Remembering Dr. Bruce H. Bennett

Dr. Bruce H. Bennett

July 4, 1915 - June 25, 2010

Sadly, this past weekend my BDad passed away. He was the main male figure in my life and taught us some of the most important life lessons. He was brilliant, kind, loving, and adventurous. Ava had gotten very close with him in just the two and half years she has been around. Unfortunately she had to learn about death at a young age but she is satisfied in knowing that Bdad is with Jesus, his parents, B-mom, and his friends in heaven. The last time we saw him was Memorial day and he was wearing Greg's squadron's polo shirt. He passed away peacefully with my mom by his side. We will miss him and always aspire to be even half the person that he was. His funeral will be September 22nd at Arlington Cemetery.

Our last picture of Bdad on Memorial Day

Memorial Day Weekend- spending time in the garden

Bdad was just getting to know Ellie but he enjoyed holding her

He was amazed by how quick Ellie was moving everywhere!

Easter 2010 Weekend

Ava showing off her scooter skills with Bdad

Ava especially loved Bdad because he always gave her 100% of his attention when she was around.

Kindred spirits

Christmas 2009

We'll miss you BDad. We love you.

Gadget Girl

Today I was one of the crazed souls who went out and got the new Iphone 4. I got a babysitter so I could arrive at the Macarthur Center Apple store at 6:30 AM. I was about the 100th person in the reserved line. The people at the front of that line arrived at 4:00 AM. I reserved 2 phones 2 weeks ago. The reserved line took 3 hours to go through. They did about 15 people from the reserved line and then one person from the non-reserved line. THAT line did not move. I felt sorry for those people. Shockingly, I enjoyed the wait. Doesn't that show how pathetic my social life is? I talked with all the older techies and learned tons of things about the new features on the phone. Apple provided free bagels from Panera, free Starbucks coffee, and bottled waters. They even made it like a pep rally and all the workers ran around the mall chanting and firing us up. It was the nerdiest chant ever- "Iphone FOUUUUUUUUUUR". The workers had such positive attitudes and didn't rush me at all despite the fact that I literally had hundreds of people behind me. It brought me back to high school waiting for HFStevial (local radio station) tickets. Or waiting at midnight for the new release for all the Harry Potter books at Barnes and Noble. It was just a lot of fun to be around people who were all excited with anticipation about the same thing. I have been playing with my Iphone all day and it was definitely worth the wait. I have already downloaded an app for a personalized count downer till Greg gets home and a training app for my marathon. Everyone at the store kept telling me, "this phone is really going to change your life". I kept thinking, OK geeks I get it, but it has definitely changed the past 20 hours. They were right.

These are all pics the Virginia Pilot took

WAHOOOOOO we made it to the front of the line

Techie Pep Rally!

VFA 32 Squadron Picture

We got this picture emailed to us today. Aren't they handsome devils! If you double click on the picture and blow it up you can actually see Greg. He is on the left hand side in the tan flight suits. He is in the first row of 2 people on the outside. Thank you VFA 32 for all your hard work and you are all greatly missed.

These were pictures emailed to us earlier during the month of Truman on its way to France.

Momma's gotta new toy

I got it. The electronic device I have been lusting over for almost 3 years. The Nixon D5000 camera. The Navy Exchange finally had a sale on them and I was first in line when they opened today. Woooooooot! I watched the instructional video and plan on starting to read the user manual tomorrow while I wait in line for hours for the new Iphones. It is the Valdez techie month. I can't wait to smash my blackberry to pieces. I have A LOT to learn about the camera but here are my first shots today. Nothing monumental but never a lack of cuteness from the babes.

The bambinos

Ava telling Aunt Jen a story

Calvert- the Browns' dog

Ellie takes her naps in the Pack N Play in our room because napping doesn't work with them both in their room at the same time during day light. Someone is always causing mischief. Remarkably, they have no problem sleeping together at night.

Today Ava was tickled pink to wake up Ellie after she took her bath

The pack n play pictures are a new challenge for me because I am trying to figure out how to focus on Ellie and not the netting in front of her.

Pen is alive and well - I am making a conscious effort to take more pictures of her.

pouting because I was taking so many pictures of Ellie. Then she got excited because she "directed" Ellie while I was taking shots of her.

Peekaboo

Ellie usually has a 5 AM feeding so I put her back to sleep in our room so that she doesn't wake up Ava at 7 when she usually gets up (Ava usually wakes up around 8 now). So every morning at 7 am on the dot I usually will turn over to see Ellie standing like this "singing" to me. I'll take it over screaming any day!

Look who is swimming...

We are pool rats but we at least change up our pool locations. This past week we have really enjoyed the pool in our neighborhood.

Ellie Bean loves her swim floaty

playing "Momma Shark"

Bean happy as can be with Aunt Jen at the pool

We miss you Daddy!

Check out Ava's new skill!

Ava's first Movie in the Theaters!

Ava had a special date with Matt and Jen and got to go see Toy Story 3. She literally talked about it for 2 weeks everyday ahead of time. She is a crazed fan. When she saw an article on Toy Story in my magazine she screamed like Justine Beiber just walked in the room. Matt and Jen said she was a perfect date and sat amazed through the whole movie. She had a little booster seat so was able to see the whole screen. Her rating of the movie is 4 stars with Buzz now being her favorite character. Matt and Jen also gave it 2 thumbs up with the adult review.

showing Matt the article

Squealing her whole way to the theatre. She came ready with her wallet too.

Toy Story 3!

Mmmm Popcorn

Matt and Jen got her the coloring book to remember the experience

Thank you Matt and Jen!