{D} Chronicles 2011 Edition

I have to say that this year Christmas has completely snuck up on us. I don’t know if it because we have been so busy with our almost-walking little boy, or because Great Falls has had a very warm December and we have yet to have any snow that is willing to stick around.  Nevertheless Christmas is a week away, and I could not be more thrilled.  This week has started off in stellar fashion with the birth of Penelope Kaydee yesterday (Dec 19) to our best friends Brian and Dana (mentioned often on this blog); I am happy to report both mom and baby are doing great!  I expect the rest of the week to continue in a similar manner.  Big plans include driving to Sandpoint, Idaho on Friday to spend Christmas with the Kelly/Cline side of the family and we can’t get going soon enough. Then, it’s back to Montana to meet up with Matthew’s parents to kick off the New Year.

2011 has been a rewarding year that has gone by in a blur. Good thing Laurel got us a camera last year so that we could capture as much of it as possible (not that I could get around to blogging most of that L ). Matthew has kept busy this year continuing to save the world from nuclear destruction one 24-hour alert at a time. He upgraded to commander which is a great way of saying more responsibility but at least he has a better sleep schedule.  He was also selected to go to Barksdale, LA to compete in the Global Strike Challenge against our other missile bases and brought back some hardware by winning the best Weapon System Operations trophy with his crew partner John as well as the best Operations Group trophy for the Malmstrom team by having the best combined team score.  To brag on him a little more, he is also working hard on his Master’s degree while being the best dad and husband of all time. Don’t know how he does it all, but he does.

Garrett has gone from being completely dependent on Mom and Dad to already wanting to do almost everything on his own in just ten short months. He is a new joy and a new challenge every day.  Just when I think he’s occupied with something, I look up to see that I need to be looking for him again.  Thank goodness I have women’s bible study at our church, the 490^th spouses club, and the local MOPS group to continue to encourage me, get parenting tricks, and remind me to savor every moment.  I am so thankful for the ladies here who I love to laugh, cry, and let my hair down with. 

This next year is the year of travel! We will be attending a couple of weddings across the country, not to mention a trip to England this summer for Matthew and I to visit some friends and maybe catch some of the Summer Olympics!!  There will also definitely be a trip to Denver in March for some much needed time back in Broncos Country.  So, my short Christmas letter turned into a long one, but I hope you feel completely up-to-date. You did choose to come to our blog on your own accord. J Many blessings to you and your family this Christmas and in 2012! 

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom” – Psalm 145:3

First Crafting of the Season - Bar Stools

 So about a month ago I decided that I wanted bar stools but I didn't want to pay 30+ dollars a piece for them, so I decided to make them myself  (well sort of make them myself).  I went on craigslist and found some old ugly brown stools for $5 each. I painted them white and distressed them. Then got some scrapbooking paper on super sale at Michael's and decoupaged them. I think they turned out great! All together I think I paid about $25 total for my three bar stools! Here starts my major crafting this fall and winter season. I can't wait!

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words

September 2011 was a great month in the Team{D} household. Lots happened, lots to talk about, lots to remember. However, October is turning out to be just as busy as September so we will have to settle for a Garrett Collage (because that is who people want to see :) ) for now and come back for more pictures and info later.

Enjoy!

Click to Enlarge

Mornings

My new fave thing to do each morning is to watch my son bounce in his Johnny Jump (his new favorite thing) while sitting on the steps drinking my coffee and laughing with each other. Nothing could be better

Rice Cereal

On Friday we started Garrett on rice cereal. I don’t know that he got very much down but practice makes perfect.  He was pretty cute trying to eat off a spoon for the first time.

Time to Myself!

Eeekkk!  I could jump for joy! I think Garrett is finally getting onto a sleep schedule!  To my utter amazement he has been sleeping though the night for over a month and now at just over four months he is consistently waking up and going down for his morning nap at the same time everyday!  YAY!  Do you know what this means??!! It means that I can start getting back into a routine too. I can clean the house, update my blog, do laundry and maybe catch up on some reading. I can have some time to myself. This is huge!

This is a picture I took of Garrett this morning while we were playing. :)

Trip to Virginia!

This Ditson clan just got back from a fantastic visit to Virginia where we were lucky enough to see Matthew’s cousin James graduate from high school, introduce Garrett to some of his extended family including his Great Grandpa, and tour around Washington DC.  The Metro was only a short walk away from our hotel so we were able to get around easily. It was extremely hot in DC while we were there, but we still managed to get some sight seeing done and go to a couple baseball games. Other exciting news includes Garrett rolling over for the first time on Sunday June 12 in the presence of Uncle Dana, Aunt Joan, Aunt Val, and of course his mom and dad. We were also lucky enough get to have a quick lunch with my family at DIA during our layover on the way home. Garrett was a champ on our plane rides and true to form was a happy little baby the entire trip. It was a wonderful and much needed break from Great Falls life. 

Dad and Cousin Patrick                    First day of touring

                         At the Capitol                                    Garrett and Great Grandpa

Graduation Day!

Memorials

                  Four Generations                        Garrett with Aunt Kaia and Uncle Ben 

 Touring Washington DC

It was a little too hot outside for Garrett so he slept most of the time.
But he loved the fish tank at the museum!

With Papa at DIA                                                        

 Family Pictures

A Fun Walk Home

Garrett and I had a wonderful walk last night. We had so much fun laughing the entire time! What a special memory for Mommy (I even took a detour home so we could keep moment going ~ extra bonus, more calories burned!).

Here is a picture I took on my phone.

Happy Mothers Day 2011!

Today is Mothers Day and my first as a Mommy. These last three months have been more fun (and more work :) ) than I ever thought they could be. I feel so happy that I have now joined the ranks of motherhood and can partake in this special day from a new vantage point. This video is an oldie but goodie, and although I am not yet in this place in my parenting I am posting this video as a tribute to moms everywhere.

I would like to say a very happy Mothers Day to my mom for being such a wonderful example of what a mother should look like. I am so lucky to have her to call when I need a friend to talk to or advice on my new role in life. I would also like to wish a Happy Mothers day to my sweet mother-in-law. Thank you for raising such a wonderful son, for welcoming me so warmly into your family almost three years ago, and for showering so much love onto your new grandson. We are so blessed to have such amazing mothers.

Happy Mothers Day!

Easter 2011

A few days late HAPPY EASTER 2011! I hope you all had as wonderful an Easter as we did. Saturday night we went over to Dana and Brians to dye easter eggs...

 A Family Pic!

"not so sure about this whole easter egg thing mom"

 our good friend Heather who joined us for this years Easter festivities

 Garrett's First Easter

Daddy and Garrett having some egg dying fun

Ditson Easter 2011

 our host and hostess Brian and Dana

He is RISEN!!! Easter Sunday was filled with a morning church service, great friends, and a wonderful ham dinner (if I do say so myself). I had my camera out to take some pictures during dinner but of course because we were having so much fun I only took pictures beforehand. Oops

 

my sweet baby in his easter outfit  

 My Handsome Boys!

 Mommy and Baby

good stuff 

our dinner table set for easter guests

After a long fun day it is time to crash out on the couch.