Hello everyone and happy Memorial Day! I hope it finds you all well and know that my thoughts are with those families that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. God bless you and keep you strong! NSDQ!

Our week of way too much stuff was this past week which includes, softball tournament, two socials, round table with the families of our fallen, memorial, building dedications, awards ceremony's, formal, golf and picnic.. no kidding.. I didn't do all but did try to attend as much as one can with a 2 year old and a 6 month old... About my subject line.. that would be regarding the formal. I had a few first to chat about.
1. First time ever I have seen a baby *maybe 9 months old* at a military formal ...
2. First time ever I have seen a person in jeans at a military formal (both 1 and 2 were sitting at the same table yet not the same person)
3. First time to meet a celebrity.. like up close and personal.
Last but not least,
4. First time John has ever seen me drunk... yes, Christy you miss a good one this year

I HAD A BLAST at the formal this year. I mean really tied one on! I have no clue what got into me but I decided to drink grog and for those of you that know what grog is you understand... For those of you that don't know what grog is... it is what it sounds like it is.. hangover pain... All I have to say it thank God mom was here or John would not have been playing golf the next day. It really took me close to two days to recover. Yes, I had a blast...

Here are a few photos from the big night.
John, Gary Sinese and me...


Two of the three chica's at the prom.. *missing Christy here* I need to learn how to edit and just add the missing chica... We joked that we were totally opposites with our dress, she is a classic Audrey Hepburn look and me in my abstract modern look... see, Christy you would have balanced us and made us whole again


John and I


Me and Charlene dancing away...

More dancing with Charlene

Charlene and I getting close to Gary while rocking with the Lt Dan band... Ah, what fun.. :)

ok... so it is only her 6 month birthday but a milestone non the less.... We have been so busy with WONSA that I failed to post yesterday, her actual 6 month birthday, but today will work just as well.

Addison is just a blessing... she is very similar to Annabelle but different at the same time. She is the happiest baby in the morning... with a full belly and a clean diaper she is the joy of the world! Just like her big sister. The one real difference we have noticed, aside from her being a tad more chunky than Annabelle, is that she really likes to be held. Annabelle wasn't that big on it but Addison REALLY wants to be held most all of the time. Generally speaking it isn't an issue but the times she has to be put down so I can tend to other things I get the saddest I can't believe you just put me down cry. Oh my, it will just break your heart. She is a snuggler and it really is wonderful...

Currently she has been sleeping all night... like 11 hours or so... yeah us! She is almost sitting on her own but not for long.. I think it is because of her chubby legs and belly... Soon enough she will be crawling and burning off all those rolls...

We had her photos taken Sunday and the link to see them is http://www.dragonflystudiosphotography.com/index2.php Click on client proofing and put in the password, evans. (I hope it works for you Carolyn) If you have problems, let me know...

Today is Annabelle's last day of preschool and their "show". Mom and I are going and I will video it so I can share it as well... It should be cute to see the class singing 'if you're happy and you know it clap your hands' ... Mom and I are going to get more strawberries after the program, yes we have eaten all of the ones we picked Monday, then off to the mall to get accessories for the formal tonight, back to pick up Annabelle, the off to the formal! It should be lots of fun and I cannot wait to show off my new dress! Of course I will post photos!

Alright, I have to go shower and get the girls ready for the day...

Love to you all
Carolyn

Today Annabelle, Addison and I (as well some other moms from the stay at home moms group) decided to go strawberry picking. Seemed like a good idea, right? Well it was WORK !! let me tell you... I was fun but Addison really wasn't digging all the bending (she was in the carrier) I was doing and Annabelle was picking all the berries ... to include the white ones! ... Now, the berries are probably the sweetest berries I have ever eaten, no kidding, so I will be going back to get more for freezing but not with both girls and not to pick myself!! I am adding some photos from the picking as well as some eating shots! Annabelle LOVES them... it shows.

I got a new camera for mothers day! thank you honey... I decided I wanted to upgrade and take photos that are good so I can actually develope some and have good snap shots to share... I know this will make both Gran and Grammy happy. So I got the Canon Rebel T1i .. it is a new camera and it ROCKS! I LOVE IT... It takes videos as well as awesome photos AND you can take photos WHILE you are shooting a video!.. Very very cool camera.

As some of you know, I have been growing my hair out... well, I should say I WAS growing my hair out as it is back to my short and sassy look as of yesterday. Having to actually brush my hair was annoying so it is gone and I am happy again.

Addison had her 6 month photos taken yesterday here at the house. I will attach two snap shots that Amy let us preview and will attach the link once they are all up and ready for viewing.

I am taking advantage of both girls napping so I must run and do all those things that have to get done, the opportunity might escape me!

Love to you all!!!

First photos are of the picking of the berries








Next are the eating of the berries here at the house!






Lastly, Addison's photos from Amy, our photographer... too cute

Haha... I have been trying to capture Addison crying on video for a long time it seems and I FINALLY got it today! Why would I want to video her crying? you ask? Well, because she cries in a very different way (at least we think so) ... We can't decide if she is purring or doing a really good chewbacca impersonation! I will let you decide.... just a warning.. it is a video of Addison crying (no tears just mad because I wasn't fast enough with her bottle and how dare I put her down kind of crying!) so for those that are tender hearted.. here is your warning.. :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OsuDktuyof8

Next, Craven had his tonsil and adnoidectomy (sp)yesterday and though I haven't been able to actually talk to Sharelle, I know he is recovering well and should be either home today or on his way home! We all hope this will help him with his sleeping and with his eating issues...

Thirdly, I have been running?!?!?! yes, I know... I really dislike running but decided to start after watching people on the web cam cross the line at the 1/2marathon!! WAY TO GO !! and Randy has motivated me too as he ran the full again this year!! I can't imagine ever wanting to run 26 miles so I am super impressed that so many do it! (and more) So anyway, I am motivated to run and so far my max is 4 miles!! I have run 3 miles a few times and tomorrow John and I are doing a 5k in Nashville... There is a 10k here in Clarksville in July and there is a 1/2 marathon in Murfreesboro in Oct that I think we are going to try to run! I am so excited... I have attempted to run in the past but my right knee would just kill me, sharp stabbing pain, but I used my band thingy correctly this time and I have no pain at all now when I run! I have set my goals high so keep praying that I stay motivated!

Annabelle just woke from her nap (and Addison just went down for hers, of course) so I have to run...

Love to you all!
Carolyn