First Real Post for the New Blog

I figure I should start learning how to work on the blog while I am still here with the blog expert---Kate. So I will begin the first new series of post with my last event in my old squadron. Here are some pictures of my "fini-flight". But on the new blog instead of a bunch of pictures in the post, my plan is to have one picture and then a link to a gallery of the pictures that the post is about. By clicking the "fini-flight" link or the picture within the post it will take you to the MobileMe gallery of that post. Let me know what you think about the MobileMe galleries and if you would rather just see all the photos within the post...but back to the post. For all the non-Air Force people, a fini-flight is a tradition that after your last flight in a squadron, everyone meets you at the jet and they hose you down with water. If you have kids, they usually let the kids do the spraying. As you can see, Jack really enjoyed it.

Fountains of Fun

We were in search of something a little different tonight so we hit the fountains at Grand Boulevard in Sandestin. It was awesome! The shopping area itself is super fancy and there are lots of nice restaurants. We looked super classy showing up Saturday night with half naked kids to play in the fountains. But, whatever... it was totally worth it. Both kids had a total blast.

Ellie even got into the fun!
Showing off her new favorite trick - clapping!
Jack brought his new dump truck, that he has creatively named "Dumpy."
I love how totally adventurous he is in the fountains this year. Last year he was a little timid and not so into it. Now, he runs around like a wild man and has a great time.

Sasa's Here!

Sasa / Mama Lisa / My mom arrived Wednesday and we've been having loads of fun. Jack and Ellie are really enjoying the extra attention and love. We're going to miss her after she goes home tomorrow.

Here are a couple pictures from our trip to Seaside today.

Four Generations

When we were in California, we spent some time with Kevin's grandfather. One of the main things we wanted to accomplish was a four generations photo of the Lord men - Jack, Kevin, Papa Lou & Grandpa Joe. So, here are a few of my favorites. (Although, very my favorite is actually one on Kevin's parent's camera.)

Feeding the Ducks

Here's a little video from the park by Mimi and Papa Lou's house. We were having a good time until the big swans came to get the bread.

Trip to Ohio

I can't believe how behind I am on updating the blog. Yikes!

Jack, Elizabeth and I went to Ohio for a little over two weeks and we had a great time. We kept pretty busy visiting with friends and family, going to reading group at the library and going to the mall!

The highlight of the trip for Jack was a trip to Chuck E. Cheese with Uncle Mike. He had a blast and is still talking about it. The best part for Elizabeth was bathtime in the sink with Sasa. I don't know what it is about that baby girl, but she LOVES being naked and Sasa could really make her giggle.

Pictures of visits with family:

The computer is SO not cooperating with me at the moment. If you can't see the slideshow, click on "view all images."

Seaside

We took a little morning drive to Seaside a town about 40 minutes away that we'd heard a lot about but never visited. It was a little chilly today, but it was a beautiful sunny day. We took lots of pictures. Here are some of the favorites.

There was an awesome green lawn and pretty green Christmas tree in the central square.

Elizabeth was there, too, but she slept the entire time in the Baby Bjorn. Jack was a little more active.The non-demoninational community Chapel.There are lots of sculptures and pieces of art throughout the community. Jack liked this piece because it resembled a tunnel.

The water looked beautiful today.

The Sophster

Jack and Sophia (4) had a great time hanging out together while the cousins were visiting. When they were getting along they were hysterical to watch together. Jack isn't exactly down with sharing his toys so they had their moments, but sometimes even those slightly unpleasant moments were a little comical.

They rode bikes together (in their pajamas, of course)...Jack kept pretending to be stuck in the grass so "Pheeea" would help him.

They took a bath together and particularly liked splashing each other with water. One night at dinner Sophia was totally cracking up Jack. I can't even remember what she was doing, but it looked something like this.
Jack was laughing hysterically (with spaghetti sauce on his face and wearing his new Buckeye Kids' Club t-shirt ).

Jack had a great time with both his cousins here and was sad on Monday morning when he woke up and they weren't here. He asked for "Beya and Pheeea" all day. We hope to see them again soon!

Lords at the Beach

Kevin's sister and her daughters are here! Jennifer, Isabella and Sophia arrived from New York Friday night and we've had a great weekend. It's been a blast seeing all four Lord cousins together.

Yesterday we went to the beach and couldn't believe that some people were actually swimming in the ocean. It's warm here (low 70s), but it was very windy and overcast yesterday and it's freaking December so swimming was out of the question for our crew. The kids had fun running around and we took tons of photos. Here are some highlights. (I admit they are mostly Jack, but he just looked so darn cute in his little blue shirt with his bare feet and his crazy blond curls blowing all over the place.)

We also tried to get some good family photos with mixed results.

Jack's Bowling Party

We celebrated Jack's birthday on Friday with little bowling party with Claire and Memere and Papa Lou who are in town for the holidays from California! Jack was all excited to bowl and said "My turn" every couple minutes until it was actually his turn. After a few rounds, though, he'd had enough and just wanted to "ride the horsey" (carousel) or play with the Lincoln Logs Claire gave him. It was super cute when the kids were into the game, though, because they would cheer and give high fives to everyone.

After bowling, we all came back to our house for pizza and cake. The one hiccup in the plan was the traffic - there was an accident on the bridge home from Destin so we were stuck in traffic for an hour. Ugh! Jack was happy because he watched Thomas the Train on his dad's iPhone and Claire ate snacks and made friends with Memere.

Jack was worn out by the end of the party, but we had a great afternoon. The week of Jack's birthday celebrations is officially over. Now, it's onto Christmas!

**If the slideshows don't load on the blog, click "view all images" to see them. I'm not sure why the slideshows aren't working.**

Aunt Amy's Blog

Amy updated her blog with some cute pictures from her visit. Look here and here.

Thanks again for everything, Amy!

Aunt Amy is Here!

Amy drove all the way from Texas to meet Elizabeth and play with Jack. We are so happy to have her here!

Amy holding Elizabeth for the first time Monday night...

Jack loves his Aunt "Mamie" and showed her how to play with the train table. I love Aunt Mamie because last night she and Mama Lisa got up with Jack so I could get more sleep and wake with only one kid instead of two.

Between all her help with the kids and her delicious cooking, Amy is not allowed to leave.