Park Adventures

We made it to two more parks on our "Park Extravaganza" list. Last week we went to Landa Park, one of the best parks around, to take a ride on the train. Addison loved pointing out the squirrels as Aubrey counted the turtles in the pond.

Yesterday we went to Solms Park, one of the "less loved" parks in New Braunfels; maybe it's because of the area it's located or maybe many people don't know about it, but Solms Park actually has a nice playground for older kids since it's slides are high in the air. Aubrey loved riding down the slides and climbing the rock wall. Needless to say, they didn't want to leave.

"Park-a-week" Extravaganza!

Week 1
Park 1: Kraft Park, New Braunfels

I've decided to take the girls to a different park every week in New Braunfels and invite all our friends to join us each week in the evening. This week was the first week and I took the girls to Kraft Park. Although it's very small, they still love playing there and it's generally vacant of other kids. They had a great time climbing the wall and going down the slides. And I got to try out my new Canon camera!

Then we came home and made brownies!

Next week's park: Landa Park, New Braunfels' largest park, and Aubrey's favorite!

God gave me you...

It's been just over two weeks that Troy left. And although I'm trying to keep myself busy with tons of home projects (some of them not going very well due to my lack of carpentry skills), I'm still wishing he was here to help. Help with reading Aubrey bedtime stories, learning how to ride her bike, and explaining that brushing her teeth is important. Help with picking up the entire box of Lucky Charms Addison has managed to dump on the kitchen floor for the 3rd time. Or to help rub my sore feet at night, ha! We've been through this whole deployment thing before, 4 times to be exact, but never with kids. Fortunately, I have Troy's family to assist and plenty of friends that have volunteered.

Every time I look at these two girls, every time I listen to them fight and cry, I think of Troy and what he would do (right about the time I think I'm going to lose my mind), so I usually end up on the floor wrestling with them, reminding them that it's okay to have fun, giggle, and laugh, even if Daddy is far away. I've been told I have to play both parent roles while he's gone and to keep their schedules the same (sorry for keeping them up until 9:30 last night Daddy!). According to the deployment book I'm evaluating before it's published in 2013, it says I'm in Stage Five: Adaptation stage, or the "I can make it" stage. I personally enjoy the part about remembering to pay attention to your personal appearance (OOPS!). I had to laugh about that one and then I realized I wore the same clothes after work all last week.

I know how blessed we are to have each other and that God gave me Troy for the ups and downs. Even though this is temporary, it will be no comparison to the looks on our girls' faces when their Dad gets home. Every time I talk to someone whose family member is deploying, I love explaining to them that when it's time to reunite, it's literally like falling in love all over again for that first few minutes you see them. Our time will come. But for now, we are planning every fun activity and taking pictures of it all to send to Daddy! We miss you!

March already, really?

Today is picture day at the girl's school. This morning was chaotic trying to figure out what Addison would wear. Aubrey already had her outfit picked out, pink of course, but I had three different dresses for Addie and she hated the one I chose to put on her. So back upstairs I went to find another dress, which turned out to be a success (I hope). Now we will have to see if the teachers can manage to get a bow on her head without her noticing, just long enough to take the picture. Glad that is over. Now the wait to see the actual pictures!

We recently met up with my step-brother Bryan and his family. They were in town for a wedding and we managed to meet up at the San Antonio Rodeo for a few hours to catch up on life. It had been seven years since I last saw him, at his wedding in Missouri. I find it's hard to keep up with family since we all live in different states, but it gives me more motivation to make an effort to see them all. It's been almost eight years since our family was together, which was at my wedding, and I miss them all so much.

Merry Christmas from The Mallett's

We hope everyone has had a great 2011. Here's what we've been up to.

Our year started with a newborn baby (Addison Joelle) and so we have been busy changing diapers, feeding, waking up at all hours of the night and teaching her "head, shoulders, knees and toes." She is now running everywhere, mostly chasing Aubrey around the house, has learned to point and grunt for anything she wants, and her new favorite spot is inside Lucie's kennel (of course when Lucie is not in it!). She's now 1 year old, 20 lbs, and she also loves to dance to any music. She's definitely more "curious" than Aubrey was, so I am always checking my back to see if she is climbing into anything or getting herself into trouble.

Aubrey is four, almost five, and is starting to read, write, and perform math (at the dinner table when she adds all her food together). She loves to color, draw pictures, do puzzles, and play with her Barbies. She started Tee ball this year, did very well, but was not too excited about it, mostly because she didn't get to wear her favorite color: pink. She also took swimming lessons, which she loves. Her cousins have been to Texas a few times this year, so she has spent alot of time playing with them.

Troy is busy with work at the police department. He is now trained as a hostage negotiator and has also trained several new recruits in the department. When he's not at work, he's at work....military, that is. His reserve duties have been abundant this year with their annual inspections and he is the go-to guy for training and deployment resources. Troy also earned his college degree and we are very proud of him for that accomplishment. He was able to convince me into purchasing a 1968 Chevy Camaro and whenever we get a chance, we go cruising in it. 2012 will bring some challenges because he will be deployed for most of the year overseas, but us girls will hold down the fort at home and count down the days until he returns!

I am still working at the county road department and enjoy the new challenges that I face each day. I love playing and spending any time possible with the girls. In the summer, Aubrey and I would take off to Schlitterbahn for a few hours at a time to play at the waterpark. I took them to the zoo with a friend in early spring, and I love taking them to the park in the cooler weather. Troy and I also have made plans to take the girls to Sea World for the Christmas adventure in a few weeks.   

I took the girls to Iowa for the Fourth of July to the Walker family reunion. It's always nice to see family I haven't seen in a long time. We took a Disney cruise with Troy's family to the Bahamas in early September, then stayed at a Disney resort in Orlando for three nights while we went to the greatest place on Earth: Disney World. Aubrey loved every minute of it, but we wore her out every day, dragging her on every ride we could. We loved the trip, our first cruise, and hope to one day go on another. In early November, we went back to Florida for Tara's wedding. We enjoyed seeing family and watching Tara and Darren get married on the beach.

We have truly been blessed this year with all the new adventures our family has had. We wish a very Merry Christmas to all and a Happy New Year!

Birthday Girl

It truly seems like yesterday I was waddling my way into the labor and delivery area at the hospital with Troy, ready to meet our little Addison Joelle. We've finally discovered how different our two girls are: Aubrey has always been shy, hesitant to start any trouble, and loves to be around someone at all times. Addison on the other hand, although she looked exactly like Aubrey after she was born and had her same mannerisms, has definitely explored her wild side lately. Two complete opposites. Addison smiles alot and loves to blow bubbles. She has been walking for about 3 months now and is already climbing up and down the stairs. Although her vocabulary consists of baby blabber and DaDa, we know she's going to change the world. If we could just get her to sleep through the night...Happy Birthday precious Addison!

Trick or Tr"EAT"

Why do we always end up with so much candy? I feel like I never buy enough, but I always end up with alot left over, even after the cute, little, costumed kids have left. Aubrey enjoyed handing out candy at home once she had been to each house around the block collecting her share, and Addison was having fun pushing the wagon around in front of the garage while Troy washed the Camaro. What a perfect night too, there's no weather like Fall weather!