Finally, an update

I know it's been forever since I've posted anything. Thanksgiving/Christmas is always a busy time of year. We had a great Thanksgiving in Raleigh, NC with Ryan's parents and will be going back there for Christmas as well. December has been a fun time with the house decorated, family home evenings about the Savior's birth, Christmas shopping, lots of baking, and more shopping. Ryan has just begun his 2 weeks off and we are all very exctied. Here are a couple things I was able to get pictures of the last while.Owen had a very cute christmas program at his preschool. Although he was constantly singing the songs at home for weeks, when it came time to perform he had his hands down his pants the first 3 minutes. Then, in his mouth the absolute rest of the time. Absolutely no singing from him. Not even a couple hand motions to the songs. Still so cute to see him up there with the other kids.
Ryan works 10 - 11 hour days and it's not uncommon for him to fall asleep on the couch, or floor for that matter. It doesn't even matter how much commotion is going on around him or if the kids are decorating his face with stickers. He's the most sound sleeper I know. We love you babe for all of your hard work!

Our Wallis weekend

So, with the usual dreary, overcast, rainy weekends that come more and more often this time of year it was a slow weekend. But, there were a few perks. We went to IKEA and made one of the best purchases ever! First of all, any trip to IKEA is a delight. Except there's never enough time to spend there. There are so many great organization ideas. I could go crazy if the budget allowed. Being good though and sticking to our budget we only purchased what we went there for - a little kids table. I've known forever that Owen would love to have one, but now Ava is at the climbing age and loves getting up in chairs, especially ones just her size. So, we did it! I'm so glad. The two of them are adorable sitting at their little table together, talking (as much as Ava can at least). This is going to be great! Why is anything we use as adults that is on a miniature scale just so darn cute!

Ryan was also under the weather, so even more reason to stay in. But, Owen and I did a little baking. We made chocolate chip cookies. I swear winter is so dangerous. When it's so cold and overcast I just want to be in and have this incredible urge to bake. Is is just me? Anyway, Owen loves measuring and dumping the ingredients. Of course Ava is right there at my feet wishing she could be up on the counter. Not to be trusted there though. Sorry Ava. She watched it all mix together and that made her happy.
Our new table.

Ava's getting a little better as using a spoon. Still some room for improvement. How cute is she though, covered in pudding?
Sweet chocolate chip baking! Only thing better is eating them.

Halloween Happenings

Halloween was a hit this year. Owen thought the actual day would never come. What torture it must be for a kid so young to see all the halloween goods in the stores for so long, the Halloween specials on tv all month. He's been bringing home Halloween crafts from preschool all month. Then, FINALLY the last day of the month, is the day to trick or treat and go get all that candy. However, with a dentist for a Dad he doesn't get to stash it away for his own keeping like I use to do. It's quite cute how this season just totally stresses Ryan out. So, he came to the conclusion that Owen could eat all he wanted that night. Then, he could have one piece a day after his naps. It's actually worked out well. After 24 hours Owen stopped begging for it and looks forward to his nap time. Here are our pictures from the big day!
Our little Bob the Builder and our bubble bee
Ryan was the designated parent to take them out trick or treating. I guess he was raised thinking that was the Dad's job. I was happy to stay behind to pass out treats and see all the other kids in their costumes. However, I did get to do one street with the kids at the end when we ran out of candy. Owen's pride and joy. This is the first pumpkin he's ever carved.

Is this for real?

OK! I get these toy magazines in the mail from time to time and always look through for Christmas ideas and things. Sometimes there are unique games and toys that I don't see in the normal stores and are partly educational. Or sometimes, it's just something the kids would love. So, I'm looking through the latest magazine, Young Explorers, and find Gassy Gus. I was laughing out loud to Ryan as I read the preview (as typed below). I can't believe this is a game. Turns out Ryan found something to put on his own Christmas list. :)

Gassy Gus
Ewww! There's nothing Gassy Gus won't eat, from baked beans to broccoli. Feed him a food card, pump his head and his stomach swells...but watch out-the bigger his belly gets, the more chance Gus will blast gas, and that's a penalty! The first to feed him all the food cards without an "explosion," wins! Includes a back-up belly (balloon). For 2-4 players. Ages 5+.

Dance your heart out Owen!

We had some live entertainment this weekend around our house. I have no idea where he got it, but Owen came up to me and said, "Mom, watch this." Then, busted out his sweet dance routine. I'm wondering Mickey Mouse Clubhouse or something. I absolutely had to get it on camera though. So here it is for all to enjoy. Hopefully others think it's just as adorable as we do, but we are partial, I know.
Ava's also a little dancer lately, but it takes skill to catch that on camera. Hopefully, I can get it soon.

Our trip to the dairy

Last Saturday we all got to go to a local dairy that also has a small farm, miniature golf, homemade ice cream, and more. I'm not sure that I've mentioned it, but my youngest brother, Scott, and his family moved to Columbus to start dental school at OSU. Poor timing because we just left there, but atleast we're only an hour away so we've gotten to hang out a bit. He just turned 25 and to celebrate, they came up to Dayton and we went to the dairy with the little ones. Here are the moments captured on camera:
It was love at first sight when Owen saw the tractors he was actually allowed to climb.
Ava loves to sit behind any kind of steering wheel lately and drive.
Had to snap a shot of us in our matching hats. Owen thinks it's was pretty funny I have a hat like him.
The boy loves his farm animals!
This is the fattest turkey I've ever seen! HUGE!
The whole day was a wool festival. So, they were sheering sheep and llama, then spinning their own yarn. Pretty cool to see.
Ava just kicking back, enjoying the sights.
They had a whole music station set us for kids to pluck, strum, and bang on instruments.
After the dairy it was home for some birthday BLT sandwiches. Happy birthday Scott. You're a wonderful brother! Good luck in dental school.

Our babies are growing up

Both our babies have reached a turning point in life. Owen is in school and Ava is walking. I really can't believe it, but Owen had his first day of school. I debated about this forever, but finally decided to enroll him in a preschool that is only 2 days a week for 2 1/2 hours. He seemed so young to be starting preschool to me. He just finished being two. But, he's been really interested in numbers, letters. He loves to color, read. He really loves being around other kids. So, I knew deep down it would be really good for him. It's just hard to see my first baby growing up. Some of the parents here send their 3 year olds to a 4 day preschool, but I thought I'd save that for next year. He goes to a great school that I really like, and I'm picky being an elementary teacher myself. At least I think I was once. That feels like another life ago. Anyway, his first day couldn't have gone better. The teacher said he did great. He was talking about everything they did all day.

Owen being in school is also good because it gives me and Ava some quality time together. A lot of my interaction with Ava is settling disputes between her and Owen when she takes his beloved trains or messes up his row of perfectly lined up dinosaurs. Or, now that she's walking I'm pulling her out of something. All day I feel like it's, "No Ava." "That's Owen's toy Ava." "Give it back Ava." She's really a doll and has a funny personality a lot like Owen does, so I'm really glad she gets to have some time to just play and do what ever with out a big brother to bully her. She really doesn't feel like a baby anymore either. Now that she walks and is starting to talk, she's more like a little toddler. I don't know where time goes.

Owen sitting in his classroom on the first day.

While Owen had his first day Ava and I fed the ducks at a local park. She loved it. She kept saying, "Du, du." It was a lot of fun. We met a friend there who has a boy Ava's age.

Things I've noticed since being in the Air Force

1. The Air Force speaks their own language. Since the first day we arrived at the base housing here, I've come to know the Air Force has an acronym for EVERYTHING! It's really another language to hear two Air Force members talk to each other. I'm quickly picking up on some of the lingo. Our neighbors asked us if this was our first PCS (permanent change of stating), meaning move. TDY is temporary duty. ABU is airman's battle uniform. BAH, BAS. The list goes on.

2. 4 years of undergrad and 4 more years of dental school really must mean something because while on base if Ryan is in uniform or pulls his ID for some reason, people salute him like he's important. I've witnessed this a few times already and it's a weird feeling because I feel like we're peons that don't know anything about this life, but people salute him like respect must be given.

3. Laundry I do for Ryan has gone down significantly. Ryan leaves the house every day in his camouflage uniform, which he is required to wear while going on and off base during his work hours. Once he arrives he can change into their scrubs, but he leaves them in their laundry when finished and comes back home in camo. This, I love. During dental school I hated always trying to make sure I was up on laundry enough for him to always have a clean pair of scrubs. Maybe it would have been easier if he would have sprung for more than 2 pairs. :)

4. The sound of a C5, or any other plain flying over our home is now like any other background noise to me. A C5 is a huge cargo plain, and very loud. But, living so close to the base we hear it all the time and it's no big deal now. Even to Owen.

5. Shopping has become cheaper. Most places give a military discount if you show your military ID. Usually 15 - 20%. DSW, Footlocker, Aeropostale, Chick File, and more. I've learned to always ask. Most times the answer is yes.

6. No co-pays! Both Owen and Ava have had their most recent required check-up and it's all paid for. We don't have to give co-pays, pay for perscriptions. Even a birth of a child would be all taken care of. They pay for everything medically.

7. We have a new family. Living in base housing means most of our neighbors are all Air Force as well, along with the majority of our ward. There is really the feel that we all look out for each other. Especially those who have husbands deployed. Every one steps right in. I pray I won't have to experience that particular kindness from everyone though if you know what I mean.

So, overall life is different for us. There have definitely been some adjustments and some getting use to things. Of course the discounts, no co-pays, and small benefits never overshadow the fact that they control our life and tell us where to move and have the right to call Ryan out, but it's good to feel there are some pluses. Having 3 years of dental school paid for, of course, was no small fee either. To be honest there have been many days when I've thought, "Why did we do this?" But, I always think back to that first year of dental school when we made the decision and I felt total peace. Ryan is absolutely loving his program and it has been really great training beyond anything he's done in dental school. I'm confident when he's finished with the Air Force, he'll be more than ready to run his own practice and have all the necessary skills to be successful. So, in the long run I know this is the right thing for us. I just pray he won't be called out. Call me selfish, but I don't know how I'd get through it. Other women who do it are much stronger than me, I guess.

He's Home!

After 5 1/2 weeks of being without our #1 man, he finally returned. We picked Captain Christopher Ryan Wallis up at the Salt Lake City airport at 10:00 p.m. It should have been 7:00, but of course his plane was delayed. So, there he was in his Air Force blues looking so handsome and official. This is the first time I've seen him in uniform. Of course my first thought was how happy I was to see him. My second though was, "Wow. We're not just pretending anymore. We're really doing the Air Force thing." You'd think I would have come to the realization before now, but after a month of him away at officer training and standing there in his uniform I realized this is our life now.

However, there was no time for a long of a reunion because we immediately had to hit the road for Ohio. We had to get back so Ryan could start his residency that Monday. So, that meant we drove all night Friday night, all day Saturday. Stayed at a hotel in Des Moine, Iowa and drove another 11 hours Sunday. The kids did surprisingly well. Owen is content with movies and Ava luckily was still taking a morning and afternoon nap, so if we timed stops and meals right, we managed. Certainly glad that is behind us though. Now we wait to see what comes of our year in Dayton, OH at Wright Patt Air Force Base.

Pictures soon to come!

Yee Hah Cowboy!

Owen had his dream day. As we all know Owen is big time into cowboys these days. I'm sure Ryan is praying this is only a phase. However, Richard Luff's parents, who only live a mile from my parents, teach Owen in the nursery at church. They have discovered his love for the wild west, lassos, horses, etc. They were kind enough to invite him over to see their horses. What a treat! Owen thought he'd died and gone to heaven. There was so much to see and experience. Ava was in a backpack on my back so I could have two hands available. Even she loved it. She would get upset if she wasn't in arms length of the animals. If I turned so she could touch them, she got so excited. Thank you Luff family for making Owen so happy.
Owen was excited to try to ride the horse, but he only lasted for a minute. As soon as he felt the horse move, he got a little worried. It did seem pretty high for someone small like him. He loved the saddle though.
Kelly Luff was helping Owen feed the horse. He loved to see the big teeth and nostrils.
Owen was ready to climb right in with the cow. Not shy at all.
One of the highlights was feeding the animals. This was a calf that was just Owen's size.
Ava couldn't take her eyes off the calf.
Of course one of the best parts was all the tools Owen found, like the pitch fork, shovels, whips. Poor Ava had a hard time looking away from the horse to see her face in the picture.

Twin Falls, ID Temple

Yeah!! My home town of Twin Falls, Idaho just opened the doors of our new LDS temple to the public. Construction is complete and they've had an open house for anyone to enjoy the beauty of the new addition. So, most of my family minus two brothers came down to go through. I took the kids thinking Owen might get something out of it. His favorite part was the cows and swimming pool. Anyone familiar with LDS temples knows he was talking about the oxen surrounding the baptismal font. That's about the extent of what he got out of it.
However, I loved it. It really was beautiful. I felt so proud to be a member of the Mormon church and so grateful to have temples on this earth where we can truely enter and feel the Spirit of the Lord. My greatest blessing in life is the fact that I know because I was married in the temple, I will be sealed to my husband and children for eternity. I only wish I would be here for the dedication. Here are a couple pictures of me and the kids. Again, Ryan missed out.
My Mom, Dad, and Grandma are posted. My Grandma is actually not a member and she was amazed. She loved it. This is the most interest she's ever had in the church. Fun to see.
It was very bright and we should have chosen the other side of the temple with some shade.

Happy Birthday Owen

Our sweet Owen has turned three. I feel like he's not a toddler anymore. Actually, I've felt that way for quite some time. He just talks, plays, and acts like a little boy now. I have loved to see him grow and watch the person he is becoming. He loves to be around people, no matter what age. He's always been so friendly. From when he was 12 months old, he would do this fake laugh if he heard a group laughing, just to include himself in the fun. I can also really see that he wants to do the right thing. That doesn't mean he always does. But, he likes to please and make choices that will make him feel good. He's definitely all boy as well. He's into rocks, dinosaurs, construction, messes. However, his two biggest loves in life are cowboys and hooks. I know - hooks? He is OBSESSED with anything that has a hook. Including tow trucks, cranes, etc. When we got to my mom's house it took him .2 seconds to find something with a hook. He found a dog leash with a clasp on the end. Sometimes he'll pull the tails off of his animal toys because they curl up in the shape of a hook. Then, asks to sleep with them. I have no idea what the attraction is, but it's all Owen. I've added a video of him opening presents mostly for Ryan's enjoyment. We were pretty bummed he wasn't here for the big day, as was he. It was a cowboy birthday. Owen was so excited. He had one of his favorite meals, tacos. He got to wear a cowboy hat, sit at the head of the table, and drink out of a cowboy boot. Does life really get any better than that? Going with the cowboy theme, he ate a horse shaped cake. Happy Birthday cowboy Owen! We love you owen and Dad sends his birthday wishes too. Being lucky enough to be at Nana and Grandpa's house for his birthday this year, Great Grandma Struchen got to come too.

Splish Splash

So, to fill part of our month's time in Idaho while Ryan is off at boot camp we went to Pocatello to visit my sister for a few days. The kids loved playing with her little girl. We went to story time, a petting zoo, parks, pizza at Craigo's (an absolute treat. Anyone who lived in Rexburg knows what I'm talking about). On our last day we went to an awesome water park. They had a blast! They are both little fish. Poor Ava just doesn't understand she can't crawl right into the deep end. It had a really great play place in the middle of the kiddie pool that kept Owen busy.
Argh! Come here matey!
Again, Owen thinking he's steering a pirate ship. Owen's dream, next to being a cowboy, of course.
Ava's constant fight to swim on her own. Absolutely no understanding of her bounderies. The joy of a 1 year old. It's only begun.
Owen's attempt to make a silly face.

Happy Independence Day

Well, tonight was definetely a chance for Owen to practice his own independance when all teachings of never to play with fire went out the window. This is the first time Owen has been able to semi-understand the 4th of July. After debating all day whether I should keep him up until 10:30 to see the city fireworks in the sky (he usually goes to bed and 7:30), I decided simple sparklers would do the job and we wouldn't have to suffer the wrath of a overtired Owen tomorrow when he is behind on his sleep. So, with Ryan gone we are visiting Nana and Grandpa for the month. We lit some sparklers in the back yard. Sadly, it was still light out. But, the kids (Owen and cousins) had a ball.

On a more serious note, I have to say this holiday has always been special to me. I really appreciate being born in a country where I can choose my own religion, and other freedoms. I feel I've been so blessed in my life. With Ryan in the Air Force now and living on base, we've met a lot of families with deployed husbands. I've gained a whole new appreciation for what they go through. Of course, just having our own #1 man in our lives gone for the month has also helped with that appreciation even though it doesn't compare to anything others have gone through. Happy 4th to everyone. God bless America!

Ava's 1st Birthday

On June 18, our little girl has actually turned one. Since we're new to the blog world, it's just now getting posted. Really though, I can't believe we've already had an entire year with her. I honestly feel like we just met her for the first time just a couple months ago. It's amazing and sad how fast everything goes the second time around. She's really growing and doing new tricks all the time. We love having a daughter. There is something so sweet about her. Of course, we love our Owen. But Ava definitely brings something special to our family already.

Favorite things about Ava:
Bright blue eyes (a real miracle when Ryan's and his whole family's are brown)
Curly hair (slowly getting more of it)
Kisses
Chubbiness
Noises she's constantly making, like her tiger's purr
How she'll wrap her arms around you while you hold her, and pat you on the back while you pat her
How she'll go to sleep right when you lay her down - priceless
Her fun people personality

We absolutely love you Ava. We are so blessed to have you in our family. Happy birthday.

Bye Bye Dad!

Ryan left for Alabama this week where he will complete 5 1/2 weeks of officer training with the U.S. Air Force. Because he received a 3 year scholarship from the Air Force during dental school, we now owe them 3 years of our life in the service. Before that can begin, he needed to go through training since we've literally done NOTHING except recieve their paycheck every month for the last 3 years. Nows time to pony up.

Thankfully we hear it's not as bad as the enlisted boot camp others go through. However, he did get a wakup call today at 4:30 am and when his roommate called the female officer, "Sir," he got a, "IT'S MA AM, AND I CAN SHOW YOU THE DIFFERENCE." Luckily she didn't elaborate. We're thinking he'll have a lot of stories to share after this month. Luckily, his good friend Richard Luff is there going through it with him. Some moral support may be needed at times.

Really we're hoping our time with the Air Force will give Ryan a couple extra years of training (one year for sure with his general practice residency) and then a couple more good years of experience before we decide where to settle down and buy a practice.

We're thinking about you every minute Ryan. Hang in there.