miss Audrey Haselton!

The girls looked so cute for church that day that I realized I needed to take a picture before lunch. Found the beautiful flowers but didn't have the foresight to see that the girls would drench themselves in the fountain.

They just so happened to match Uncle Matt that day too

Bean was mad because I wouldn't let her eat rocks or dirt. So she threw her shoes in the fountain.

Limping like a lady

We were counting down the days at the Valdez house for Ava to get her cast off. She was such a good patient and didn't cry at all during the procedure. However, as soon as they took it off she started crying hysterically from the stiffness and her open sores. Fortunately her sores from the cast are healing nicely. The doctor told me that she could possibly limp for up to 3 months. She refused to walk the first 2 days it was off and continued scooting. She finally started wobbling around a few days following the cast removal. What has been alarming to me though is that her left foot is at about an 80 degree angle pointing outwards when she walks. This is causing her to walk extremely slow, trip more, and not be able to walk down stairs (or a curb) without falling. I called the doctor and the earliest orthopedics can see her is early next week. We will find out if this will correct itself, if she needs physical therapy, the cast put back on, or a brace. We'll keep you posted.

What a trooper!

The worst of the rash was on the back of the leg and the front of her foot.

Closure

Bdad passed away June 25th and Ava still talks about him almost everyday. His funeral was this past week at Arlington National Cemetery. It was wonderful to finally have closure, celebrate his full life with my family, and tell our favorite stories about him. I still miss him. Ava will bring me a toy and say, "Bdad liked to play with this one with me". It is really hard for me to think she won't remember what a wonderful connection she had with him and how she made his face light up. They were kindred spirits. Their bond was strong for several reasons. Ava was named after his wife, Ava looks just like me as a baby, and Ava and Bdad brought out the best in each other. Bdad hung out with the sweet cuddly Ellie and would be amused to see what a wild child she is turning out to be. I am so thankful for all the pictures and videos we have of Bdad and the girls together so they can see what a remarkable man he was. My mom has also documented and written down many of BDads stories from his earlier years that we will be able to share with the girls later. Dr. Bruce Bennett has left a great legacy that will make our family proud for many generations.

One of my favorites of Bdad and Ava playing

Bdad's great granddaughters

Jon and Chris- Bdad's grandsons (missing Zach)

My Sister Betsy

The current youngest in the family, Stefan (Betsy's son)

Betsy and her boys

BMom's sister - Aunt Jean and Uncle Bud

Bob helping us hold down the fort

Uncle Dan

Beautiful day

We actually followed Bdad in the hertz all the way from Dumfries by coincidence.

Aunt Ellen and Uncle Bill were lifesavers in supervising the girls during the memorial service so that I could put my full attention to Bdad.

They are a handful! Janice and My Dad came and helped as well during the service and burial.

stunning chapel

Full Air Force Honors.

Being taken to the burial plot. We walked behind the officers and it was so rewarding.

My miraculous Grandparents.

guy talk at the reception

Ava had a good time with Poppy. You can tell they are two birds of a feather.

Aunt Jeannnie and Mom with Uncle Bud and Aunt Jean

Some of the family

Warme side of the family